Portfolio-Building In 2011

Hello, all! I announced earlier that in 2011 I would be doing portfolio-building shoots to test the waters, sharpen my abilities, and ultimately decide if I am going to make the leap from photo hobbyist to professional photographer. Well, here I am, making the announcement official. As of January 5, 2011, I will be accepting requests for sessions. For the time being, the sessions will entail a model release signed before we begin shooting. The sessions will be an hour and will likely result in 10-20 fully edited images (weddings, births and other events are obviously an exception to this). After I make a low-res CD (suitable for printing 4x6s) of the images, I will print out a press release for the client so that they will be able to use the images on various internet sites and print as many 4x6s as they desire. If they desire a larger size, or a canvas, I will be typing up my discounted ALA Carte prices in January.

Just for clarification: For portfolio-building sessions, the session is free, and a low-res disk is free. Enlargements, canvases, and high resolution images are subject to a special portfolio-building discount.

Please use the following lists as a guide for my "services". Please remember, these sessions should not take the place of a professional photography session (as I am not a professional), and remember to support a local photographer in 2011. They work hard and can produce much better images than chain stores.

The Kind of Shoots I Would Prefer:
These are the areas in which I want to specialize. I want to be a "life events" photographer, capturing those milestones that create a visual time line of cherished events.
*Engagement
*Wedding
*Birth
*Birthday Parties
*Military Homecomings

The Kind of Shoots I Am Willing To Do:
These are wonderful practice, but if I do go pro I will likely refer to other photogs who specialize in these areas instead.
*Family
*Boudoir
*Seniors
*Newborn
*Portrait
*Model

Shoots I Will Not Do:
*Sports
*Glamour (Different from boudoir, which is come-as-you-are)
*Corporate

Additionally, I would like to extend my services to families of deployed soldiers. Because I am not a "professional" by the standards of the BBB, I cannot participate in OpLove, but if you want to have a portrait session so you can have something to send to your soldier, I will include 2 8x10s free of charge. It is important to build morale any way we can, even if it is a small gesture. God bless those who serve and those families who hold strong.

If you have any questions about any particular session and what it entails, please shoot me an e-mail at mmuphotography@gmail.com . Have a great day!

**Edited to add: I guess I should add that I am in the Killeen, TX area, but any friends within a few hours' travel time can schedule a session as well. I like to travel!