@togmentor - Bringing Aspiring Photographers and Experienced Pros Together | Taiwan Travel Photographers

Pine in Taiwan

A new initiative for photographers begins today – @togmentor. With more and more aspiring photographers seeking to make the jump into professional photography, and an increasing number of them on Twitter, @togmentor is a way to connect those of you who are just starting out with those of you who are more experienced.

Getting involved in easy. Firstly. you need to follow @togmentor. If you are an aspiring photographer, newly minted graduate or anyone who is embarking on the path to a professional photography career, simply send a tweet to @togmentor and/or use the hashtag #togmentor outlining your needs. If you are an experienced professional who wishes to donate some time, do the same but outline what you can offer. @togmentor will retweet as many as possible. Be sure to include any location information as well, if necessary.

Examples of what an aspiring photographer might need include website critique, portfolio critique, advice on rights or just general encouragement. For the experienced pros, if you have any time you’d be able to donate to help out the new generation, it’d be much appreciated. It could involve anything from giving advice on the presentation of an online portfolio to sharing a model release template to meeting an up and coming photographer in your area for the occasional coffee or drink.

This is not for anyone who is simply looking for praise about their work. It is designed so that those with experience can share it and pass on their wisdom to those starting out along the path of professional photography.

Any thoughts, comments and ideas on this initiative will be very appreciated. It’s a work in progress of sorts and I expect it to evolve over the coming weeks and months. The inspiration behind this came from 3 wonderfully generous photographers who are all active in the social media world.

Zack Arias (@zarias) because of his excellent Critique series of photographers online portfolios.

Jeremy Cowart (@jeremycowart) because of his encouraging photographers to give via the @help_portrait movement.

Trudy (@thetrudz) because of her work in putting together the Hire Togs initiative.

A big thank you to all three of you.

http://www.trushots.com/ Trudy

This is a good and productive idea. I'm honored that anything I did contributed to your idea for this. I think I have a ways to go before being at a full “mentor” status but I would love to be a mentee. Great work, thanks for your kindness…I will follow this page immediately.
http://www.craigfergusonimages.com cfimages

Thanks Trudy. I think you'd make a pretty good mentor.
Trudy

I do mentor (especially newer female photographers) and am mentored (by older more experienced photographers) and the relationships are great. They really help you grow. I might need more experience before being able to mentor on the scale that your project should become. Hehe. I really LOVE this idea of yours.
http://www.craigfergusonimages.com cfimages

Great to hear you're already mentoring. It's often a 2 way street – help someone less experienced while at the same time learn from those more experienced.
http://www.lonefemalephotographer.com/ Magdeline Lum

This is by far one of the best things I have seen for photographers come out of twitter.

Absolutely fantastic!! Have tweeted and RTed too.
http://www.driftingfocus.com/ Kelsey

This is really great, and it reminds me of a social media version of ASMP's mentoring program.
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http://www.craigfergusonimages.com cfimages

Thanks a lot for the support. I'll be looking out for your post.
http://www.craigfergusonimages.com cfimages

Thanks Kelsey, much appreciated.
http://www.driftingfocus.com/ Kelsey

This is really great, and it reminds me of a social media version of ASMP's mentoring program.
http://www.craigfergusonimages.com cfimages

Thanks a lot for the support. I'll be looking out for your post.
http://www.craigfergusonimages.com cfimages

Thanks Kelsey, much appreciated.
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