Around the summer of 2008 I found myself doing too much work for money. Money is very useful so I didn’t mind that, but I did mind that I didn’t have time to get out and take pictures anymore. I decided I’d have to find a way to do both so I put an ad out on Gumtree – a website where people can post requests, look for things, get rid of things, whatever.

The ad read:

Hi all,

I’m a photographer looking for a few simple portraits to add to my portfolio. I work from home(E2, near Bethnal Green tube station) and a session would take up to one hour. Any age and male or female are welcome, but please email me a picture of yourself first.

This is not a commercial shoot so you won’t get paid and you don’t have to pay me either. I’ll end up with a nice picture for my book and you will end up with a nice portrait for yourself or your book. To find my website google my name and my site is the first link there – unfortunately I can’t put links in here….

regards,

Sipke Visser