how do I ask for a photography internship?

[Steven]

I want to send a generic email to many photographers who photograph high fashion and advertising. I am in the New York area, and in high school so getting and intern will be tough considering my age. What do I write and how do I weave in me being in High School but still saying I am completely capable. Also if you know anyone who needs and intern that would be great. Thanks!

[Steve P]

First of all, it is AN intern, not "and" intern.

I am going to tell you right out that a generic email is not likely to get you anywhere. Photographers get those things many times over every day, and it is typically going into the trash, ... maybe if you are lucky you will get a likewise generic rejection email.

You need to call on the phone and make an appointment to meet the photographer in person. If you cannot make the effort to make a personal appearance, why should the photographer think you are going to be reliable, (and SERIOUS), about working as an intern?

You say you are "completely capable". How so? What do you want an internship to do for you? Teach you the technical side of photography? Teach you the business side? Teach you the people relationship side? These are the kinds of things you will need to discuss with the photographer in person. An email shows no true serious intent on your part. All that says is, "I'm not going to make an effort to actually meet with you, so I will just blast off this easy email like everybody else".

Sorry, but that is just life. Put yourself in the photographer's shoes. What would impress you more, someone who is courteous enough and serious enough to make an appointment and actually meet with you face to face, .... or someone who just pops off a generic email to you?

Be ready to talk about what your career goals are. Be ready to talk about putting in all the time you can with no compensation. Be enthusiastic to sweep floors, put up backgrounds, assemble props, pack up equipment, and carry heavy loads. A photographer's work is not all glamorous, in fact, a great deal of it is not.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck! I actually admire you greatly. You have the good sense to approach the craft of photography correctly, instead of like the millions of bozos on Facebook who own a camera, have no clue what they are doing, and call themselves a "photography business".

steve