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Hello Janet,
First, I must say I am not a professional portrait artist. I make my income from still-life sales through a gallery. However, I do have experience asking people to model for me and have had good success. I found that people were much more likely to take me seriously when I showed them my portfolio and then discussed the possibility of them modeling. I wouldn't go in unprepared. By showing the portfolio, (mine is a still-life portfolio,) people see the professional side of you first. The experiences that I've had is that most people find it a compliment, and for the money are happy to do oblige.
I do live in China, where foreigners are a bit of a rarity and people seem to want a foreign friend. That may be what makes it easier for me. Also, in China there would be no law suit or hassles from a local to a foreigner, so I may be completely naive to the difficulties that you were all writing about. Still, I say go for it if you feel good about the relations with the girl after you speak with her, and ask that her father is present at least the first time.
Good luck,
Anthony
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