Back to book project. How to photograph models for free. TFP

Some time ago, I began posting articles on various topics related to photography and modeling. You can find some of those texts at a hashtag #bookproject

However, due to the high energy consumption involved, I eventually had to stop. Nonetheless, I still have plenty of topics to discuss.

Thanks to my supportive friends, I have compiled a list of topics to cover for an entire year! :D Mostly it will cover communication between models and photographers, photoshoot tips, and my opinion on related topics.

Today, I want to post a text that I wrote 2 years ago, and it is about TFP (Time for Print) photoshoots.

For those who are not familiar with this term, it is an agreement between a model and a photographer to work for each other for free. Sometimes, they might share the shooting costs, or for example, a model takes care of an outfit, makeup, props, etc., and a photographer rents the location.

Usually, this kind of photoshoots is planned for the pure joy of creativity and, of course, to develop portfolios of models and photographers. But very often (unfortunately), people get disappointed after participating in them.

Good TFP is when your expectations are met, so you invest your time, skills, money and you get nice photos.

Also before sharing my list of tips I wanna mention that an approach to TFP shoots is very different in “western world” and in “post-soviet” world and as I sort of belong to both of them, my own opinion will be mixed.

In the US and most parts of EU TFP shootings are often considered worse kind compared to paid ones. Very often photographers would say to me “I stopped working with tfp models long time ago, it feels like a waste of time” and models would say to me “no, I am a professional, I never do tfp shoots, people have to pay for my skills!”

However in Belarus and Poland (I assume also in Ukraine and Russia) TFP is often considered a good photoshoot cause it is an opportunity for all participants to show there full potential, without limiting yourself to the clients expectations. Of course nobody earns money, but very often good tfp turns to be an investment in better portfolio, contacts with new creatives, publications, etc. But there is a thin line where being not paid for your work is still ok and where it is not.

I decided to divide my thoughts on TFP into 3 parts - what to know before/during and after the shooting.

So to not get disappointed, both models and photographers (and make up/hair artists) should discuss the photoshoot beforehand.

- First of all, nobody should use a commercial release on a TFP photoshoot. But having a model release is not a problem, it can be helpful for both a model and a photographer. If you plan to sign a model release, mail it before the shooting to all the participants

- Who participates - everyone should check each others portfolio and know what to expect

- What are we shooting - Everyone should know the idea, accept the moodboard.

- How many photos would participants get and how soon.

Very often this is the main issue, cause some photographers don't treat tfp as seriously as paid work, so they tend to not edit photos in agreed deadline. And on another hand some models don't realize how much work it takes to edit photos after a shooting and they expect to get all of it and asap.

*Good example of TFP expectations - 3-10 photos from each set (if there were a few) within 2-4 weeks after a shooting. But it can easily be more/less photos or shorter/longer waiting time, there is no perfect recipe, cause everyone works in a different style.*

- who is responsible for what: who brings outfits? snacks? who will do make up and hair? Who will be a driver? who pays for the location/parking/rental ?

Don't assume your model will bring her make up kit and high heels. Don't assume the photographer will cover all costs. Just discuss it!

- How much time will the photoshoot take?

don't say “it is a 2 hour project” when what you mean is 2 hours of taking photos plus travel time, make up time, preparation of the location, cleaning up after the shooting - all of it should be included so people don't feel like someone is stealing their time.

Another set of tips is for the photoshoot itself:

-Be on time! Just because you're not getting paid doesn't mean you can disrespect your agreement.

- Don't cancel unless the reason is as serious as you would cancel a paid job.

- if a model is a beginner, plan beforehand what she will need to do. Prepare a moodboard with different poses. Give positive feedback.

- same about a beginner photographer - if you know you are shooting sth new for you, do some homework - practice the setup without a model, check some tutorials, strategize plan B if the photos will not turn out like on your inspiration board

- be polite and don't give up, let your first 30min be a warm up

- if you don't like something, don't keep it boiling inside, find a way to politely (!) inform others about your concerns

What you should remember after a photoshoot:

- deadline (as was already discussed :)

- every participant must receive the photos

Let's not ignore make up artists, stylists, models and everyone else

- photographer should receive an approval from every participant

- everyone should be credited under each publication

- Everyone should be informed if the photos are used somewhere (exhibitions, paid platforms (Patreon), magazine publications etc)

Other ways of making photoshoots that don't require a photographer paying a model -

photoshoot as a trade for accommodation (some travel models will be happy to do a short photoshoot in exchange for a place to stay for a few nights, but 1. your portfolio must show some experience or similar taste as a model, 2. the model needs to know you or have some recommendations from other models (safety).

photoshoot in exchange for social media views/content (shops, designers, actors, hotels, nude/erotic platform creators,)

photoshoot in exchange for a photoshoot - when photographer and a model photograph each other (mostly female photographers/models are doing it, but not only)

Photoshoot at a photography event where everybody comes to participate in something creative. Some of those events are paid but there are also those where you only cover a travel and accommodation for yourself

So, as you can see, even if your budget is limited, you can still photograph people and develop your portfolio. Just be kind and fair to the other participants of the agreement, and enjoy your next TFP shoot!

Ph. Albert Finch