It’s not uncommon for new photographers to work for little to no income while simultaneously building their skills and portfolios. Some call it paying one’s dues. Others argue that low-budget or free shoots do more harm than good for the photography industry. Obviously, you want to get paid for your time and effort, but there are circumstances in which working for free can prove worthwhile for everyone involved, including models, makeup artists, stylists, venues, and of course, photographers. Those in the industry know these helpful, collaborative circumstances as TFP sessions.
What Is TFP?
In photography, TFP stands for “Time For Prints” or “Trade For Prints” (or “Pictures”). Unlike regular photo sessions in which you would shoot for a client and get paid, TFPs involve collaborating with others to produce original content that benefits all parties involved. For example, if you are a wedding photographer (or plan to break into wedding photography), you might coordinate with other wedding industry vendors (makeup artists, hairdressers, wardrobe stylists, florists, etc.) and organize a TFP that will allow you to showcase their products & services while also building your photography portfolio. These collaborations are sometimes referred to as a styled shoot in this context.
Of course, TFPs include small productions as well. For instance, you might plan a one-on-one model portfolio shoot that allows you to build portfolios for both you and the model. You can find a great, in-depth series of articles on shooting model portfolios here on Adorama’s blog.
Now that you know what a TFP is and when to use it, here are 8 tips for maximizing free shoots.
TFP Tips for Maximizing Free Shoots
- Shoot with Purpose
- Create a TFP Mood Board
- Assemble Your Team in Advance
- Put It in Writing
- Map Out the Details
- Keep It Professional
- Cull and Edit with Consistency
- Get Published and Then Share
Tip #1: Shoot with Purpose
Before committing to a TFP, you should develop a clear understanding as to why you are doing it. In other words, make sure you’re shooting with purpose. Afterall, if you’re committing your time and resources to a project, not to mention the time and resources of everyone else who’s involved, you want to ensure it’s worthwhile.
Are you trying to connect with vendors, perhaps to get published or else create mutual marketing content? Or, are you trying out new techniques or gear to expand the look showcased in your existing portfolio? Once you’ve answered those questions, you’ll need to consider whether or not the details of the TFP will allow you to meet those goals.
Also, even though you’re collaborating with others and may have to remain flexible in order to realize everyone’s vision of the finished product, you should still make every effort to create imagery that aligns with the style you want to be associated with. Communication is key for making sure everyone is on the same page for the TFP. If your vision for the shoot differs too much from what your collaborators are after, this may not be the TFP for you. If that happens, it’s okay to say no thank you. You’ll have other opportunities. In my opinion, it’s not worth taking on a free shoot that has nothing to do with the kind of photography you want to create.
Tip #2: Create a TFP Mood Board
If you initiate a TFP session, it’s likely that you have an idea in mind for the shoot. As I mentioned previously, you may want to try new gear, such as lighting or light modifiers, and that can influence the direction of the shoot. Whether you reached out first or were invited by a model or another vendor, I recommend putting together a mood board to flesh out details like color schemes, lighting style, posing style (editorial vs. whimsical and so on), and more. The mood board offers a tangible starting point for everyone to collaborate and begin crafting the look of the TFP.
If you have a clear direction ahead of time, then you’ll have a better chance of creating a consistent set of images that can be used in a variety of campaigns, look books, or whatever your needs may be. The collection of images do not need to serve as a shot list, mind you, but you might find inspiration in the images and incorporate that into your shoot somehow.
Tip #3: Assemble Your TFP Team in Advance
For those working in a particular genre, such as wedding photography, it makes sense to reach out to and partner with vendors working in that industry. Typical vendors include hairstylists, makeup artists, florists, party/decor rentals, planners and coordinators, and hotels/venues, among others. For a fashion-oriented TFP, you’ll likely focus more on working with models. It’s important to put your team together well before the shoot so that everyone has time to prepare and adequately do their part. You also need to make sure your collaborators are available to participate.
The Experience Factor
In a perfect world, you’ll meet other vendors while working on paid gigs and establish a rapport (and oftentimes friendship), making it easier to reach out about a possible TFP collaboration. If you have absolutely no connection with vendors, however, and nothing to show to establish your credibility, your pitch is going to be harder (although not impossible) to sell. When that happens, you may want to try working with less established vendors who will appreciate the benefits of partnering with you for a TFP. Here are a couple other ways to increase your chances of landing a collaboration.
- Start Small: If you’re completely new in photography, you may want to start smaller first with model portfolio shots or even offer to photograph friends and family. At this point, you really just want to build up a basic portfolio to show that you’re capable of capturing and editing decent photos.
- Find Work as an Assistant: I also recommend developing your skills as an assistant or third shooter for other photographers and trying to build up experience and a small catalog of images that way. Do not market photos you capture for other photographers as examples of work from your own gigs, however. Also, communicate with the photographers you’re working with to make sure they’re okay with you sharing the photos. Most studios hold exclusive rights to the photos you capture while working for them.
Tip #4: Put It in Writing
It’s always a good idea, when working with others, to use contracts and model releases, especially when deliverables are expected. Luckily, you can use apps like the one featured in the video above on Adorama’s YouTube channel to refine existing contracts or else create them from scratch. Check out the video for more details on how to do that.
Tip #5: Map Out the Details for the TFP
There’s a reason TFPs are called “Time for Prints.” Putting together and executing a proper TFP takes a considerable amount of time, not to mention effort. Before, during, and after the shoot, there are many things to prepare for and keep track of. Here are a few important points to keep top of mind while working on a TFP.
- Securing a Location: If you have a studio and plan to use it for the shoot, then great. Otherwise, you’ll need to figure out a location in advance and make sure it’s available (or even practical to use) during the scheduled time of the shoot. Several locations also require permits and insurance, so you’ll need to figure that out in advance as well.
- Setting a Date/Time: Because TFPs rely on time rather than pay, time is the most important commodity. Most collaborators will focus on paid work first and find time whenever possible to contribute to the TFP. As a result, it might prove difficult to lock in a time that everyone has open. The more advance notice you give, the better your chances of easing the process of setting a date & time. With location shoots, the day of the week and time of day also factor into how the images will look. For example, a stretch of beach will look different on Tuesday evening than it will on Saturday afternoon. The lighting, of course, will change, and the crowds will vary.
- Finding a Model: If you’re working with a modeling agency, you can provide a list of details for what you’re looking for. You might also find models on sites like Model Mayhem that connect models and photographers for both paid and unpaid shoots, depending on the model and circumstances.
- Working with a Model: The model actually represents a multi-faceted aspect of the shoot. He or she (or they) will also be working with the hairstylist, makeup artist, and wardrobe stylist throughout the shoot. Here are some great tips to keep in mind when photographing the model.
- Planning the Details: The details you’ll need to attend to during a TFP include wardrobe (in the model’s size), props/decor, backdrops, lighting, and more. As such, you’ll need to gather what you can before the shoot and make sure everything is present and ready to go on the day of. Photographers also need to prep and charge gear so that it is in working order. Otherwise, the shoot can quickly go south.
Tip #6: Keep It Professional
Treat TFP sessions like paid shoots. In other words, dress professionally, be respectful and punctual, don’t flake, and stick to the agreed turnaround time for the photos. In reality, our most valuable asset is our time, and nobody wants to waste it. If you treat a TFP like it doesn’t matter or cancel at the last minute, you’re going to burn bridges. Doing so can (and likely will) come back to haunt you down the road.
Tip #7: Cull and Edit with Consistency for the TFP
Culling and editing for a TFP should look a lot like how you’d cull and edit for any session. Depending on your current workflow, the key difference here might be adding extra keywords to easily find specific images. For instance, you can use “Flowers” as a keyword for images that you’ll want to share with a florist. Otherwise, select a variety of looks and edit them in a consistent style for better blog or mag spreads. At the end of the day, remember to choose quality over quantity. It’s better to share a smaller batch of amazing photos than a huge pile of so-so images. For editing, I prefer using presets for consistency, but the lighting and how you expose the shots also factor in.
Once the photos are ready, set up a system for sharing the final images with the rest of the team. Consider using Dropbox, wetransfer.com, or some other method. If you plan to print the photos, use a reputable company like Printique or something of that caliber. I also recommend sending out an email to notify the team of any instructions. For example, nobody should share the photos on social media if you plan to publish them in a magazine/blog. See the next tip for more ideas on what to do with the final images.
Tip #8: Get Published and Then Share
If your TFP goals include publishing the photos, then shoot the photos with your publication(s) of choice in mind. Browse through most publications, and you’ll likely notice a certain aesthetic to the images they feature. If your photos don’t fit their mold, your chances of getting published through them will drop. Assuming your images do fit, then you’ll need to follow the publications submission guidelines to the last detail, including sending the right file size & type, number of images, etc.
You may also need to wait before sharing the TFP images publicly. Some publishers want exclusivity with the images and won’t use photos that have already made the rounds on social media. Again, check the publications guidelines before you share any of the pics.
Once you’re clear to share the photos, fit them into your posting schedule and tag your collaborators for maximum exposure. It will help if your collaborators share the images and tag everyone as well.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 8 tips for maximizing TFP shoots. As to whether not TFP Photography is a good or bad thing depends on why and how you’re doing it. If everyone will benefit from the collaboration and the photos align with your style, then the TFP is likely worthwhile. You’ll find opportunities to collaborate over time as your reputation grows, so filter out those that aren’t worth your time. After you’ve built up a solid portfolio, you can focus more on paid client work. Save TFP sessions for trying new things to update your portfolio or networking with other professionals.
