TFP Is Bad For You, it will ruin your chance for a career. It’s only good for beginners. If you model TFP you won’t ever be paid.

Or so I have been reading.

But here’s the thing, that’s not how it is. Time For Photographs (TFP) has been around forever, top agencies in Australia still send models out at no charge to enrich a model’s portfolio, or to gather publicity. World renowned photographers and models often collaborate on non-commercial projects because they love what they do. Many say that it keeps them ‘fresh’. Everybody gets something in their portfolio that they love, often different to the ordinary commercial work.

Matt Granger, known for years as “That Nikon Guy”, publishes books full of models that are not paid. They want to be in a beautiful book, he wants to publish a beautiful book. Everybody is happy, everybody wins.

Why do people say TFP is bad for models? Selfishness and ignorance, I think. Some people only see value in money, and honestly believe TFP is a poor choice. Some people think TFP competes with their business, stealing their customers.

Artists believe there is value in :

• Making art.
• Having a diverse portfolio.
• Working with creative people.

There is one question that all parties contemplating any photoshoot should consider – “Is there value to me in doing this?”

“Value” can be money, a powerful portfolio, enjoyment, expression, or simply the satisfaction of helping someone.

I’ve always shot TFP. If I’m doing commercial work, I’ll always find time to shoot what I want, the way I want, with people that love collaboration. Sometimes, I hire models, sometimes, they hire me. If I need a specific look, for a specific purpose, and there is no value flowing to the model, then financial compensation is only fair. The same is true if a model wants my dark and moody style in their portfolio.

What are the actual downsides of TFP for models?

• Sometimes you work with novices, and the quality of the end result can show this. In cases like this it’s best to look at the other values – it’s practice and you meet people. A little extra time can turn a challenge into a success, overcoming obstacles can be fun.
• Sometimes you get nothing back. This happens, but it also happens with professional shoots. Working through a casting group helps reduce the chance of it happening – peer group pressure is a wonderful thing.
• Sometimes you get images that are nothing like you expected.

And the upsides?

• It’s cheap and cheerful.
• Limitless choices of professionals to work with.
• You can make a wide, and varied portfolio, with many styles.
• No exclusivity contracts.
• Work with people that love making art.
• There are professionals and amateurs doing TFP, work with both.

Shoot TFP if you want to – it’s rewarding and helpful.