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TFP
I've been researching modeling, and I was wondering what TFP (Time for Prints) means, or what it is... Can you help me?
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tfp's are considered a waste of time. trust me...ive gotten that alot... if you ever think about it tho....only do it with professionals!!!!!!!!
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I have enough experience with TFP's. They are a waste of time. The best idea is to get a load of film and do them yourself. Most agencies want to see what you naturally look like. After you get a friend or family member to do your shots then send them off to some local modeling agencies near you. :-) TFP is not real modeling experience.
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Time For Prints (TFP) is a way that a photographer can use a model free of charge (or these days often for a minimal charge to dissuade time wasters) to test out new equipment, try out new ways of taking photographs, test new lighting equipment, experiment with new types of film or simply build up a portfolio of stock shots that he or she can use when selling their services. The deal is that you provide your services for free (or for that nominal charge) and, in return, you get copies of the photographs.
This is a very good idea when you want to build a portfolio for yourself - especially when you are starting out. It is also a good way to get experience in front of the camera and to practice your poses. There are a few things you need to be aware of (or careful of):
Firstly, it is a good idea to agree with the photographer exactly what you will get out of it. Some photographers who do TFP will give you a copy of all of the photographs taken (either as prints or prints from slides), some will only give you a selection and some expect not to give you any at all! So be clear what the basis of the deal is before you start so that you will not be disappointed! Check how many prints you will get and what type and size they will be. If you want extra copies it is likely that the photographer will want to charge you for them. Check what those charges would be.
Secondly, make sure you know what the score is with respect to copyright. You may get copies of the photographs but the copyright in those photographs, because they were obtained through TFP, may remain with the photographer. This will restrict you in what you can do with them. For example, you may find that you cannot use them on the Internet if you have your own web site without permission from the photographer and he may want to charge you for this! Alternatively, you may find that your agency cannot use them on their web site either. So you need to understand what rights you have and what rights the photographer will want. It is best if this is documented to prevent any future misunderstandings. (If you become a supermodel you do not want to find that an early photographer of yours owns the copyright in your photographs and can then use them how he wants to without your permission being required!).
Thirdly, you should only agree to a TFP session with a reputable and professional photographer. Regrettably there are a few "photographers" out there that use TFP as a free way to get models for their own personal needs - especially those that want to take glamour photographs. They often call themselves "semi-professional". If the photographer starts asking you to do things you do not want to or to take your clothes off or start to touch you in a way you do not like (generally under the pretence of showing what pose they want) then you are perfectly within your rights to stop the session immediately! You should also make it known that this photographer is not a legitimate TFP source (you can use message boards like ours to do that). Unfortunately, TFP is just as rife with rip-offs as any other sector of the modeling business.
Finally, make sure that you are dealing with a professional photographer if you want to get quality prints from the session. Very often, a photographer that is new to the business will use TFP as a way of practicing. That's OK for him but may not be OK for you! The resulting prints may not be worth having. This one is always difficult as the real professional photographers are usually too booked up to have space or time for TFP work.
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