Shooting DFT is ... What is a photo shoot on TFP terms and how to get a photo in the studio for free

TFP shooting is a mutually beneficial agreement between the model and the photographer, usually at the initial stages of their career. What does it mean, how to create a contract and what it should contain, what pitfalls does this concept have? Read on.

General concepts

What does this abbreviation mean? TFP stands for Time For Print - in a literal translation, the time for printing. Since today photos on paper are becoming less popular, often the result of such shooting is digital images on the disc. This led to the appearance of a shortening of TFCD - Time for CD.

Shooting DFT is a contract between a photographer and a model where the latter agrees to pose for the first without a financial reward, with the exception of the pictures that will be used for her portfolio. That is, no one pays anyone. In order to avoid conflict situations, it is better not to be limited to an oral agreement, but to clearly identify the rights and responsibilities of each participant in the creative process by documenting in the form of a contract.

Why is this necessary?

Everyone wants to get paid for their work, but no one will turn to people for services that can not prove their professionalism. Customers expect to see the mastery of the photographer and the models in the case, before concluding a contract with them. Therefore, a portfolio for both is required.

For amateur photographers, shooting DFT is a good alternative to hiring and paying for professional models to get high-quality images. After all, their fee can be for him a sky-high sum. While cooperation with novice models will cost several times cheaper.

The situation is the same for the other side. Models without or with little shooting experience need to have a quality portfolio. In addition, the more she spends time in front of the camera, the better and more confident she will look in the frame. But the fee for the services of a famous photographer may be too high. A mutually beneficial agreement with the photographer will benefit both sides.

How to get a photo in the studio for free

Although there is no immediate financial benefit from the TFP shooting, this does not mean that one of the parties intends to engage in charity.

When you want to offer a photographer or a model of such cooperation, think about whether it will bring them benefit. After all, they also plan to somehow use the material obtained: for self-promotion, for sale, etc. If you can not offer them something beneficial, then do not be offended when you are refused. Especially it concerns the work with specialists whose professional level is much higher than yours. A novice model will be difficult to work on an equal footing with an experienced photographer and vice versa. Chances of free shooting here will be zero.

Of course, sometimes it happens that the photographer, who already has experience and reputation, agrees to work on DFT, because he wants to experiment with a new idea or sell a series of photographs on photoshoots.

But it's best to choose a partner whose skill level is the same or slightly higher than yours. Then you can work almost without investment and maintain a normal respectful relationship. So you will either grow together, or improve and move to work with specialists of a higher level.

The financial side of the issue

At first glance, it may seem that the shooting of DFT is completely free. In fact, there are certain costs, which beginners forget or do not guess.

So, the photographer of TFP pays:

1. Rent and / or purchase of studio and equipment.
2. Rent and / or purchase of props.
3. Processing and printing photos.

In turn, the models of TFP will have to pay:

1. Services of hairdresser, make-up artist.
2. Purchase / rent of clothes and accessories.
3. Stylist services.

In rare cases, the photographer can provide the model with a complete team of specialists. Of course, this is a very profitable proposition for her. But in most cases, he can only give contacts or completely transfer these worries to her shoulders. A common scheme is that where both parties sum up the costs and divide them equally. Such moments should be specified at the initial stages of cooperation.

Result of work

The terms of the TFP must clearly state what benefit each side will receive at the end of the survey. After all, no one wants to work for nothing. For example, they have to agree on how many photos will be provided by the model and how long the DFP photo session will last. The average figure is from two to six photos per hour of work. But it varies depending on the arrangement.

If the photographer intends to use the images for commercial purposes, then the parties must decide what kind of reward the model will receive. This can be a fixed amount or a certain percentage of revenue. In any case, you need to get the model permission to use her photo.

Legal Aspects

In order for the contract concluded for the shooting to be valid, make sure that it contains:

• Full passport data of the photographer and model;
• Date and location of the survey;
• Duties of each party;
• The procedure for allocating costs;
• Reward model (number, type, timing of the production of images);
• Signature of each party.

Tips for photographers

The key to successful photoshoot models is careful planning. Here are some tips that will be helpful.

1. Designate your idea. The photographer should know in advance what pictures he / she plans to receive as a result of the photo session. The model does not choose a theme, background, props to be used. Of course, the exchange of ideas is only welcome, but the responsibility for this part of the work lies with you. Without a specific goal, you can end up with meaningless pictures that you, neither you nor her, will need.
2. Explain the idea of the model. She should clearly represent what you want from her - starting with makeup, hairstyle, wardrobe and ending with the mood. Separately, we should discuss the desired degree of nudity and candor poses.
3. Selecting frames. Some photographers give pictures at their discretion, some give the model the opportunity to choose. All this should be stipulated in advance.
4. Copyright protection. Perhaps this is the most delicate moment. The model can take pictures for the portfolio, but the rights to their commercial use belong to the photographer. In this regard, the pictures may have watermarks. However, such photos in the portfolio are considered bad form. Therefore, discuss how you will defend your authorship, not at the expense of the model.
5. Carefully develop the contract and terms of TFP. Do not forget about the point at which the model agrees to commercial use of the images. It is recommended to attach to the contract a copy of the passport or other identity document where there is a photograph. So with any questions you can easily prove that the person in the pictures really gave their consent to their use.

Tips for models

1. Carefully choose a photographer. Do not waste your time and money on training just because you agreed to work for free.
2. Take into account the photographer's wishes to make the TFP shoot as productive as possible.
3. Clearly negotiate with the hairdresser, make-up artist and other specialists, so as not to disrupt the work because of their absence.
4. If you are not sure which clothes to take, give preference to the basic things, but grab some interesting accessories. Even a simple scarf can be beaten in dozens of ways.
5. Carefully read the terms of the contract for the shooting, insist on his conclusion.
6. Do not choose a photographer who promises to give you all the pictures. Sometimes this indicates his unprofessionalism - he just hopes that out of the mass of material, at least something will turn out well. Each TFP shoot should make a significant contribution to your portfolio, where quality is important, not quantity.
7. The same goes for photo processing. If you promise a result immediately after the shooting - this is an excuse to be on the alert. The photographer will not have time to process the images. And even successful shots sometimes need to be cut, adjust the colors and contrast, remove small dust particles and other shortcomings. In addition, if the photograph is in focus, this does not mean that it is successful. The professional in any case rejects part of the photo, because they will have technical, compositional and other flaws. Remember the quality.
8. But with processing, another problem may arise. Some experts are mercilessly delaying its timing. Therefore, make sure that the contract had the item: "Processing of the photographs will take no more than ___ days, if the photographer does not provide the photos until the end of the month.year, he undertakes to pay the cost of the model work in the amount of ___ rubles." So you protect your interests and you do not have to act as a petitioner.
9. Talk to the photographer about the format of the pictures. If they are in the form of printouts, discuss the size and quality of the paper. Please note that you will have to scan them yourself for use electronically. Or the photographer will provide you with a CD-ROM with materials or a link to download.

DFP for advertising

This concept is rare, but it still has a place to be. If the photographer offers you such a survey, then this is a serious reason for reflection. It's one thing when the footage is used for sale on photoshoots, another - when your pictures are intended to advertise a particular product, a team of professionals is involved in the work and someone earns a lot on its result. Of course, your recognizability as a model will increase, especially if the pictures fall into glossy magazines. But if you are so good as to be printed, then why not get a decent fee for your work. Moreover, with such images there can be serious limitations in the sphere of copyrights, and you can not use them for self-promotion. A unambiguous answer is difficult to give, so carefully weigh the pros and cons for a particular situation.

Professional Ethics

Rarely, the conditions for capturing DFTs provide for an advance payment for future expenses between the parties. However, this is not an excuse to treat work irresponsibly. If the photographer breaks the survey, the model can either lose money spent on training, or spoil the relationship with the specialists involved. After all, everyone needs to plan their schedule. The photographer can also incur losses, since studio and equipment rental is paid in advance, not to mention the lost time.

Do not forget that this professional environment is rather narrow and everyone knows each other. Therefore, you need to protect your reputation and fulfill your obligations to each other. Otherwise, soon you will not want to work.

Right attitude

Shooting DFT is teamwork. To make it as productive as possible, each of its participants should make maximum efforts. This is as serious a job as paying for a photo shoot of models, so do not take it for granted if you are not inclined to give your partner maximum of their efforts, inspiration, creativity and experience.