TFP (Trade for Print) tips for models

This blog post is written in collaboration with with Crystal Mathis, a Houston model, nutrition health coach, and author.

The TFP is a useful collaboration which at a base-level provides images for both a model and photographer to use for marketing purposes. Hair and makeup artists, designers and studio owners can be part of this deal too. Literal prints are less common today since the maturation of digital photography, and have been replaced with electronic image files.

I use TFP for many reasons and have met some really cool people along the way.

With TFP there is often a balance in skills, or the collab is initiated by the more experienced party. An imbalanced pairing can still work and produce great results.

Paid work usually happens when either the model or photographer is fully dependent on the talent/experience of the other, or the work has commercial applications for a third party.

Why would you model for free?

To build your portfolio, especially earlier on. By blitzing a number of quality TFPs its possible to get a wide range of images in different styles. That way you can narrow down to what you’d like to focus on.

Its also a great way to see which wardrobe and pose ideas work. I’d suggest treating it like a class - spend a session concentrating on one thing and working on it until it is perfected.

Lastly, you’ll get to see how different people work. You’ll figure out how to get the best collaborations for your needs, and who to avoid in the future.

Why would a photographer work for free?

To test equipment, lighting or location in preparation for client shoots
To experiment with a different style or pivot to a new niche
To create new marketing materials
To stay sharp during quiet seasons
To network
For non-profits and charities
To feed the hungry Instagram machine with more images than client shoots provide

There are other reasons which are not necessarily bad, but might not get you the highest quality images:

When their portfolio has not reached a mature state

When their session flow/method/interaction needs refinement
They are shooting for fun with no plan or purpose for the session

Finding a photographer with integrity

Given the likelihood of TFPs being arranged through Instagram, there are some easy ways to check their profile to see which photographers will provide a smooth experience:

They have a profile picture of themselves (you don’t want to see a profile picture of a young woman, and then an old man turns up on the day)
They have a portfolio of images you like/respect
A nice-to-have is a link to a portfolio website so you can see more images and read their bio
Remember that the phrase “published” or “internationally published” means absolutely nothing when they have paid for publication, or the publication is a poor quality online-only magazine
Listing camera equipment in the Instagram bio is a sign they are very new to the game too. Not a deal breaker if their images are good though

The Model Release

A vital part of the TFP is the use of a model release. Copyright law says the photographs belong exclusively to the photographer. Without a release, a model doesn’t really have any promise to receive them. A release provides the terms of use for the model. The pictures are free, so don’t expect to directly profit from them, but do expect to be able to use them for Social Media at the very least.

Here’s an example of the model release I use:

Also, expect a reasonable number of images, and them to be delivered to you in a timely fashion. For example, my one hour TFPs generally produce 10 final images delivered within 7 days. Not getting images from a shoot is unfair and should not be tolerated.

Safety

Importantly, the number one rule is to be safe. There are thousands of really cool photographers out there, so there’s no need to take risks with someone if you see any red flags.

Study their images and decide if they are to your taste. You can tell a lot about a photographer’s personality from their portfolio.
You can DM people tagged in their photos for a review/reference of them
Bring a friend or relative to the shoot
Be confident to set boundaries, ask questions and be respected

TFPs are fun, can be hugely beneficial for everyone involved.

Have a plan, and communicate effectively to make sure all parties get great images they can use.

Comment below to share what made a TFP experience awesome, or what to pay special attention to.