Photographers; beginners, mid level, hobbyist and professional photographers, or anyone that would like to make money in the photography business. Have you have experienced with TFCD (test) shoots? If yes or do not know what this means, please read, highly beneficial for your career. Dear Photographers, I have been in the business for four years, and have tried and experienced almost anything a photographer can, so I would like to share some things that will help you immensely with your career. First thing is to stop shooting for free or TFCD and please read.
1. TFCD (trade) is an amazing way to try out ideas, but that is it, TFCD means Trade For a CD of images with the photographer picking the images, why does the photographer gets to pick the images? Because it is the photographer's work that's been shown, and having an amazing eye to pick the best images is part of being a photographer.
2. TFCD (trade) with models: This is a great way to show your talent, but always remember that in this case you are equal partners in the shoot and no money should be exchange from anyone, and without attitudes everyone should do their job, the model's job is to try to achieve the poses and looks the photographer wants and the photographer's job is to capture that in an image. Very simple
3. TFCD (trade) with celebrities or well-known companies, mags/clubs/designers: This one is my favorite, first do NOT get blinded by the bling, most likely they are fake diamonds. They will always claim that shooting for them, for free, will be great for your resume and that you will get more work because of it, this is absolutely NOT true in 99% of the times, the truth is that all they want is a free photo shoot, I can blindly guarantee you that the only other time you will hear from these people, is when they want another free shoot. Also, most of the times you will end up with images that you will never be able to use or sell, the only way I do a TFCD shoot with a celebrity is when I'm able to shoot what I want and a model release signed is a most, this is because then you can make some money in stock celebrity photography.
Non-pay Internships are very much the same, Don't get me wrong I do TFCD shoots all the time, the key is to get what you want out of the trade, if not, get pay for your work and/or make sure they sign a contract with a guarantee pay shoot for the next one (or next year), it should clearly say that if they don't hire you for the next pay shoot, they have to pay you for the first shoot you already did in full, even if the company or project does not exist any more. This is the only way you can make sure they hire you in the future, if they are not willing to do it, then it's all BS. Even if you are a family friend of the person wanting the shoot, if it's a company that's in business make sure they pay you, if not they will only call you when they want a free shoot.
Building your portfolio: guess what? You are the one taking the pictures, and I'm sure your friends and family would love to pose for you so you can show your talent, it is about talent, your talent on capturing interesting images, and you have to make sure people pay you for it, just like a musician or artist, even if you can get free music, those musicians are still making some money from that music. After all if you give your work out for free then everyone that want a free shoot will call you, if you make sure people pay you, then they will always know that they have to pay.
I know a lot of you that read this have experienced some of these situations already, if you have please email me your story so I can start posting then, the only way this will stop is by showing newcomers how it really works. I want all of us to make money. A lot of these people have $250 to $1.000 to spend on a night out, so they should be able to pay photographers. Also, as a photographer you end up giving other people work, like; makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists or retouchers, printers and more. So think about that, you will be making money and helping other people make money so they can support themselves and families.
It has to stop, and it should start with us today.
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