Stop shooting for free or TFCD

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.

How to Sell Photos on NYC Streets

Turn your love for photography into $cash$ by selling your photos as an NYC street artist. New York City allows for a high probability of selling due to the diversity of tourists and residents. Very few street artists who sell photographs present their photos in frames, which is a money saver. Mount your pictures on cardboard or slip them in plastic sleeves for protection. New York City doesn't require artist vendors to have permits, but you must have a state tax ID on you while you're selling.

• Obtain a state tax ID. Visit the New York State Online Permit Assistance and Licensing website to apply for a tax ID. Click on "Permits by Agency," then "Taxation and Finance, Department of" and then click on "Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax". The form to fill in is DTF-17.
• Review New York City's vending laws. Street vendors who do not sell food are referred to as "written matter vendors". As someone selling
• photographs, you will want to thoroughly review all laws that pertain to "written matter vendors." These laws include, but are not limited to, when and where you are allowed to sell your art (photos) and the size requirements of your area of selling. Vendors selling art in the streets are protected by the First Amendment right of free speech. To get a copy of these laws, contact the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) in New York. You should also ask for a separate copy of "List of Streets Restricted to Artists and Book Vendors."
• Pick your time and place, set up your stand and photos and start selling them to passers-by. According to the artist vending laws, just about any public area in New York City's parks and streets are open any time for selling your photos. A few restrictions apply and are outlined in the vending laws document from the DCA. Set up your spot according to regulations and put out your photos so they are visible to people passing on the street. Sell your photos to any who want to buy them for a price that is acceptable to you and the buyer.
• Only sell art on sidewalks more than 12 feet wide. Your art display can only be 5 feet high, 8 feet long and 3 feet wide
• Always stand 20 feet from doors if they open to a building that is commercial in any way. If it's a residential building, you can reduce that to 10 feet. Never touch or attach your display to city property such as fire hydrants, telephone poles or signs. In parks, you can't block walkways or touch benches.
• Obtain permission from an owner before you prop your art against his property, which includes fences and signs. Never display the art you're intending to sell on your car.Set up your stand on almost any street or in any park. In most places, you can sell your art 24 hours per day. Some complex rules apply to people selling art on the specific streets, such as times when selling is prohibited and certain circumstances under which you cannot sell art on a street (see Resources to check if any restrictions apply to a street that interests you).
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