Time for print

Time for print shoots can help you build a portfolio and help further your modelling career this information will tell you about how to get your photos taken for nothing

Time for Print or TFP is a way for models and photographers to benefit from a collaboration without money changing hands. A photographer will shoot a model and in return for their time they will receive prints of the shoot they have done. Time for print is also called Time for CD where models will receive CDs containing photos from the shoot, and more recently the generic term TF has been used to cover digital information which can be shared without either prints or CDs being passed on.

The benefits for a model are that they will receive some good shots for their portfolio and be able to enhance what they can offer to agencies without having to spend any money. However, it is important to remember that not all Time for print opportunities will lead to great photos. You must be selective in who you work with, there is no point getting a load of poor quality free photos as they will put people off your portfolio. Remember, quality not quantity. It is unlikely that for a shoot, stylists, make-up artists and hair artists will also be offering their services for free. If they are and they are good then you are lucky. Time for print shoots can be worthwhile as you can gain experience and get to know which area of the industry you should be targeting, but do your research. It is a good idea to look into photographers, find some work you like and then offer yourself for time for print shoots

Often good agencies and photographers will have time for print arrangements where models can be used for free by photographers, but in these instances the agencies will have a strict standard to uphold and will often know photographers very well and know what to expect from them

A photographer will be getting a free model for their work and so the benefits are clear to them, often photographers will not pay too much attention to the needs of the model so it is a good idea to make it clear what you want from the shoot, some head shots and body shots for example. It would also be good for you to be able to see the proofs so that you end up with something usable in your portfolio.