portfolio shots TFP etc

[350Dave]

i have been asked by a friend if i could do some portfolio shots for his girlfriend, who works as a promotions model.

not having done this before what should i be doing in reguards to model release and other stuff like TFP/TFCD etc, is there a "standard" model release etc
also is TFP/TFCD a contract thing or is it just a verbal i give you copies for your time thing, if it's a contract is there a "standard" for this too.

is there any samples on the net which i could base my own on?

thanks, sorry if that sounds wierd but im new to the world of model photography as apart from one quick model shoot, ive only done motorsport and family weddings etc in the past.

[ssim]

The one thing that I can guarantee is that you will get a differing of opinions on this. Some take the approach to compress and watermark the images given to the model, rendering them almost useless for her purposes. I take a slightly different approach.

The purest concept of TFCD/TFP is that it is a trading of services between two people. In this context it should be a win-win for both parties. Most photographers that do this, do it so that they can gain some experience in doing a type of photography that they have not had the chance to do very much of, if any. From the models side, they want a good product that they can use to persue to a career in modeling. I have not felt the need to do this for myself in the last couple of years but have done quite a few in the past.

I use a standard model release which basically says that I will use the images for promotional purposes only. I retain the copyright on them. I spend some time speaking with the model to find out what she wants and where she envisions going with this. I do a letter of understanding with her outlining any restrictions that I may decide to put on the use. This will include things like ensuring photo credit where possible, any time constraints on the use of the images for free. In the outside chance that someone may make it big in the modeling industry the time limit protects you from having these used in their "new found success" basically for free. I normally had put a 2 year time limit on them. We discuss the opportunity for the photographer to use the images in self promotion and the uploading to a stock service. I normally include a revenue sharing formula for any sales on the stock services. This allows you to recoup your time and some expenses as well as the model. Normally I let their revenue sharing kick in after the 5th sale. It is a matter of honesty and integrity. You have to trust each other, implicitly. The model may want some items into the letter of understanding and then I have us both sign it as well as a witness. Keep in mind that if your model is below the legal age limit for your jurisdiction that you need to get a parent or legal guardian to sign. I always try to take a copy of a driver's license or other photo id to attach to the forms for my records. This will assist you in having someone using a false name. They can post their pictures under any name they want but you have the real goods.

For delivery I will normally include a set of high-res non-watermarked images and another duplicate set with the watermarks. Trusting each other goes to the point of where when she can supply a watermarked image, she will.

As I stated earlier, I like to do this so it is a win-win for both parties. If you treat them like crap and don't give them anything useable, word of mouth will hurt you. Alternately, if you make it so that it has all the appearances of helping them, they will tell their friends and associates this. Which one would you rather have.

[staereo]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=232757

from page two of this forum. just ignore the minor parts of this thread.

bruce

[M_ark]

subscribed - need to read this more comprehensively later! :D thanks for the tips!

[Alleh]

I do Trade for Portfolio as just that trade so I don't watermark the images but it is always on my terms as in I don't do TFP for people who ask for it, I do it when I have something new I want for my portfolio and I go search for a model that will work. I don't treat it as a free session then try and sell prints.

Best way to do it is do the photos and supply the model with a CD of the images and if you edit any of them pass those along as well. You don't need any contract unless you are going to sell the photos for advertising then you will need a model release. I would skip that for now. I know require model releases for my TFP shots, though as I usually invest money if producing them all of which is a benefit to the model so I get a release. If you send me your email I will send you a copy of my model release form.