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Models - What do you want out of a TFP session?
What would improve the whole TFP deal for you? What did you like about your past TFPs? What did you dislike? How can we as photographers, provide you with a more equitable and enjoyable TFP? Apr 17 06 12:08 pm Link David Gregg wrote: I would like a good learning experience, and pictures that show some sense of variety for both ports. I appreciate feedback, as I would provide photographer feedback to the best of my ability. I also like to build contacts and have a creative experience overall..... Apr 17 06 12:12 pm Link I understand that most photogs like to "get it right the first time" but please touch up the pictures! It looks better for both of us. Im not saying spend hours on them, but retouching is a must. Apr 17 06 12:14 pm Link As long as both parties are there to work and get wonderful agreed upon images, then it's a great deal! Please for the love of all that is holy, never try the bait and switch. Like tryin' to get a model nude, when you agreed that you would not be shooting nudes. That makes me super angry! But anyway, So far I've had great experences with TFP. One thing that would make is sweeter would be gas money. That is a deciding factor for me, if of course it is more that 2 hrs away. But, really anything, be honest and deliver the photos in a quick manner, that helps too. Okay, that's my O. Apr 17 06 12:15 pm Link Not to hijack this thred, but one model said "retouch images, it makes us both look better". It does, that is why I do not give a CD of all the images from a shoot, but an agreed upon # of images. I spend time on those images and not the ones not being used. Basicly the best of the images retouched. Apr 17 06 01:22 pm Link Amie Jackson wrote: How often does that really happen? Not questioning the veracity of your statement, just curious, and a little dumbfounded. It (not-previously-agreed-upon nudity) either happens, or it doesn't. I can't imagine trying to make it happen. Apr 19 06 03:54 pm Link easyonthe eyes wrote: Hell! Just wait until you're 57...that's a year older than dirt! Apr 19 06 04:45 pm Link Please capture the entire pose if the model is attempting a full body pose. Please offer a variety of images from the shoot, and not only the ones the photographer likes. Using an example, I worked TFP several times with a photographer who had a tendancy of capturing only my face while I was in a complex pose. He also would generally only send me several images from the end of the shoot, that would all appear pretty much the same. Apr 19 06 04:51 pm Link Previous TFP sessions.. hmm I liked: +Meeting some excellent people (photographers, models, MUAs, stylists.. etc etc). +Gaining some more experience. +Those same people introducing me to others in the industry, landing me more paid jobs. +Some excellent photos (in my opinion), with different looks, styles of photography and interesting concepts. I did not like: - Not recieving my photos on several different occasions (digital or printed) ..That is about it, besides to odd shoot starting very late, or certain people not showing up/being late. But most were well explained, understandable problems. Out of a TFP shoot my "requirements" are just that we arrange a reasonable time for it to end at, so it does not interfere with my paid job the next day. In some cases it will go late, but that is upon all members of the team agreeing to do so. I would really love some killer pictures for my portfolio as well  Apr 19 06 05:50 pm Link The bait & switch really sucks. You spell it out beforehand: NO nudity And what happens? cajoling and pushing you to do nudes (No, we discussed it) ok then implieds, ok then lingerie, ok then swimsuit, then OK you are a cliche with no creativity Also obnoxious watermarks, oversized and in neon. IMHO if you want to come off as an artist "sign" your work tastefully at the bottom or on a border. If I want to know who took a photo, I automatically/instinctvely look to the bottom of the photo, or the credits slot on the website. Giant funky watermarks turn me off and distract me from whatever the photgrapher was trying to put across. A signature gives me the instant impression of a classy, professional photographer who I'd be more likely to hire. A giant splashy watermark over the front of the image screams spiteful and immature. To me an image should inspire me to WANT to know who took the photo, rather than being forced to fight my way past the watermark and into the photo. Also bait & switch re:format. 8 hrs of shooting later: "btw I shot these 4x6 and I'll put them on the web, you can download low rez versions from there" TFCD means you give someone a CD within a reasonable amount of time. If it's going to be a while, please be kind enough to e-mail a few photos so I can update my portfolio like one wonderful photographer I know. TF crappy webshots means that. Though Time for Poop is the reality.  Just BE HONEST about what the model can expect. Be honest with what you can expect from the model. Ex. I'm not thin fashion model material, I have a lot of muscle and some great definition but I need/want to lose some weight. I don't hide this. Don't be rude Re: my body b/c I won't get naked for you. And finally, ideas. Give us an idea of what you want to shoot. I love being thrown an idea and told to brainstorm for it. I work best when I get a vague idea of direction so my imagination has a starting gate. Tell me what you want to do with a shoot and I'll do my damndest to prep beforehand and make it happen and you happy. Nothing bugs me more than inefficiency, if we're going to collaborate, let's make it worth it. Dec 10 06 11:33 pm Link my only big dislike has been months of waiting for some pics. Every TFP is different and all the photogs have a different way of operating so I just like them to tell me how they operate right away. if they just want me to improvise and go crazy or if they want to pose me, but don't tell me you want me to be spontaneous and then tell me I'm doing it wrong. Dec 10 06 11:38 pm Link David Gregg wrote: - Preparation (picking ideas, choosing getting outfit/accessories, getting makeup and hair done). Dec 11 06 12:18 am Link I'm not even reading anyone elses responses so I could be saying the same thing as someone else.. BUT I want to gain experience in communicating with photographers, posing [without a mirror lol!], and improving my ability to change "characters".. There's quite a bit that one can walk away from a TFP session with.. Dec 11 06 12:23 am Link TFP... isn't it suppose to get PRINTS?? I never did Usually my TFP sessions are minimum 3 hour, and I get a CD contains some images. The # of images I get in 1 CD varies from 6-200+ pictures. Sometimes with pictures retouched, sometimes don't. But the most important is to have fun on a TFP session. Get to know the photographer and people in the industry. Dec 11 06 12:31 am Link I would like to get at least 1 usable image (high quality and different than anything currently in my portfolio, or, if similar, better in some way). Bonuses: free caffeine, non-cold shoot location, lack of an "audience" (random strangers loitering nearby, some of whom are creepy and/or vocal). Dec 11 06 02:06 am Link Well, being told I would get images soon and having to wait forever doesn't help. At least be honest if it will take a while. I don't wanting to chew off all of my nails. Dec 11 06 02:14 am Link If i am TFP, i am there specifically to improve my book, so i will be a very happy when we get very good images Dec 11 06 09:44 am Link Imagemakersphoto wrote: I agree with this... I find everyone involved in the TFP/CD shoot want's all the images, but they also expect you do touchups and it's way to much work. Dec 11 06 10:11 am Link Out of a TFCD, I would maybe half a dozen good shots for my portfolio and experience. Dec 11 06 10:23 am Link to meet more friendly people in the industry. gain some more experience. and get some good images. I'm really easy to please. Dec 11 06 11:03 am Link David Gregg wrote: Get me photos within 2 weeks tops. Dec 11 06 11:21 am Link I would appreciate a conversation during which we would communicate what we both hope for and expect from the shoot. I would hope for a diversity of shots and expressions for my portolio, as well as some feedback on poses/expressions. It's also important to have a strong professional sense and make us feel comfortable, since it's often a nerve-racking experience to go meet a photog and start posing, apart from the security fears. As for touch-ups, it would be cool to be somewhat involved in deciding which pics to choose to work on, and which touch-ups are nice. I'm not saying I want to control the process entirely but since it's going into my portoflio too, I'd like to have some input. Dec 11 06 06:29 pm Link A reference and a picture I don't squirm at seeing in 11x14. Dec 11 06 07:53 pm Link 2 to 9 finished edited actual 9 x 12 prints, with small web files as well so the same images can be used both online and in my print book.. The quality of such images should be better than what I have currently in my portfolio... Dec 11 06 09:06 pm Link easyonthe eyes wrote: Photographers will "hint" at it even after you say you won't do it. Kind of like testing the waters, "wow you look great, why don't we get some shots of you doing ____ or _____" Dec 11 06 09:21 pm Link TFP- I would want PRINTS atleast more then say 5 pictures depending on the oufits, poses, headshots. TFCD- I'd want a CD off all the best images edited and resize to fit any fo my websites. Dec 12 06 03:11 pm Link - This should be most obvious: If you're going to approach me for TFP, your portfolio should be as good as or better than mine, or your ideas should be interesting enough for me to believe that your work will improve if you shoot with me. I mean, of course it never hurts to try, but when guys whose shots all look like they were done in their backyard "offer" to "help" me with my portfolio, well, it gets old. Who's helping whom, here? I don't have the most awesome portfolio ever myself or anything, but if you want nude snapshots of me in your living room on wronkled bedsheets, you'd best be paying, or at least not getting pissy and offended when I quote you my rates. - Since almost no one seems to do genuine TFP anymore, i.e. no prints, I vastly prefer to get image files that are large enough that I can print them; only getting tiny websize files sucks, as not all "online" models only have online portfolios. (Besides, it tickles my mom pink to have nice pictures of "her daughter the model" to carry around and show off to friends and coworkers.) - If you're not going to retouch the images yourself - and I've worked with an unfortunate number of photographers who haven't, or said they did while leaving glaring blemishes and other such things I'd prefer not seen - I want permission to do it for you. (I'm a professional colour-corrector and retoucher, so I do actually know what I'm doing.) Of course, I'd really prefer that the photographer do any necessary retouching him/herself, and do it competently. - I want lots of variety in my portfolio, so I don't need a huge number of images from one shoot; I generally only use one shot per shoot, maybe two if there are multiple looks, so other than show a handful of the best ones to my friends, what would I do with the rest? However, if I am getting only a small selection of the best shots, I would prefer some say in which ones are chosen, since my idea of what a flattering and interesting shot looks like may not be the same as the photographer's. - Pamela Hunter says some really good things: Please, photographers, don't stand there criticising my looks and body while you're trying to take my picture. Who looks good when they're made to feel uncomfortable and self-conscious? I don't need to be bowled over with flattery, but letting me know what works, what looks good, etc. is way more helpful than saying things along the lines of "Don't stand like that, it makes your thighs look big" or "What an awkward smile." Huge watermarks are also a turnoff - what is the viewer supposed to be paying attention to, the subject of the photo, or the fact that you are the one who took it? - This, I think, is most important: I want to work with people who put as much care and effort into the shoot as I do. I've seen way too much attitude along the lines of "well, it's free, so what do you expect?" around these boards. Well, I do the same work for TFP shoots as I do for ones where I am being paid - more so, even, since I want the images to be as good as possible for the sake of my portfolio - and I don't want to work with someone who will half-ass things because I'm not paying them, because I wouldn't do that to them. How's that? Dec 12 06 03:49 pm Link I wonder how many of you models have an agreement paper stating what you should get/receive/how many touch up pics etc from a TFCD/TFP for the photographer to sign? Dec 12 06 03:58 pm Link I like the comment about recieving something in 2 weeks. So far most of the TFP/CDs that I've done have turned out well. I've met a few wonderful photographers, and a couple that were working up to being wonderful. I like that my favorite photographer always has these awesome, quirky shoots that she wants to do, and she doesn't have to convince me to do them. Negatives about TFP/CD - If I'm working with a new photographer, I'm constantly second guessing everything I do. I'm highly critical of the poses, and a lot of photographers didn't take into account that I could do more than what they were used to, because of my (physical) flexibility. When working with new photographers, I do kind of get uncomfortable when they start leading me into the whole "Maybe if you showed your bra a bit more" or "Unzip your jeans" especially when what was discussed beforehand was nothing overtly sexual, or when we're shooting casual stuff in public... (come on, Texas is not exactly liberal.. the cops harass us enough when we shoot outside, I'm not unzipping my jeans so I can get arrested) Dec 12 06 06:50 pm Link David Gregg wrote: -A cd of few touched up high quality full sized images within a reasonable timeframe. Sneak peak webshots are a nice bonus too. Dec 12 06 11:05 pm Link Nicoll wrote: you should put more "flexible" stuff on your profile, and bring it up in a shoot! Dec 13 06 12:48 am Link food food ..... on a more serious note more input and ideas from the photog pictures on time Dec 13 06 12:54 am Link -Not to be ignored through email after a shoot, when you have bothered me incessantly with emails' prior to the shoot. -To get my cd within two weeks (I am still waiting for one shoot that was around Halloween) and I keep getting told "I almost have it ready to mail".. -To be appreciated and respected. -To not be told, "the model I shot last did such and such".. -To not have half of the cd be blurry images! Dec 13 06 09:00 pm Link David Gregg wrote: If your work is equal/better then what you see in my port I'll do TFP no matter. Dec 13 06 09:02 pm Link good, solid images I can use for my portfolio. If they're not useful to me, I charge. Dec 13 06 09:03 pm Link I want a quality photoshoot (which I have ususally gotten) that diversifies my port. I would also like to get my photos back in a timely fashion. Once, I waited a few months to get my photos back, only to have Dec 13 06 11:07 pm Link "Huge watermarks are also a turnoff - what is the viewer supposed to be paying attention to, the subject of the photo, or the fact that you are the one who took it?" If I didn't keep finding my photos on MySpace profiles and random sites, I'd eschew the watermark altogether. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Models get prints if they ask. Yes, real, glossy or matte paper with archival inks. Models get web-sized images with the watermark for posting. Models get web-sized images without the watermark for their own online portfolios if they ask. This is all when a shoot is done trade. If the model is paying my rates, s/he gets whatever they want and we've contracted for. Dec 13 06 11:18 pm Link Claire Elizabeth wrote: I do it to all the pictures that I take...except the deleted ones! But that's probably an exception as I have OCD! Dec 14 06 12:51 pm Link Honestly, at least one high-quality image suitable for portfolio use and possibly even more importantly for everyone involved to have had a positive experience. Dec 14 06 12:55 pm Link Most of what is here, seems to cover all our TF likes/dislikes. What I see that is missing is a short note on "ideas" Props, costumes, poses, background, setting and storyline(for the shot) All these are necessary for a good result.... If I am being asked to not only pose for the TF shoot, but provide, location, props ideas and the whole artistic set-up for the shot, and all the photographer has to do is show up... then I expect alot more than just a cup of coffee and some pics! This is NOT always the case, but I have been asked to do TFP and bring myself, the whole idea, props and costumes. At that point, it is no longer a collaboration, but a case of capturing MY creativity, with NO certain profit. In these cases it would be more profitable to pay a sitting fee, create the scene and have it shot and sell it myself! I believe in co-operative photography, I would like TFP to always have that feeling that I am getting as much as I am giving! Just my opinion folks... Dec 23 08 05:24 pm Link |
