T.F.P. is a term will you will hear frequently in the modeling world. Its stands for time for prints. It is basically a term used where models and photographers give up their time to work with each other in order to produce work for their portfolios (usually), and where no money is exchanged. Therefore the models get shots for their personal use without paying the photographer, and the photographer gets shots for his portfolio but does not pay the model. The term time for prints was first used when people still used film and developed their own photographs and the photographer supplied actual prints for the models. Now most photographers supply a certain number of edited photographs on C.D.’s or digitally. This is often referred to as T.F.C.D., but T.F.P. also stands true for this more modern term also.
Everyone works differently. Some photographers give models all the photographs from the shoot and edit none. Some photographers only give out 5-10 of the best edited images, some photographers supply a combination of both edited and unedited images to the model.
It is very important to clarify exactly what to expect from each other before agreeing to a shoot; whether it paid or unpaid.
Things to verify before the shoot include, shoot length, style, limitations (posing limitations or expectations especially if you are a nude model), if a model release is to be signed, what the images will be used for and where, and if images are being given (as in a T.F.P. shoot as you will not be paid), and if so exactly how many images will the photographer supply to you for use in your portfolio and and in what format (edited, raw, on C.D., etc.) It maybe best to get this in writing/email too as well as verbally, so there is evidence if either one of you does not follow through what was agreed.
T.F.P. shoots can also be referred to as trade shoots and are recommended for portfolio building without the costs to either photographer or model. Most agency models’ portfolios are generally a collection of images constituted in the last 6 months, or less, to be a true representation of themselves and a reflection of the current trends and fashions/seasons.