RSS Feed
How to get Professional Shots for Your Portfolio – for Free!
Administrator for your favorite new starting point for commercial modeling and talent in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas!
It’s a classic Catch 22 – you need experience in front of the camera and striking shots for your portfolio, but hiring a professional photographer may not be an option for you at the moment.
Did you know that you can build your portfolio for free? The answer is in three letters: TFP – Time for Print. Very simply, you hook up with a photographer looking to expand their portfolio, and exchange services with them – - your modeling time in return for a copy of the prints. (In some cases a third party may provide the location in return for rights to use the prints in advertsing.) Typically you will need to sign a model release, possibly granting copyright ownership to the photographer, who will likely have put in more time than you on the project (setup time, post-processing time for digital prep, color adjustment, cropping, etc.). You may choose to negotiate additional or alternate terms.
How do you find photographers willing to do a TFP? First figure out what look and style you need for your portfolio. For instance, if your interest is in print advertising, check out the portfolios of the models at the Talent Agencies listed at this site. Next find a photographer whose work fits with the sort of style you are looking for (for instance those in the Photographers section of this site), then contact them and ask if they would be willing to do a TFP. Be specific about the type of shots you want to do (and won’t do) – send them links to examples on the web, for instance. Several internet sites cater to models and amateur, semi-pro and pro photogs looking for TFP’s, for example OneModelPlace.com. BE CAUTIOUS, however – let the photog know you will be bringing a friend to the shoot, and don’t hook up with someone who does men’s-magazine type shots if that’s not what you’re going for! (You may also lose a chance at certain commercial projects if you have the wrong pictures floating around on the internet.)
Finally, be creative and have fun – it’s a great opportunity to try out your range of facial expressions and looks.
