Camera Labs

Hello all,

Recently I've been doing a lot of TFP (Time for Photo) work with various models around the area. I am worried about getting into a rutt of doing too many shoots for free and having people expect the free shoot. Basically I began doing these shoots in order to build my portfolio. I don't want to start charging people until I can produce some real pro work. Any Advice?

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Flickr
Model Mayhem
Facebook

Do some more till you can produce real pro work... Then start charging.

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Slick, define what a pro is to yourself, start charging now, if they don't buy then you know your not quite there and the fall back position is shoot for free and gain more experience.

Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

Maybe you could modify the terms of the TFP agreement so that you and the model share in any proceeds you (or they) make from the shots you take. That way you continue to take the shots on a TFP basis but also get some income if the shots are sold.

Once you start to see some shared income you will know that you are taking commercially viable shots.

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Nikon D90
Nikkor AF-S DX; 18-105 f/3.5-5.6G VR, 55-300 f/4.5-5.6G VR, 35mm f/1.8G
Speedlight SB-700

http://keystrokesukimages.com

You might wish to test the market and say that you need to just cover expenses and manipulation time. As for 75-100 dollars per clothing change including retouch. If they want 3 looks multiply the tariff by 3. Test that formula and see how it does.