TFCD / TFP part I

TFCD / TFP, Time For CD or Time for Print means that it's a collaboration between the model and the photographer. The job is usually unpaid for both parties and the model will receive a CD or print of some or all of the shots taken during the shoot in exchange for her time.

So, how and where do you get your first TFCD?

You can either approach photography hobbyist friends or join social networking sites like multiply.com, clubsnap.com or other photography related websites. But first, you will need to have a decent photo to "promote" yourself. You can either set up a multiply account and post recent photos of yourself or post your photos on clubsnap forum to request for a TFCD shoot.

Do not post funny, casual pictures of yourself half drunk clubbing, taking photos in toilet and expect people to respond to your casting. To gather the best response, post your most smashing (in a pretty way) photo.

In your TFCD request, you can identify the theme that you will like to be photographed. The most general term for a normal shoot can be, casual, fashion etc. Very often, TFCD photographers like to shoot theme like sexy, sensual, bikini, lingerie, artistic which means implied nude or even nude. You know, the stuffs we see on magazines, the FHM, hot steaming stuffs...

Do be careful of suspicious requests that requires you to be in bikini, lingerie or nude. Unless you want photos of that genre, it will always be best to avoid such theme in the beginning.

Always communicate! Communication is the best tool to detect scam photographers. Make sure that you get on emails, msn or any type of communication tool to gather more details of the shoot. If you sense anything suspicious, find excuses to drop off from the shoot or request the photographer to sign model releases form before heading down for the shoot. If you are really uncomfortable, request to bring a friend along.

Best of luck!

First TFCD

What is TFCD/TFP?

In photography scene, we often will do TFCD or TFP which means:

TFP - Time for Prints or Time for Photographs

TFCD - Time for CD of digital images

A model, or would-be model agrees to give up her time and pose for a photographer who agrees to provide her/him with a selection of images for her/his portfolio.

For a model just starting out it can be a good way to pick up modelling experience and some images to start her/his book. For the photographer it gives him/her experience of trying different things and working with various models.

I was lucky enough to pop in for my first TFCD with 3 talented photographers.


Photography by Doyle

A very humble and nice photographer that is kinda shy. Shoot more Doyle! We look forward for more of your pictures!

Photography by INK

Super friendly and very experience photographer. He directs really when during the shoot and made me feel comfortable and more relax.

Photography by Pingo

Will you hire me if I put this photo in my resume? Hahaha!!!!! Pingo captures amazing sexy and sensual pictures! Didn't see much of his work recently.... Shoot more Pingo! What are you waiting for?

Unfortunately, inexperienced models are not really good at spotting mediocre photographers: Aspiring models often believe that it is really attractive to receive a large number of images immediately after the shoot. Think again! Only the very inexperienced or the extremely naïve assume that it is a seductive proposal by default. In a portfolio, you want quality, not quantity. This can play into the hands of photographers, who produce quantity rather than quality. Lack of expertise is compensated for with the assumption that the more photos you take, the higher your chances are that a good one happens by accident.

It is not in your interest to receive a copy of every photograph taken. The photographer should take the time to edit the photos and only give you a selection of the best. You do not have the expertise to select the right images from a large collection.

Digital or print, a good photograph requires work after it has been taken - and I do not mean digital trickery on a mediocre picture. If you are presented with a CD immediately after the shoot, the photographer has not had the time to do any post-production work on the images (or could not be bothered or did not know how to).