Tap Room Podcast 30: Difference between a TFP and Hiring a Photographer

At times you might come across a chat room or message board and the phrase TFP comes up. You may question the meaning, shrug it off or just ignore it. If you do a generic search for TFP, you’ll most likely come up with Total Factory Productivity (the ratio of aggregate output (e.g., GDP) to aggregate inputs) More then likely, this isn’t the message board you’re in so time to dig a bit deeper.

The traditional term for TFP in photography circles is “Trade for Print” however it also has been used in Trade for Photos or several other acronyms with similar meanings. For this, a team which usually is a photographer and a model (or models) work together on a photography project. Everyone works for free, but they all receive the images to use in their portfolios. At times, this does include Hair stylists, makeup artists but would depend on the project.

So what’s the difference between a TFP session and Hiring a Photographer?

In the most simplistic way, when you hire a photographer you pay for the service and images you want. You want beach images, this is what you’ll get and that’s what is expected. You wouldn’t hire a photographer to shoot your wedding, only to have images of the cattle pasture next door to the church instead of the images of your once in a lifetime event.

Who Leads the Session?

Usually in TFP sessions, the photographer is more in control, this isn’t steadfast but usually they lead with an idea or vision they want to work with. When I open up my TFP, it’s to work on a new type of session or I’m looking for practice in an area I’d like more hands-on experience before I roll out a service. I did this for my powder sessions and it allowed for valuable insight before I worked with dance studios and other individuals. Like any session the overall focus and goal of the session needs be discussed prior to make sure all parties are on the same page. I was clear with a model leading up to a practice powder session but she wanted to postpone since she wanted to get her nails done along with hair. This didn’t make any sense since these are very messy sessions and I went over this prior. In the end, we parted ways and I worked with another fabulous model who I ended up working with several times since.

Costs?

In TFP, no money is exchanged (maybe if you’re renting equipment and split down the middle) but usually it’s just time. However, with all low cost processes you can always end up with what you pay for and the final images may not be exactly what you wanted or expected.

Expectations of End Product

Whenever you work with a photographer, be sure to have an agreement in place for the number of images you’re expecting. This is normal for a hired photographer but a lot of individuals forget that agreement when doing TFP and there are more situations where the photographer doesn’t send any images at all. Each TFP agreement should reflect the project at hand. Boilerplate contracts are a great place to start but add in the details that are important (like the equipment or rental cost split, for instance). Specify the usage parameters. How can the model use the images on social, is there a a no-filter clause. How are the images going to be used? If you’re head is spinning, it’s always safe to hire a legal expert to check out or write an agreement for you.

So when separating the two it depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want to try new things and experiment or do you want a concise experience with a session you already want to and also want to ensure you get what exactly you’re looking for.

One thing to consider, not all photographers do TFP. Mine is very limited. One reason is consistency and the model not showing up and the other is my schedule is pretty busy with paid clients that my window is very small for these types of sessions. It never hurts to reach out and ask, but just remember not everyone does TFP.

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