Somebody told you a real model never works for free. Maybe it was a friend, maybe another model online. It's one of the most common things we hear from new faces at House of Wild, and it's only half right.
What a free shoot actually is
Most free shoots are TFP, short for "time for prints." Nobody gets paid. The photographer gets a model for their portfolio, you get images for yours, and everyone's time is the trade.
Done well, TFP is how a lot of photographers, makeup artists and models in Calgary build their books together. Done badly, it's an afternoon you won't get back and photos you'll never use.
When a free shoot is worth it
A TFP is worth your time when the photographer's work is better than what's already in your portfolio. Scroll their last 20 posts. If you'd be proud to put any of those images in your book, that's a good sign.
It also helps when the shoot fills a gap. If your book is all smiling commercial headshots, a black-and-white editorial series shows clients a side of you they haven't seen yet.
Red flags to watch for
The photographer won't share a portfolio, or it's three photos
There's no mood board, only "we'll see what happens on the day"
They ask you to come alone, or to a private home with no one else there
The concept changes on set to something you didn't agree to
They promise exposure, agency introductions or paid work later
Any one of those is enough reason to pass.
How House of Wild models handle TFP
Our models are allowed to do TFP shoots, and they run every one past us first. We approve the mood board, we check the photographer's portfolio, and our models never go to a shoot alone.
That check takes a few minutes. After years of shoots across Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, we usually know which photographers deliver and which ones go quiet once the camera's packed up.
Who owns the photos
On most shoots, paid or free, the photographer owns the images. You can usually post them with credit, but you can't sell them, edit them or pass them to a brand. Agree on how many selects you'll get and when, in writing, before you show up.
So, should you shoot for free?
Sometimes, yes. Say yes when the photographer's work is strong, the plan is clear and your agency knows where you'll be. If you're signed with House of Wild, send it to us first and we'll help you decide.
Keep reading: Why Do I Have to Pay for My Test Shoot? · Why You Never Edit a Photographer's Images · Apply to House of Wild
