The model portfolio

What is a portfolio?

Do I really need a portfolio?

Which and how many photos

Are nude shots essential?

Online portfolio

Print portfolio

How to get a portfolio

 

Working for time (TFCD, etc.)

Introduction

How to get a free portfolio

Working for time

TFCD time for CD

TFDL time for download

Why do it?

What does it really cost?

Rewards for the model

Selecting a photographer

The photographer's muse

Permitted uses of photos

Photographer's usage

 

Sell your body

Marketing for models

Agency representation

Model agencies list

Freelance modelling

 

Find out about the latest modelling opportunities with Wolf Kettler Photographer

Find out about the latest modelling opportunities with Wolf Kettler Photographer

 

Other Sections

Models Guide

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Modelling scams

Modelling opportunities

About

 

Latest updates and additional information

blog/models

blog/modelling scams

 

Contact the Models Guide with your question about modelling

 

 

What is TFCD (time for CD)?

TFCD is a working for time shoot, from which the model receives digital images supplied on CD.

 

Inexperienced models are often no good at spotting a mediocre photographer: Aspiring models may 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).

Typical post-production work would include adjustments to colour and contrast, removing specs of dust, which may be visible, and sizing the photographs properly and converting them to the correct colour space for the intended use (usually the Internet).

No self-respecting photographer wants to release photos that are anything but very good. From a large number of photographs taken during a shoot, only a few will meet the demanding criteria a photographer should impose on himself. Many photos from a shoot are just not good enough for a variety of reasons - technically, compositionally, pose-wise.

I know of people who think that just because a photograph is in focus and correctly exposed, it is a good photograph. Bless 'em.

If you are offered a copy of everything, you are working with a photographer who does not take (or does not know how to take) pride in her work. Not a good idea!

See also the general comments on working for time and on TFDL, time for download.

 

Get a model portfolio

 

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