Prints and TFP Shoots

[JessieRox]

In my pursuit to build fans and somehow get published,it has been suggested that I start doing signed prints. Do you have any suggestions on where to have them printed for reasonable and be good quality?

ALSO...

Has anyone done a TFP shoot and then found out afterward that you do not have permission to submit them to magazines to be published? Is that normal? My current goal is to be published, but without an abundance of photos I don't see how that is going to happen.
If any of you have tips on making it to print, I am open ears. Or if any photographers are feeling kind and are looking for a model in the Houston area ....

Thanks!
Jessie

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

To find information on photo shoots, be sure to check out the Casting Calls section. As for getting into print, the number one thing you need to do is SUBMIT. Follow the magazines you are interested in and that match your look. When they put up an announcement that they are looking for submissions, send yours in. Of course, that means you need to do as many shoots as you can, so get out there and book!!

As for selling prints to get fans, that's kinda putting the cart before the horse. You really need to build a fan base so that they will buy from you. And prints won't do anything to help you get published.

As far as having permission to submit your photos, whether it's a paid shoot or TFP, make sure you read and sign a waiver. Both parties should agree on all the terms BEFORE the shoot. This is a great thread to read about TF shoots and how they work: http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/tf-for-photoshoot.

[JessieRox]

Thanks Roxy. I just have some sweet friends who have requested a print, not to sell. I would rather give them a decent print rather than a mediocre at home print. More of a thank you for helping me out. I have been looking at the casting calls but it seems that they are so few in the Houston area.

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

You can also put up a casting call yourself, put it out there that you are looking for a photo shoot! Also, you can use our advanced search to find photographers in your area. Leave them a comment or a message telling them you are looking to book. Getting your face out there and building a fan base takes time, hard work, and yep, even money. But you can do it if you try.

[helenhughes]

Hi Jessie

Photographer's point of view...

If I do a TFP/TFCD shoot and you would like to submit MY images to a magazine, I'd say we need to be sensible about it.

It's not really fair if a model submits images of themselves to a mag and then the mag (because some do this...) don't ever bother to credit the photographer.  After all, it is their work you are showcasing alongside yourself.  Magazines rarely pay decent money for images anymore as it is - which devalues the photographers and forces our income down considerably.  Remember the magazine gets advertising revenue and sales revenue - so they're making the $ AND using unpaid photographers and models.  Without whom - they wouldn't have a magazine...!

Copyright should always rest with the photographer (I know the law is different in the US) and there is no reason for a commercially minded photographer to give away their rights, but we generally allow a licence to print or use for your own portfolio - so sign that Model Release form on a mutual basis.

If you are doing 'signed prints' (which is a pretty cool idea in some ways), why not mutually benefit the photographer by having their logo (small, in bottom corner) incorporated into the print.  It shouldn't detract from the image on the whole and you can still sign it. Even talk with them about designing how the print appears on the page to allow room for an autograph on the bottom gutter.  That way, everyone gets exposure.  If you are selling these prints it's only fair to pay for professional prints by your photographer.  Let's say you wanted a print run of 250 - that's a big old chunk of money out of their pocket - but they would surely do a deal with you for the added time/cost to ensure you are handing out high quality images wherever you go.  Don't devalue their work and yourself by having cheap prints made.

Your photographer should also be able to either produce high quality prints themselves (not out of the machine at Wal-Mart!) or know a fantastic pro lab to print for you.  We often pay for prints for models out of our own pockets and call it a loss-leader - after all, you've spent the time modelling for us and it's our thank you to give you something in return.

And out of sheer politeness, if you are wanting to submit to a mag - call your photographer and tell them - because they too can look out for the edition of the mag and use this as a 'tear sheet' - and also ensure their credit appears too.

If a photographer is being mean in this respect, choose a new photographer!

Have a look at Model Mayhem (it's worldwide) and a lot of us photographers look for models on there for TFP/TFCD as we can all help each other build our portfolios.  Well worth a go and it's free - you may well find a willing photographer in your area.  There are also paid shoots on occasion too.

Hope you find this helpful

Helen

[JessieRox]

Hi Helen,

I would never send out a photographers work without making sure credits are being given to both the photographer and MUAH.  The whole reason I asked about a decent place to print is so that I could do the work justice, without breaking the bank, since I have no intention of selling them.  It is actually a great chance for the photographer to have a tiny piece of her work up in a new pinup shop in our area, and could even bring her business. 

As far as wanting to submit to magazines, they most all require a signed form saying you have permission as well as request who the photographer is.  I am not sure why a model would want to submit the work without saying who created it.  I mean after all, if the model was not proud of the work and the wonderful job of the photographer and MUAH why would they want it printed in a magazine.  On top of that, with some of the magazines, once you are published, the model/photographer are able to purchase the magazines at wholesale prices and sell them for retail.  It just seems that until a model has been able to be printed, she doesn't have a lot backing her.  Having a huge portfolio and no way to use it isn't exactly useful. 

It just seems to me that if a photographer is able to use the photos for as many advertising and printing they want that the model should have some rights as well.  All of this is a learning process and this is just one more thing I have learned.  Not a bad thing, just something to remember and ask about prior to shooting in the future. 

 

[Raven Nikole]

I always ask for or require a print release from my shoots, I have some that Have given me copyright release as well. It never hurts to ask for a print release or require it if your not getting any digital images or prints with you tfp, tfcd shoots.