The four easiest ways to find TfP models
If you are just starting out with portrait- or glamour photography, then you probably first want to practice lighting with your close friends, relatives and probably in photo workshops. Once you are done with that, then your next step might be to search for models, who are willing to do a non-paid shoot with you. That’s what’s often referred to as Time for Prints, or TfP.
Where to find really cool models for that?
Here’s my personal short list:
Civic Groups and Foreign Countries Associations
Just as an example, I am an active member of these groups:
Asia Social Business Community
German Chinese Friendship Club
China Business Lunch
Social groups are excellent not only for finding models, but also for finding clients.
Local Online Networks
Here’s where I engage locally:
Shanghai Stuff
Beijing Stuff
MeetUp
Because my Chinese is too poor for online networking, I prefer the English-language networks of Chinese cities. Local networks are just fine for finding aspiring models. It’s fast and fun.
Global Online Networks
This is where I hang out:
Nowadays everybody and there cousin would like to become a photo model. So searching for new faces in boredom-driven networks is just fine.
Model Communities
Examples of Communities that I use:
If you have a strong portfolio, then this is a fast way to acquire excellent TfP models. If your port sucks a bit, then save these communities for later. Please, respect models who are looking for paid gigs only. Don’t try to “convince” them.
Note that I did not list some "typical" options like
- the gym (I hope you work out!)
- on the street
- in the dance club
I don’t want to say that you cannot find excellent TfP models there. In fact, you can find them everywhere. But I think that for a beginner it might be too hard and too demotivating to advertise their own TfP shoots in such places.
Now please take a moment and tell me one of your ideas regarding where to find TfP models. Please submit a comment below this post.
If you like any of the options that I provided you with, then let me know by clicking "Like" and "+1".
My fellow photographer Frank Doorhof has got a different view on TfP models than I have. But - as we photographers know - it’s often helpful to shed light on a topic from different angles. So how about you check out his blogpost Getting the models you want.
I wish you good light!
-- Michael
Photo: Model Samara
From a TfP shoot in 2009, the year that I meet Samara on MySpace.
