Rick Gordon Photography wrote:

Good question for one's first post.

TFCD is a negotiated agreement between the photographer AND the model. I've seen it vary from some guys giving a full burn of the shoot to only giving 2-3 edited pics from it, and everything in between.

The time frame can also vary greatly. BUT, you have to keep in mind that the model is looking to add these images to her portfolio, so it's good business practices to get her these images ASAP.

When I shoot with a model, I personally always try to send them 1 edited image that night for instant gratification. Then over the next week, I go through the entire shoot and send along my edits as they're completed. It's very rare that I'm not done within the week. With me, they don't get the RAW images, sorry. Only edits. I have heard of folks taking far longer. IMO, if she's not received her images within a month (at the very latest), she's got fair reason to scream. Loudly.

Again, communication is the key and stick to whatever you've agreed to do with the model. It's not a good deal if it doesn't benefit both parties. Just that simple, or she'll not want to shoot with you again and could possibly hurt your reputation when she tells one and all how she didn't get her pics from you in a timely manner. (Models DO talk, ya know?)

As a head's up? I do suggest you choose an AV here asap and to add more images to your portfolio. Models TF with those whose work impresses them, or pass if they're not impressed. Hope this helps?

-what Rick said.

TF is a negotiation. The better the images the better both parties feel. Unedited images are not a good idea ever. The only exception I can think of is, the model wants a few that will never be edited to show actual body/face condition/blemishes etc.

-The better both parties understand and perform the better the images will be.

-I take a bit of time to sort through the images and pick a few candidates from the shoot. It takes me usually about a week to supply finished images on the agreed upon number. I let the other images sit for a spell, then review and edit a few more and send them along.

In addition to what's been said, I can't stress enough the importance of communication.  Not just before the shoot to make sure you agree on TF* terms, but after the shoot as well.  Communicating well after the shoot will help you in the sense that you'll know the model got her images, but you'll also be able to let her know if something has come up that's delaying you further than you had initially anticipated.  And be honest about things as well--it's far better for you in the long run to do so.

I can't tell you how many times a model posts about not receiving images and the story is this: "A photographer and I shot 2 weeks ago, before which he promised me 20 edited images 3 days after the shoot.  It's now been 14 days and I haven't heard anything from him!  I've asked if he sent the CD out or if he emailed images, or if there's been some kind of delay and NOTHING!  I tried calling and he didn't answer, and he hasn't returned my voicemail.  I'm starting to get annoyed!!  What do I do!?"

And in that situation, the photographer is doubly at fault.  He promised a specific (and kind of hefty) quantity at a specific time, for one, and hasn't been communicating with the model after the shoot.  If, instead of promising 20 edits, he had said he'd deliver "the 3 best shots and any other edits of my choosing, up to 10 total", he'd only be on the hook for 3 edits for sure, and a max of 10.  If instead of saying "3 days after the shoot" he said "within 2 weeks of our shoot" he'd have 2 weeks to edit those 3 pics (plus any others), which is likely easier to manage than trying to cram 20 edits into 3 days on top of whatever other workload he as.

And most importantly, if he'd just answer his damn email and say "sorry, I'm still working on them... I had a paid gig that I need to finish up first before I can get to yours, give me another 5 days?" the model would be far less frustrated.

Instead, he's over-promised and under-delivered, and very possibly burned the bridge with the model at this point.

Thanks for the clarification.  I really appreciate it.  Rick, Curtis, and PKM Images-this is really helpful.  Rachel, thanks for the Model's perspective, as well.

Peter Flanagan wrote:

There are a lot of advantages to providing proofs at the end of the shoot.  First and foremost, most internet models will find the proofs "good enough" for their purposes and won't put the time and effort into bothering you about edits.  Remember, you still have the RAW images that you can edit to your heart's content - and you only have to edit the shots you like for your own purposes.  In the end, everyone is happy.  Most importantly, you will only have put a minimum amount of time into the TF* shoot, which is always a good thing.  You will find that protracted interactions with models are rarely to your benefit.

The model might be happy having these proofs to display on her page, especially if she's a nOOb. But I sure as hell don't want any unedited images of mine floating around out there at craptastic levels, with my name attached to them. Yeah, you have minimal time and effort invested in the shoot, but I'm not sure I personally like the trade off with this agreement. I've also found that MANY models, even those who are very good at their craft, have difficulty recognizing a good image....at least where it benefits their portfolio. The point of a model shooting a TF project is to increase the quality level of her portfolio. Any established model, with anything better than a mediocre portfolio, is going to take issue with your sentiment here. Who would blame them?

Pete, some of what you've posted has the distinct taint of selfishness, with the inherent vibe that "I'm going to have all the good shots, and she'll just get whatever the hell I want to give her. The less effort involved, the better." If that is NOT the underlying message in the bolded parts above, then my bad. That's how I'm interpretting it, and comes off rather arrogant. Your crappy unedited images are at a high enough quality level that models will accept them? I guess my skills aren't at your levels, so I look at it in a different manner. Plus, I take into account that the model gave her time for me, so there's a quid pro quo issue here. She did her job hopefully with full effort. I'm going to reward this effort with a half ass attempt in order that she "won't put the time and effort into bothering" me? Woa, Pete, for real? Or is this just another troll post? Sometimes it's hard to tell with you, but I suspect you're back to your trolling ways, and I'm feeding the troll here.

Then again, I do recall you posting in the past that you've had flake issues with your TFCD offers. 83% Flake ratio if I recall correctly?? My answer to you then was that I don't have problems booking TF shoots. Nor did Bob Randall. You recall that conversation? Perhaps this might be another reason for your high flake ratio? Then again, I OFTEN work with the same models again and again.....and it is to our MUTUAL benefit. what a concept, eh?

Rick.  I heart you.

Rick....

Sorry that you misunderstood my reply to the OP!  Maybe if I clarify things a little you will have less heartburn with my post.

I treat TF just like any other paid shoot.  I make an offer to a model and advise them that the compensation is in the form of electronic media rather than cash.  I advise them that they will get a full proof set within a week and that they may select a reasonable number of images for edit.  I advise them that my usual turn around time on edits is 3-4 weeks.  I also provide the model with a limited publication license.

If the model accepts those terms, then we shoot as per our agreement - unless they flake of course.

If the model chooses not to get me a list of shots to edit, that is fine with me.  I am not going to hound them for a list.  I will just go on ahead and edit the shots I like and use them for whatever - after all I paid for the images.  I don't supply the model with copies of my edits unless they ask.

Regarding unedited proofs, I really don't care what they do with them any more than I cared what models did with dupes of chromes 30 years ago.

Not sure why you didn't like my comment about protracted interactions with models.  Once the transaction is complete, there is no need for interaction unless it is to engage in another business transaction.

Again, my regrets to the OP if I was unclear.  The bottom line for TF is, be clear as to each others' expectations, deliver what you promise, and keep your interactions purely professional.