How to Get Free Modeling Photos to Build a Modeling Portfolio

If you are a model or want to be a model, you will need modeling photos to build your modeling portfolio and to get modeling jobs. In order to get booked for modeling jobs, you will need to get modeling photos to submit to modeling agents, modeling photographers and modeling clients. There are ways to get free modeling photos so you can get modeling jobs. Getting free modeling photos from photographers is a process called, Time for Print (TFP) where you and a photographer exchange your time for prints from a photographer who is new and needs to test or practice; from a photographer who wants to try out new things; from a photographer who wants to try out new lighting, equipment, etc… In order to learn how to get free modeling photos to build your modeling portfolio, read below.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. TO GET FREE MODLEING PHOTOS TO BUILD YOUR MODELING PORTFOLIO, YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE A FEW PHOTOS SHOWING WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE:
   You should already have some type of photos of yourself such as a class photo, family photo, etc… with just you in it. If you do not have photos of yourself, have someone with a digital camera take photos of you with a plain background. You will need to have some type of photos to submit to TFP photographers.

2. TO GET FREE MODELING PHOTOS TO BUILD A MODELING PORTFOLIO. YOU WILL NEED TO FIND A LIST OF TIME FOR PRINT PHOTOGRAPHERS:
   You can find a list of TFP photographers online in modeling forums, modeling directories and modeling groups. You can also do a photographer search at All Casting Calls (http://www.allcastingcalls.com) or online. When you do your search for photographers, use keywords in your search such as: “time for print photographers” and “TFP photographers”.

3. TO GET FREE MODELING PHOTOS TO BUILD A MODELING PORTFOLIO, CONTACT FASHION PHOTOGRAPHERS AND COMMERCIAL PRINT PHOTOGRAPHERS:
   Now that you have a list of photographers who shoot “time for prints” and will exchange your time for free photos with you, you will need to contact the photographer by sending them an email. Include your photos and a short message asking them if they would be interested in shooting you on a TFP basis. Also, ask them for samples or a link to their work.

4. COMPLETE PHOTO SHOOT AND ADD YOUR PHOTOS TO YOUR MODELING PORTFOLIO..
   Once you hear back from photographers, check out their websites, photos and references. Determine how soon you will get your modeling photos after the shoot. Also, ask if you will get prints or a cd of the images. As a safety precaution, you should take someone with you to your photo shoot. Just make sure they stay out of the photographer’s way.

Tips & Warnings

• NOW THAT YOU HAVE FREE MODELING PHOTOS AND YOU STARTED YOUR MODELING PORTFOLIO, GO GET MODELING JOBS!!: Once you get your modeling photos from the photographer, submit your photos to modeling agencies and clients that book models for jobs. To find a list of modeling agencies and free casting calls and auditions, visit the links below (under Resources)

Resources

• FREE CASTING CALLS AND AUDITIONS
• ALL MODELING