A Losers Guide to Photography: Reclaiming TFP

The Reclamation of TFP

I want to start by saying I think TFP is great at the macro level. It enables new photographers a great way to enter the photographer sphere and learn new things about photography. It's great for networking and collaboration. TFP sets a more light hearted mood where everyone on set doesn't have to be so serious. I use TFP because I am cheap, which is a bad habit.

TFP was meant to be a subsection of photography. TFP wasn't meant for businesses to take advantage of photographers and other collaborators. TFP was meant for all people to collaborate and gain more experience in their respective field. While a lot of TFP collaborations still abide by that rule, I have been noticing a more sinister cancer growing under TFP. TFP has become the norm and not the exception. I'll explain this further because it's not blanketly true, but true enough to cause issues in the photographic community, which is why it's a cancer - it continues to grow and destroy. 

TFP Core Principles

The values of TFP can be broken down into several core principles:

1. collaborative
2. no profit
3. portfolio building

These principles are by no means written in stone and I may have missed a few. But I think this provides a great starting point to identify the principles of TFP.

Industry Murder

A major problem is when the market, photography in general, becomes too saturated with newer photographers who are looking to gain traction in the industry. These photographers are willing to bend over backwards for the off-chance they are accepted into a high end magazine. With this predatory practice by the magazines, it opens the door for other people, like wardrobe designers, to take advantage of photographers. The two main groups who stand to make any money off of a TFP shoot are wardrobe designers and magazines. This undercuts the very foundation of TFP. 

From my experience when designers set up TFP shoots they have a very clear image in their head about what they want shot. Any effort for collaboration is immediately shot down with, "I know what looks good". The introduction of adding a stylist to piecemeal together clothes from multiple designers is shot down immediately because the designers feel like another designer is encroaching upon their territory, like a rabid dog. Already, designers are violating Rule 1 and Rule 2. The very nature of intent to set up a TFP shoot by a designer is with the intention to advertise their product to make money, a clear violation of Rule 2. Rule 1 is violated when the designer sets everything up themselves. Rule 1 may not sound like a big deal until Rule 2 is violated.

Magazine companies are no stranger to taking advantage of TFP work to publish in their magazines for profit. Whether the photos are published on their website or in a magazine, there is profit being made - violating Rule 2. Also, magazines are RARELY involved in the collaborative process - violating Rule 1. Also, these magazine companies aren't building a portfolio. They are already established companies - violating Rule 3. Therefore, magazines are anti-TFP and when shooting for magazines TFP we are devaluing our current and future work. Unfortunately, the desire for many photographers to be published in a magazine allows for this predatory practice. Photographers tend to wear rose colored glasses when it comes to the never ending pursuit of an insignificant accolade. Websites like Kavyar perpetuate this ill-fated practice. The main audience for most of these magazines are photographers and what value does that add? Are photographers hiring you? No. So zero value is added. To some the accolade is worth it, but I want to ask them - how many of your accolades have led to a paid client? 

I don't want to completely bash on Kavyar, I'm sure they provide positive value, but they are 100% violating the three principles of TFP.

Due to the saturation of the market, magazines have all of the negotiating power. They no longer need to pay because there are so many photographers willing to give their photos away for free all in pursuit of a "meaningless" accolade. Has the value of being published in a magazine become meaningless? 

Future Value

An industry that violates the core principles of TFP devalues any benefit of TFP. At the end of the day it's taking away potential paid work for photographers, especially when Rule 2 is violated. 

TFP is a catch-22. You need TFP to build a well structured portfolio to sell, but the people you are selling to only use TFP work.

I believe the future value of TFP is in collaborating to learn. Maybe you want to learn about new lighting equipment or how your camera works. Maybe you want to learn how to work with a team. Maybe you want to try to develop a new style. 

I'm beginning to think TFP work should be left out of portfolios to disincentivise the usage of TFP for profit. If you want to expand your portfolio to attract high profile clients, then it's worth saving money and investing in the appropriate gear, idea and people.