Should A Model/Actress Pay For Photos? Or Trade?

I am stating now: There is an answer that is proven to be effective in getting people work. However, there is no "right/wrong" answer to the famous question "Should a new model / or experienced model pay for photo shoots."

In addition to 14 years of talent management and working in the entertainment industry I have over 17 years of business experience, degrees and certificates of accomplishment in international business, leadership, sociology, business sociology,  marketing, advertising, and over 15 years experience running my own companies and consulting for others.  

The #1 error I see models, actors and talent in general make is to not understand the difference between a hobby and profession. For this conversation lets assume you actually take your trade seriously and seek to be a professional. In this case, I would consult with talent no differently than I would a high-end jewelry store. 

If you were opening a high-end Jewelry store in a fancy mall next to a Tiffany & Co store, would you hire some random college student to build and decorate the inside of your store? Would you go on craigslist and try to find photographers to "TFP" your photos for advertisements? EVERY professional would say "Hell no" I would want the inside of my store to look amazing, I would hire the best photographers to showcase my jewelry, and I would hire the best - kindest - well mannered employees with years of sales experience." 

So then I would ask the model/actress, "Why not see yourself the same as any other business?" Modeling, acting, singing, DJing, dancing... these are all professions. They are considered a business. So, why would you want to open your business and then not have a nice website, a nice online store, a nice set of photos and videos to showcase your products. If you want to use the excuse of not having money, I would say you should not open a business. If you want to trade new photographers to build your portfolio... then just remember if you want to do things cheap or do things easy, just realize you are making those who do things RIGHT look 10 x better. 

When you are submitting for a job and the casting director has 5 photos, or 5 instagrams in front of them. 4 people go in the no category and 1 gets a call back. Which rout will your TFP photographer get you? 

This same theory goes for photographers who should pay models to build their portfolio. 

For a list of GOOD REASONS TO DO TFP & Explanation of what TFP is click here. 

Please comment below and give feedback!

​For more helpful or useless information on modeling and acting be sure to visit
​www.MesaLoftStudios.com or www.NLEmanagement.com