TFP explained: when unpaid shoots are worth it (and when not)

TFP means Time for Prints: everyone works unpaid and receives the images in return. For building a portfolio this is gold at the start, because without images no bookings, without bookings no images.

When TFP makes sense: when both sides are building something (new team, new style, new genre), when image rights are clearly agreed and when the other side's quality is right. Study the team's portfolio beforehand.

When to decline: if a commercial project sits behind it (campaign, shop imagery, ads), it deserves payment. TFP is for portfolio work, not free advertising. That is why castings on Castashoot are clearly labelled Paid or TFP.

Put the agreement in writing: number of images, editing, usage rights, timeframe. The Castashoot chat documents this automatically, and time proposals plus confirmations stay traceable.