How to Collaborate with Models for Portfolio Shoots (For Free, No Budget Needed)

Thinking about building your photography portfolio but don’t have the budget to hire models? In this video, I’ll walk you through how to collaborate with models for TFP (Time for Photos) test shoots—for free. Whether you’re trying new lighting techniques, building your book, or just want to create fresh content, I’ll show you exactly how I reach out to models, what to say, how I structure my shoots, and how to keep things professional from start to finish. I’ll also share how I find potential models on Instagram using local hashtags, how I plan to avoid last-minute no-shows, and how I handle image delivery, usage rights, and legal basics without getting into the weeds of giving legal advice. If you’ve ever felt unsure about test shoots or worried about doing it “wrong,” this video has the answers you need. Want better shoots, sharper skills, and stronger work? It starts with practice—and this is how I do it. ✅ Get equipment insurance & exclusive photography resources with PPA and receive $25 off your Full membership: https://www.ppa.com/join/john-gress 📍Learn lightning at one of my in person lighting workshops https://johngress.com/workshops/ 🔔 Take you’re learning to the next level with Thr Academy with John Gress https://johngress.com/academy/ ⏱ Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:15 - 1. What is a TFP Shoot 02:47 - 2. Why I’m Upfront About It Being Unpaid 03:25 - 3. How I Find Models (and What to Look For 04:06 - WPC 05:44 - 4. Slide into DMs 06:30 - 5. Scheduling 06:45 - 6. Wardrobe 07:37 - 7. Retouching 09:23 - 8. Model Releases 11:05 - 9. Modeling Agencies 11:55 - My Journey 14:21 - Final Thoughts #TFPshoots #PortraitPhotography #BookModelsFree #StudioPhotography #PhotographyTips