[bodyartist]

The problem with "trade" agreements, and TFP in specific, is one of perception. No shows are a fact of life in every field.

I'm an "old" timer, and TFP predates me by a few centuries.

The idea is that if an artist/photographer and a model have some time, no money, and want to work on something, they can. It's not a way of life, nor is having models pay photographers a valid revenue stream. A model who pays is a CLIENT, and the images *need* to be for their benefit, and 99% are still for the photographer's benefit -- either in composition, or with huge watermarks.

Lately, I think the definition of a GWC is someone who posts how much time, equipment, or money they have "invested" in photography, and how TFP is ruining the business, and all models should pay them handsomely. A Photographer, or artist, talks about their _art_ or _work_ not how much they spend/have.

If you want models to pay you, you are a portrait or commercial photographer. Which is fine, but TFP was aimed at the ART photographer, not the commercial/fashion photographer. Sure, for starting out, for students needing pictures for their portfolios and pictures of their clothing/look for their portfolios, TFP is still a great thing.

If you are looking for _MODELS_ you are shooting stock, art, or something that is about YOUR ideas for YOUR photos. Or, you have a client, and you are looking to PURCHASE model services to complete the project. If you are looking for models to pay you, you are either a GWC or you are running a commercial portrait or portfolio business, and TFP is not in your BUSINESS plans. Models do not pay photographers! Would the vase pay the artist? I think not.

If you are looking for models to pay you to work on YOUR portfolio, therein lies the problem with TFP and paid work. TFP has to benefit BOTH parties equally - and that usually shooting some for the photographer and some for the model.

Sure, people can do both at times, but try to keep the ideas separate. Your specific "ideas" or plans for a TFP session may not be anything like the ideas or needs of someone else.

If you want the site to succeed, you need to get rid of TFP, cancellation, and No-show threads, or relegate them to a flames or fumes area. A forum/site is only useful, and friendly, when it's constructive, not destructive.

And one last thing, I've seen photographers brag (disguised as a rant) they have $40,000 and 10 years invested in their photography and equipment. Current stats show that a model has close to $200,000 invested, and 18 years (or more) getting to that point. If you don't like the current crop of models, grow you own. See if you can do it for less than than $500 day rate for your next shoot.

I have to say, after the captcha codes that had to be entered 20 times, and the same old rants, it hasn't been a friendly or inviting first look.