Karmen | Leighton DaCosta, Charleston Lifestyle Photographer

Model: Karmen F.

I had a great time working with Karmen this past year as we did a quick shoot in the Avondale area of Charleston, SC. Coming down on a Sunday all the way from Gaffney, SC, I was assisted with the great help of her parents while capturing Karmen. As she continues to build her portfolio during her senior year of high school, I wish Karmen continued success. Until next time.

LD

Model: Karmen
Location: Charleston, SC
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
Photographer’s Assistant: Bernard Foster
Retouched by Picsera

Jasmine | Leighton DaCosta, Charleston Portrait Photographer

Some fun from a test shoot in Hollywood, South Carolina with the wonderful Jasmine Franklin. A model and athlete from the South Carolina upstate, Jasmine is always great to work with! 

Model: Jasmine Franklin, South Carolina

Photographer: Leighton DaCosta

Location: Hollywood, South Carolina

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My Thoughts on Working TF*

The PAID/TF* relationship.

I am about to expound on this relationship. There are many photographers and models out there who have never paid for a shoot. And that is great! Do what works for you. But my belief in a TF* shoot is this, as the photographer, who has invested thousands of dollars into my craft, the first thing I will ask myself is, "how does this person improve my portfolio?" Which I think a model should also ask his or herself as well before shooting a TF*. But I feel, and I preach, that the TF* shoot is for the benefit of the Photographer and the Model is using "sweat equity" to work off the cost of a shoot. Therefore a photographer or model should never shortchange a shoot.

The paid relationship goes back to WHO is doing the paying. IF you pay me, then I work for YOU. It is my job to give you the best possible shoot that I can for your money. IF I pay you, then you work for ME. Which means that I should get the best possible shoot that you can give. Also, I hate to say this, but if you hire me, you expect me to be ready to shoot with all my equipment, likewise if you are hired, YOU should be ready to shoot at the agreed time.

Even though, during a TF*, no money is being exchanged, it can actually cost a photographer or model more than a paid shoot. Everything from reputation to location/transportation and opportunity costs from doing other shoots. One of the most TACKIEST things I think models and photographers do is to believe that a "paid" shoot takes priority over a TF*. If I have an open dated and decide to do a TF* on that date, that TF* now has priority over everything. If a paid shoot comes up for the same time, then I should contact the other principles and see if its possible to reschedule for another time or date, but ONLY if both can agree to it. I often travel and when I schedule a shoot, it might be JUST for that weekend and time. I think we do not take those aspects into consideration when we schedule. The paid shoots often do, but those who have not invested hard currency sometimes fail to understand because it comes so easy.

Models and Photographers, if someone approaches you for a TF shoot, take it as a compliment. But don't forget that there is no such thing as a free lunch, nor a free shoot!