Modelling has a bewildering array of terms...here's a few common ones explained.



TFCD - Time for CD ie. you give your time in return for a CD of images from the shoot, normally about 20 or so edited images. Be selective in your TFCD arrangements as there is no point in doing it unless the images are of some benefit to you. Also bare in mind good photographers are also very selective in their TFCD arrangements, so treat the opportunity to work on this basis with a good photographer as a lucky break rather than a devine right.



TFP - Time for prints. As above but you also receive prints



Part-paid/part time for cd - Where you receive some payment and some images in compensation for your time.



Tog - commonly used abreviation for photographer.



LADS MAG/MIDDLE SHELF - refers to magazines such as Maxim, Nuts, Loaded, Front, FHM etc as normally found in the middle shelf of your newsagents



MENS MAG/TOP SHELF - refers to adult magazines such as Penthouse, Hustler, Men Only commonly found on the top shelf of your newsagents.



G/G - girl/girl this refers to a shoot involving two female models. This could involve various levels from fashion only to explicit adult. Always check whats required.



B/G - boy/girl the same applies to this as to girl/girl check what levels are required.



MODELLING LEVELS



You will often be asked "whats your levels?"



The following is a basic guide, but the best thing to do is find out exactly what the photographer wants in graphic terms so there are no misunderstandings. Dont be afraid of plain speaking and be prepared to state exactly what you will and will not do.



Once the levels of a shoot are agreed, no reputable photographer will ask you to exceed them during a shoot. You will get the odd "chancer" however, and any request beyond what was agreed should be politely but firmly declined and if the photographer persists you are well within your rights to terminate the shoot.



PORTRAIT - Simple as it sounds. Fully clothed portrait style shots.



FASHION - Generally fully clothed wearing particular outfits.



GLAMOUR - This is the most difficult term to deal with as it covers virtually everything from lingerie to explicit adult nude levels. It is best to find out exactly whats required before commiting to a "glamour" shoot.



LINGERIE - Wearing lingerie or swimwear. If you do not do nude work be aware that some lingerie is see through, particularly under flash lighting.



IMPLIED TOPLESS/NUDE - This is where you may be topless or nude but with no nipples or pubic hair showing.



TOPLESS - Breasts and nipples on show.



ARTISTIC/CLASSIC/FIGURE NUDE - Full nude but no explicit poses showing genitals. This could be in the artistic style with no provocative posing or any sexual implications or it could be suggestive glamour style. Best to find out before the shoot.



PLAYBOY NUDE - This is the middle ground between artistic and adult level nude. Playboy is now the only non-explicit top shelf magazine. Basically playboy style means fairly artistic nudity, you may be asked to do open-leg poses, however you will probably be side on or facing away from the camera rather full on facing it with your legs at 10 to 2 in the top shelf style. Again, its best to ask exactly what the photographer expects.



TOP SHELF LEVELS - This is the style found in magazines on the top shelf of your local newsagent and is a massive market in itself making up a large chunk of the glamour industry. For a model, it is a relatively quick and easy route to a good income because publishers are constantly looking for new faces but be aware once your images are out there in print or on the web, they are there for good.



UK. MAGAZINE - This is an old term which referred to open leg posing of a style found in UK magazines which used to be less explicit than their US counterparts. This is no longer the case and UK top shelf magazines now require the same levels as the US ones.



US. MAGAZINE - Basically the "industry standard" level for mens magazines and related websites. Involves open-leg posing with the genitals held open. There are no insertions or use of sex-toys etc at this level.



CONTINENTAL - So called because at one time this level of posing could only be found in continental magazines. It involves the insertion of Sex-toys or fingers or whatever in the genitals. This level is now found in many top shelf mags in the UK and US and some fairly well known publications such as Penthouse and Hustler now go up to this level.



So when someone offers you a "continental" level shoot, please be aware it is unlikely they mean a trip to San Tropez. You wouldn't be the first model to think "continental" meant a trip to a warm beach....



GIRL/GIRL ARTISTIC - Like artistic nude, nude but tastefull - no explicit posing.



BOY/GIRL ARTISTIC - AS above



GIRL/GIRL SOFT - Be very carefull if asked to do this and dont confuse it with G/G artistic as many do. Although its called soft girl/girl, this is an explicit level and involves just about everything short of actual penetration with toys etc.



BOY/GIRL SOFT As above.



GIRL/GIRL HARD - This level crosses the boundary between modelling and porn in my opinion and if you wish to do this you would be well advised to take advice from people in the porn industry regarding health precautions, certifications etc.



BOY/GIRL HARD - The same advice as above applies, but even more so!



GONZO/POV - These are porn industry terms and I include them because as a model you will get plenty emails from chancers asking if you do gonzo or pov. Basically gonzo is where you interact with the photographer or videographer. ie you perform a sex act on him/her while he/she films you or vice versa. POV means "point of view" and is much the same and involves you performing a sex act on the person filming.