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Is $200 per hr becoming the new $150??
I have had several models approach me lately about working with them and their rates are $200 per hr? It's all relative but when the average rate became $150 per hr I reduced the hours I would shoot down to 2 from 3. If $200 is to become the new $150 I believe that I am done shooting models. I have no resentment towards models trying to get as much as they can while they can and I'm sure for many photographers $200 is not a deal breaker but sadly for me it is. Sigh. I have had a great time and met some wonderful models, some of which are close friends but all things come to an end. Aug 07 25 06:44 am Link It's known as inflation. Aug 07 25 07:03 am Link I have a budget set at $450-$500/shoot for 4-5 hours. Take it or leave it.
My best regular model is not a travelling model as she’s in my city; so the deal becomes better. Aug 07 25 07:10 am Link I haven’t run into the $200.00 an hour rate yet, although I did have a model request $300.00 an hour a few weeks back. I politely declined, figuring that was an “I really don’t like your style but if you pay me this I’m willing to pose rate”. 🤷🏼♂️ Aug 07 25 10:18 am Link I had one model send me a message about how she loved my work and would model for me at a rate of $250 per hour. I asked her to be specific about how images of her would benefit my business/portfolio. There was no response. So I suggested that if she regularly gets paid $250 per hour that she must have a special offering and to continue to work with the photographers that have been paying that rate. Aug 07 25 11:40 am Link I was priced out when modeling rates hit $150/hour, especially with a two hour minimum.
Kinda takes the fun out of the hobby. Aug 07 25 07:33 pm Link 3 Leaves Left Imaging wrote: Have you ever tried contacting model agencies to see if they would allow you to test with their models in development in exchange for edited images? Professionals here have suggested that works if the agency likes your portfolio. Aug 07 25 10:17 pm Link Everything is relative. If a model told me she wanted $200/hour she better be a supermodel. Here in Vegas, you can get some pretty amazing models for less than half that. In Vegas, models kind of grow on trees. In New Jersey, it may be more of a supply and demand kind of thing. Aug 10 25 01:17 am Link As models up their rates make sure you radically increase your standards! Stop paying for out of shape overweight models, stop engaging models at premium rates that don't have the looks or body to match the rates. Tattoos, unnatural hair colors, freakish piercings don't belong on a model asking two hundred dollars per hour. If their constraints don't fulfill your project needs reject them instantly, you're the boss, not the model. Purchase only quality, reject substandard models. Aug 10 25 10:14 am Link haha. I'm still getting adjusted to models asking 150 an hour versus 100. I started photographing models 40 years ago. So it's time for me to scale back. Aug 10 25 12:04 pm Link Models are doing so well shooting and publishing our own content that it isn't worth a couple hundred dollars to send 20 emails back and forth to schedule a shoot, prepare a bag of things to bring to the shoot, drive to the shoot, possibly put up with inappropriate behavior or have our boundaries pushed. By the time you've done a two or three hour shoot you've spent at least 7 or 8 hours of time planning, preparing and traveling.
I know for me, it isn't worth it. I miss some of the social aspects of shooting with photographers, but I don't miss the bullshit. Aug 10 25 06:56 pm Link It's a mixed bag everywhere. A few are raising to $175. Many are still at $150. A few are still doing $125. One said $250, but I was able to bargain down to $200. Like general contractors, get three bids and go shoot. Aug 10 25 07:49 pm Link I have seen dual rate of $150 up to nude and 200 for erotic . Remember everything in life is negotiable and $150 is a lot better than 0 so I imagine if the choice is between $200 and 0 150 sounds good.
Yes models do have multiple income streams available but the key is to maximize all of them and for touring models every gig is important, especially with cancelations. Aug 10 25 09:06 pm Link over the past couple years I have shot a few of agency models at $100 a shoot ( they are responsible for their own hair and makeup under this arrangement 7
A couple of them have left their agencies ( or been dropped ) and i have approached them about doing a second shoot One told me that her rate was now $175 an hour and the other $200 for clothed work lol Aug 10 25 10:37 pm Link Shot By Adam wrote: 100% that
Oct 20 25 10:05 pm Link $200 an hour?
I'm out. Nov 28 25 02:13 pm Link It's the "2-hour minimum" that leaves me dry, knowing that it takes about 30-45 minutes just to do makeup, hair, and wardrobe. You shouldn't be expected to pay for that. Jan 09 26 07:56 pm Link 3 Leaves Left Imaging wrote: The high standard of imagery in your portfolio highlights your mastery of the fine art side of photography. The quality of your set designs, choice of outdoor locations, selection of models together with their wardrobe choices is exceptional.
Jan 10 26 09:30 pm Link I always see these rates and assume they are being paid by dentists looking to be near a pretty girl. Jan 11 26 07:01 am Link 3 Leaves Left Imaging wrote: You need to find models who want to shoot with you for your work and not just fast cash.
Jan 13 26 02:53 pm Link On the commodities market today silver closed today at over $90 an ounce. Is 100 to 200 dollars an hour for a model to ask that out of line? What has become of the value of a dollar? Jan 14 26 02:35 pm Link Mark Salo wrote: I don't know if you can truly grasp how unnecessary, condescending, and out of touch your response is.
Jan 15 26 11:55 am Link EdBPhotography wrote: You are correct. I can't grasp it. Jan 15 26 01:45 pm Link when i was building my port i shot for nearly a decade mostly at $40-75/hr.
in the past five years or so I have paid generally higher rates, $100/hr being kind of a standard benchmark for nude work ...these days in the last couple years I am seeing nearly every model in public castings asking $125...and lately $150 hour. now models are often asking $175 or even $200 an hour. i have been a big proponent actually of higher rates for a few years...i felt that models deserve it...and if I could pay even more...I would but lately...it is starting to feel like a money grab. i get that there is inflation ...but that affects everyone. l sometimes feel like I have been getting punished for paying more....getting less for it....and having models I've already worked with wanting more....one models updated rates were DOUBLED. $150/hr to $300/hr....i declined and then that model told me she could work for our old rate...but then flaked with no explanation whatsoever. this makes me feel that paying industry premium rates only got me put on some kind of list where models share who will pay the most.... the truth is that a lot of these 'models'...are increasingly more like findommes who apparently would actually prefer to work with amateurs and old rich hobbyists ....they will probably pay the most and...if their work sucks...well...it probably wont be distributed far and wide anyway...i guess that is the mentality "INFLATION" ......yeah...groceries cost more for me too these days i am less sympathetic to the cause since....being a struggling working artist myself....and not having a previous career as a doctor or weapons manufacturer or something... i can tell u that the "I can't get by on only $300 for two hours of work...is falling on deaf ears.... In 2018 i worked 6 months at the Tesla factory, 6 days a week, 12 hours a day for $19/hr building the model 3 (apparently for the world's biggest nazi)...and after getting garnished...all for like $12/hr...while sleeping in Nissan Leaf that could not fully recline....so I could buy a $5000 camera art is subjective and though I believe my work is great, u might not....and tbh i don't think a lot of models care about...or sometimes even look at your port. models will 90% of the time ask u if u have an instagram (even if u have a large port here...because....follower account is probably more appealing that the quality of your work if we're being real...) so im pulling back...I won't be paying $175/hr unless u r like my favorite model ever...and if u post a call with $100/hr in the title...but (that's really for fashion or something)...and your real rate is $200/hr...I am more likely to make a joke at your expense if that sounds like im being harsh or bitter....whatever.... there are two artists involved in any shoot, but i feel less like an artist lately and more like an atm for some of these "pro" touring models....some of whom are trying to squeeze 3-4 shoots in per day at $300-500/pop....and telling me i ought to consider their travel expenses...... i will probably post a nationwide call when i come back from hiatus....and i can tell u the offer will be closer to $50/hr than $150/hr if u post $50-100/hr in LA or a major market.....you will still get a ton of replies i think its an industrial problem because if models don't want to work for reasonable rates....then only old rich guys with hobbys will be the ones photographing them and there will continue to be more and more crap 'art' being published. i have to say that when i first discovered MM in like 2008...i was blown away by all the high level art i was seeing...it was inspiring and made me want to be a part of this community... maybe im just aging out of this as a photographer and maybe my work is just not as good as i think it is...but i can say that personally....i have done everything and worked harder than any other photographer i know to make it in this game...not that that may matter and maybe this is at the end of the day....just a hobby for old guys with $.... but i will say that i feel 100% like i was generally getting way better return for half the money a few years ago....when shoots cost me generally $150-200 vs $300-500.... so if u do pay the max asking...just know that girls may be sharing your info with other girls who just want as much $ as you r willing to pay also for the "I have so much experience now...I deserve to get a 25% raise every year".....this is modeling,,,,,if you're asking me...models should consider their exposure and wrinkle collection when pushing so hard for more $. i get that you're taking your clothes off....but anyone who's ever worked all day in a restaurant and been glad to leave with $100 in tips...may have a different perspective on a models ability to pull $1k/day on tour maybe ive said too much and im just an asshole...say what u will i really dont gaf....because i am an actual fucking artist who cares and tries and ive given everything i had on the other side of the lens to this industry....and im hitting the fucking wall - Dash Jan 15 26 08:49 pm Link Model MoRina wrote: i know for a fact that a lot of models with OF or bentbox stores never even reach payout..
Jan 15 26 08:57 pm Link Mark Salo wrote: i guess that's why you can't afford lights Jan 15 26 09:10 pm Link D L Photo wrote: Hehe, I've mainly moved away from photography in general and moved into video. I have set rates and a take it or leave it attitude. I don't do the "2-hour minimum" scam, and there's nobody worth thirsting after to make me change my mind. Either they want to make money, or they don't, I'm not upset by saving a couple of hundred dollars.
Jan 16 26 02:33 pm Link It's supply and demand. The spirit of artistic collaboration around here is long gone. Now it's about who has the product and who is the consumer. If you have strong imagery that resonates with models you are more likely to get lower rates or even tfp.
But as someone who's been shooting for decades and done a ton of testing with models from here, including all sorts of artistic nudes, I will say I've never paid a model for a test shoot. A photographer I know used to say "photographers don't pay models, clients pay models". Granted, I have been busy shooting paid work and haven't had time to test lately and it's obvious finding models on here to shoot tfp is harder and harder to do. But here's some suggestions... try to find an angle with them (no pun intended). I shot a whole series of artistic nudes 8 or so years ago with models all from here men and women, young and old. I pitched them on how dynamic the imagery would be and it would be for an art show with other artists where we would have free food and drink and a dj and they would be invited. This was true and some came. I shot a prominent model from here last year that I saw had an Onlyfans (another reason its so hard to find models for tfp these days) and I approached her saying we should collab on a 3 hour shoot where I would shoot a ton of library content for her that she could freely use over time on her OF and give her some relief from having to create original content so frequently. After that shoot she literally paid ME to shoot again. I've gotten access to to some great locations like clubs by pitching the owner on sexy shoots with hot models that they can use for promotion, then turned around and pitched the models on how the location would be this great venue. I've done the same finding someone with a super cool car, a lot of times these guys just love to see a hot chick next to their car and get some pics. But also when you approach a model and say you're wanting to do a shoot with a vintage mustang the chances of them agreeing to tfp increases by about 350 horsepower. I'm just saying, don't give up maybe get more creative in your approach. Think less like a photographer and more like a producer. Jan 23 26 08:26 am Link Green Wave Photo 312 wrote: 110% Jan 23 26 09:44 am Link 3 Leaves Left Imaging the OP of this is FANTASTIC! I get models focused on what a project pays but I most enjoy working with people who enjoy modeling and creating art. Studies show that people give more when they enjoy what they do over what it offers. I know actors who do unpaid jobs all the time. Mixed into this is the fact that there are fewer models many of us might want to shoot. This based on age and overall look. The average age in America is 39. Here are a few ideas. Lets say the models you reach out to are asking $200 per hour and you typically shoot 4 to 6 hours a day and your planned locations are out of state. Three to four models would cost you around $2,400 dollars.
Is it possible to have a model come with you? Paying her way means at least one reliable model. Countries like Thailand and Vietnam are FULL of stunning women and men you could easily hire for 1,000baht per hour or less. $30.00 US. My recent trip to Thailand cost me under $1,500. Flights to the Philippines are also affordable and the locations are stunning. Organize small group shoots. This way you can share model fees with two or more photographers. Before the Ukraine war, I know photographers who traveled there and shot lovely women for $200 a day or less. Jan 23 26 12:15 pm Link Tony Lawrence wrote: 3 Leaves Left Imaging wrote: A majority of the FANTASTIC images in 3 Leaves Left Imaging's MM portfolio are now around a decade old. There's nothing I would call recent. Perhaps he posts his latest work elsewhere.
Jan 24 26 03:36 am Link Mark Salo wrote: D L Photo wrote: Some day I will be able to afford lights like yours. Jan 26 26 11:38 am Link Mark Salo wrote: D L Photo wrote: Mark Salo wrote: I kinda wish I had checked out this guy's portfolio before it got zapped. Jan 27 26 06:48 am Link Arizona Shoots wrote: Mark Salo wrote: I kinda wish I had checked out this guy's portfolio before it got zapped. OCF or possibly construction.
Jan 27 26 03:31 pm Link NM Jan 27 26 10:45 pm Link Are you all mad here about your skills and prices ???
Greetings from germany... Jan 28 26 06:54 am Link LIMELIGHT wrote: Ouch! The truth hurts! Feb 13 26 10:49 am Link Congrats you took on an expensive hobby. People that take on such hobbies are under the impression that models work 40 hours a week shooting. NO WE DON'T. Most of the work we do marketing and networking ourselves is not paid. We usually pay our own travel to get to you. We get canceled on ALL THE TIME which means we might break even when planning trips.
Sorry you picked an expensive hobby but unless you want to photograph landscapes for the rest of your life, pay us. Feb 16 26 10:24 am Link Model Sarah wrote: That's a two way street,
Feb 16 26 10:44 am Link Chris Macan wrote: It's your HOBBY. This is our JOB, Feb 16 26 04:49 pm Link |