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It's a trend that I think I'm seeing that many models are pricing themselves out of the market. I recognize that there is value for the effort and preparation for modeling, it's that many models are charging more than I can justify spending.
The question is: How much of the hourly rate models want is based on ego verses the actual cost of preparing to model and a "reasonable" profit? For me at least, most models on MM have made their hourly rate so high I can no longer afford to hire them. Granted, I shoot for the fun of it and not as a way to derive income. I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on this. Oct 29 25 11:53 am Link 
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica You know what else is high?
Groceries Taxes Rent Utilities Gas Car prices Hiring models is a luxury. What models need to make their businesses work has nothing to do with your ability to pay. You can also blame facial recognition for why many hobbyists have exited. You can't rely on a stage name to keep a modeling hobby secret. Used to be that many schoolteachers, librarians and people with government jobs could model on the side. Now, there are an unlimited number of places you can post pictures that make a model's privacy impossible. Those who are left are those who are 100% committed. Oct 29 25 12:22 pm Link There are PLENTY of people around who enjoy being photographed who don't care about what they're paid. I met two of my best models at my former health club. Print up some business cards and hand them out at places you go to. Once women get on sites like this and IG, they tend to ask for a lot of $$$. So what's going on? Part of what you may be experiencing is there are fewer younger models around. The American median age is around 39 years old. Photographers with limited money to offer, who shoot nudes or erotica should consider Thailand or Cambodia or Dominican Republic or other countries.
Brazil is another great location. Keep in mind you'll need to be there a few weeks to set up sessions. Studio rentals are usually available. You will find that many of the models have affordable rates and fantastic figures and are pretty. Bangkok for example had a lot of spectacular cis women. Before the Ukrainian war I knew several photographers who would go to Ukraine and Russia. They would find real beauties. Another idea is to set up paid photo workshops or attend some. Oct 29 25 06:58 pm Link Model MoRina wrote: These are legitimate considerations. There is a point where you may find yourself priced out of the market. Any hourly rate you can get is fine, will you get enough modeling hours at $200-$400 per hour to make it work?
Oct 30 25 04:53 am Link Robert Stites wrote: A freelance model's stated rate is merely a suggestion. I've found that most are motivated by any offer that makes it worthwhile for them to drag their ass out of bed, get dolled up, drive across town, and deal with some crusty old pervert for a few hours. I've also found many to be even more motivated around the first of the month. Oct 30 25 07:14 am Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Arizona Shoots wrote: Yes, negotiation is key... also key is being easy to book, and not being a condescending dick when you're trying to book a model. You're a fun guy to be around and I can imagine that models enjoy working with you. Oct 30 25 11:44 am Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Robert Stites wrote: Well that is up to the model to figure out, isn't it? You trying to school someone is going to come across as being condescending, and nobody will want to work with you. Make yourself easy to work with. Be accommodating and friendly. Don't be cheap. Don't poor mouth. And don't be a dick.
Oct 30 25 11:47 am Link I've found that if your work is interesting,
and you are chill about it, there is always a model available in your price range. And really, it works so much better if the model wants to be there. Oct 30 25 04:19 pm Link Model MoRina wrote: I try to be. I've heard so many stories over the years from models who've worked with grumpy, unpleasant photographers. And that's something I'll never understand. This is the best job and/or hobby in the world and it's something that just about any red-blooded American male would love to be doing. What we do isn't really all that serious and the world would carry on just fine with or without us. Have fun with it, or find something else to do.
Model MoRina wrote: If by this, you mean what I think you mean then I agree. Never tell strangers "you can't afford it". Just move on. No one should ever know you're broke. Fake it till you make it. Oct 30 25 08:27 pm Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Arizona Shoots wrote: The definition of poor-mouthing to me is when someone who CAN certainly afford something uses the excuse "I can't afford it" instead of being honest and saying "I don't want to pay that much."
Oct 31 25 11:37 am Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Chris Macan wrote: Yes!!
Oct 31 25 11:39 am Link It is supply and demand. Is it a part time model, a hobby model (she doesn't need the $$ but knows her value) or a full time only source of income model?
Sellers always set the asking price but the buyer always sets the sale price. That is the basis of negotiation. Now how receptive someone is to negotiation boils down to need and how reasonable the offer is. A fully booked model is less likely to negotiate than one with bills due Oct 31 25 11:50 am Link I pay by the shoot. My shoots are three to four hours for the most part.
That said, sometimes the shoot gets done sooner and if it does I still pay as promised. Oct 31 25 11:55 am Link I'm not sure that's the case. I just recently started using models again after a very long hiatus. The ones I've contacted about rates were all within my price range. I'm shooting for myself though. I don't have paying clients or anything like that. I'm just wanting to create art for now. Nov 06 25 07:25 am Link Posting casting calls yourself has always worked, you state the budget and see who responds
And I'm not just saying that from a bountiful Los Angeles perspective Get off of social media, literal classified ads still work. Even more lower tech with signs on light poles and college campuses still works If you want established talent though, with a history of showing up, you need to bid higher. If you want to reliably alter someone's schedule you need to bid higher. People WILL alter their commitments for the highest bidder of that time slot, without any other code that dictates they shouldn't. That's important to know whether you're looking for deals on one end, or realizing that you can control everyone's schedule on the other end underneath all of that is MoRina's perspective, the most valuable thing is making it simple to book. People do not like to negotiate, the back and forth on the rates, its the biggest time waster. Find the area's rate, offer that and the time, place, idea, and you'll get a lot of things at a lower cost than you expect, solely because it saved everyone time. Nov 06 25 07:49 pm Link Yes; the cost of living has increased for every one, not only models.
I begrudge paying a model 2-3 times what I earned as a certified Aerospace Engineer. Fortunately it is my budget that controls the cost of shooting and not model’s rates. I refuse to pay anyone more than my best and frequent models; no matter how famous or attractive they are or claim to be. (I’ve had some disappointments, but do not have the will for confrontation to show them the door) Nov 08 25 08:18 am Link Frederick C wrote: I hope you're not comparing HOURLY rates.
Nov 09 25 08:33 am Link Some models will gouge you. I just politely decline the ridiculous cold calls, and move on to someone reasonable. The casting calls are a good source to see what the going rate is. Nov 09 25 09:45 am Link I'd have to agree, I became comfortable paying $150 an hr (mostly non nude) but I have recently been taken aback when a model requested $200 for portrait/implied. And increasingly the $150 rate is inching up to $175 an hour. Yup, everything has become crazy expensive and I so wish I could keep paying the ever rising hourly rates, hell if I could afford it I'd pay$500 an hour. But I can't and I may have to just step back and just work some of my wonderful friends who model. It's all relative and $150 is about my limit. Nov 15 25 05:41 pm Link Model MoRina wrote: This!!
Nov 20 25 07:06 pm Link As long as they can find GWCs with money they'll keep raising their rates.
When I contact a model, and they give me what I consider an unreasonable rate, it's my choice what to do next. I can point them to my work, explain my circumstances, and ask them to reconsider. Or I can let it go. I've had models come back to me, with a reduced rate, after I've already booked another model. Sometimes you're made to feel like you're playing chicken on a country road. Dec 23 25 08:04 pm Link 3 Leaves Left Imaging wrote: Yeah... that ain't happening.
Dec 24 25 03:31 pm Link I won't begin to try and explain a models' perspective as to why they charge different rates, there are simply too many variables.
Each time I engage the services of a model, we negotiate the proposed conditions and if we can't arrive at a win win outcome for both parties we simply walk away. Having said this, a model may decide to raise or lower her fee depending on the final use of the images. I once read an article saying that 'super' models accepted much less to model on assignments that included shooting the cover of famous fashion magazines, because in itself getting the prestige of being considered a cover model resulted in increasing the model's worth. Dec 25 25 11:01 am Link Model MoRina wrote: this may be why you have apparently done two (cell phone) shoots and live in Antarctica...jus saying Jan 16 26 12:47 am Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica D L Photo wrote: Lol.
Jan 16 26 02:21 pm Link Have YOUR set rate and don't buckle. They can take it or leave it; it's no skin off your nose. Jan 16 26 02:36 pm Link Model MoRina wrote: Some photographers appear to have a problem accepting the legitimate points of view of others.
Jan 20 26 07:42 am Link D L Photo wrote: This coming from someone who immediately removes access to their own MM Profile & Portfolio after each time they make a comment.
Jan 20 26 08:38 am Link Lucifers_Corner wrote: Unfortunately for photographers, your advice works both ways! Jan 20 26 08:51 am Link Camera Buff wrote: I have zero problems saving my money. Jan 20 26 05:57 pm Link Model MoRina wrote: LOL. Then you charge $100,000 an hour, right? No? Why not?
Jan 21 26 02:16 pm Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Gold Rush Studio wrote: Sorry, I am not interested in schooling you if you would rather just get a "gotcha." My answer was directed at the OP. One person who says he can't afford model rates. Not every person who wants to hire models has this problem. A model has to charge enough to pay expenses and make a profit. If some random person thinks her rates are too high, that doesn't actually mean her rates are too high.
Jan 21 26 02:46 pm Link D L Photo wrote: Camera Buff wrote: I don't think he removed his own account,
Jan 22 26 08:54 am Link Model MoRina wrote: Free market logic!
Jan 22 26 08:57 am Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Chris Macan wrote:
Jan 22 26 10:24 am Link Model MoRina wrote: I have not found that bigger bankrolls automatically make anyone kinder, more respectful or even slightly sophisticated..... Jan 22 26 01:22 pm Link Chris Macan wrote: You'll find that money feeds a person's true nature, for money is seen as power. Jan 22 26 08:00 pm Link Chris Macan wrote: I believe that there are members who remove access to their MM Profiles and Portfolios between the times they are making comments in these Forums. Some are no longer active as photographers, but who still enjoy participating in the forums. I don't have a problem with this practice. The exception is with members who criticise the content of another member's portfolio when they themselves appear to be withholding their own info. Jan 22 26 08:04 pm Link
Model Posts: 6749 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Chris Macan wrote: I was referring to the fact that people who lowball tend to be the most difficult and unappreciative. For me, it's a sign that it is not someone who I want to do business with. People who understand and appreciate your value don't lowball.
Jan 23 26 06:10 am Link Model MoRina wrote: To your post months ago, I totally agree. But hobbyist "photographers" like myself, have the same issues. Some of us can afford those increases better than others. While some are probably just cheap.
Jan 24 26 10:35 am Link |
Yes!
