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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> What to charge for modeling photography???
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02/08/2005 04:53:36 PM · #1
I've got my pricing structure down for doing portrait style photography but I'm wanting to add modeling photography to my services. I'd like to build portfolio's for models but I do not know what the going rate for photographers is. Can someone who does this offer me some pricing and advice?

Thanks!
02/08/2005 05:32:01 PM · #2
You might have to pay the model instead of the model paying you.
02/08/2005 05:53:40 PM · #3
I think I understand what you mean..

Really all you can offer is headshots and comp cards. Figure out how much it takes you to create the foresaid items and add 20%

Or sub-contract through your local talent/modeling/acting agency.

Joe
02/08/2005 06:00:32 PM · #4
I'm talking about what to charge models who contact me asking how much I would charge to take a bunch of photos they can add to their portfolio. Like glamour, swimwear, lingerie, nudes, etc...
02/08/2005 06:04:40 PM · #5
Originally posted by photomayhem:

I'm talking about what to charge models who contact me asking how much I would charge to take a bunch of photos they can add to their portfolio. Like glamour, swimwear, lingerie, nudes, etc...

How about glamour, swimwear, lingerie at $150 per hour, plus prints. Nudes are free. :)

02/08/2005 06:07:05 PM · #6
Originally posted by micknewton:

Originally posted by photomayhem:

I'm talking about what to charge models who contact me asking how much I would charge to take a bunch of photos they can add to their portfolio. Like glamour, swimwear, lingerie, nudes, etc...

How about glamour, swimwear, lingerie at $150 per hour, plus prints. Nudes are free. :)


Now that sounds more like it!
02/08/2005 06:14:01 PM · #7
I just don't forsee some model paying you $150 an hour to take his/her photos when someone would probably do it for free for exclusive use of his/her photographs to either sell or add to your portfolio in exchange, the model could use the photos in their portfolio.

Now possibly you could sell them the prints at a profit...but $150 an hour -- you had better have one heck of a portfolio up...and to get that portfolio up, you're probably going to do some TFP.
02/08/2005 06:19:27 PM · #8
Originally posted by deapee:

I just don't forsee some model paying you $150 an hour to take his/her photos when someone would probably do it for free for exclusive use of his/her photographs to either sell or add to your portfolio in exchange, the model could use the photos in their portfolio.

Now possibly you could sell them the prints at a profit...but $150 an hour -- you had better have one heck of a portfolio up...and to get that portfolio up, you're probably going to do some TFP.


I'm currently doing as many TFP's as I can. Once I get my portfolio where I want it, I will start charging. I'm glad my photography is just my side job, because I don't see making a lot of money with it for a long time.
02/08/2005 06:25:36 PM · #9
Until your build your portfolio, I don't see someone paying $150/hr for portfolio photos. The models that pay that are the very serious ones, and if they are that serious, they aren't going to pay that money unless you are an experienced, reputable model photographer.

Do TFP/CD shoots and build your portfolio and reputation and see how much time it takes and how much work is involved. Then, decide how much you need to compensate yourself for doing that work.

Just my advice, not that I know what I'm talking about. :-)

Edit: I'm a little slow, when I have to chase the kids around while typing a post. ;-)

Message edited by author 2005-02-08 18:26:41.
02/08/2005 06:55:21 PM · #10
Originally posted by photomayhem:

Originally posted by micknewton:

Originally posted by photomayhem:

I'm talking about what to charge models who contact me asking how much I would charge to take a bunch of photos they can add to their portfolio. Like glamour, swimwear, lingerie, nudes, etc...

How about glamour, swimwear, lingerie at $150 per hour, plus prints. Nudes are free. :)


Now that sounds more like it!

<<< DISCLAIMER - FOR THE HUMOR IMPAIRED >>>
The $150 per hour figure that I mentioned should not be taken as a serious suggestion. It was just the first number that popped into my head as I was attempting to make a humourous remark regarding shooting nudes for free.
<<< END OF DISCLAIMER >>>

Having said that, if I wanted to make a living as a photographer and I couldn't charge $150 per hour, then I wouldn't be trying to make a living as a photographer.


02/08/2005 06:57:59 PM · #11
Originally posted by micknewton:


Having said that, if I wanted to make a living as a photographer and I couldn't charge $150 per hour, then I wouldn't be trying to make a living as a photographer.


shoot...I'll be a photographer for $50 an hour. Actually, come to think of it...I'll do it for $15 an hour.
02/08/2005 07:07:38 PM · #12
Originally posted by micknewton:

Having said that, if I wanted to make a living as a photographer and I couldn't charge $150 per hour, then I wouldn't be trying to make a living as a photographer.


I'd say that would be ballpark. If you are worried that someone else might do it for free then either don't do it or undercut their price. Hell, it has to be worth something to be in the business.

I've done a few portfolios and some I do gratis if I think I can use the prints. If I don't like how the model looks or if the model won't cooperate with the images I want from her then I charge $350 for an afternoon shoot. I won't shoot make-up. I won't shoot glamour shots. I won't shoot models with big fake smiles. But then again I have a good job on the side and really don't need money.
02/08/2005 07:21:47 PM · #13
I charge $75 per hour shooting time, plus a per-print fee.

4x6 = $10
5x7 = $15
8x10 = $25

multiple prints of the same images are half price.

at those rates I have more people willing to pay than time to shoot them.
02/08/2005 11:39:48 PM · #14
Originally posted by Pedro:

I charge $75 per hour shooting time, plus a per-print fee.

4x6 = $10
5x7 = $15
8x10 = $25

multiple prints of the same images are half price.

at those rates I have more people willing to pay than time to shoot them.


That sounds more reasonable. I think this rate is doable. Thanks for your input.
02/08/2005 11:44:08 PM · #15
I'm at the other end of the scale.

I love working with models so do it always for TFP.

Only difference is, so I am not out of pocket, I actually do it TF-CD and they get their photos on a CD and print at their own expense.

In the meanwhile, thanks to model release etc, I maintain all rights over the photos, including the potential to sell them.
02/08/2005 11:51:30 PM · #16
Interesting thread. Hmmm....

At the moment, I am not getting any money for my photos. I wish I can go full-time with photography and get some people to be willing to pay for my shots. I am still tied-down in my full-time work (and yes, the yearbook). Here in Asia, I guess the situation would be a bit different (and the pricing will be a lot lower).

In the meantime, I just have to content getting my students pose for free (before they become famous).

Manny
02/09/2005 12:03:43 AM · #17
Originally posted by Pedro:

I charge $75 per hour shooting time, plus a per-print fee.

4x6 = $10
5x7 = $15
8x10 = $25

multiple prints of the same images are half price.

at those rates I have more people willing to pay than time to shoot them.


In CA$?
02/09/2005 12:57:20 AM · #18
I charge $50 for a sitting fee so that I get something for the time. The model gets two 8x10's and two 5x7's edited for that price. After that its

5x7's - $10 per print
8x10's - $15 per print

There's a guy down in Birmingham who was able to get away from his career early (as I understand his story) and set himself up to shoot model portfolios until now he gets incredible work and I daresay he could command much more than $150 per hour if he so chooses. The photos from the following link include nude and glamour shots; view at your own /parental discretion.
link

This is kind of a way I'd like to go with my work; just not the same subject matter.

Kev
02/09/2005 02:14:16 AM · #19
I am close to what Kevin does at this time (you should be charging more!) But I know...the experience!!
Been doing $30 an hour for the shoot (I include the archiving to disk and annotation under MY time) then $30 for editing time.
I color correct and adjust exposure to the RAWS then run them through a batch (MOST of them) sharpening, jpg, and web gallery (if they are unable to sit down with me to look) that has an approval, etc area, for the ones they want me to edit. I start editing ones I like (keeping time on each one seperate, in case they choose it), and when they have the ones they like with the amount of work they want on it (wrinkles, smoothing, B&W, whatever they want)...the $30 an hour kicks in. (I make exceptions, though).
I charge $10-12 a sheet (whatever will fit on a 8x11.5" sheet) for the printing. ie: 1-8x10", or 2-5x7", etc. Larger charged as 2 sheets. Haven't gotten into the CD thing, except with the one Model portfolo that I did, gave her med/good jpg's to use for internet, email, etc.
02/09/2005 12:12:02 PM · #20
Originally posted by ursula:

Originally posted by Pedro:

I charge $75 per hour shooting time, plus a per-print fee.

4x6 = $10
5x7 = $15
8x10 = $25

multiple prints of the same images are half price.

at those rates I have more people willing to pay than time to shoot them.


In CA$?


Depends on where the model is from.

Is there even a difference between USD and CAD anymore? ;)

(smartass aside, yes, in Canadian funds :))

02/09/2005 01:29:21 PM · #21
Originally posted by Pedro:



Is there even a difference between USD and CAD anymore? ;)



Yeah, you Canadians have Loonies....we Americans ARE Loonies....
02/09/2005 04:57:24 PM · #22
Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

I charge $50 for a sitting fee so that I get something for the time. The model gets two 8x10's and two 5x7's edited for that price. After that its

5x7's - $10 per print
8x10's - $15 per print


Do they even get the rest of the phots in digital format?

Usually, as I generally shoot people I know, I give the model a CD of all the pics. It usually has all pics worth keeping, but with nothing more done to them than basic levela and USM, and then if I have worked on the best ones more I include them.

With the ones I did at the weekend, as I am really happy with them, I am still giving a CD of the photos, as I said in advance I would, but am going to downsize them and leave them as JPG's.

Because I am not making money (at this stage at least) I am going more for the approach of getting them to come back and model if I like them, and even encourage their friends to do so.

I would imagine giving a CD when getting people to pay for prints is silly, as then they just go print them at wally-mart.

Do you do anything though like a CD with proofs, or even a proof sheet, or do they come select them from your PC and that is all they get?
02/19/2005 03:23:11 PM · #23
I think that you have to consider your overhead, what is practical for you to charge. If you haven't broken into the modeling field, and or you have no experience in that particular field, you might start off doing shoots for free until you build a good portfolio. Or you could charge what it costs you to make prints, etc.

Message edited by author 2005-02-20 21:13:05.
02/19/2005 03:40:31 PM · #24
My advise is to offer a tpc at the start with model release. That is, time for prints until you are able to build a marketing port that will appeal to the models. Without a good collection the models will not want to break your door down.

Once you get this than consider the following. Studio time goes from 30 to 100 per hour. Usually a shoot, with changes requires at least three hours. You will then be required to PS images to a good standard. So your time here may be another 8 or 12 hours. Examine your rental fees, that is if you pay rent along with other expenses and divide the monthly take by days in a month and this gives you a rough idea of what you need to make a day just to break even. A half day shoot can range between 250.00 to 600.00

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