What's the Fee for an Amateur Photo Model?

Michael Zelbel, a fellow German photographer and friend of mine, picked up on an awesome, much-debated issue: model rates. A topic that always leaves you behind with lots of questions that make you scratch your head searching for the right answers.

The original question was asked by one of Michael’s Good Light! Magazine readers:

“What do you expect to pay a model for say a 2 hour sexy photo shoot? Also, hair/makeup artist? I’m sure it depends on several different things such as where you are and so on but I’m wondering is there a baseline cost for this type of shoot.”

While it seems to be common to pay amateur photo models about 50 EUR/USD per hour for this kind of photo shoots, there are also a lot of models that are happy to exchange their Time for Pictures (TfP).

In this vodcast, Michael elaborates on how he always tries to find a deal that works well for both sides. More often than not, this does not have anything to do with payment agreements…

Show Notes: Links Talked About in the Vodcast

Getty Images Releases: https://contributors.gettyimages.com/article_public.aspx?article_id=1834
Polish fashion model Anna Jagodzinska: http://goo.gl/mQ2fxx
ModelMayhem discussion threat: http://www.modelmayhem.com/education/modeling/848-paid-vs-trade-shoots

Michael’s Good Light! Magazine

Good Light! Magazine is most definitely one of the leading photography e-zines primarily developed for tablets like the iPad. In Apple’s Newsstand, the magazine is constantly residing in the USA Top 10 list of iPad Arts and Entertainment magazines.

For the rest of us (I’m not an iPad owner either; I’m a Droid/Samsung guy…) there is also a “normal” PDF version available for all devices (Win, Desktops, and Droids).

https://sexywomenphotography.com/go/GLM

Content value?

6 Comments

Jón on February 15, 2015 at 12:35 am

Hi Michael,

Really enjoyed the issue of how the rate for a shoot should be, as this is like a “grey area” that no will talk about.

As for my self as a amateur, the issue has been what the rate should be that you are paying the model, and my experience has been so far, that a paid model will in most circumstances have a more professional approach to the shoot, than a model that is not being paid. There are always exceptions and what type of model you book or get contact to, but as a amateur I would start with a model that has experience and therefore in most cases not doing TFP, so you as a photographer would get some experience.

As of rates, the numbers you mention are the ones that I have experienced when talking with models. Some charge more and some less, but think it is a good baseline to start with when you are thinking of booking a model, but always use our head and make your research.

Regards
Jón

Michael Zelbel on February 15, 2015 at 3:47 pm

Thank you so much, Jón. Good point about gaining experience. When I just started out I actually got TfP models that expected a great outcome of the shooting, for example spectacular photos for a fan DVD. My solution to that was that I asked more experienced photographers to shoot along with me. This way I learned from them and it made sure that the model got what she needed.

Reply

Roy on February 15, 2015 at 10:21 am

Hi Dan & Michael!

Seen as Jon rightfully have said, that this is a grey area of what to pay a model, through all social media, it would be nice to hear from models of what they expect in payment for their services.

Thanks

Roy

Michael Zelbel on February 15, 2015 at 3:50 pm

Yes, typically models refrain from publishing rates. Understandably. As a photographer, we can easily look up what is paid for simple jobs, e.g. http://whopaysphotogs.tumblr.com/. But I have not found a similar site for models or on which models would offer simple modelling gigs.

Reply

Jose Sanchez on February 17, 2015 at 10:10 pm

I would be the happiest man in the world if I knew where to find models that charge 50 EUR for a nude photo shoot… That’s the regular price for a non nude photo model in my hometown. I’ve never found a nude model charging less than 150 EUR for a nude photo shoot, and I’m not talking about stunning or centerfold girls (they would ask for 500 EUR) just regular girls…

Roy on February 17, 2015 at 11:47 pm

Hi Jose!,
Your comment very interesting and the problem is that, the regular girls who are asking for 500 Euros for nude photoshoots have this belief all models are getting this sum which is not the case. These type of girls are comparing glamour models with high fashion ones.

Reply

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Jón on February 15, 2015 at 12:35 am

Hi Michael,

Really enjoyed the issue of how the rate for a shoot should be, as this is like a “grey area” that no will talk about.

As for my self as a amateur, the issue has been what the rate should be that you are paying the model, and my experience has been so far, that a paid model will in most circumstances have a more professional approach to the shoot, than a model that is not being paid. There are always exceptions and what type of model you book or get contact to, but as a amateur I would start with a model that has experience and therefore in most cases not doing TFP, so you as a photographer would get some experience.

As of rates, the numbers you mention are the ones that I have experienced when talking with models. Some charge more and some less, but think it is a good baseline to start with when you are thinking of booking a model, but always use our head and make your research.

Regards
Jón

- Michael Zelbel on February 15, 2015 at 3:47 pm
  
  Thank you so much, Jón. Good point about gaining experience. When I just started out I actually got TfP models that expected a great outcome of the shooting, for example spectacular photos for a fan DVD. My solution to that was that I asked more experienced photographers to shoot along with me. This way I learned from them and it made sure that the model got what she needed.
  
Roy on February 15, 2015 at 10:21 am

Hi Dan & Michael!

Seen as Jon rightfully have said, that this is a grey area of what to pay a model, through all social media, it would be nice to hear from models of what they expect in payment for their services.

Thanks

Roy

- Michael Zelbel on February 15, 2015 at 3:50 pm
  
  Yes, typically models refrain from publishing rates. Understandably. As a photographer, we can easily look up what is paid for simple jobs, e.g. http://whopaysphotogs.tumblr.com/. But I have not found a similar site for models or on which models would offer simple modelling gigs.
  
Jose Sanchez on February 17, 2015 at 10:10 pm

I would be the happiest man in the world if I knew where to find models that charge 50 EUR for a nude photo shoot… That’s the regular price for a non nude photo model in my hometown. I’ve never found a nude model charging less than 150 EUR for a nude photo shoot, and I’m not talking about stunning or centerfold girls (they would ask for 500 EUR) just regular girls…

- Roy on February 17, 2015 at 11:47 pm
  
  Hi Jose!,
  Your comment very interesting and the problem is that, the regular girls who are asking for 500 Euros for nude photoshoots have this belief all models are getting this sum which is not the case. These type of girls are comparing glamour models with high fashion ones.

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