Need advice on Paying Models

[johngalt_ny]

Hi all,

I've finally written the last tuition check for my son and will soon be ready to move to the next step in my hobby: paying models for shoots.

I've been doing TFP from Model Mayhem for the last six months and I still have a couple forming up for August. While I've had my share of flakes and rude no responders, I'm not unhappy with Mayhem. However, I've recently seen a few models I'd like to shoot who are only doing "Paid Assignments". Of course, every one of them says "My rates are very reasonable".

Assuming I'm OK with paid shoots, can anyone tell me what is a "reasonable" rate for a model based in the NY metro area? I'm looking at doing fashion/catalogue/swimsuit (not glamour or nude) and getting a full release for possible (but not certain) stock sale. Let's also say I'm more interested in the hobby than the stock sale aspect and I'm not talking agency models.

Any of you pros/serious hobbyists out there have some ranges for me? What are y'all paying for 1/2 day (3-4 hour) sessions?

Thanks in advance.

[Alleh]

I have never paid a model for personal work. Basically if I am getting paid for an assignment then they get paid as well. Don't waste your money. Those models that say they only do paid gigs on model mayhem are either major models with an agency and are working all the time or are full of themselves. You have to work your way up and not be a creep. Eventually you will get to work with better models that wont flake out.

[Karl Johnston]

Unless its for pay then you dont pay.

There's plenty of beautiful models out there who are doing TFP to earn their way up the ranks to the real jobs, like you are by building your portfolio.

A reasonable rate in NY metro? Not sure...Well I know tyra banks makes 13 million USD a year doing solely modeling...

Funny story, though, I had a TFP model come to me and say she was willing to do a shoot :D and had a "lot of experience"

Day of the shoot I called and she said "Um okay but we'll also have to discuss how im being paid"
I replied that it was tfp and her reply was
"Oh. But that doesnt mean its free. There's my rate and all"
??? Idiot...she wanted 250 per hour or something absolutely stupid like that.

I have not so much experience with pro models but I'm working with one in a couple of days and then another in August ... I think if you really want the girl or the guy or whatever, then you may have to pay to get them to work with you.

That said...a lot of models pay the photographer to do their portfolios, but that's usually with more experienced model photographers.

Though, a good person to talk to in this department would be PerryGe

[johngalt_ny]

Thanks guys.

I don't have models pay me for the simple reason that I'm an amateur/hobbyist. Anyway, I have enough trouble attracting TFPs which I don't understand but that's a totally different discussion.

Karl, I've also run into "Stupid Model Disease" ;) but I've never had a TFP ask to get paid. That's something new for me and for $250.00/hour she'd better be Paulina's little sister:). I'll look up PerryGe.

Alleh, I don't think I come across as "creepy". Even the models who respond "no thanks" usually mention what a nice offer message I sent them. Of course, that's only the courteous ones who bother to respond at all, which is yet another topic.

Any other ideas anyone?

[Stocky]

My sister just moved out of that area and I think she was usually happy in the $20 an hour range. She was a student and did that for some pocket money. A lot of times it barely ended up paying for the travel, but she seemed to enjoy it. I agree with Alleh though that usually it was someone else paying her and the photographer (plus the makeup artist), and the money wasn't coming from the photographer.

[Picturesports]

I found the best place to be the local Amateur Dramatic Society either in town or at the local College.

These wonderful folk do not mind having a camera pointed at them - can act their way through a shoot - do it for the fun of it and if you get that special shot they are normally very happy with a contra deal (20% of the sales for a year).

Get lucky and they ask you back to photography the show - a very good chance to network

[PhotosGuy]

I found the best place to be the local Amateur Dramatic Society either in town or at the local College. That's a great idea! Also check out the smaller modeling agencies for models who need something new & fresh to give them an excuse to make the rounds with the new pics. They can't always show the same old pics, right?

From personal experience:
Pam Dawber (Mork & Mindy) paid me for her first shoot. I was a lowly assistant at the time. She liked them so much that she gave me a "bonus check" afterwards.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Samples%20-%20General/Pam-D_01.jpg

The best model in Detroit, IMO, was Beth Murray. She was always available for TFP shoots & charged the big bucks for agency shoots.
Both were very nice people & a joy to work with. Forget the ones with attitude. They won't last long in the biz. ;)

[asysin2leads]

A reasonable rate in NY metro? Not sure...Well I know tyra banks makes 13 million USD a year doing solely modeling...

Hey, so do I. However, 50% of that goes to the fabric manufacturer to cover the cost of the material to cover my fat tukis.

[Karl Johnston]

....Your what?

[Stocky]

its a polite word for rump

[Karl Johnston]

Oh wow you learn something new everyday!

[zagiace]

Model Mayhem kinda cracks me up sometimes. I see promoters gathering up 3 or 4 hot models then charging the photographers for the privilege to shoot them. I am thinking these are just guys with a camera looking to check out the hot chicks.
IMO, I have done TFP/TFCD with models and after the amount of work they have gone through I felt like they should be paid. I didn't, but I work them pretty hard.
It is a strange situation. I may have a MUA, Hair stylist, model and assistant and no one is getting paid.
Bottom line, if your work is good, they would be able to use it for their portfolio, and if it is mutually beneficial then don't worry about paying.
If you are just starting out, and you are learning, and they are not going to be able to use the images for much, you should consider paying something.

[johngalt_ny]

Thanks all.