What would you pay

We are thinking of putting together a group shoot this summer on the Oregon Coast. Still in the early preliminary stage, still tossing ideas around. As a photographer about how much would you be willing to pay to show up at a location, and photograph 4 models. 1 hour with each with 2 wardrobe changes. So 4 hours of shooting total with 4 different models and 8 different looks all together. There will only be 1 photographer per model at a time so the photographer has the models sole attention.

Models will have hair and makeup done and ready and have wardrobe supplied unless photographer has their own pieces they would like used. Models will be paid models that have experience modeling not 1st time CL models. But they probably will not be magazine quality models either. No nudity, swimwear / bikini / summer wear.

There is no real teaching going on at the shoot however if new photographers have questions I will answer to the best of my ability.

I think that covers the most of it. As a photographer what price point would you expect to see something like this at? We plan to offer a break if a photographer wants to book a spot in the morning & afternoon shoot or 1 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday (different group of models each day).

There are a couple meet up groups by me that do this type of thing. It ranges from going to a location, to using a studio. There is one coming up similar to what you mentioned. 4 models, no lighting provided, at a local location that has many looks. Price is $65, which is pretty normal.. I see them priced up to $100.

Do those limit the number of photographers to 1 for each model or do they have 2-4 photographers per model?

For just women (I assume) standing around posing in swimsuits? Sounds about right.

I'm member of a couple of local meetup groups that do a variation of that. It's usually $10-50 per event for photographers.

The price varies depending on the setting/location and some other factors. Sometimes the location is just downtown, so the price is almost nothing. Sometimes the location is something much more elaborate, and the price increases accordingly. For example, last month we rented out a wild-west town film set for a western/steampunk themed shoot, this month we're renting out the historic Tampa Theatre for an Old Hollywood themed shoot.

Models are not paid pros, but most have a fair amount of modeling experience. The ratio is usually around 2 photographers per 1 model. The more popular shoots are much bigger than when you describe - sometimes with 20 models and 40 photographers, or even more. Even with groups of that size, the organizers manage it quite well, with assigned rotations of models and photographers - so you don't get that paparazzi horde of all the photographers fighting for the "best" model.

With that as my baseline, I think $50-75 is reasonable, since you're guaranteeing professional models and a 1:1 ratio. If it's just a basic studio setting, probably lower on that scale; if it's a grander location, then on the higher end of the scale.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #17922204
Do those limit the number of photographers to 1 for each model or do they have 2-4 photographers per model?

the ones I've done don't limit you to one model. You take which ever one is free at the moment and set up your shot. Once you are done, you get the next one you want to shoot with. There are some that it's only one model usually in a studio, but a MUA is provided and you get multiple outfits. Right about the same cost. It really depends on the model, if she's pretty well known it's more, it she's new it's less.

I'm in the Dallas area and there are quite a few women to choose from, ranging from no experience to very experienced. A few have ended up at a good modeling agency after starting with just the meet up groups. It's pretty well run. One group was a well established working pro photographer and I really liked his. He would get agency people that he knew that needed to pump up their portfolios and make the shoot geared towards that. He just doesn't have time to do it anymore, wish he would.

Thank you everyone keep the tips and pricing coming. We were trying to keep it to a lower number of photographers 1:1 ratio but at the prices your suggesting that's just not going to happen unless we use inexperienced free models.

Moving away from the 1:1 ratio would help keep the cost down 2-3 photographers per model on a set rotation, you still get to photograph all 4 models just not for an hour each with no other photographers interrupting you.

Are you doing it as a way to make money? OR do you have a certain project that you are looking to offset the cost of?

The majority of the ones I see are not guys looking to make money, but they want to shoot something specific and by opening it up helps them cut their costs and maybe make a little as well.

It really depends on the cost of the models where you live. when I have something specific I just factor in the cost or call a couple of other photogs I know to see if what I'm doing interests them. And if so, they pitch in to shoot once I'm done.

Gaarryy wrote in post #17922315
Are you doing it as a way to make money? OR do you have a certain project that you are looking to offset the cost of?

The majority of the ones I see are not guys looking to make money, but they want to shoot something specific and by opening it up helps them cut their costs and maybe make a little as well.

It really depends on the cost of the models where you live. when I have something specific I just factor in the cost or call a couple of other photogs I know to see if what I'm doing interests them. And if so, they pitch in to shoot once I'm done.

I shoot swimwear all summer on the river where we live (take models out on our boat to islands only accessible by boat). So this is just getting to shoot at the actual coast. So I guess looking at it as a way to make some money, and have a fun weekend of shooting.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #17922299
you still get to photograph all 4 models just not for an hour each with no other photographers interrupting you.

Opinion: If it's just one model with one wardrobe look and one location/set, I don't need a whole hour. I'm fine splitting that hour with another photographer.

If we have a large and varied set to wander around in, then maybe we could spend an hour finding different locations and different setups. But if it's just at the beach, or just white-backdrop studio, I won't need an hour for one look and no wardrobe changes - especially with an experienced model.

nathancarter wrote in post #17922361
Opinion: If it's just one model with one wardrobe look and one location/set, I don't need a whole hour. I'm fine splitting that hour with another photographer.

If we have a large and varied set to wander around in, then maybe we could spend an hour finding different locations and different setups. But if it's just at the beach, or just white-backdrop studio, I won't need an hour for one look and no wardrobe changes - especially with an experienced model.

1st post says there will be 2 wardrobe changes in each hour (so 2-3 outfits) and yes its just the beach however the beaches we will be at have several looks, waters edge, tall grass dunes, rocky areas with tide pools and what not. I agree I thought an hour was more then enough time however anther photographer I spoke to thought he would want more time to not feel rushed and get to settle into a "groove" with each new model.

nathancarter wrote in post #17922361
Opinion: If it's just one model with one wardrobe look and one location/set, I don't need a whole hour. I'm fine splitting that hour with another photographer.

If we have a large and varied set to wander around in, then maybe we could spend an hour finding different locations and different setups. But if it's just at the beach, or just white-backdrop studio, I won't need an hour for one look and no wardrobe changes - especially with an experienced model.

Good point..
I think for some we have set a timer for either 4 or 5 min on studio shoots and each person gets a couple rounds like that. I can't imagine needing an hour

Gaarryy wrote in post #17922383
Good point..
I think for some we have set a timer for either 4 or 5 min on studio shoots and each person gets a couple rounds like that. I can't imagine needing an hour

I could see that in a studio setting if lighting is set and your just walking up directing a pose or just clicking your shutter because the model is doing the same posing over and over an hour would be to much.

So as a photographer would you want more models and 4 hours of shooting or less models (no less then 4) and a shorter overall shot time.

This must be for amateur photographers only.

For a group shoot environment for amateurs, I would keep shooting time between each model & photographer short maybe 10 minutes. Have the photographers all rotate models every 10 minutes and then the models change wardrobe every hour. With 6 models and an overall shoot time of 2 hours, you could probably charge $75-100 and have that be a good value for the photographer as opposed to paying them directly. In 4 hrs you should be able to have 12 photographers. Model quality does need to be high to put good photos on the advertising to attract $$$ customers.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #17922374
1st post says there will be 2 wardrobe changes in each hour (so 2-3 outfits) and yes its just the beach however the beaches we will be at have several looks, waters edge, tall grass dunes, rocky areas with tide pools and what not. I agree I thought an hour was more then enough time however anther photographer I spoke to thought he would want more time to not feel rushed and get to settle into a "groove" with each new model.

Ah, I interpreted that as one wardrobe change halfway through the day. Three looks in an hour, definitely gives more value to the photographer.

However, you'll have to plan logistics very carefully: Wardrobe changes aren't instantaneous - especially at the beach, without a dedicated changing area that's adjacent to the shooting area. Two wardrobe changes every hour may be hard to pull off. I guess if it's swimwear and sundresses, that could be a quick change. Experienced models can probably pull it off.

This will give you 10 minutes or maybe 15 minutes per look.

Figure each hour as follows -
5 minutes to round up all participants and assign pairings
15 minutes to shoot first look
5 minutes for wardrobe change
15 minutes to shoot second look
5 minutes for wardrobe change
10 minutes to shoot third look
5 minutes to return to staging area.

This is pretty much your best-case scenario. If one of your groups wanders down the beach or up into the dunes, and doesn't return exactly on time at the end of the hour, the whole machine grinds to a halt.

Also, any sort of non-casual fashion - shoes, jewelry, hair, makeup - that stuff takes a non-trivial amount of time to change.