What do models charge?

Interested to know what is the going rate that models charge for work? Venturing into portrait and body photography and a local model is offering $30/hr for us to shoot her.

Now, I know this seems a little backwards as the models usually pay the photog to get shots however just starting out we want to experiment with different poses and such. I see a lot of doing the trade for CD thing, however I think if she charges per hour, she doesnt get copies of the photos...

So for those that shoot models in studio and on location, do you hire them? or are they all willing participants that dont charge?

Careful about models that charge because 90% of them are not really models. They are just ordinary girls who think they have a good body therefore think they can charge.

All of my shoots are for Trade or they pay me. Your clients should be the one paying for the model, not you.

In your case if you are new starting out, find a model who is looking to do the same and collaborate on trade work.

I am confused. Why do you think that the model wouldn't get paid? I don't know much about hourly rates, but my sister makes some money modeling on the weekends. She usually gets paid directly by the client, but her manager usually pairs her up with the same photographer. She hasn't given any money to a photographer since my parents paid to help put a portfolio together for her a few years ago.

Stocky wrote in post #5783492
I am confused. Why do you think that the model wouldn't get paid? I don't know much about hourly rates, but my sister makes some money modeling on the weekends. She usually gets paid directly by the client, but her manager usually pairs her up with the same photographer. She hasn't given any money to a photographer since my parents paid to help put a portfolio together for her a few years ago.

Exactly, she gets paid by the client who in turn hires her to do work for either print or tear sheets. Thats totally different than what the OP is asking for.

I must be missing something but, No Cory she wouldn't get copies of the prints. She's being hired to appear and pose. If she says she wants copies charge $30.00 per copy.

I guess what I am asking, does $30/hr seem reasonable? I am thinking its a tad high... I have a degree in graphics and been working for the same company for 6 years and dont get paid that an hour...but then again, I dont have a body like hers either...

Thinking maybe of stopping by the local strip club and seeing if any of them want to do anything first...

Where do people find models? They dont have to be experienced, just willing to experiment with poses and such...

I'm making popcorn, this should be an interesting thread to follow for a while.

cory1848 wrote in post #5784206
I guess what I am asking, does $30/hr seem reasonable? I am thinking its a tad high... I have a degree in graphics and been working for the same company for 6 years and dont get paid that an hour...but then again, I dont have a body like hers either...

Thinking maybe of stopping by the local strip club and seeing if any of them want to do anything first...

Where do people find models? They dont have to be experienced, just willing to experiment with poses and such...

IMO $30 hr is very reasonable, given they have done it before. Think about it, would you show up for $30 per hour to shoot? I personally wouldn't. I know we have post processing, but the model has to work out to keep in shape etc... Also, when you look at it, a model has much less of time they can actually do their work (at a higher dollar ammt). Once they get older, they are basically done. As for us, we can keep on going to matter how old/ugly we get . Giving them a smaller window, theoretically raising their value compared to ours.

And yes, a model with experience is usually well worth the price tag. They know how to handle themselves, and make the shoot move much faster and smoother.

See my page in my sig. This is where I find models.

Almost every model who thinks they have a good body will charge, its silly. Don't fall for it. Photographers shouldn't have to pay for models!

I had a new model (18 years old) who claim she has been modeling for 3 years, but her portfolio is JUNK. She wants $80 per hour + a CD of images + 15-20 Edited photos. I laughed in her face, and told her to come back when she gets some money because my rates start at $300 per day and if she wants a CD of images its another $100 bucks. Edited photos start at $60 per image. She then tried to weasel into a Trade deal... but at that point I was pissed and told her I'll shoot her with the above conditions if she paid me $500 bucks.

M Powered wrote in post #5784373
See my page in my sig. This is where I find models.

Almost every model who thinks they have a good body will charge, its silly. Don't fall for it. Photographers shouldn't have to pay for models!

I had a new model (18 years old) who claim she has been modeling for 3 years, but her portfolio is JUNK. She wants $80 per hour + a CD of images + 15-20 Edited photos. I laughed in her face, and told her to come back when she gets some money because my rates start at $300 per day and if she wants a CD of images its another $100 bucks. Edited photos start at $60 per image. She then tried to weasel into a Trade deal... but at that point I was pissed and told her I'll shoot her with the above conditions if she paid me $500 bucks.

Thanks for the link! I think I found what I am looking for...

If a model hires you, she pays you. If you hire a model, you pay her. What is so difficult to comprehend? Modelling is a profession, good bodies don't come from eating donuts and fritters and it's a very tough job. My ex used to compete in fitness competitions and made considerably more than $30.00 per hour. A Photographer shouldn't have to pay for models when he's/she's hired for a magazine. If you're working on you're portfolio and hiring her, you pay her. TFP is a workaround, not a rule.

SlowBlink wrote in post #5784575
If a model hires you, she pays you. If you hire a model, you pay her. What is so difficult to comprehend? Modelling is a profession, good bodies don't come from eating donuts and fritters and it's a very tough job. My ex used to compete in fitness competitions and made considerably more than $30.00 per hour. A Photographer shouldn't have to pay for models when a he's/she's hired for a magazine. If you're working on you're portfolio and hiring her, you pay her. TFP is a workaround, not a rule.

Ditto. Thats exactly how things go. I was waiting to see if someone would pull that basic concept out

SlowBlink wrote in post #5784575
If a model hires you, she pays you. If you hire a model, you pay her. What is so difficult to comprehend? Modelling is a profession, good bodies don't come from eating donuts and fritters and it's a very tough job. My ex used to compete in fitness competitions and made considerably more than $30.00 per hour. A Photographer shouldn't have to pay for models when he's/she's hired for a magazine. If you're working on you're portfolio and hiring her, you pay her. TFP is a workaround, not a rule.

Ditto x2
Not sure why you'd bother paying a model cash when you can get so many from the networking sites at a TFP or TFCD arrangement, and still come out of it with signed model releases.

30 is not a lot of model. If you shoot a TFCD the model EXPECTS good results. If you can not provide her good results then good luck getting her to model for free. If you do pay her then providing her the images is not really necessary BUT it is a nice gesture on your part

The price is really low, BUT can she pose & take directions? (Not to mention, but can you give them without a lot of confusion?)
This is why we usually try to work with models that we've worked with before, & it's a good idea to do a few test shots. Put her next to a tree outdoors & run her through "Pose 1", "Pose 2", etc. You'll know if you want to work with her in 5 minutes.

Model Posing Advice