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Highest paying cities for the nude models?
Hello fellow models and (possibly) photographers! I specialize in art and glamour nudes. I feel that after 2 years I have reached a certain level of experience and professionalism to start traveling more to other states to do nude modeling. I have done 3 very successful trips to San Francisco in the past, but I am now ready to get to know other places. Models, from your experience, where should I go to make the most money modeling? I know that some markets pay very well (like San Francisco) and some not much at all (like Chicago). Would you please share your knowledge? It would really help me and other models as well. Photographers, you are welcome to pitch in too. Hehe! Thanks in advance! Oct 05 14 05:46 pm Link I think it would be hard to beat the NYC to Richmond corridor + or - some on the ends. You'd also have to consider the time lost with travel between locations as well as straight pay/hour, and because the distances are short between the big cities in the cluster you can car commute and work on the same day with careful planning. Oct 05 14 09:39 pm Link For me, it is more regions than specific cities. If I stayed in one city, I would NOT earn very much. You have to be able to commute for a radius within a region. Honestly, suburbs and more rural areas work out better for me, since fewer models pass through the rural places, making those who do more in demand. Less competition. My most profitable this year have been the upstate New York area (around Syracuse), as well as the entire state of New Jersey. I did okay in Pittsburgh. I booked a lot of stuff in Ohio, but then had last-minute cancellations that made that trip sort of *meh*. In previous years, Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, as well as Dallas, TX. were pretty outstanding. Oct 05 14 09:45 pm Link Come to Seattle. I can't speak for other photographers in the area but I'll hire you. :-) Cheers! Noah Oct 05 14 10:35 pm Link Modeling rates are subject to the local supply & demand of suitable models. Here in Portland, there are lots of wonderful models, and as such, our local rates are modest. That being said, lots of well known traveling models come through town regularly, and usually they have little problem finding work. When I lived in the SF Bay Area, the modeling rates were much higher. Some traveling models have told me that they've gotten great rates at some very remote areas (probably because the supply of suitable models is so low). I know -- not much help. Sorry. Oct 06 14 08:40 am Link OTOH, depending on whether you are able to trade for lodging and meals, some towns also have much higher expenses to go along with higher rates. Also will you be able to get to all your bookings with public transportation or need to rent a car, etc. Will there be enough demand to fill your schedule or will there be gaps? It is not where you will get the highest rate but where you will net the most profit that is important. Oct 06 14 12:28 pm Link OP - Could you please clarify if you intend to do only nude modeling in terms of seeking higher compensation rates or do you just want a higher number of engagements overall. also by cities do you mean NYC, LA, Chicago metropolis types or any locale with a shooter? Oct 06 14 03:30 pm Link I think I'm going to go with Denver as the highest city paying nude models Oct 06 14 05:13 pm Link DougBPhoto wrote: Good one. Oct 06 14 06:47 pm Link Btfineart wrote: I've heard that NYC is the highest paying area, and I get A LOT of offers from there, but the reason why I haven't gone there yet is indeed the distance between the locations... Oct 06 14 07:07 pm Link Eye of the World wrote: Hmmmm I have to start planning then Oct 06 14 07:07 pm Link BGF wrote: I meant mainly nude modeling. Oct 06 14 07:09 pm Link GreenEyedNude wrote: Tons of people to work with in NY that pay, but the reason you stated is why I haven't gone as well. Seems like a logistical nightmare getting from shoot to shoot, and much more stressful to navigate than other places. Oct 06 14 08:54 pm Link MelissaAnn wrote: It is. Just horrid. Oct 06 14 08:57 pm Link Koryn wrote: Yeah, I'm scared. I'm directionally challenged and hate being stuck in crowds of people.....I think I may not do so well there. Oct 06 14 08:59 pm Link MelissaAnn wrote: Conversely, I had GREAT week in New Jersey last spring. Oct 06 14 09:09 pm Link The interstate 90 run from Cleveland, OH. through Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany NY. Then straight on through to Boston or South to New York seems to be very popular with traveling models. Oct 06 14 09:24 pm Link MelissaAnn wrote: Correct, I was joking and speaking literally... with regards to elevation. Oct 06 14 11:30 pm Link MelissaAnn wrote: Thanks for making my morning Melissa! And if your goal was to get me to do anything you want, you're on the right track. I'm waiting for your PM with a list of demands. Oct 07 14 07:23 am Link MelissaAnn wrote: It's actually not that difficult to get around using the subways here in New York, though I admit it can be intimidating to newcomers. My suggestion is if you do come to shoot here make sure you give yourself enough time between shoots to go from location to location. Your photographers can help you out there by giving you a general idea of how long it should take to get from point A to point B. Shooting only in Manhattan does make it easier, but you may miss out on some great photographers in Brooklyn or Queens. Oct 07 14 07:59 am Link I have not found that any particular city really pays that much more than others. Amount of available work at my rates I have found to vary at different times of the year in different areas. Suburbs are better than inner city for getting good paid work. I have my favorite Cities. Maybe because they are my favorite is why I have a lot more established regular work in them. I prefer the west, West of the Mississippi. My consistent good pay is always from: TX,AZ,NV,CA,UT,NM,OK,ND,SD,MI (UP),CO. I love Oregon and have a home there but it doesn't make my list of consistent good paying work. (It would probably make the worse list.) But It is one of my favorite places on earth so it is an exception. The lowest pay for me comes from TN,KY,IN,MO,AR,MS,AL,FL,NC,SC,KS,NE. I get plenty of decent work in Illinois But only because I am well connected here. I absolutely do not like living in Illinois or much about it, Kinda stuck here for personal reasons for now. My eyes would be on the southwest right now if I was to travel this winter. Plenty of work in the winter but not so much in the summer. Seams to follow the pattern of the snowbirds. In my experiences. But I might be a little bias because I have the best luck in places I really enjoy being for the most part. Part of the reason could be look and attitudes as well. The states I do not do so well in could be because they are custom to Southern Belle type. I am Old School Western Cowgirl. So really I am not sure there is better or worse in general for the most part. I think it is more of where You can find the work. Sorry so long but you really did get me to thinking with your question. I never really have paid much attention to by region. I just went for work that was on my planned routes. Oct 07 14 09:27 am Link Being in a fairly small town between cities it's often hard to find nude models. There are a couple of photogs in the area that have provided lodging in trade. I've hosted a paid workshop in exchange for my own time to shoot. Yes, I've also paid negotiated to full rate, depending on my needs at the time. If a client is footing the bill, full rate gets paid. BTW, we're on the travel path between Nashville and Chattanooga, so we occasionally get models who are heading to Atlanta. Within 15-20 minutes from my studio are the Jack Daniel's distillery, George Dickel Distillery, three lakes and at least a dozen gorgeous waterfalls! Oct 07 14 10:32 am Link Carden Photography wrote: A very pretty route. Oct 07 14 10:53 am Link RP Images wrote: If you do come here HopStop is a great resource for getting around the city. It didn't take me too long to learn how to get around. Then, the next time you come back it should be a piece of cake. Just give yourself extra time to get to your location. Oct 07 14 04:56 pm Link MelissaAnn wrote: I think NYC would be great to do a couple full day shoots with a photographer who just adores you, pays well and wants to spend the whole day shooting you! Oct 07 14 08:48 pm Link GreenEyedNude wrote: I am sure you'll have a good time. Oct 07 14 08:59 pm Link There are really 2 answers to this question?: 1. If we are talking about "quick" work (and quick money), then Los Angeles, hands down. There is a huge industry for nude girls to make money quickly. ...yes sometimes is porn-related, but not always. It doesnt have to hardcore porn subject matter, but if you are not "prudish" someone will hire you for something nude-related before too long. There is a fresh bunch of actress/models stepping off the bus every week there so there are always scouts looking for pretty girls. 2. The midwest. Full nude models are just more rare. About 5 years ago I had a conversation with a young lady form Indianapolis who ONLY did nude (this definately made her stand out) and charge to do so....she got plenty of work. She marketed herself well, and since there are over 2 million people in the metro area there - there was always an artist/photographer who could use a nude model. Oct 08 14 08:21 am Link The only difference that I have noticed in the rates of models across the country is models with a fantastic look or Playboy models may have a higher rate. Oct 08 14 08:36 am Link When I was a traveling nude model, though I only did art nudes, NYC, San Francisco, DC, and Chicago were the most profitable cities for me. Boston is pretty good as well. Tiff www.TiffineyC.com Oct 08 14 10:29 am Link Tiffiney C wrote: I'm wondering how long ago that was, because Boston (and New England im general) has not had hardly any paid work, during the past few years. Oct 08 14 11:30 am Link Jerry Nemeth wrote: This is true.... Oct 08 14 01:37 pm Link Always lots of decent paying jobs for fetish content in the Detroit area. Oct 08 14 03:51 pm Link Koryn wrote: Sounds like the market is exhausted if it's the same batch of photographers. Oct 08 14 07:29 pm Link Koryn wrote: I enjoy being in New York! Oct 09 14 03:08 pm Link KenBrandon wrote: False. LA photographers have a strong tendency to flake on traveling models. Oct 09 14 08:25 pm Link Jordan Bunniie wrote: +1 Oct 09 14 09:49 pm Link Jordan Bunniie wrote: Danielle Reid wrote: I know of one Midwest nude model that wanted to try traveling. She decided LA would be her first city, because of all the interest shown by photographers through PM's, etc. She got her plane tickets allowing for a week's worth of work...and then a couple of days before she was to leave every last one cancelled. Oct 09 14 10:58 pm Link David Stone Imaging wrote: Jordan Bunniie wrote: I know of one Midwest nude model that wanted to try traveling. She decided LA would be her first city, because of all the interest shown by photographers through PM's, etc. She got her plane tickets allowing for a week's worth of work...and then a couple of days before she was to leave every last one cancelled. Yup. Every. Single. Time. I lost interest in LA photographers after the 2nd time I wasted a trip. Oct 09 14 11:23 pm Link Don't come to Seattle. Nothing but clowns around here :-) And thanks to the two people who voted for this in POTD. Fellow clowns no doubt. Cheers! Noah Oct 10 14 01:06 am Link Noah Russell wrote: Cancelling my tickets! Oct 10 14 06:04 pm Link |