|
Forums >
General Industry >
What should I charge per hour?
I have been modeling for 2 1/2 years. I now consider myself experienced and have been doing lots of paid work, however, the paid work has been offerd to me as a certain amount. Now, I am being asked for my rates without any offer for how much they WANT to pay. I am a good model and have always received positive feedback. They are offering to pay for travel and expenses too...so I know it shouldn't be too much. Like everyone, I love money, but DON'T want to overcharge someone. I would rather have a good relationship with the photographer. What do you think? Jan 26 11 10:24 am Link what kind of work are you being hired for? What will the photos be used for? Jan 26 11 10:31 am Link Katrina Julian wrote: First, if you're often getting paid, that should give you an idea of what the market considers your value. Jan 26 11 10:35 am Link we shot one model who had been stood up on one of those paid deals. the guy got laid off a couple days before the shoot. make sure you aren't out-of-pocket on any expenses at least. as far as what to charge, figure out your expenses (whatever part you'd have to pay yourself) and then add whatever fee you want to charge for the modeling. or just quote some outrageous fee and maybe they're rich and won't mind. a lot of ways to play the game. but don't feel like you have to lowball just to be nice. quote enough to make it worth your while (worst-case they can just say no). and sometimes people put more value on something just because it's more expensive. it's one thing to travel around and seek gigs like the traveling nude models but to have one person fly you in is interesting, especially if it's not for a workshop. Jan 26 11 10:41 am Link MikeRobisonPhotos wrote: Oh Bull. People pay for my travel all the time. Jan 26 11 10:52 am Link Engel Schrei wrote: This. Jan 26 11 10:53 am Link 1) Modeling is a competitive business. What are similar models in your area earning? (The rates here in Portland, Oregon have nothing to do with the rates there in Las Vegas). 2) If you are getting paid already, then try an exercise. If you are getting too much work, raise your rates a bit. If you are not getting enough work, try lowering your rates a bit. If you are satisfied with the amount of work you are getting, keep charging what you've been charging. 3) Discussing rates is a negotiation. Rule #1 in negotiation: the party that names a price first is at a significant disadvantage. Try getting them to suggest a rate. 4) Remember... ... Not all models are created equal, ... Not all photographers are created equal, ... Not all clients are created equal, ... Not all projects are created equal, ... Not all budgets are created equal, ... Not all usages are created equal, ... etc. Think about negotiating on a case-by-case basis. Jan 26 11 11:50 am Link Everything is relative. Charge what people are willing to pay. Jan 26 11 11:59 am Link Sungoddess Studios wrote: This. And remember to be negotiable as well. If you are still unsure what to charge, try asking what the photographer's budget is. Do that a few times and try to find an average. And then play with that average rate until you find a good balance of shoots and income. Jan 26 11 12:34 pm Link $89.95333333 Jan 26 11 12:36 pm Link MikeRobisonPhotos wrote: Point A: Yes. OP, what do you USUALLY make? Jan 26 11 01:08 pm Link My technique for setting rates goes like this: 1. Consider the cost of doing business, including gas, time, and any other expenses like a manicure or lunch out the day of the shoot 2. Ask yourself legitimately how much the job is worth to you. By this I mean, what amount of money makes it so that you'd rather go to the job than whatever else you'd be doing that day. 3. Add these two numbers together. The point of exchanging currency for services or goods is to create a fair exchange. Setting the value of our own time and talent is difficult, but if you want to always be happy with your job, this is how to do it. Charge what people are willing to pay This is a great way to always be broke and spend a lot of time resenting the shit out of the people you're working for. People never offer as much as they're actually willing to pay, and they'll often object even when they ARE willing to pay it. If you let other people tell you what your time is worth, they're going to lowball you, and you'll be miserable. Jan 26 11 06:06 pm Link Make a list of all the paying jobs you've had. Find the the most common amount you've been paid per hour - there you go, that's your rate. It's how I set mine when I was starting to get paid jobs, and it's still what I refer to to keep myself in check. Also, keep in mind that you can go slightly lower, and book more often, or go slightly hire, and book less often. It depends on how you want to market yourself and how often you'd like to be shooting. Some of it is just feeling out what makes a job worth it for you. For example... someone offers me $100 for a half day of shooting - eh, probably won't take it. $100 is nice but when I consider what I could do with 4-6 hours of my day, that doesn't usually cut it. Some offers $200 for the same amount of time? That starts to be more appealing. Jan 26 11 06:09 pm Link Jan 26 11 06:09 pm Link MikeRobisonPhotos wrote: Engel Schrei wrote: She doesn't do nudes and she apparently isn't with an agency. I'd think that would cut it down a bit. Jan 26 11 06:11 pm Link Thanks everybody! You've all given me WONDERFUL advice I will be sure to take. Thanks again! Jan 27 11 02:23 pm Link What photographers have offered and paid in the past should be a good guide as to what you are worth. Set your rates according to that. Jan 27 11 04:23 pm Link you shouldn't charge anything till you learn how to access your market and understand it. Your market here has a search function on the forums, you chose not to use it. You, therefor, are not ready to start charging for shoots Jan 27 11 04:50 pm Link Lorin Edmonds wrote: I think we may need to come up with a new internet/MM word to describe people who, for no reason, mindlessly refer other people to websites that contain absolutely no useful information that is relevant to the inquiry. Jan 27 11 05:53 pm Link Depends... What type of modeling are you willing to do? The less limits you have, the more opportunities you will find. There are tons of experienced models here so that in itself is not anything special. It is a buyers market here, so keep that in mind. For every modeling job, there are 50+ girls competing for it. Jan 27 11 06:35 pm Link Katrina Julian wrote: Yes. That's how all other jobs are paid by. I've created day prices, and half-day prices that are differant from my hourly wages. It's all depends on the photographer and what they're asking you to shoot. You know, casuals cheaper and nude is expensive. Jan 27 11 06:41 pm Link The answer is to charge what you feel comfortable with, and if the photographer doesn't want to pay it, then you'll know. There are some excellent models on this website who charge $10 an hour! (I've worked with one!) Then there are other excellent models who charge $100 an hour! It's not often that I would be willing to pay $100 an hour. I like paying models between $25 to $50 per hour depending on the shoot. Throw some numbers out there and negotiate! Jan 27 11 06:47 pm Link Star wrote: If people were sending you notes asking what your rates are, would you turn them all down because you didn't use the "search function" properly, especially given that it is well known that the search function is pretty much useless? Jan 27 11 08:41 pm Link Art of the nude wrote: Not that I can make head nor tails of Star's suggestion, but she appears to be suggesting using the forum search. What's wrong with it? Jan 28 11 04:24 am Link Engel Schrei wrote: Yup. I also almost never pay for my own travel, but travel fairly frequently. Jan 28 11 06:39 am Link You should charge what you feel like. If you don't get any takers you are probably asking too much. Jan 28 11 12:27 pm Link The Dave wrote: This is not true at all! Feb 28 22 06:32 am Link When asked for a price the best thing to do is ask questions/ If you quote a rate you may be too expensive or leave money on the table and too cheap can be worse than too expensive. First question is the What , where , When and use Second is what is your budget From there you have a bass to make a decision, say yes or ask for more or decline. Feb 28 22 08:54 am Link Why are we necrobumping an 11 year old thread? The OP hasn't even logged on to this site for over 7 years now. Mar 05 22 10:55 am Link Jason McKendricks wrote: Don't complain. The response was from a MODEL this time. I thought I had logged in to the wrong website. Mar 05 22 12:30 pm Link Jason McKendricks wrote: Doesn't mean this isn't informative for others. Mar 08 22 01:19 am Link The Dave wrote: Netuska wrote: What is it that's "not true at all!" Mar 08 22 01:20 am Link Curt at photoworks wrote: Perhaps it is this .... Mar 08 22 04:23 am Link Curt at photoworks wrote: early Mar 08 22 01:29 pm Link MLRPhoto wrote: More like a YOLO flag. Try to have fulfilling experiences. Mar 08 22 10:26 pm Link |
