|
Forums >
Model Colloquy >
How do you get more paid work?
I know this is a question that gets asked a lot, but I seem to live in an area where models rarely get paid assignments. Either it is TF or we end up paying the photographer. Not saying that photographers don't deserve to be paid, I certainly think they do and I have personally worked with some who are more than worth their weight in gold...... I'm just wondering why it is so hard for a model to get paid work. I have been modeling for 5 years and I certainly have a portfolio to back my name. I also often provide my own wardrobe, and do my own hair and makeup. I have even constructed my own accessories, costumes and props. A lot of work goes into that, work that I believe is worth being paid for. So, when someone I have never met before contacts me for the first time and says, "I love your work, I really want to shoot with you, etc, etc." I offer rates..... Then that person never replies again. So I have to ask, how should models go about getting more paid work? Is there a particular method that you find to be successful? Is it wrong to offer rates, and what is a fair rate, in your opinion? Apr 22 13 06:39 am Link I lived in your area, and never had a problem finding paid work. Perhaps expand your networking efforts? I use MM, omp, CL, and as many other sites as possible to look for casting and post availability notices. Apr 22 13 07:02 am Link Since I can't critique you in this forum, here is some general advice about modelling for pay. Obviously, these are my opinions and please feel free to disregard them as such  The first question you need to ask yourself is - are there any models in my area being paid? There usually will be. If there aren't, look at models on here who are regularly paid who work in areas similar to yours. Check their portfolios, look at how they market themselves. Then ask 'why would someone hire me, instead of them?' As a freelance model, you need what any service buisness needs to obtain regular paid work - great credentials (references and a jaw-dropping portfolio that demonstrates versatility), great skills (fantastic variety of poses etc) and great networking ability. You can be the best freelancer out there, but if you can't market yourself, things will be tough. Of course, you need something else too - a market to sell too, which is willing to pay for whatever you are selling. Chances are, if you are known in your area, network well and have good references, you are selling something your target audience doesn't want to buy, or can obtain elsewhere for free. If that is the case, you have two options; 1. Find a new market - this will require travel and research, but won't help you if the reason you aren't finding work is poor credentials, a poor portfolio, poor networking or poor modelling skills. These are all problems you bring with you. 2. Improve what is currently lacking in your overall 'package'. Remember; most models that join sites like these will probably never be paid. The only way to break out of that cycle is to strive to be the best, and even when you are it is, apparently, no walk in the park. Apr 22 13 07:11 am Link It's a declining industry on both sides, for the same reason. Models and photographers are easy to come by. I personally think it's worth paying a model when they have a look you want. But I'm just doing this as more of a passion instead of a job, so the money I offer usually isn't enough for the model's tastes. But then again, I do photography for the Marine Corps, so I never have to worry about my next meal Having worked with you before, I think you're outstanding at what you do. I'd pay to do another shoot Apr 22 13 07:12 am Link Kelley Nymph wrote: On MM? Apr 22 13 07:16 am Link Might be your location too. I went to some Hollywood agency a few months ago. Trying to find a parking spot near by, there were maybe 5-6 girls of the "Gold Standard" types (i.e. 5'10"+ and maybe size 2 at most) smoking out back and chatting like some weekly networking session. In heels, they all had to be over 6' (and very skinny!). While unpacking some stuff it was interesting to hear them chattering about what jobs they had during the week, furniture they were buying for their apartments, clothes, who they shot with, where they were going to, etc. One was showing off her business card dispenser purse. They at least sounded like they were doing well. While I sat in the lobby waiting for the agent, they were in and out of the building and meeting with their agents and badgering about jobs and to stay current with their bookers/secretarys. They were hustling for work like crazy! Must be very competitive now even if they are 6 foot tall "Gold Standards." They certainly weren't sitting at home waiting for a call. Was sort of interesting to listen to them though. I wouldn't call any of them knockouts or even ones that would interest me in shooting with, but they must have had something for the camera that I wasn't seeing in person. Apr 22 13 07:44 am Link There is no standard "fair rate" in my opinion. Charge whatever you think you can get. I find it best to have different rates for different situations. if a shoot is beneficial for you as well, that should be reflected in the arrangement. I'd say the average rate I've found on the East Coast is around $20-$40/hour. As far as more paid work, I'd say you should utilize numerous sites online to find people interested in paying. Apr 22 13 07:52 am Link The baltimore/dc area has plenty of paid work. For art-nude llamas. Something your current look and restrictions dont lend well to. If youre not willing to change any of that, start traveling. It also depends on what your rates are. If youre throwing out obscene numbers, of course nobody is going to respond. Apr 22 13 12:02 pm Link OP, your style and images limit you as well as the fact that you don't shoot nudes. Why pay you when their are hundreds of models who will shoot for free or are taller. However a member has given some good advice. Network, network, network. Instead of replying with rates try and speak to potential customers. Sometimes people will be willing to pay but you have to show some interest in their work. Learn to negotiate. Sadly despite what some folks tell you on these sites most models especially those under 5'8" and who don't do nudes won't make much money. Apr 22 13 12:08 pm Link Start doing nudes. There's not much demand for alt models who don't do nudes in your area (or anywhere). If you're not willing to start doing nudes, and maybe change your look a little, you'll probably continue to have problems finding paid work. That being said, only do what you feel comfortable doing. If you enjoy modeling, you can always do it as a hobby, and find another type of job to rely on for income. Apr 22 13 01:50 pm Link I did well down there, but I shot nudes and fetish content. Apr 22 13 05:43 pm Link Yurp. What exactly is a photographer going to pay you for, if you have nudity restrictions? Apr 22 13 10:22 pm Link Your portfolio is full of Costume play. No fetish, no nudes, no glamour -bikini, lingerie, nada...and you want to get paid to do what? You have to have more to offer than what your port suggests that you do...Variety is the spice of life!.... Apr 22 13 10:38 pm Link Doing nudes will definitely help you get more paid shoots! By if you're like me and nudes just aren't in your career path you STILL have a chance to make money. Take me as a really good example. First of all, I'm not tall or skinny and I don't shoot nudes. (Worthless right? Wrong!) most of my shoots are paid, and I make enough to live comfortably and travel occasionally. (I'm in a hotel as we speak) A lot of it has to do with having an interesting look. You need to spice your look up enough to be recognized. You have fun clothes but you need to make yourself look intriguing. You obviously don't want to model dull themes, so be sure that your look isn't dull. Another VERY important thing is diversity!!! Most of your photos are cosplay and basic goth. You can still be dark but add more fire! Make it sexy, fierce, bold! And you are going to hate me for this, but add a few mainstream photos in there! Get some glamour and beauty shots done. It won't make you look lame, it will make you look versatile. Next, reach out! Work with designers and makeup artists. Become well known this way (plus it means you will be in more than one portfolio!) Also! make goals to work with well known photographers. Yes, ride their coat tails  still keep time to work with the newbs though. And (when youve built a stronger portfolio) be sure to mention in your profile that you are doing limited TF. Don't say "no TF" because that could ruin your chances of working with great people, but by saying you are doing limited TF you are showing you are confident yet flexible. To be honest, I don't even charge for shoots. I feel a lot less pressure when I don't have to state my (unknown) worth. But people pay me, because I say limited TF and I have the port to back it up. I hope I've been helpful and not mean Apr 22 13 10:50 pm Link If you want to get paid, get naked. Being small it's kinda unlikely you'l get paid regularly for much else  Apr 23 13 12:54 am Link It really is very elementary. If you want to shoot what a client wants to shoot, you have a chance of getting paid. However, if you want the luxury of shooting only what you want to shoot, you need to be prepared to pay for the privilege or at least shoot for trade. Apr 23 13 06:29 am Link Farenell Photography wrote: Psst......I have a news flash for you: There are a lot of models out here under the 5'9" height, and we do awesome work. Just a FYI. Apr 23 13 11:58 am Link Kirst wrote: Apr 23 13 11:59 am Link Marin Photography wrote: Apr 23 13 11:59 am Link KonstantKarma wrote: This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Do photographers only think it is worth it to pay a model if they get naked? Apr 23 13 12:01 pm Link Square Jaw Photography wrote: Thank you hon, you're very sweet. Apr 23 13 12:03 pm Link Kelley Nymph wrote: Not all - we like something AWESOME, but that is usually money or images a client wants to give us money for. Apr 23 13 12:03 pm Link be a better model/network and wait for people to want to pay you. Apr 23 13 12:03 pm Link Evie_Wolfe wrote: Thank you for your advice, it was very constructive. Apr 23 13 12:04 pm Link The Original Sin wrote: Never used omp, I'll look into that. Apr 23 13 12:15 pm Link Kelley, because this isn't the Critique forum I can't really say much, but feel free to PM me if you'd like to discuss the topic further. Apr 23 13 12:16 pm Link Kelley Nymph wrote: Quoted for irony, from a 5'2", 120lb, 28 year old 'alternative' model Apr 23 13 12:17 pm Link As you have seen all of the current comments about your height, and getting a varied look etc etc I wont repeat it or bleat on, i will just make a point I am a 5ft 10 model, Im slim, I do all my own hair/make up. I will shoot pretty much everything apart from Adult. I travel across the country. Yet i dont get paid nil, nada Photographers hate handing over cash to a model, unless she is well known or amazing at what she does.. Photographers constantly hear horror stories about Models taking cash and shooting up with it, or whatever. Instead Photographers like to 'pay in kind' so to speak, They will buy me dinner after the shoot, they will cover my travel, they will even purchase clothes for me to shoot in, but dont expect them to pay me directly, its more indirectly. Dont feel bad or sad that you are not stuffing your purse with 20's, add up all the travel cost and dinners they buy you... it all mounts up in the end. Just because you physically dont get cash, they are paying you in their own way. Apr 23 13 12:20 pm Link i'm aware of art nude models who travel to your area and get paid. they have great bodies for art nudes and can do all sorts of bendy poses. really it comes down to what photographers in your area will pay for (or their end clients will pay for) and whether you can provide that for them (and if you can then how you stack up against the competition). maybe if you had modest rates you could find some photographers who simply prefer to pay even though they don't have to? or they pay because they like you and want to encourage you. Apr 23 13 12:45 pm Link Kelley Nymph wrote: For non-mainstream modeling done via the internet? Yes. How about paying someone because they bring something AWESOME to the table, without the model, you have no shoot, buddy. Sure. What awesome thing are you bringing to the table? Are you bringing it to a table of people who actually WANT it? Is it actually as awesome to everyone else (by which i mean the people with the money you want) as it is to you? Apr 23 13 01:15 pm Link Network, network, network. I do event llamaing as well as brand ambassador work and photoshoots to ensure I get plentiful paid work. Everyday I search CL for paid events and talent and yes there is BS to filter through, but its' worth it when you find the hidden gems. I check the casting calls on MM daily and I also belong to a brand ambassadors/event llamaing group in my area that only posts paid gigs. Also keep an eye out for runway events and hair shows that will pay as well. I spend an hour or so perusing probably every day but it pays off. I'm a stay at home Mom and make a nice supplemental income from a variety of different types of llamaing. And I do not shoot nudes at all, but a lot of paid work goes to nude llamas if you are one! I also work with two promotional llamaing agencies to maximize my networking and find gigs. The paid photoshoots I find on my own though freelance. - Erika Apr 23 13 01:16 pm Link Laura UnBound wrote: While I'm not going to get on the 'do nudes' bandwagon (even though 90%~ of all the paid work I received involved some nudity), this is really the point. You need to figure out what it is that could and does draw people to you. And then play that up. Without that, all the networking in the world won't necessarily help you. Apr 23 13 04:09 pm Link . Apr 23 13 04:18 pm Link NicoleNudes wrote: See you soon. Apr 23 13 04:22 pm Link Apr 23 13 04:22 pm Link Jerry Nemeth wrote: Yessss! Apr 23 13 04:26 pm Link My advice to you: 1. Add Variety 2. Do TFP with wonderful photographers. 3. Nudity isn't always degrading. 4. Stay bold. 5. Be humble. Inertia Apr 23 13 04:26 pm Link Kelley Nymph wrote: Well if you've got it all figure out & are doing such awesome work, then you don't need us giving our opinions in increasing the likelihood of getting yourself paid work or explaining why you may not be getting the paid work you're seeking. Apr 23 13 04:43 pm Link Kelley Nymph wrote: Models who will trade for clothed work are a dime a dozen. Nude models are rarer, and whether you like it or not, because they are rarer ... well... they get paid. Apr 23 13 04:51 pm Link Let me ask you a few quick questions... I didn't see a link to your professional website in your profile, just a facebook page. What is the URL to your website? I would love to see what your business cards look like. Do you mind sharing them here so we can see what they look like? How many local businesses have you contacted to do some modeling for cheap? At least this way you can get your feet in the door. How many local meet-and-greets have you attended? How many business networking events have you attended in the last six months? Apr 23 13 04:55 pm Link |
