Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28659
Phoenix, Arizona, US
This keeps coming up. "How do I decide how much to pay a model?" etc. So, I thought I'd share my method to help give some ideas that may make the whole process a little easier.
Here's how I figure what a job will pay:
1. Set a model budget for the project. For my Hot Wing project it was $1000 total. I pay per shoot. Not per hour.
2. Decide how many models you want to shoot for the project. For most of my projects I want to shoot multiple models in the same scenario so that I'll have plenty of different looks to choose from.
3. Divide your budget by how many models you want and viola. Payrate is set.
Example: My hotwing shoot had a budget of $1000. I wanted six models. So, the pay rate was $166. I rounded down to $150 and left some wiggle room to round up to $175 for certain models.
I usually round up or down in $25 increments.
Photographer
Studio Spike
Posts: 978
New York, New York, US
ok you say you were paying $150 for the shoot, but how did you answer when the models asked how many HOURS the shoot would be?
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28659
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Studio Spike wrote:
ok you say you were paying $150 for the shoot, but how did you answer when the models asked how many HOURS the shoot would be? In the initial offer letter or casting call, "Shoot involves X, pays $XXX, and will run between X and X hours."
Model
Samantha Grace
Posts: 3228
Los Angeles, California, US
John Jebbia wrote:
In the initial offer letter or casting call, "Shoot involves X, pays $XXX, and will run between X and X hours." Great advice, I know for myself I consider how much a job pays vs hours. It also depends on what the project is.
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28659
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Samantha Grace wrote:
Great advice, I know for myself I consider how much a job pays vs hours. It also depends on what the project is. Of course
Photographer
The German Woman
Posts: 1346
Berlin, Georgia, US
John Jebbia wrote:
Example: My hotwing shoot had a budget of $1000. I wanted six models. So, the pay rate was $166. I rounded down to $150 and left some wiggle room to round up to $175 for certain models.
I usually round up or down in $25 increments. what about MUA and hair and wardrobe? And what about catering? wasnh't that in the budget as well?
Model
Samantha Grace
Posts: 3228
Los Angeles, California, US
Annique Delphine wrote:
what about MUA and hair and wardrobe? And what about catering? wasnh't that in the budget as well? You can always luck out and find a models who are also MUA's... such as me.
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28659
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Annique Delphine wrote:
what about MUA and hair and wardrobe? And what about catering? wasnh't that in the budget as well? You'll note that I'm only talking about my model budget. That is not the entire budget for the project.
Photographer
Big Jim Slade
Posts: 258
Arlington, Virginia, US
John Jebbia wrote:
You'll note that I'm only talking about my model budget. That is not the entire budget for the project. I find this information very interesting, though I am sure it is a horse that has been deaten to death.
You are basically saying that you paid each model $150 for the project. It would be nice to know
* how many hours that was
* how many hours you had budgeted
* day or evening
* weekday or weekend
If you were paying for a full day that is about $20/hr. If it was a two hour shoot then it was about $75/hr. If it was a Friday night, then I know waitresses that would not, as a financial decision, do the shoot over waiting tables.
But will I read your answer? Or am I just trying to get to posting number 1,000 so I can get the free t-shirt. (At $12.95 value for the shirt, that is 1.3 cents per posting of mine)
Photographer
RED Photographic
Posts: 1458
Is there any consideration of profit anywhere?
Photographer
wishingtree photography
Posts: 1042
New Orleans, Louisiana, US
profit...did someone say, profit?
haha.
Model
_Alexandra
Posts: 650
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Big Jim Slade wrote:
If you were paying for a full day that is about $20/hr. If it was a two hour shoot then it was about $75/hr. If it was a Friday night, then I know waitresses that would not, as a financial decision, do the shoot over waiting tables.
But will I read your answer? Or am I just trying to get to posting number 1,000 so I can get the free t-shirt. (At $12.95 value for the shirt, that is 1.3 cents per posting of mine) I'm sure he takes into account whether it will be a full day or not. People take into consideration how much it is per hour, but it's still their choice to take the job or not. When I was in a hair show they gave us a flat rate. We had an MUA so I don't know if the agency charge the hair company for her or if they paid the MUA seperately.
For other jobs I've done it's by the hour. If I'm getting $20/hr. that's fine with me, especially if the work isn't very hard. I'm sure most people wouldn't have a problem with working for $20/hr.
--Alexandra
Model
scarletdiva
Posts: 551
Los Angeles, California, US
edit*- sorry i waited to long to press enter
Model
_Alexandra
Posts: 650
Alexandria, Virginia, US
RED Photographic wrote:
Is there any consideration of profit anywhere? Probably not, but I'm sure there are ways of cutting down on expenses. What if a couple models were very inexperienced and volunteered to do the project as TFP and he still paid the rest? It wouldn't be very nice, but he'd probably cut down his expenses a bit.
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28659
Phoenix, Arizona, US
RED Photographic wrote:
Is there any consideration of profit anywhere? Absolutely.
For the hot wing shoot, the $150 is included in the set-up fee that I charge when I sell one of the photos. (They're being used on table-top happy hour menus.) I've sold 4 accounts so far and had one re-order.
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28659
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Big Jim Slade wrote:
I find this information very interesting, though I am sure it is a horse that has been deaten to death.
You are basically saying that you paid each model $150 for the project. It would be nice to know
* how many hours that was
* how many hours you had budgeted
* day or evening
* weekday or weekend
If you were paying for a full day that is about $20/hr. If it was a two hour shoot then it was about $75/hr. If it was a Friday night, then I know waitresses that would not, as a financial decision, do the shoot over waiting tables.
But will I read your answer? Or am I just trying to get to posting number 1,000 so I can get the free t-shirt. (At $12.95 value for the shirt, that is 1.3 cents per posting of mine) * how many hours that was
Between 3 and 4 hours
* how many hours you had budgeted
I didn't. I just knew I wanted about six models and was willing to invest $1000 in model money.
* day or evening
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe each shoot was on a Saturday or Sunday. One was in the evening.
Model
Jessalyn
Posts: 21433
Denver, Colorado, US
*will work for hot wings*
just kidding john. I'm not a fan of hot wings...too messy. I end up like the models in your portfolio...except with clothes on...maybe not if it's a good night.
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28659
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Jessalyn wrote:
*will work for hot wings*
just kidding john. I'm not a fan of hot wings...too messy. I end up like the models in your portfolio...except with clothes on...maybe not if it's a good night. One can only hope.
Model
DELETE ACCOUNT
Posts: 5517
Eškašem, Badakhshan, Afghanistan
Partial quote from John Jebbia: " ... I pay per shoot. Not per hour. ..."  This is good to read, and quite easy to understand if one has a good grasp of hourly wages and yearly salaries.
Model
Jessalyn
Posts: 21433
Denver, Colorado, US
Jeff Marsh wrote:
Jess will work for pop tarts. true. only if they're smores pop-tarts though
Photographer
Mark Reese Photography
Posts: 21622
Brandon, Florida, US
Jessalyn wrote:
true. only if they're smores pop-tarts though Hot dog... Jess, you come to Tampa to shoot with me I can guarantee you will have all the S'mores poptarts you want to eat. 
Photographer
The German Woman
Posts: 1346
Berlin, Georgia, US
John Jebbia wrote:
You'll note that I'm only talking about my model budget. That is not the entire budget for the project. yeah right....sorry I was too quick on that one
Photographer
Primox Studios
Posts: 342
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Jessalyn wrote:
true. only if they're smores pop-tarts though **goes down the stairs to check for pop tarts** LOL
When are you coming to florida????
Model
Jessalyn
Posts: 21433
Denver, Colorado, US
Primox Studios wrote:
**goes down the stairs to check for pop tarts** LOL
When are you coming to florida???? actually I'm coming to Florida twice in 2 weeks....last weekend in November and first weekend in December but I'm already taken both times
Sounds like when I get off the plane there is going to be people waiting for me with boxes of pop-tarts.... lol!
Photographer
joeyk
Posts: 14895
Seminole, Florida, US
We have Pop Tarts here as well!!!
Did I mention we also have the Beach:)
Photographer
Primox Studios
Posts: 342
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Jessalyn wrote:
actually I'm coming to Florida twice in 2 weeks....last weekend in November and first weekend in December but I'm already taken both times
Sounds like when I get off the plane there is going to be people waiting for me with boxes of pop-tarts.... lol! Not even a couple of hours??? Well, no matter the date or time... the NEXT time you come here you'll be taken too... by me ... I mean, if you agree LOL
And if you get tired of the pop tarts just let me know and I go back to Hot wings
Model
trish
Posts: 1550
Los Angeles, California, US
what about MUA and hair and wardrobe? And what about catering? wasnh't that in the budget as well? catering?!?!?! what photographer in his right mind would FEED their models!!!
chubchubchub!
I KID!!!
and i want a pizza.... too bad i have a shoot tonight.....
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This is good to read, and quite easy to understand if one has a good grasp of hourly wages and yearly salaries.
