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Muse wanted, Pittsburgh area.
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= My OMP Portfolio (Model/Photographer Site):
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You can see the flag-draped coffins
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Journal Entry Begins Below:
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What am I worth?
I see this a lot, and people say "Now that I have experience, and have a few TF* shoots under my belt, I feel I should charge." That is often followed with "I don't know what I'm worth, but I've looked around and ....."
Sooooo.... where do we start picking this apart?
(NOTE: I expect more people will disagree, and try to argue/complain about this, than will agree with it. But, it's not about agreeing, it's about a reality check.)
First: "Experience" is an "internet" thing. Photographers/clients pick a model based on LOOK (hence the PORTFOLIO *IMAGES*) not experience (a RESUME). Why? It's a visual thing. That is what is being sold, worked with, and exchanged. How much to charge has nothing to do with how much TF* you've done, how long you've worked as a model, or how many photo shoots you've had.
Second: Models who need little retouching -- no matter what sort of photoshop wiz your last photographer was, will get far more attention, money, and jobs, than those who need major retouching. That's just life. Fair or not, it's a VISUAL thing. A model with great peaches and cream skin is a hands-down winner to the plasticized, air brushed, over-photoshopped look so prevalent today.
Third: "Experience" is a means of judging reliability, and that is what people want from an "experienced" model. Also, the ability to take direction -- you are a MODEL --*YOU* are not the one in control.
Fourth: "Experienced" models are great for GWC's who need the model to "perform" and offer poses, and take charge of a shoot so they can click the shutter, and take pretty pictures.... it's *NOT* what pros want. Professionals, artists, and others need models who are MODELS. They take direction, understand how to move, not move, and when to hold it, and NOT move.
Fifth: (I bet you thought it was more about experience ....) Follow the money. If no one is being paid, no one SHOULD GET PAID!! That is what TF* is about. (see other posts). When people are getting paid to shoot the images, the models should get paid to be in them. If images are going to be sold, or used commercially, the models should get paid based on that USE.. not some blanket release, or pay scale.
Sixth: Follow the money -- again. It not about how naked you get, unless that is what you are selling. PROFESSIONALS (and agencies) charge by USAGE RIGHTS, not how naked the models get, or how much makeup they will have on, etc. If the images are for a portfolio, the "value" of the shoot may only be $20 an hour, or less. The supply/demand at that level where no one is being paid is quite even. If the images are going to be used in a book or for gallery prints, that is another level of revenue,. so the value of the modeling is [potentially] worth more. If the images are going to be used on a commercial pay site, or a national advertising, then the value of the modeling is worth more as well.
Seventh: Follow the money -- again. If you charge by how naked you get: eg: $20 non-nude, $40 bikini/topless, $60 nude, what are you selling???? If you charge $20 portfolio/non- commercial, $40 limited commercial, $80 full commercial, it's a bit more professional, right? (Professional MODEL, that is.)
Eighth: What am I worth? Well, if you've considered the above things, and did a major reality check, the next thing is to look around your area. If there are a lot of photographers, using a lot of models, and there are a lot of models, then your value is reduced due to supply. If there are not many models, then your value is raised. Conversely, if there are few photographers in the area, then your value may not be much at all, since it's a service no one is seeking. Reality check.
Ninth: Reality check. Using the on-line sites to judge "rates" and what others are doing, is less than half the research. Many things you see are "outcall", and the services offered go beyond some photos. You can argue that, but I have watched it in action, and have been subjected to it -- girls very disappointed that all they were doing was modeling, all I wanted was photos, and there was no big tip for their saturday night partying. *THIS* is also where that whole "escorts" thing comes into play, as ladies going to what they think is just a photo job, get hit on by a john that expected an outcall visit. If you read the threads on the popular boards, and read between the lines, and follow up on the profiles/portfolios you can get an idea who/how/what. Again, reality check. If all you are offering is MODELING, then be prepared to get lower rates, fewer jobs, less travel, (why do people *NEED* great photos in their portfolio showing them in fancy cars, or planes, ??? Go figure), and probably a lot less problems. In most cases, (not all) why would a "photographer" offer $300, fly in someone, or other such extravagances, when there are people local to them??? Think about it.
Tenth: Attitude.... a Can-do attitude will always be worth more, no matter what. Reputation follows, and so do the jobs, money, and work. If you refuse TF*, you will find you also don't get the paying jobs when available. Maybe in your area, at this time, it's not a problem, but when things start drying up, competition gets tight, or jobs get scarce -- who will get the paying ones??
Eleventh: Reality check. Your look. Some people are more attractive than others. Some have a "knack" for getting people interested. Some have a look that attracts attention or money. So, do a reality check against the competition. If you are 5'1" you won't get asked for fashion and runway. If you are a wholesome plain jane, you are not going to get the same offers as a decked out stripper looking model. If you have major flaws, less-than-classic looks, or height/weight issues, loads of tattoos, etc, you will also get a lot less offers, and offers that are not the same as a more classic looking, "natural" body will. Deal with it. Life isn't fair. Modeling is all about looks, and especially with tattoos, piercings, etc, it was YOUR CHOICE. You could have waited until you were 25, not 16 or 18. Deal with it, don't cry about it. I'm not against tattoos, but reality check -- it does limit you. You have a long life. If you want to model, wait to get the tattoos. Play the game. Don't try to tell people what *THEY* should be doing. You need to offer what *THEY* want.
Twelfth: Going back to 11, it is about CHOICES. The ones you make, on your look, what you will and will not do, and the ones the people who want to use you make about you based on your portfolio.
Thirteenth: Portfolios.... there is a reason this is number 13, and that will wait for another article.
Scott
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Footnotes:.
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Deviants I've Worked with:
Models: What am I worth as one? 
Annoyed
Devious Comments
First: "Experience", Experience should be a 4 letter word in this industry. I’ve met equal amounts of models and photographers who are under the impression that if they've done a set - they are professional - certainly a major irritants!! The gripe I have about your "looks" comments, is not that I don't agree, but it should be absolutely F-ing obvious to people. I'm a plus-size model, obviously I'm not going to go down the run way of lil' miss teen USA's clothes for pre pubescent girls - fact of life, you want to create art? then you need to learn your limitations and market yourself appropriately.
Second: little retouching again, goes both ways. As a photographer you need to learn some basics in photoshop, I've worked with many '
Third: Take direction, This I do have a bit of a gripe about, some photographers are just pushy, I understand there is a certain look/pose/picture they're after, however I've spent A LOT more time looking at myself then you have, and if you didn't see anything in my portfolio that makes my ass look fat, maybe its because I don't want it too look fat.</end rant> Although, I do agree that models need to understand their place, in some cases.
Fourth: Hold it, and NOT move. this goes back to paid vs. TF work - for paid work: "Sure, I'll pretend to be a mannequin, just tell me what you want to do, after all I am getting paid for this", for TF work: "I would like some control of what I'm doing and I'd like to be able to share in the outcome of the photos". also Photographer need to understand that models aren't as uniformly flexible - I'm sorry, but I still can't bend over backwards and grab my ankles for 20mins
Fifth: PAID!! I can agree and not agree - as a general rule I don't take money from photographers - these people are doing it tough just as much as I am, and they keep doing it for the love of art as much as I am, often we agree that if in future the images are used, we'll split 50/50. However, photographers all need to understand that paid work has to come first, I've had a lot of people get mad because I've cancelled for paid work - I'm sorry but why should i muck around with you all day when I could be making cash?
Sixth & Seventh: Follow the money this might sound really dumb - but who on earth classifies themselves by how much they show? AND they want to be taken seriously?!?! I'd say anyone doing that should be completely looked over and declassified as a "professional model" then put into "porn queen". This industry isn't about what your '
Eighth: Reality Check Again, this is a cold, hard industry, if there isn't a call for you in your area and you still want to push - move, simple as that. I've moved 4 times through my 'career' to find more work, sometimes you just have to be in the right place for the right contacts.
Ninth: Reality check. Chaperone, short and sweet - there are a lot of sleazes out there with cold hard cash up for grabs - and a lot of it looks really nice. I think what this really gets down to is low self esteem - a lot of girls go into this because they want to feel beautiful/wanted, so when someone (anyone) offers large amounts for them, they take it without thinking.
Tenth: Attitude - Agreed, no comment or rebuttal, its simply the truth
Eleventh & Twelfth: Your look if you wanted to be treated like a princess why did you decide to do this? Modelling can be a lot of fun, but its also tough, and any small imperfections are completely blown out of proportion. You need to analyse where you want to go and what you want to do and plan accordingly.
Well, looks like we both had a little bit of a rant today - as I said, just some general thoughts and comments on a journal I found really interesting to read.
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*ritchy-tyler-lewis
A model is a _tool_ not the craftsperson.
While she is a tool that has self-animation abilities, the goal of a model is to do what the artists, photographers, creative directors, etc want you to do. If you can't, or want to call the shots, tensions get high, and *you* get the bad rep, and no more work.
You can't have more than one captain, and that is why the photographer and creative director always have issues.
Add a model's "opinions" to that... and well.... you figure it out.
On the other end, a lot of GWC's want to just take pictures, so the model is the one really in charge, moving through poses, suggesting things, and calling the shots. It might not be easy for a model to switch between the two, but to survive in the industry/market you have to. When direction is given, you need to take it. But, if you can't do a whole routine for a GWC, then you will start to lose out too.
And, remember, TF* *IS* a _PAID_ job, just not in cash. When you agree, and then don't show, or cancel, it's as bad, if not worse, than not showing for a "paid" job, because word will spread. A few no-shows, or word gets out you blew off a TF* shoot for a "paid" one, and the job offers will stop. You need to realize that in business, and life, the only thing you really have is your word, and reliability. Everything else comes -- or goes -- based on that.
People often put more of themselves into setting up and carrying off a TF* shoot (some just try to screw models, but that's another story). Artists shoot almost exclusively TF* and you need to understand that, and what a no-show means. And, if you decided to book a paid job after agreeing to do a TF* job.... well, imagine what would happen if you didn't show up to you "day" job because you got a better offer to do something else that day. Wouldn't go over really well, would it? Might even get fired? No recommendation. Etc.
TF* *IS* a JOB -- and a valid CONTRACT.
Scott
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*ritchy-tyler-lewis
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