Model portfolios - how to charge?

[thebeginning]

I hope this is the right section for this, if not mods feel free to move it!

I've been asked recently to do a model portfolio for a 19 year old girl (one of my clients mentioned me to her mother). However, I wasn't directly asked to do it...the mom just sent me a message asking me to send her a quote.

Now here's the deal...I know that beginning model shooters are supposed to start doing TFP/TFCD shoots until they are 'experienced' enough to handle real clients. I totally understand that, but since this lady has asked me for a quote solely after seeing my work and talking to a past senior portrait client, i think i might take it as a paying gig. but herein lies the problem...I don't know much about model portfolios...all i know is that they shouldn't have too many images, and the images should show a good amount of diversity and should reveal the personality of the model and their style. I also know that there typically shouldn't be more than one photo from the same location or with the same outfits...i've browsed one or two but never looked that deep into it because I never thought i'd get a request for it.

so here are some newb questions:

can the portfolio be a set of digital images, or does it have to be prints (like say, a box of 8x10s, an album, etc.)? How do you guys price model shoots or model portfolios? Shooting fee + print prices, hourly shoot fee + digital images on cd? the second sounds easier to me, as it's a set price. if i do put the digital images on a cd, should I have a limit for a certain cost, or price per image? i'm pretty oblivious to this stuff...

i'm thinking about sending her a friendly email asking what she's interested in the portfolio then sending a quote back. i know I can do it, i just need to know some sample pricing structures...

[brad]

I charge $199 for 3 looks, a handful of retouches (I think its 5 guaranteed, but usually is more)... that does not include a makeup artist/stylist.

[chenology]

but you see, brad is a pro~ ^^

beginning i'd charge $100 for the session (two hours) and additional hours are $40 because some parents are VERY nickpickity
three outfits with at least one headshot, 3/4, and full in each.
two touch ups and prints included ($20 per additional).
and included digital negatives (resized for pc with signatures)
OR cd with original res at $15 per image (for reprint rights)

but again, thats just me. and i'm a beginner, too! (^o^)

anyone??

[MarcoLaino]

Hello Beginning,

I have lots of experience shooting model portfolio for the likes of Elite and Ford.

First question you need to ask: Has the girl been signed with a modeling agency or is she putting together her own portfolio to take to the modeling agencies? That will help determine the type of material you develop.

Second question: Is the girl "fashion" model material or is she "commercial print" model material? Again, that will help you determine the type of photos she needs in her portfolio.

For a model who has not yet been signed by a modeling agency: The modeling agencies like to see photos of the "raw material" - generally photos of the model NOT wearing any makeup or adornment (1) Headshot; (2) Full body shots in bikini (keep it solid in color), no shoes - frontal, sides, back - this helps them get a feel for the potential model's facial features, skin and morphotype. The "model" will not include this in her book if she is signed by an agency, but it is a good intro to an agency because it shows some savvy on her part AND on your part that you know what they are looking for.

Now on to shots that would be included in a model's book. Here you're going to use a makeup artist / hairstylist and some appropriate wardrobe. Caution with makeup artists and hairstylists - they generally, particularly the young ones - want to take a test shoot as an opportunity to show their chops. As a result, they put on way too much makeup, too much color, etc. You really need to keep them on a leash! What you want is really clean, natural-looking makeup, that is, the model is wearing makeup, but looks like she is wearing no, or very little, makeup. Remember, the purpose of the photos is the book is for clients to select models for jobs - they need to see the model, not the makeup and not the clothes. So, less is more, simple is better. Make sure to keep the clothing simple, yet stylish, and make sure it shows the model's morphotype.

In that respect, nice clean "studio" shots on a gray cyclorama or simple outdoors backgrounds work best - nature only, try to keep man-made objects out of the background. You don't want too much clutter in the background distracting from the model.

Now the shots you need:

Headshot, three quarter and full body shots. For commercial print, lots of natural looking smiles and natural poses. For fashion, you can go a little more "fashion" in the posing and expressions, but beware - more inexperienced models want to "overpose" and adopt those cliched "model poses" - remember, these are young girls ..... they'll try to emulate what they see in the mags, but overdo it. Keep it simple, friendly, inviting and natural is your best bet. You'll need at least 4 wardrobe changes and 1 swimsuit.

Now, you may be getting the idea that this is a rather time consuming exercise, and it is. Plan on you hair/makeup person taking at least an hour. Then you'll probably want to allow at least 30 minutes shooting per wardrobe change. Then you'll have to allow time for wardrobe change and hair/makeup touchup/changeup. Then you'll have to allow time to go to different locations, including travel and hauling your gear.

Now, you're looking at at least 3 to 4 hours of your time, and maybe more. Then there's burning your CD's and doing post-production on the photos the model selects.

So, the rate you should charge depends on how you value your time. If you don't mind making $50 per hour, then charge $200 plus $50 per image for retouching. And, the model pays the makeup artist/hairstylist separately - generally $75 to $125. If I were you, I would plan on charging for 4 hours of my time at whatever rate you normally charge.

If you plan on going into this line of business, the model agencies NEVER pay photographers for the photoshoot - this is paid directly by the model. If you produce good results, the agencies will start referring models to you, but you will charge the models directly. And, agencies will always try to get you to shoot for free claiming they need to see how you work with their models and produce photos that they can use - problem is, they are going to send you "model wannabes" - so you're shooting for free, but with "models" with little to no experience - you're not gonna build a good model portfolio for yourself that way. If you're really interested in this line of biz, hire yourself 3 good models, produce your own shoots and than shop your portfolio around to the agencies. But, agree to do ONLY one free test. Thereafter, make sure you're getting paid.

Good luck!

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by brad

I charge $199 for 3 looks, a handful of retouches (I think its 5 guaranteed, but usually is more)... that does not include a makeup artist/stylist.

Whoa. Brad you're giving your work away. You should be at least double that price for the quality you provide. IMHO. That's more like a headshot rate to me (in, shoot, out in 90 minutes).

My rates are here http://www.polodigital.net/pricing.htm

[MarcoLaino]

Ditto that. In Chicago, I was charging $650 for an actor's headshot session. The Texas market won't support that rate structure. But, $200 for a model portfolio session is awfully cheap. $350 to $500 is the range you should be shooting for, not including hair/makeup. But then, it's all a function of how you value your time and talent. I prefer to be expensive and give the client a special experience. But then, I'm worth it! (........or so the commercial says).

[DavidsStudio]

Originally Posted by MarcoLaino

Hello Beginning,

Good luck!

Thanks for the great response Marco. Nothing better than a detailed answer based on experience.

David

[ShaneKislack]

Excellent post Marco. I wish it were required reading for everyone one here.

I've shopped my stuff around to the Campbell Agency, Kim Dawson, Klutts...etc...and the Dallas market usually supports around $300-350 for a session. It's hard to get more because the model's usually get together and hire a photog for the day and all shoot bascially together cycling through wardrobe and makeup, etc. If they all pay $300 then the photog is making well over a grand for a day's work. That's how they keep the price down.

I'd like to add to Marco's excellent post that you DO NOT get a real portfolios worth of work from one session. Most real model's portfolios are made up of years (or at least a seasons) of shooting with different photogs. And the agent is usually the one picking the photos for the portfolio.

[srwatters]

I agree with Shane, although I haven't had a 'group' shoot like that. Greg maintains his rates (well above that) and is booked most weekends.

I tell the models we are looking for one great image per set. They will not use more than that. They might rotate some in an online portfolio, but the agency won't. On my last shoot with Gabriela, we used 3 images.

Good information guys!

And the next model that asks me for 8.5 x 11 images....

[ShaneKislack]

Scott, is Greg shooting real models that are referred to by agents...or girls wanting to be models? I 'm not that familiar with Greg so it's an honest question. Either way, good for him.

I quoted the agencies 350-400 and they said most girls are only paying 300-350 because of the group thing. That's why I'm no longer going for that market!

[thebeginning]

Originally Posted by MarcoLaino

Hello Beginning,

Good luck!

thanks so much marco!! that was extremely helpful. I do have a few questions though:

Should I assume that they know this stuff? Like about outfits to wear if they are aspiring as a model or are putting together a modelling portfolio for an agency? Do you think they know that they can't get a full portfolio out of one session?

they asked me for a quote to do a en entire portfolio...should I tell them that since each photo will have to be a different 'look', then it will take more than one session to fill it?

Here's how i'm planning on pricing it:

2-3 hour shoot, charge them for 3 hours - unlimited looks (about $180). each additional hour is $40.
preparing the photos and burning them on cd (just to make it a little worthwile, i'll add $30)
2 8x12's with 'free' retouching ($75)
any other retouching will cost $25 per image
free proof cd included (basically 700pix images with my watermark)
full resolution photos - $50 (does this seem high? as a portrait photog i'm very wary about giving out full res images so $15 seemed way too low...will they even buy extra prints from me anyway? if they never would I wouldn't have a problem making it a little cheaper)

total cost is: $285, assuming it doesnt go over 3 hours and they don't order any other retouching or full-res pics.


does that sound allright, is there something missing?

[ShaneKislack]

You can't assume they will know that. In 9/10 cases, the girl who comes to you is not a model but a wanna-be model. Unfortunatley they think it's going to be their 'in' to the biz.

I personally didn't care for doing 'model' portfolios. I don't like telling girls they aren't really model material and I also didn't want to be the guy selling fat girls a hundred headshots and telling them they are going to be stars.

I know every case isn't like that, but I felt that is was enough to discourage me because in reality they don't need a portfolio until they've got an agent. Clients get their models from agencies...not girl's websites. And to get an agent, you don't need professional photos.

Seems like your pricing should be fine though.

[thebeginning]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

You can't assume they will know that. In 9/10 cases, the girl who comes to you is not a model but a wanna-be model. Unfortunatley they think it's going to be their 'in' to the biz.

I personally didn't care for doing 'model' portfolios. I don't like telling girls they aren't really model material and I also didn't want to be the guy selling fat girls a hundred headshots and telling them they are going to be stars.

I know every case isn't like that, but I felt that is was enough to discourage me because in reality they don't need a portfolio until they've got an agent. Clients get their models from agencies...not girl's websites. And to get an agent, you don't need professional photos.

Seems like your pricing should be fine though.

your reasoning is spot on in my opinion...doing model portfolios and work never really appealed to me, and i'm not getting into the business....but i can't turn a client down :D

[ShaneKislack]

right, I didn't mean to be a downer. Seems like your price should be fine.

[brad]

Originally Posted by srwatters

Whoa. Brad you're giving your work away. You should be at least double that price for the quality you provide. IMHO. That's more like a headshot rate to me (in, shoot, out in 90 minutes).

Thanks, Scott. There are times I just feel like a hack, honestly. (I know Heather will bust my chops for that, but its true.)

My headshot rate for three looks is the same (and also not including MUA/Stylist)... and is limited to two hours. As someone else said, I don't think the Dallas market supports much more than that... sooner or later, I'll start having people come from outside Dallas just to see me (I'm starting to get interest).... at which point, my prices will start to work their way up....

If I were booking more than the handful of sessions a month at these prices, I might raise them sooner. LOL


Great response Marco... Thanks for taking the time to type something that detailed!