Models' fees

Unfocussed Mike I did not at any point suggest all models do it as a hobby or photographers, but again if they are doing for full time wage everyone would need to get a payrise not just models, that’s going to out price many from the market no other jobs have had a payrise in UK actually most employers tightening belts.

Edited by Retouchguy

No model has to accept booking for prices that are below their own concept.
So, low budget photographers might end up not finding models - it is a free world.

Shooting once a month or even every three months with an experienced pro
migh be worth saving, and in the end deliver better results that shooting
three times a week with a model who charges less (and delivers as paid).

The ramifications for raising tariffs are not just a few pounds extra to photographers, if models raise tariffs so will muas making photoshoots more expensive to some, then of course some will leave because they’ve simply been priced out of the market and stop paying pp maybe, less patrons means pp needs to raise prices, think carefully before rocking the boat, many cannot swim just saying little movements have great effect on all

Edited by Retouchguy

Retouchguy said

Unfocussed Mike I did not at any point suggest all models do it as a hobby or photographers, but again if they are doing for full time wage everyone would need to get a payrise not just models, that’s going to out price many from the market

Pay is in fact rising, quite fast (though these figures are complicated by the NHS settlements):

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/averageweeklyearningsingreatbritain/september2023

Average pay is rising about as fast as inflation now, in fact. But the nature of inflation is that people on low and unstable (e.g. freelance) incomes experience a higher rate of inflation, and that, I suggest, is reflected in model rates, whether "main job" or "side gig".

Edited by Unfocussed Mike

Retouchguy Average total earnings in the UK increased by almost 20% over the 3 years to October 2023 (source: Office for National Statistics).  A lot of this came through in the 3rd quarter of 2023.  To quote the ONS:

• Annual average regular earnings growth for the public sector was 6.9% in August to October 2023 and is among the highest regular annual growth rates since comparable records began in 2001; for the private sector this was 7.3%.

• The finance and business services sector saw the largest annual regular growth rate at 8.3%, followed by the manufacturing sector at 7.4%.

These figures are rubbish and everyone knows it, otherwise we wouldn’t be talking about this there would be no talk of cost of living crises but there are millions in abject poverty this year, 100,000 kids without home at Xmas they said

We all know they can make figures look good on paper but in reality things are harder for us all, fuel may drop 2p somewhere but they take 10 p off you somewhere else

But hey this is just my opinion, talk models into raising their prices to 60-80 per hour see how it goes, I don’t personally see it going well 🙂

Edited by Retouchguy

Retouchguy said

These figures are rubbish and everyone knows it, otherwise we wouldn’t be talking about this there would be no talk of cost of living crises but there are millions in abject poverty this year, 100,000 kids without home at Xmas they said

They aren't rubbish. They just only reflect salaries, not costs. 

What I'm saying -- and the OP is saying, if I read him correctly -- is that people on stable, salaried incomes are experiencing things less badly, in aggregate, than people in comparable situations on unstable/freelance incomes.

When times are tough, freelance incomes should go up faster, because they reflect more income uncertainty; freelancers have to raise their prices to stay still. But in fact, freelancers traditionally see their wages squeezed, and many exit the market, potentially displacing someone in a non-specialist entry-level job because they need the income certainty.

Suggesting that freelancers shouldn't rock the boat because people on salaries are feeling uncomfortable might sound like it has some sense to it, but it's not going to go down that well!

I've been stuck on the same hourly rate since 2017, it is less than a model earns, and it's difficult to get people to accept that it should go up at all.

Edited by Unfocussed Mike

Unfocussed Mike well as I said raise models fees to 60-80 per hour then if that’s the concensus and raise cost of muas 🙂 I can always move to cheaper hobby like golf or boating 🤣🤣🤣

Regardless of everything else, the laws of supply and demand will apply.  If photographers put out castings at less than the going rate, guess how many responses they'll get?

Gothic Image same will be true for those asking for more than is affordable 🙂

Retouchguy said

I can always move to cheaper hobby like golf or boating 🤣🤣🤣

I see the point you're making, but (with the same measure of irreverence) it's worth considering why it is that you place "working with freelance models" in the "should cost less than playing golf" bracket. Unless your swing is that bad of course ;-)

Unless I have a client who has commissioned work, then its a test shoot / TFP (whatever you wish to call it). If people want to pay models to 'practice' then they clearly have more money than I or, as seems to be the case on these sites, its a hobby, so will pay to take someone's photo. The adverts I don't get is where the model says "These are the exact photos I want, this is how I'll dress, I want you to come and take those photos and pay me for the pleasure of doing so." ... now that sounds like a commission.. but with the payment going in the wrong direction.

Unfocussed Mike last time I played golf I was 17 and I broke 3 ribs 🙂

Well I can only say about my own experience. I don’t have a lack of shoots in the UK, but I find it a very good experience to travel to Europe and shoot with international photographers. That is such a joy!

In 2023 I shot in 7 European countries and I am intending to do more in 2024! So I recommend all models to go and explore Europe. Such countries as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and many others.

I usually combine my modelling tours with running half-marathons or full marathons, as I work hard to keep my body looking fit and athletic for my clients.

I'm also very excited about my forthcoming overseas shoots with British photographers who will join me during some of my modelling tours for full day shoots this year. My Rome tour will be the next one and possibly Luxembourg after that.

Thanks to all photographers who work with me and I'm looking forward to working with more PurplePort photographers in 2024! 🤩

Retouchguy said

Gothic Image same will be true for those asking for more than is affordable 🙂

Precisely - it's called "market forces".  :-)