Model Monday: appearance fees, deposits and what legit fees are.
There's a little rumor going around that I'm paying to appear at photo shoots as a model. Let's clear that up right now. What I AM paying are deposits known as "appearance guarantee fees" & it's basically an upfront fee that shows that I WILL show up for my job. Unfortunately, that's sadly necessary now because with the rise of the internet and instagram models, the number of "no show" models has increased as well. Personally, I think that is disgusting and unprofessional, I've never done it, but I understand now why conferences & photographers have to protect themselves.
What people don't understand or want to misinterpret is that it is not "paying" to for a job. It's not "pay to play" (which is also a disgusting practice more seen in the acting world). The model actually gets their money back either in the cash they paid, products or meals when they show up for the job. For example, I'm appearing at ClickCon in Chicago at the beginning of August. There is a $50 "fee". When I show up for my gig as a model, i get that back in the form of my lunches being covered all days of the conference, a model education day prior to the start of the conference with agencies & other industry professionals present (great networking) & also a gift swag bag of product....not to mention all the photos I will get from modeling at the event from all types of photographers (many who have worked internationally and have been published countless times).
Agencies and brand ambassador companies have appearance fees written into talent contracts as well. If you no-show, you are held accountable for your actions & can be charged since you not only have to be replaced, but also you have damaged the agency/company's relationship with that client.
Group shoots often have deposits as well since studios and equipment have to be rented and well, it would really suck to have bunch of photographers show up & none of the models do. Again, you get that money back. it's no different than paying a photographer a deposit when you set up a headshot session as an actor. It shows you are committed to the project and you are a professional.
Comp cards? legit fee. that's your marketing material. Portfolio and hard copy photo prints for it? legit. Your digital photos on an Ipad is NOT a portfolio.
Other legit fees:
- professional photos with professional photographers (legit agencies & casting directors will have a list of photographers they recommend/prefer you work with....if they INSIST that you MUST work with a certain photographer as a condition of representation: RED FLAG). You know, sorta like actors pay for headshots?
-runway or posing coaching: again, usually done through legit agencies.
-collaborations where established professionals are coming together to rent a studio for a project (for example, i did a project where we all chipped in $25 to rent a studio so we could all collab for a magazine submission...and i mean everyone photographer, makeup, model, stylist)
-paying for a makeup artist or stylist for a shoot
Here are some things that are not legit fees.....run the hell away:
- being required to sell tickets to a runway show as a condition of your participation
- being charged a fee to be represented by an agent. Sorry, but they only get paid when you work.
- Showcases & modeling schools!!!! OMG!!! Stay away from IMTA, John Casablanca, Barbizon & crap like that.
What people don't understand or want to misinterpret is that it is not "paying" to for a job. It's not "pay to play" (which is also a disgusting practice more seen in the acting world). The model actually gets their money back either in the cash they paid, products or meals when they show up for the job. For example, I'm appearing at ClickCon in Chicago at the beginning of August. There is a $50 "fee". When I show up for my gig as a model, i get that back in the form of my lunches being covered all days of the conference, a model education day prior to the start of the conference with agencies & other industry professionals present (great networking) & also a gift swag bag of product....not to mention all the photos I will get from modeling at the event from all types of photographers (many who have worked internationally and have been published countless times).
Agencies and brand ambassador companies have appearance fees written into talent contracts as well. If you no-show, you are held accountable for your actions & can be charged since you not only have to be replaced, but also you have damaged the agency/company's relationship with that client.
Group shoots often have deposits as well since studios and equipment have to be rented and well, it would really suck to have bunch of photographers show up & none of the models do. Again, you get that money back. it's no different than paying a photographer a deposit when you set up a headshot session as an actor. It shows you are committed to the project and you are a professional.
Comp cards? legit fee. that's your marketing material. Portfolio and hard copy photo prints for it? legit. Your digital photos on an Ipad is NOT a portfolio.
Other legit fees:
- professional photos with professional photographers (legit agencies & casting directors will have a list of photographers they recommend/prefer you work with....if they INSIST that you MUST work with a certain photographer as a condition of representation: RED FLAG). You know, sorta like actors pay for headshots?
-runway or posing coaching: again, usually done through legit agencies.
-collaborations where established professionals are coming together to rent a studio for a project (for example, i did a project where we all chipped in $25 to rent a studio so we could all collab for a magazine submission...and i mean everyone photographer, makeup, model, stylist)
-paying for a makeup artist or stylist for a shoot
Here are some things that are not legit fees.....run the hell away:
- being required to sell tickets to a runway show as a condition of your participation
- being charged a fee to be represented by an agent. Sorry, but they only get paid when you work.
- Showcases & modeling schools!!!! OMG!!! Stay away from IMTA, John Casablanca, Barbizon & crap like that.