Working For Free – Don’t Do It

Whether you model for fun as a hobby or are dedicated to becoming a professional model, you should not work for free. Here is why.

First, it is important to understand why you are doing a particular photo shoot. There are a number of things to consider when you decide how to price your work as a model.

1.  Who gets the advantage? By this I mean does the other party expect or hope to make a profit from your work? If a photo shoot is for a company or organization, you should expect them to pay you, just as you would expect them to pay you if you were answering phones for them or any other work. Are you getting the advantage? If so, perhaps you should pay the photographer? Is it a tie? Is the shoot for you and the photographer to learn and build your portfolios? If so, then trading (TF or TFP or TFCD) may be the right way to go.

2.   How much is it going to cost you to do the session? If you have not stopped to consider your costs, stop and think. You have the work of maintaining your skin, keeping your hair in a stylish cut, manicures, make up, personal fitness training, etc. You also have the cost of travel and time away from family or other things you could be doing (yes, that has value).

3.    Modeling is work. Even if it is fun, it is still work. It takes skill and looks. Both of which are things that most of the rest of the world does not have, and therefore, it has value.

4.   What kind of press, or positive exposure are you going to receive? Can you quantify it? On a limited basis, some very few opportunities will give you exposure that is better than you could get if you hired a professional publicist to market yourself.

5.   Are you modeling for something that is a high interest area? For example, nude modeling has limited commercial appeal, many photographers crave the opportunity to work with a nude model and it may be difficult to include in your portfolio, based on your location family, etc. Then you should be paid. If there is a high demand for what a company or photographer is asking you to model, you should charge a fee.

6.   Are you any good at what you do and do you have a good “look”? Okay if you can’t model and you look like a pile of bricks, maybe you should pay them to take your pictures. But if that isn’t the case, how easy is it for them to find what they want? Are you a high dollar value talent? Can 50 girls in your area easily replace you? Or are you the only 5’11” red head with very pale skin who can fit into a size 0 dress?

7.   Are the photos from this session actually going to expand my portfolio, or is it just another shoot in a similar dress, swimsuit, same kind of nondescript setting? If it does not add value to your portfolio, why model it unless you are paid?

Every time an offer to model comes along, weigh these things, and other things that are important to you. Maybe in your personal situation, you are comfortable shooting lingerie, but your boyfriend freaks out unless you are making money. Whatever your personal situation is, take a realistic look at what you have to offer and what the other party is going to gain. Then decide. Don’t be afraid to ask to be paid. Even the guy who has no talent gets paid to sweep the floors at night. If someone else is hoping to make money from your effort, morally, they should pay you and you have a right to expect it.

Why should a model who is doing modeling just for fun expect to be paid? Because a hobby still costs money and if another party is making money off your skill, unique beauty, and time, they have a moral responsibility to properly compensate you.

So, should you work for free? I don’t think so. Should you play for free? Yes, if you want to.


Here is Charolett's page.