The Why Behind the Discounts

To be perfectly frank and in my personal experience, I think the idea of TFP has been more harmful to our creative scene than helpful. This is mostly due to lack of education and value as to what each side of the creative prospect should be bringing to the table.

As a model, has a photographer reached out to you saying they want to shoot and then it's been left up to you to figure virtually everything out? Without an understanding of value, we lack in understanding what true collaboration is. Your time is valuable, and this field isn't cheap.

Let me be clear, any artist can make a lot from a little, and any model can change a creative's portfolio forever, but my main concern is balance of value in relation to investment of energy and time. We have many pretty faces who want to be seen as more than just a pretty face, and we have many extremely hard working models not getting the time of day or recognition because creatives are only pursuing trendy looks. This isn't a healthy creative environment. This develops entitled, toxic egos and skews the idea of both beauty and value based on numbers alone.

Discounts act as a pseudo educational tool to show what I as the creative am putting value into you as the model. The more work or passion you put in to fall in line with my vision and meeting me halfway, the less you'll have to pay, hell you may even end up being the one getting paid in the end eventually.

Know that I care about the projects I post here. If you bring it, you know I sure as hell will too.

Project Discount A -5%

As a client based photographer, there is seldom a time that I get to pursue creative projects of my own. Whether on a major scale: like a time-period themed shoot with make-up, styling and set design; or a minor scale: simply playing with color theory, composition, movement, lighting, etc. By simply signing up for a project, you are expressing interest in allowing me a chance to pursue these projects and practices, and for that I show thanks, with an Additional 5% off

Styling Discount B - 10%

I am just now starting to dive into the world of styling and being more meaningful with my production planning, however, sometimes I really don't have it all together. This is where rewarding your effort and investment comes into play. Prior to your shoot if you express thorough styling ideas to fit the theme, whether it's an outfit of your own, you finding a designer, maybe you just find a location for us to shoot at, any sign of effort to help bring the idea together is worthy of a 10% discount.

Portfolio Discount C - 20%

Your portfolio is a window to the talent I'm bringing into these projects. This discount is subjective per project, please understand that this does not mean you are not capable or worthy of the discount! It simply means that for that particular project, I wanted to see more before giving this discount. If your portfolio is one that I feel shows that you can fall into the theme of the project, then I'll be happy to give another 20% off!

Here is an example:

You are a model who does a lot of sports and athletic styled shoots and have a fairly strong portfolio, but you sign up for a cosplay shoot which asks you to fall into a character and keep special effects in mind in which your portfolio has none of, I may not offer you the portfolio discount.

Agency Discount D - 25%

If you are signed with a credible agency and your agent has approved of a project with me or has expressed that this project has potential to be on your professional portfolio then this discount is for you! Enjoy another 25% off!

Some Credible Agencies:

Voices and Models

Models and Images

Modern Artists

Next Paige Management

West Model & Talent Management

I and I Agency

Let's Talk How I Pay You

This particular section has always been a core value of The Model Project Center, but as I've talked with various industry professionals, we've stressed that it's important that this feature is something that lives in the realm of industry standard as well. After much thought, here is my current process for models within The Model Project Center to become eligible for payment:

Projects that are eligible for paid opportunity will be marked accordingly.

Models will have to to participate in a minimum of 3 projects prior to sign up (2 of which have to be done through the model project center) in the desired photography genre to become eligible to be paid. Your base pay will be determined on your personal discount patterns within that genre. After we've established your base pay for that genre, up charges will be determined on a project to project basis to properly accommodate (ex. more skin, travel, inconvenient time of day etc = higher pay rate)

Here is an example:

I've got a creative project revolving around activewear that I'll be submitting to a magazine. I will be offering payment, as I want to really focus on the creative side of the portrait, and you are wondering if you are eligible for the paid opportunity. I will be looking at our past projects together. If you have 3 activewear projects worked with me you are immediately eligible. If you have had at least 2 activewear project with me and past activewear work with another credible photographer I will also consider you eligible for the paid project. If you have neither of these you can absolutely still sign up for the project! If we end up creating an incredible image, then I will turn around and pay you for it and pay you any dividends if they pay for licensing fees.

At the end of the day, I want to shift the payment power and PAY YOU your hourly rate. Seriously. Don't have an agency and know your rate? I'd be happy to connect you with references where you can figure out a rate that supports your talent.