Rate Matrix
Hourly Rate - Freelance: ... Major Market 40;... Small Market 40
Day Rate - Freelance: ... Major Market 350;... Small Market 350
Hourly Rate - Agency Rep:... Major Market 375;... Small Market 150
Day Rate - Agency Rep:... Major Market 3000;... Small Market 1200
As can be seen from the Rate Matrix there is a significant difference in rates between freelance and agency represented models, and, between rates in small markets versus major markets. Of course, these are generalized average rates and can vary significantly depending upon circumstances. The rates in this matrix are only for the actual photo shoot and not for what are called usage fees. Usage fees are based, you guessed it, on what the images are going to be used for. So for example, if the images/photos are going to be used in a national ad campaign where they will be seen by millions of people then the usage fees alone can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. This is in addition to the photo shoot fee. In fact in many cases the usage fees are much more than the photo shoot fee. For agency represented models usage fees are negotiated in advance of the photo session. This is not the case for freelance models where the clients usually have very small budgets and rarely offer usage fees.
The hourly rates of $350, $150, or even $40 seem very good, however one must realize that these rates are only on the jobs the model actually books. You must take into account all the auditions the model goes out on and does not get. If a given model books every third job they go out on, the rate must be prorated over the entire time spent, bringing down the average hourly earnings significantly. This is in addition to any money spent on gas, food, travel, and/or lodging.
It is not unusual for models in the smaller markets such as Seattle, Dallas, San Diego, Chicago, or Miami to make around $30,000 a year. In the major markets compensation in the hundreds of thousands is common. In the event that a model is asked to model in Europe or Asia they should be aware that many agencies take over 50% commission plus expenses thereby leaving the model almost nothing by time they return to the US. This not to say "don't do it" but be careful and do your due diligence on whoever is making you the modeling offer.
