Model- headshots and comp card

jeffreaux2

I was contacted this week by a woman who is about to begin modeling for a local agency. She is wanting headshots, lifestyle shots..etc in print as well as digital files with which she will have a comp card made. She and other members of her family are repeat customers of mine, and I certainly want to keep it that way!

I have never sold full res files, and wonder where should I even begin with pricing. I may just give them to her, as it is very possible the agency will send more models my way....but then I'd just be asking the same question then instead of now. Where do I begin?

dogwood

This is a trickier question than you might realize. Yes, I know there is a value on high-res digital files. But what direction do you want to take your photography? Will you be shooting models in the future? Are you going to be dealing with this agency over the long term?

The reason I ask is because just in my personal photography experience, I find it's good to develop strong relationships with the agencies-- and yes, sometimes that does mean giving them a deal on photos. And of course, just like photographers, some agencies are good and some aren't. Ask around, chat with models about how/when they get paid (some agencies are notorious for taking months to pay models) and all that. Once you figure out the reputable agencies in town, develop a strong relationship with them.

Again, I realize this isn't everyone's goal-- but for me-- I ALWAYS need models (I shoot a lot of fashion) so agencies are key. In fact, I'm shooting a fashion show tonight for free but only because it's being produced by the best model agency in town and it will give me access to some of the best models in town (backstage and prior to the show). Yeah, working for free is nuts, but I've found the networking leads to other paid work. Last year I shot the same show for free and picked up a paid event shoot just by talking with people and handing out cards.

So that's all a long, long way to say consider everything-- including your long-term needs-- when working with agencies. They can be fabulous resources and will often provide you with models for your personal portfolio shoots at no cost as long as you've helped them out in the past.