How to Find Models for Your Photo or Video Shoot
One word: Newbook. Newbook is an online model booking platform, and it’s my favorite thing to use when booking models for a shoot. In this blog, I’ll explain a few other options for booking models, from free to very expensive, but I just wanted to get that out of the way first. I love Newbook, and you should go make an account right now.
Keep in mind, the one thing that will affect a model’s rate drastically is content usage. A model makes money with their face, and the more their face is seen, the more they will charge. For example, a professional model might charge $100 per hour to shoot with you on set. They might charge nothing extra if you’re using their face only on your Instagram. But they’ll charge a lot extra in usage fees if it’s a national commercial or a billboard, or even a paid social media campaign. Keep that in mind when choosing where you’ll find your models.
Free: Use Your Friends
If you’re just starting out, you’re probably only looking for lifestyle social media content. In this case, use your friends! They’ll be excited to help out, they’ll feel cool to be on your website, and they’ll do a fine job. Lifestyle content is relatively easy to model for, so long as you’re comfortable having your picture taken. I vet friends for shoots like this by looking at their Instagram. If they post a lot of photos of themselves smiling and living life, then they’ll work out just fine. Avoid hiring friends who don’t post many pictures of themselves, though. They’ll be uncomfortable on camera, and it’ll come across in the content.
Cheap: Find Creators on Instagram
Creators on Instagram are another great choice for social photoshoots. Posting content of yourself is an integral part of building a personal brand these days, so even photographers and chefs and consultants have a lot of content online. Believe it or not, I find creators to use as models for big shoots though Instagram often (I just did it for a music video with the Chainsmokers, and a product launch video for DJI). Creators are comfortable on camera, and they have a truly authentic vibe. Have them show up as the person they normally are, and shoot them doing what they do! You’ll get much better results than trying to each a model how to swing a golf club or ride a fixed gear bike.
Best Value: Newbook
Newbook brings the best value because many of the models on there are also represented by agencies. They have a lot of gigs for them. You can find a lot of models for under $100 per hour in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. They have great search criteria for specialty, age, height, gender, ethnicity, weight, hair color, union status and more.
The process I use with netbook is so simple. I decide what my budget is, and what kind of model I need, then I use their filters to get a list of all available models on the platform. From there, I create a list of my favorites, and then send them all a request. Newbook has a great feature where you can send an option request, to see if they’re interested in the project and available for the date and the rate. After I get a few responses from models who are available, I lock in my favorites, and send them the call sheet.
Most Expensive: Go Through a Modeling Agency
The most expensive way to book models is to go through a modeling agency. Most modern agency websites will have a gallery of their models, and you can contact the agents from there. It really is a “middle man” situation with agencies like this, because they always want to “get on a phone call” and “hear more about the project” and “help you find the best fit.” Even though you can already see the pictures of the models, and you know who you want.
The value that agencies bring is that the best models are all represented by agencies, usually under an exclusive deal. Which means you can’t work with them without going through their agencies. Agencies are also usually pretty organized, so you don’t have to worry about the model forgetting about the gig. Their agent will drive to their house and wake them up. That’s showbiz, baby!
P.S. If you’re producing a shoot, and you need a budget template, I have one for free here. Go get it!
