$100/hr or $500/Session?

[GPallan]

Which sounds better?

When a potential male model sees an ad for adult modeling, which do you think they'll respond to more favorably? $100 per hour or $500 per session?

Just keep in mind that at this point they don't know what a "session" entails. We're just trying to figure out which of the two has more initial impact.

Thanks guys

[GPallan]

not one response? come on guys...just pick one or the other. You don't have to go in depth

Thanks!

[basschick]

we never put prices in our ads, and we get plenty of responses. i think that if you're looking for amateurs, that $500 per session would be much more appealing...

[xenigo]

Snowboy,
I'll help you out. Don't EVER say you pay per hour. This will be a big mistake, and cause you a big headache with every shoot. Here's what happens: Model takes his time, can't get it up, needs time to look at porn to get hard... meanwhile you're waiting. 15 minutes goes by. 30 minutes go by. 45 minutes go by. "Oh look at the time, it's been 3 hours! Where's my money? What, only $300? You fucking asshole. It took us 4 hours and you SAID you paid $100 an hour! Scumbag!"

Let's just say I make it EXTREMELY clear to the model that I pay per *session* and we'll go ALL DAY if that's what it takes. But *generally* it takes 4 hours depending on YOU. This means if they can't get it up, tuff shit. They still get paid when they follow through with the contracted work. BTW, I tell them that on the phone before they even meet me. No confusion here. And if they feign confusion, I repeat verbatim what I mentioned on the phone.

Lastly, don't pay more than you absolutely have to. The rule of thumb is people will either participate in this business or won't. It's not a matter of money, although they'll tell you it is. The truth is, their car is about to get reposessed or they're gonna get evicted from their apartment, and they'll do whatever you want for whatever you pay, as long as it's decent. I get all my models for $300 for 4 hours of work. Easy way to explain your rates is by simply stating "I don't make the decisions around here, I'm just the photographer. My boss has only given me $300 to pay the models." This makes it impossible for them to manipulate you, which is what will happen if you ever hint that you're the one calling the shots.

Never pay a model cash. These are desperate people you're dealing with, and they'll rob you blind when you turn your back on them during a shoot. I had a couple guys steal my checkbook and model releases about 6 months ago. Fortunately I had their ID's on my camera and filed a police report, but that still didn't get my releases back. Moral of the story: Write them a check, and don't even blink if you need to cancel it. If you're equipment is gone, you know where it went.

Anyway, hope this helps.

[basschick]

wow, xenigo - you have such different experiences than we do. our models are mostly pretty nice. a lot of actual college students and such. all are friendly, most are available if we want to shoot again.

we pay per hour... never had a real problem. we tell them they must show up ready to shoot (hair, clothes, etc) and if they can't get it up, we pay them a cancellation fee and send them home. a couple even came back to try again - with much better success

[xenigo]

wow, xenigo - you have such different experiences than we do. our models are mostly pretty nice. a lot of actual college students and such. all are friendly, most are available if we want to shoot again.

we pay per hour... never had a real problem. we tell them they must show up ready to shoot (hair, clothes, etc) and if they can't get it up, we pay them a cancellation fee and send them home. a couple even came back to try again - with much better success

Most of the guys I work with are nice too, but keep in mind I've worked with hundreds of guys over the past few years. In that bunch, there's been a bunch of shady characters. My policy is that it's better to be safe than sorry, and the bottom line is that adult performers are not the upper echelon of society. My experience with models really went south when I started targeting the 'thugs' I've been shooting recently. I mean, there's really nothing worse in the world than these guys. They hate me with a passion. LOL

Yet, there are some exceptions to every rule.

Edit: Also, for the most part I work by myself. This sets a perfect scene for them to pull all the manipulative BS they live to put people through. When I work with an assistant, or more recently, a bodyguard... I have no such problems. Go figure.

[longboardjim]

i usually use the word "session" ( average $150.00 to $200.00 an hour ) versus "hour" because in most models minds they figure the longer they stay the more they'll get and this turns into long lazy shoot.
i don't usually work alone and everything is pretty "timed" , if for some reason the model is unable to complete the session i stop it and reschedule ( the model is given a "partial" and the "balance" upon completion )
for me "pornstars" and "rising stars" are the hardest to work with because they already have an idea of what they want and not what your looking for so i generally pass. ( no shots from the left! , no low angles! , i want to wear this! )
hope something in the above is helpful!

sincerely ~ ..."you better work! , supermodel! , work!".. :beauty:

[GPallan]

thanks you guys for all the great advice.

xenigo, totally know what you mean. Most of the guys i work with are very nice guys. But there are still some that i really fear!

I don't care how nice a guys is, but when he's telling me that he doesn't have his cell anymore because the cops confiscated it, next to slapping him with a charge of "possession of a fire arm," i get worried. Especially when it's my second time working with them, as they know how the company works and where everything is.

Ok, about the payment structure. I know what you guys all mean when you say pay them "per session." But i seem to get away with paying less when i pay them by the hour. My shoots are usually about 3hrs, so that's $300 for the session. Whereas before i used to state $500/session in the ads, and well, that's what i paid them for pretty much the same shoot, when many of them would've been more than happy with $300 for the shoot. So yeah, i'd like to state $100/hr if that sounds as good and appealing as $500/session.

So what i'm most concerned with is which SOUNDS BETTER in an ad? If i get talent scouts to hand out "models wanted" cards, does $100/hr sound more attractive or $500/session?

I guess what i'm trying to do is "lure" in the guys who're on the fence by enticement of great pay. Hmmmm...that doesn't sound too good but it's the truth. I need my models!!

I think if a guy knows that he can make a quick $500, he might be inclined to apply. As apposed to $100, which sounds good, but they don't know exactly how much they could make. ??? Any thoughts?

[GPallan]

i can't believe that you guys pay them a "cancellation fee" if they can't perform. If one of my models can't get hard or cum at the end, i send him on his way and tell him to go and get Viagra or something and we'd reschedule for another day.

For all i'm concerned, if they can't get hard or cum, they didn't perform the services that was outlined in the agreement.

[longboardjim]

although i agree that they are being paid for a service , sometimes it isn't always to the customers satisfaction.
i've had guys come in "strip/pose/jack/cum" and been totally disappointed with the finished product that didn't mean they weren't paid!
i look at it as not everyone has "control" over their bodies! , and some , especialy new to the scene need time to "warm-up"
i'd rather send them away with half to encourage them to return , versus sending them away with nothing "cementing" that image in their mind that we are all out to screw them over every chance we get!

sincerely ~ jim :francais:

[IntenseCash.com]

There is some great input here. I was also told my some huge gay companies to not state that you pay hour. They told me per hour is bad mostly for the reasons already listed here.

Mark

[DigitalJay]

I don't know where most of you are located, but it's a shame there aren't more studios here in the midwest. Most guys I know who have expressed interest in doing an adult photoshoot have said they would be thrilled to get payed $200 for an all day shoot. I'm talking hot guys in lots of different niches too. It's too bad I don't have a studio myself. I live right by four large colleges, so I'd have tons of content, and from reading this thread, for a lot cheaper than the average photographer.

[longboardjim]

I don't know where most of you are located, but it's a shame there aren't more studios here in the midwest. Most guys I know who have expressed interest in doing an adult photoshoot have said they would be thrilled to get payed $200 for an all day shoot. I'm talking hot guys in lots of different niches too. It's too bad I don't have a studio myself. I live right by four large colleges, so I'd have tons of content, and from reading this thread, for a lot cheaper than the average photographer.

hmmm...sounds like it's time to get your digital camera out and convert that guest/storage/garage room into a studio!

sincerely ~ ..."le presente d'studio J"... :francais:

[curiousbunny]

I like what the telemarketing fake jobs advertise ! LOL
"Earn up to 500,000 a month working from home "
So maybe "Earn up to 1,000 modeling" sounds more tempting

[MiamiB]

We tell models that we pay $200 for the shoot...and a shoot averages around 1 hour. If they can't get it up and it goes over that time the payment is still the same...we make it clear that the payment is for the shoot...we have been shooting guys for the past 7 years and most are quite easy to work with...naturally, since they are amateurs and each person is an individual, experiences will vary...but the vast majority are great and they beg to do more shoots with us!

Lee