How much do models charge for a shoot
How much models charge depends on the type of talent, the city, their experience, the hours and how the images will be used. Many commercial models charge by the hour or by the day, and a usage buyout is often added on top. On ShootModel you see each person's all-in rate for your exact hours.
Five things that move a model's rate
Two models can quote very different prices for the same shoot. The gap usually comes from a few clear factors, not from guesswork.
| Factor | Why it changes the rate |
|---|---|
| City and market | Big media cities often have higher rates and more demand |
| Experience | Talent with a strong book and steady clients charge more |
| Hours booked | Longer bookings often cost less per hour |
| Type of work | Video, movement and specialty skills add value |
| Usage | Wider, longer or exclusive use adds a buyout |
The rate is not the whole bill
The rate pays for time on set. The usage buyout pays for how the images are used afterward. When you compare quotes, check whether usage is included, listed apart, or left out.
Ranges that vary a lot by city and use
The table shows typical ranges seen for non-union commercial work in the United States. Real rates can sit well outside them, up or down, depending on the city, experience, hours and usage. Treat these as a starting point, not a quote.
E-commerce and catalog models
- Typical hourly range
- About $50 to $200
- Typical full day range
- About $400 to $1,500
Commercial and lifestyle models
- Typical hourly range
- About $75 to $250
- Typical full day range
- About $500 to $2,000
Fitness models
- Typical hourly range
- About $75 to $250
- Typical full day range
- About $500 to $2,000
Hand and parts models
- Typical hourly range
- About $75 to $300
- Typical full day range
- About $500 to $2,000
Actors for commercials and branded video
- Typical hourly range
- About $50 to $200
- Typical full day range
- About $300 to $1,200
Extras and background actors
- Typical hourly range
- About $20 to $50
- Typical full day range
- About $100 to $350
Promotional and event models
- Typical hourly range
- About $25 to $75
- Typical full day range
- About $200 to $600
Couples (both people)
- Typical hourly range
- Often close to two single rates
- Typical full day range
- Often close to two single rates
Content creators price in their own way
Many content creators quote per video elsewhere. On ShootModel, creators list rates by hour, half day and day like other talent. Put the number of videos, length and format in your brief, so the hours you book match the work.
Pick the booking length that fits the shoot
Most talent on ShootModel set three rates: hourly, half day and day. Longer blocks often bring the hourly cost down. A short e-commerce session may only need a few hours. A lookbook with many outfits, or a video with company moves, often needs a full day.
Hourly
- Usually means
- A set number of hours
- Good for
- Small product sets, quick social content
Half day
- Usually means
- About four hours
- Good for
- A focused shoot with a few looks
Full day
- Usually means
- About eight hours with a break
- Good for
- Catalogs, campaigns, video plus stills
Count call time to wrap
The clock usually runs from call time, not from the first frame. Hair, makeup and wardrobe fit all count. Add a little buffer when you pick the hours, so you are not rushed at the end.
Buyouts on top of the rate
Usage is the second part of the price. A web-only license for a short term may add little or nothing. Paid ads, print, TV, packaging, a long term or exclusivity add more. That is why a TV spot and a product page can cost very different amounts for the same hours on set.
- 01Organic social and your own website are usually the lowest tier
- 02Paid social and search ads often add a moderate buyout
- 03Print, out of home and packaging usually add more
- 04TV and streaming, long terms and exclusivity add the most
For a full walk through of media, territory, term and exclusivity, with a worked example, read our guide to photography usage rights.
The all-in rate for your hours, before you book
Search with your talent type, city, date, hours and budget. Each result card shows the rate for the exact hours you entered, so you can compare people side by side without asking for quotes. In checkout you add the usage you need, and the buyout appears in the total before you pay.
- 01The rate you see is the rate you pay for those hours
- 02The usage buyout is shown as its own line
- 03Bookers never see a service fee added at checkout
- 04Talent cover the 15% platform fee from their payout
- 05Payment is held until the shoot is done
For talent setting their rates
Set your hourly, half day and day rates on your profile, and update them whenever you like. With Model Pro you can add your own buyout price list.
FAQ
01How much do models charge per hour?
Many commercial models fall somewhere between about $50 and $250 an hour in the US, but city, experience and usage can push it outside that range.
02What is a typical model day rate?
For commercial work, a full day often lands between a few hundred and about two thousand dollars, before any usage buyout.
03Is it cheaper to book a half day or pay by the hour?
Longer blocks often cost less per hour. If your shoot needs about four hours, compare the half day rate with four hourly rates.
04Are usage rights included in a model's rate?
Not always. On ShootModel the rate covers time on set, and the usage buyout you pick in checkout is shown as its own line.
05Do I pay a booking fee on top of the rate?
No. Bookers pay the listed rate plus the chosen buyout. The platform fee is taken from the talent side.
06Why do rates vary so much between models?
City, experience, type of work, hours and usage all change the price. Seeing the all-in rate for your hours makes comparing easy.
07Can I set a budget when I search?
Yes. Enter a budget and ShootModel shows talent whose rate for your hours fits it.
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