Want to know the costs associated with keeping and maintaining your modeling portfolio? Below are real life costs of what it takes to create a quality modeling portfolio!
Whether you’re just starting out as a model or you’re an experienced model, having a modeling portfolio is a MUST!!!!!
You WILL be investing in your modeling portfolio continuously throughout your entire career as a plus size model. So it’s important to invest that money wisely!!
Below are a list of prices and packages that are currently standard in the industry. By the end of this blog post, you should be able to have a rough, but very accurate estimate of what you’ll be spending on your modeling portfolio shoots!
This post is all about how much you should be paying for your portfolio shoot.
Modeling Portfolio Costs
Photographer ($300 – $1,100)
Your photographer is usually your highest price in your modeling portfolio costs. Most photographers have packages versus hourly rates however you may encounter a photographer that does have hourly rates.
Below are 10 examples of packages from photographers so you can get an idea of what you’ll be paying and what to expect in return for your $$$.
Example #1
2 looks for $300 (8 edited images)
3 looks for $350 (12 edited images)
4 looks for $400 (16 edited images)
Example #2
1 – 2 looks for $300 (10 edited images)
3 – 4 looks for $350 (20 edited images)
*studio included
Example #3
3 looks for $400 (10 edited images)
4 looks for $500 (12 edited images)
5 looks for $600 (15 edited images)
*studio included
*hair and makeup included
Example #4
3 looks for $600 (9 edited images)
4 looks for $700 (12 edited images)
*studio included
Example #5
2 looks for $300 (5 edited images)
3 looks for $500 (10 edited images)
4 – 5 looks for $700 (14 edited images)
Example #6
2 looks for $660 (8 edited images)
3 looks for $850 (10 edited images)
* make up included
Example #7
2 looks for $350 (10 edited images)
3 looks for $450 (15 edited images)
4 looks for $550 (20 edited images)
5 looks for $650 (25 edited images
Example #8
3 looks for $700 (25 edited images)
Example #9
2 looks for $400 (8 edited images)
4 looks for $70 (15 edited images)
Example #10
4 looks for $800 (7 edited images)
Need help finding a photographer? Click the links below to find the best photographers to work with as a plus size model!
Hair & Make Up ($250 – $500)
Hair and make up can range depending on whether you hire someone to do both the hair and make up or if you hire an individual person for each.
The perks of having someone do both, you usually save money and there’s less people in the room.
The perks of having someone for each hair and make up, you can save more time on set.
Example #1
$250 – $350
- Hair and makeup
- 2 – 4 looks
Example #2
$300
- Hair and makeup
- 4 looks
Example #3
$400
- Hair and makeup
- 3 looks
Example #4
$250
- Makeup only
Example #5
$300
- Makeup only
Example #6
$250
- Hair only
Example #7
$300
- Hair and makeup
- 2 – 3 looks
Stylist and/or Clothes ($200 – $500+)
For a portfolio shoot, a stylist is pretty optional, however sometimes having a stylist can help you save money, time, and elevate your portfolio because they know what agencies and brands want to see!
Note: some stylists will ask to use your credit card if they purchase any pieces for return, however some use their own card.
And if you don’t have a stylist, you will most likely have to buy and/or return clothes if you don’t already have them in good condition in your existing wardrobe.
Either way, you will most likely invest some kind of money in your wardrobe so don’t forget to budget that in!
Below are several examples of plus size stylist prices.
Example #1
$500
- 4 looks provided
- $125/ per extra look
- 1 fitting before shoot
- Will be on set with you
Example #2
$300
- 4 looks
- 1 fitting before shoot
- Will be on set with you
Example #3
$500
- Unlimited looks
- Uses your CC to pull pieces
- Additional $250 for her to be on set
Example #4
$300
- 4 looks
Example #5
$200 – $400
- 2 – 5 looks
Example #6
$200
- 2 – 3 looks
Location ($0 – $475)
Sometimes location can be included in a photographer’s package, but a handful of times you will be using sites like Peerspace to find a rental for an hourly rate. And don’t forget, you may have to pay to park!
Depending on how many looks you do and/or if you do hair and make up on sight or if you do it beforehand, usually portfolio shoots take 3 – 5 hours.
Tips for location
- Some studios list their studios at a higher price than on their website, but if you go to Peerspace, they’ll rent out the same space for cheaper so don’t be afraid to spend the time to compare
- Some studios give discounts if you rent the space for 4+ hours so always keep your eyes open for a sale
- Ask the photographer, usually they have a favorite space to shoot when can make the shoot go by more smoothly when they’re familiar with their environment
- Book a photographer that includes a studio in their package, often times photographers in bigger cities have a space they rent out monthly with other photographers and creatives
- If you’re shooting outside, look for your location ahead of time. Shooting outside can be FREE, but you don’t want to waste your time and sunlight looking for locations day off.
Below are a few examples of prices for good studios for your modeling portfolio
Example #1
$35/hr
*with photographer discount
Example #2
$60/hr
*has backdrops available for extra $$
*street parking or parking lot for $$
Example #3
$50/hr
*has lighting equipment
*has AC
Example #4
$95/hr
*comes with life style set
Example #5
$30 – $105/hr
*gives discount for 4+ hours
Find Costs of Modeling Portfolio
You're looking at spending about $750 - $2,575 for per modeling portfolio shoot.
This post was all about how much a modeling portfolio shoot costs.
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