Photography Model Call: For beginner and established photographers
Photography model calls are a highly searched subject, and my first blog post on the subject gets a lot of hits since I created it back in 2021.
In late 2022, I decided that I was going to run a model call in 2023. I realized that many of my clients were requesting privacy, and while I absolutely respect their wishes, I wanted to have some fresh material in my portfolio.
The last model call I ran was years ago, and I too experienced a few pitfalls that hadn’t crossed my mind at the time. Keeping in mind the tips I recommend in my first model call blog post, I evolved my approach to my most recent model call.
Portfolio-building versus Portfolio-expanding
One major difference in running my photography model call back then, is that I didn’t make a distinction that this wasn’t a new photographer building a portfolio. I’ve already been in business for over a decade and have built myself up to a level of investment reflective of that experience. Knowing from my own personal experience how prospects can jump at a free photo session, I was mindful that the model call itself needed to be designed in a way to repel clients who wouldn’t be a good fit and didn’t view it as a very specific project with specific needs - like a job! I prefer that the work is done up-front for the offer, the rules, the application and acceptance process, so that I’m not left answering too many questions, getting flooded with emails or being asked for more free shoots outside of the parameters of the model call because the prospect didn’t fit, but still wanted to take advantage.
You’re in a different place if you’re a beginner. Not a bad place, but the situation has different elements for you to contend with. The established photographer is looking for ways to expand - either their current genre or into a new genre. The new photographer is building and people have to take a bit of a chance on you when you don’t have work to share. Thus I realized that there are nuances that should be addressed, based on who you are - the beginner or the more seasoned professional.
If you find yourself somewhere in between, that’s ok! Almost new, somewhat established….you can find a design of a model call that fits you and your goals. The trick is to know the nuances so that you can customize them to your specific needs and where you are at with your business.
My model call secrets, shared with you
I spent time before the holidays to develop my model call sales page. This is a page that lives on my website that will go live when I’m ready to launch, and a link to that sales page will go wherever I’m advertising. I’m not just writing a post on IG or FB and don’t want any DM’s - that would be a nightmare to manage! Everyone is lead to the model call sales page, where all the information lives. If they get through that page with no objections, they may be the right fit! The page is designed to filter out poor fit prospects as effectively as possible. The ones who get to the application form are hot leads, and a form allows me to collect the same information from everyone so that it’s easier to make a decision and track entries.
When I wrote my top 10 posts of 2022, my portfolio model call post was number 3 in the list. I realized that some photographers would appreciate even more help than what that blog post offered. So I set about writing a more in-depth guide on running a photography portfolio model call, and included screenshots of my own model call webpage, complete with comments on explaining how I put it all together. The guide includes variations if you are a beginner or a more established photographer and can be adapted to many different genres of photography.
Get the photography model call guide! Available now in the store
For beginners or semi or fully established photographers, this guide offers a business-first approach and mindset to model calls.