Well, the short answer is that there is no set figure.

This is because each assignment is different and varies in scale, and every model takes on differing levels of work.

Fees for commercial models tend to start at around £150 a day but can certainly reach thousands of pounds for those who are experienced, in demand and working for clients with big budgets.

What is vital, however, is to work for a genuine agent, one that is registered and accredited as an authentic employment agency.

If you don’t, you leave yourself open to potential problems.

These might include not being paid anything at all, only being paid after a very long time and a lot of chasing or being paid significantly less than you were led to believe.

Models Direct has been operating for more than 30 years now and over the decades has worked with an array of big names brands and major clients.

We have an in-depth understanding of how the modelling industry works and have built up strong relationships with our clients – we trust them and they trust us.

This is not only when it comes to ensuring the safety and comfort of our models but also when it comes to payments.

As an experienced agent, not only do we find work for our models, but we negotiate the very best fees for them.

We then ensure they are paid what they were promised – and on time!

Here is how it works:

1. We are in daily contact with clients who seek particular types and descriptions of models for their photoshoots and other jobs.

2. We select and present models from our books based on the client’s requirements.

3. The client tells us who they are interested in.

4. We negotiate the very best fee possible for the job.

5. We offer the assignment to the chosen model or models and tell them exactly how much they will be paid.

6. They decide whether to accept the assignment on that basis.

7. The client pays us the fee in advance. This way we can ensure there is no change in fee or delay.

8. The model attends the assignment and then receives payment from us within the following few days.

This is the process we have always followed and we know it works for everyone – the client, the agent and, above all, the models themselves.

For more information about the industry, our accreditation and how Models Direct works visit www.modelsdirect.com.

You’ve signed up with us, and are twitching with excitement at your upcoming modelling assignment. Won’t it be great to mix with modelling professionals and further your career in modelling?

We’ve sent you all the relevant information, and you know the location of your job. Everything is in hand. Everything will go swimmingly well. No one really likes to talk about money – economists and bankers are exempt, of course! But the fact is that you’re doing a professional job for a top client, and we pay fairly and on time. Yes – no chasing of payment! But what amount will it be?

Well, modelling fees depend on a few factors. Let’s consider them:

1. A client’s budget. Whilst Models Direct always procures the best (and fairest) fees for all our models – including animal models! – not all clients have the luxury of limitless budgets. Some clients simply have larger budgets than others. That said, all our clients are well-known and are just as fair as we are, so models can rest assured that their fees will be amongst the best around!

2. Location. A modelling assignment could pay better in London than, say, a more remote rural location. But that’s an extremely general detail, and models shouldn’t be too preoccupied about the correlation between location and fees: it’s just that sometimes location plays a factor in the fee amount.

3. Duration of assignment. It shouldn’t need explaining that a three-day modelling job should pay more than a three-hour one.

4. Experience of the model. It stands to reason that a model who’s gained substantial industry experience is usually paid more than a novice. That’s not to say that debut models receive the lowest fees – in fact, if your face fits and our client would love you to appear in their campaigns, debut models can receive surprisingly generous fees.

So, what about hard currency? “Give us the facts”, we hear you cry!

Well, if we had to put a rough estimate on an average day’s modelling fees, we wouldn’t be too far off with a figure of £150. for whole assignments (which could last a few days), the figure could be in the thousands of pounds. Family modelling, for instance, often demands a larger modelling fee because of the scale of the campaign and more models are required.

Perhaps the easiest way to find out how much some of our models are paid, have a look at these two links:

This first one depicts some of our smiling models complete with cheque in hand – see for yourself! 

The second link is a list of fees we’ve paid out to a whole host of models and actors who’ve starred in TV commercials and photo, fashion and advertising shoots. That’s right – real people with real fees!

Fees are just what models deserve, and our clients know the importance of them. There’s only one way to find out how much you could earn on modelling jobs – and that’s to apply to us! We’ll do the rest!

The answer, of course, is that a model’s wages vary depending on the job. This is because not all jobs are identical, and clients have different budgets (these could also vary depending on the time of year). What can be said with some authority is that commercial modelling can supply a model with useful income to supplement a regular income. And who wouldn’t want that?

The benefits of commercial modelling are apparent to everyone. Commercial modelling places “everyday” people in promotions and advertising campaigns, thus the model’s task is to represent the client to a large customer base: usually the general public. That’s why a lot of commercial models don’t require specific modelling experience. Confidence, knowledge of the client and an outgoing character are important qualities all successful commercial models require, and the more jobs a model takes on, the more in demand they become. Naturally, more bookings should follow, equating to more money.

When it comes to hard facts, the amount is difficult to disclose. If we were pushed to mention a figure, commercial models can earn from £150 per assignment, right up to thousands of pounds. Sometimes – not taking into account travel – a commercial modelling job may only last a few hours. Our commercial models certainly have fun, and earn more than most for their efforts, so the work ranks highly in terms of payment and is well worthwhile.

Finance can be a tricky subject. Fees, too, are difficult to negotiate successfully. Fortunately for you lucky bunch, Models Direct has skilled booking agents who correspond with our clients, ensuring our models are paid fairly with some of the best rates in the industry. Additionally, we discuss travel expenses and transport options, as well as food and drink, so taking care of our talented partners is an essential part of our business.

Crucially, we don’t allocate any modelling assignments on the basis of “TFP” – “Time for Prints”. This is where models and photographers have an arrangement where neither party is paid, but they both receive the photographs from their collaboration. It’s designed to be symbiotic – whereby both model and photographer benefit – however this way of working isn’t for everyone. All our model’s assignments are paid work, getting the most out of our client’s needs and our model’s talent.

So, to summarize. Fees are dependent on the following:

• The client’s budget. Loosely speaking, the larger the client, the bigger the budget.
• The time of the year. Do clients set aside more promotional budgets for the summer than, say, January?
• The scale of the job. Obviously, a job requiring days rather than hours will command higher fees.
• A model’s experience. Generally, an experienced model’s fees are higher than those of a newcomer (although inexperienced talent is always welcome!) 
• Additional talents. Models who can also act, sing, or play an instrument may very well achieve higher fees.

Models Direct is a top trusted UK agency through which paid models thrive, have fun, and increase their regular wages. Click here to see how some our models have fared.

You’ll soon be gaining contacts and benefitting from enjoyable work, complete with extra income in your back pocket!