Photographers, stop doing free model calls - do this instead
Watch the video - just click on the image below.
If you think model calls are all about giving your work away for free, think again. Most photographers get this completely wrong, and it’s costing them dream clients.
Welcome to the second video in the Paid Model Call series. Today, we’re going to talk about what a model call really is—and what it’s not.
If you’re new here, I’m Stine. I’m a photographer and creative business owner with over 15 years of experience. I now help photographers just like you build sustainable dream photography businesses without the burnout.
Over the years, I’ve run multiple campaigns—some bringing in more than $12,000 in just one month—all by repositioning what I already offered.
If you want to start attracting paying clients today, you can download my free starter kit below. It’s part of the Paid Model Call Method and covers the three key changes you need to make to start making money.
It's called the starter kits for the paid model call method, and you can just download by clicking on the link above.
Mindset Shift: From Giveaway to Exclusive Experience
The first thing to understand is the big mindset shift. We need to move away from the “free giveaway” approach and instead focus on creating an exclusive experience for your clients.
For example, in my “Becoming 30s” campaign, I framed the session as a celebration of the decade of being in their 30s.
Clients had the opportunity to share their personal stories of transformation and transitions, and we documented those stories in words and pictures. People felt honored to be part of it, and it translated directly into sales.
When clients see the true value of something and understand it,
Make Your Offer Feel Premium
The second key point is pricing and positioning. Your offer should feel premium, not discounted.
Many photographers offer $99 session fees—I’ve done it too—but it usually attracts the wrong clients. Instead, pack value into your sessions. People pay when they see the value.
For example, I sold a $250 session fee that included:
Hair and makeup
Wardrobe + session consultation
The actual session
An ordering session
I also included a complimentary image—but here’s the catch: I chose the image, not the client.
That image was intended for a magazine I created for my project, which wouldn’t be published for six months. Communicating this created an incentive for clients to purchase immediately while also managing expectations about when they’d receive their images.
Key takeaway: Complimentary images should be an add-on to what clients are buying—they shouldn’t be handed out for free if nothing is purchased.
I packed so much value into $250 that clients felt it was a great deal. The entire system—from call-out to landing page, consultations, and session—made it a no-brainer. Even seven or eight years later, people still talk about it in local business communities online.
Learning From Mistakes
I want to be honest with you: I didn’t get this right immediately. It took years of trial and error. Here are some mistakes I made:
Giving complimentary images too early. Sending sneak peeks before a purchase kills the excitement. Always attach complimentary images to a purchase.
Not pre-framing the investment. I didn’t talk about what products clients would end up with before the session. Focusing only on the experience led to many “no-sales” moments at ordering appointments. Educate clients from the start that they’ll be investing in products.
Boundaries Create Value
Boundaries are crucial. Limiting spots, defining your purpose, and setting clear expectations makes clients feel part of something important.
Ask yourself:
How far are you willing to go?
How much work are you willing to put in?
Will you cold-call or get clients on the phone? etc.
For me, I’m an introvert and hate phone calls, so that wasn’t part of my strategy. Your boundaries help protect your time and energy while reinforcing the value of what you offer.
What’s Next
Now that you understand what a model call really is and how to create an elevated experience, in the next video, I’ll show you when to use model calls—because you shouldn’t be running them all the time.
Make sure to subscribe to my channel to watch all my upcoming videos.
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The Paid Model Call Method Ebook
Stine x
Hey, I’m Stine, I’m a photographer, coach and digital creator creating resources to help portrait photographers build the business of their dreams and a life on their own terms.
Thanks for stopping by! Sx
