How to Use Model Calls for Marketing Your Business

What can you post on social media or your blog when some of your clients are hesitant to have their beautiful images posted online after their session? It’s so important to create regular content so that the algorithms see you as relevant, thereby showing your hard work to the deserving masses who need your services.

I understand and respect my clients’ desire for privacy more though, even when I love their images so much I wish I could share even just one. But, I don’t want to deny a family an opportunity to book a portrait photograph simply because they don’t want their images to be posted on my website for marketing purposes.

I have actually had several of those sort of clients in recent weeks, and have had to pivot when thinking about what type of content to post to my blog and social media pages. Enter the Model Call!!

A Model Call is just that, an appeal put out to your followers and friends that you are looking for models for a specific project. Model calls can be paid or discounted sessions, they are paying for the privilege of being featured, or you may choose to offer them for free in return for the model signing off that the images may be used at the photographer’s discretion for marketing online or in print materials.

The beauty of the model call is that you the photographer call the shots. You can specify the type of project, who you’re looking for, what they should wear, where they need to show up and when. Do you like outdoor urban scenes or boho studio setups, or something totally different altogether.

Let your creativity go wild as you plan what you want. Make sure it stays on brand with your overall style, but if you’re looking to break into a new style of photography then model calls are definitely the way to test out those images prior to booking paying clients.

You can advertise your upcoming model call project on your social media pages, send out a request to your email list, or just network word of mouth among friends and mom groups in person or online, for instance.

Check out my opt-in form below if you’d like to be put on a list to receive updates about upcoming model calls with prairie girl co. | Photography.

I want to be a model! Sign me up!

This post highlights one such VERY willing model call client who gets paid for her sessions in copious amounts of treats. Her idea of a great afternoon is doing whatever she’s asked as fast as possible so that the treat factory keeps pumping out the goods. I love all my model call clients, the two legged and four legged varieties. They help build my online portfolio and we have a fun working relationship that is mutually beneficial.

If you see me advertise that I’m hosting a model call and you fit the criteria of that project, don’t hesitate to reach out! Better still, opt-in to my mailing list so that the updates come straight to your inbox.

Note regarding this particular model: Any time you see her on my website or socials with her head down it’s a trained “cute” behavior being asked of her. She’s in no way emoting any emotion other than hurry up and pay me, so don’t let those sad eyes fool you! She’s being paid very well for her efforts. lol.

-xo Trisha