I said it. “Model Calls” are single handedly ruining not only your Photography Business, but the entire Photography Industry.
Those two little words, Model Call, tell a story.
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You might be thinking- what does Sushi and Photography have in common. Don’t worry- we will get there.
A model call says.
I am desparate.
I can’t get clients in the door.
I don’t know what I am doing.
I don’t value my own time or talent.
It makes our “models” feel like.
They are doing us a favor.
That they should get something for free.
That you aren’t a real business owner.
That you don’t deserve to be paid.
Let’s take it further: A Model call that gives away the farm and includes all of your images as digital files says.
My images aren’t worth anything.
After all, why would someone come and pay you for a session when for months or maybe even years they have seen you doing model call after model call- giving away everything for free.
Model Calls make your clients feel like they are doing you a favor, and in the long run are detrimental to your brand image.
Model calls create this mentality from our clients when they share about their portraits. – I am not even exaggerating, I saw a post nearly identical to this on social media recently.
“My daughter did this new photographer a favor and modeled for her. The photos are so good because my daughter is a great model! I think she has a future here, let me know if anyone else needs a model for something.”
A model call, when spun correctly that avoids those two little words creates this type of post on social media.
“My daughter was selected for a special portrait session with Karinda. Didn’t Karinda do a phenomenal job making her look gorgeous?! The experience was so amazing, and she made it easy, most importantly she gave my daughter an entirely new level of confidence. Just look at her, she looks like something right out of a magazine! Karinda is truly magic, if you get a chance, I highly recommend working with her.”
Think about it this way, how do you spin this in a way that makes you sound in desire, and like you are doing them a favor by gifting them a session?
Here is an example of this that I created to illustrate the importance of speaking in a way that adds value.
If someone said “Who wants this free sushi” 
would you hesitate a little thinking “Why is this sushi free? Is it not any good? Why are they desperate to give it away? Is it expired? If nobody is buying it must be terrible? Is there a catch? It must not be legitimate sushi.”
If instead someone said “This phenomenal world renowned chef is setting up a tasting for his brand new fusion sushi, he will only be accepting 10 people at this tasting, each of which will be hand selected by the chef himself. This tasting is typically a $300 value but for this special event if you are selected you get a complementary seat- apply here” You would probably think “Holy crap this sounds amazing, I love good sushi. How cool would it to be selected. I hope he picks me.”
It is all in the way you frame your messaging. You don’t want to sound desperate, you don’t want to sound like you can’t even give it away. You want to frame yourself as an expert, frame your work as valuable and limited, you want to assert your time and talent as valuable.
In scenario #1 – This person gives away entire plates of sushi – and leaves feeling like it was a total failure – like their efforts were a bust. They didn’t get any clients, people just took the free thing, some were probably ungrateful or complained.
In scenario #2- The experience was amazing, the chef put together this 5 star experience. At the end social media was buzzing about how cool the event was. The chef offered those attendees to take some sushi home, to gift the experience to a friend, to purchase their next sushi tasting..he also let them buy extra items outside of their tasting on the day of and made a killing on drinks/deserts.
Both people served the same exact sushi…. But one of these people knew their value and worth.
Ready to stop being the guy that is standing on the corner giving away free sushi?! Ready to take your business out of the “I can’t even give it away” slump. Join us inside Master Your Mind & Money and learn exactly how to take your business from desperate to in demand. Apply here.