Giving prints/files to a paid model?

[stevenD]

Early on I did a few paid Shoots and I did not give them any files/prints nor did they expect to get any.

It really depends on your deal, if a Model will knock off some money for files, then why not...

my .02

[sflimey]

I'm in the same boat. I had a long conversation with a new photographer today. The way I look at it is this even on a tfp shoot, chances are you'd be supplying the a studio to shoot, a makeup artist (no point in shooting if your not using a professional mua!!), maybe a hair stylist, your equipment. Then your time for their time. So even on that basis its not really a fair trade unless they are vastly more experienced than you are. If on top of all that you are paying the model for their time, I see no reason to give them any images unless you received some sort of discount for giving them images. When you are giving away you work you are demonstrating that you see no financial value to your work and time. Unless your shooting someone that is going to be huge for your career there's no reason that you need PR if your prepared to pay for your models. Unless you live in some small community that has a extreme shortage of "model" I wouldnt even concern yourself with the word of mouth that the model will give saying how you not only paid them to shot but then gave away some images as well.

I know I sound jaded but really unless you see the model as a future source of income or referrals leaning to income (be really careful about those promises as well). Pay her what you agreed upon and remember she's in your employee during that time, and make sure you get what you needed for the time you paid for. Concertrate on making those images good enough that you dont need a model talking you up to get more people to shoot with.

[SteveB]

I once had a top model (several national ads both print and TV) that she never recieves images after commercial shoots. She has to wait until the ads run to see the final image. If you have interest in working with the model again for personal projects you may want to send her images, otherwise let it go!