There is really no way to express the following without sounding upset. I’m not upset at all – Rather disappointed with the way things have been unfolding.
It used to be that athletes would make money to advertise products. Hell, Michael Jordan made hundreds of millions of dollars advertising for Nike – And in return, Nike made billions. A fair trade I think.
Regretfully, the common and ethical business practice of compensating models in the fitness industry has turned.
Lately, I’ve been asked by numerous models if my images could be used as part of a supplement company’s advertising. In short, the company wants to put their name on our image. I always ask – What are they paying? And you would be astounded at how many models are surprised by this!
Let me elaborate…
I’ve sold a single image for over $40,000.00 with limited rights and usage. Yes, this was for a major corporation with an international advertising campaign, but still, the size and amount are relative. A smaller company with smaller advertising revenues will usually only advertise in certain medias – Thus reducing the costs of usage. I’ve also sold images to companies for advertising for as low as $500.00.
The fitness industry (Smaller supplement companies especially) is too aware of models being naive of this. They often rely on the fact models just want to feel special by giving away words like “sponsorships” for which they pay no money. It’s kind of sad actually.
Imagine this conversation; NIKE, “Hey Michael Jordan, can we use your images to advertise our shoes? You’d get lots of exposure and you could call yourself a “Sponsored Athlete” Think about it, all the other players would be so impressed…. oh, and it doesn’t pay but you would get free shoes.”
I feel for the models, especially since I try to educate them on this and still, they hold their ground and make me feel like I’M the bad guy. So, I’ve decided to put this in a blog to see if I can help educate and add credibility to a market that is going the wrong way. If we don’t stop this, no one will EVER get paid in this industry. Sadly, I kind of called it in my prior post about the decline of the fitness industry. (For the record, MUSCLETECH always paid for images). You can read that post here. For fitness competitors or fitness models, here’s a separate article to shed some light on the industry.
When in doubt, ask yourself, “Is the company making money off me, establishing credibility or using me to market their product?” If the answer to this is yes, then you are providing a valuable service, one that deserves payment.
If we all act in the same fashion, the industry may have no choice but to be honourable and not take advantage of it’s own people.
Share it and help shape our industry for the better! The buttons are on your left.
My 1st IFBB Pro trainer in 2008 explained the fact that there is no money in the fitness businss (only for athletes who model in big advertisements in magazines)…I’m glad he did! It kept my head out of the clouds and focused on competing to reach my goals.
Such a good post! So many models just want to get into print and are willing to do it for free. And the ones that put their foot down get replaced by them.
The problem these days is we allow the positioning to be in the hands of the companies rather than in the value of the athlete. It’s not the companies that is the problem its the mind shift of the athletes.
You see to many athletes are so quick to get a name that the first company that approaches them with SOMETHING, it could be anything they grab! instead of weighing there options as in is this a good fit for me is this company going into the direction I want it this company solid, they sell out! Instead they think I was approached by a company and I must be something because they approached me. You see it’s in the mind set of wanting to be a part of something bigger and overlooking all the interm stuff.
Ask yourself how many athletes do you know are still with the same company they were sponsored with, for any length of time, and if they are you might aught to research that company because they just might be good!
Food for thought…:)
Kent Leckie
Well said Paul…. Cost is not determined by the photo or what it cost to make the photo so much, it’s based of usage and reach and time of usage. The bigger the ad the more EVERYONE should be getting paid….. Photographers and Models fall in love with wanting to get published, but the top professionals will get published a ton and the last time I check most of us aren’t living at home with Mommy and Daddy on a free ride. Get paid for your talent weather your a photographer or model or MUA if someone is making money from you.
thanks paul! i think i said this years ago in a magazine interview and got in trouble for it. your only worth what you believe your worth. any type of modeling is about a product. its not personally about the model, unless you are a celebrity with name recognition. its a business. why buy the cow when you’ll get the milk for free. fitness models work harder than any other type of model to keep themselves in the best condition. professional fitness models should expect from others and themselves that they have monetary worth.
To avoid working for free, sign with a reputable modelling agency. There seems to be a misconception in the fitness industry that big name modelling agencies won’t hire fitness people – they will hire you if they think they can make money with you!
I modelled professionally and I got print, television and even runway work (limited runway work as most fashion clothes didn’t fit me). I made good money doing so (paid my bills). All while being a fit model.
I’ve been saying for years there’s no money in fitness modeling. I’ve signed a handful which have been amazing talents but hard to promote up against others. My opinion to all is 1. Don’t pegion hole yourself as a fitness model. Concentrate or being a talent. Ian Bauer is a prime example. Yes he’s a fitness competitor but he has work enough in the industry to become a S.A.G. Member. #2 like one of the post said, find a reputable agent that would sell you as either a high fashion or commercial print model with the ability to do fitness types of jobs such as under amour, nike, etc. btw ladies…..have you ever walked in a target or Walmart and went to the fitness displays and ever seen a model on the poster with killer guns and traps??No…#3 when taking pics for a headshot or modeling comp, look softer.Take your commercial shots on your down time. Women try be more feminine it hose pics for example Koya Webb is a great example of that.. The average shopper/consumer does not look like a fitness model. Your selling a product not you…. #4 take some acting classes.if you just want to model you won’t last in the industry. It’s a young industry as it is…I hope this helps.
The saddest part is most ‘fitness models’ REFUSE to think or question any of this.
Too bad…as long as there is no voice given to the truth, this will never change.
BE the change you wish you live
I am national figure competitor and you do not want to know how much money I spend a year on my fitness career.
When I realized that there was no money in fitness modeling because supplements do not pay, I almost considered ending my career; but bodybuilding is my passion. And I am not a quitter.
This article could not have come at a better time. This weekend I was approached by a company that wanted to sponsor me by supplying me with a product that I would you only use twice a year. In exchange the company wanted a review with me wearing their logo. In other words. I was to sell my soul for $15.
It is time that fitness competitors and models stop offering their services for free. If I am willing to work out 6 days a week eat 6 meals a day, watch my carb intake and deprive myself from most of life enjoyments I expect to be compensated if a company wants to put their name behind mines.
I am valuable. I work very hard to be where I am. I know my worth.
It is time that fitness competitors and models stop offering their services for free. If I am willing to work out 6 days a week eat 6 meas a day, watch my carbs intake and deprive myself from most of life enjoyments I expect to be compesated if a company wants to put their name behing mines.
I am valuable. I work very hard to be where I am. I know my worth.
Thanks for posting this – i was beginning to think i was alone with my thoughts.
I have been heartbroken for years working with beautiful wonderful girls who do not see and understand their own value and give themselves away for a pair of underwear. Work many hours presenting or demoing the product and putting their name and reputation behind their sponsor, in order to get a free tee shirt or some product that actually costs the sponsor 20.00 to make.
These are hobbies and not business oriented people. If they started looking at the sponsorship as a job offer they might take a different approach and ask how many hours for much per hour. But they look at it like an opportunity to be promoted by the exaggerated stories of the sponsor. And of course this promotion never materializes because the sponsor has no money to pay his employees so how will he pay for advertising.
It is not the industry itself it is the low life shysters in it. Just like any industry there are the low end people who use and abuse others without remorse.
Don’t forget the failed photographers who offer free sessions to all competitors, begging the girls to spend time with them and also only offer the product they produce which has no value in the marketplace. The competitors get some photos they do not have to pay for and think that is a good deal when in fact they should be thinking they were asked to be USED only if they are cheap and free.
Your not the only one feeling badly for the way models are treated outside of normal ethical business practices. But there have been people seeking to take advantage of pretty girls throughout history and they will continue as long as they are able to find innocent trusting and gullible people.
Keep in mind the industry does to pay ?
Only the people who work for a compliment and a pat on the back can say that.
Everyone else can and will be paid.
So ridicule those who claim to be sponsored instead of idolizing them and things will change.
I am an IFBB Pro and a fitness model. I refuse to participate in what I can “modern Slavery” of the Fitness Industry! Even us top athletes and models barely make enough money to EVEN SUPPORT OUR FITNESS CAREER.. let alone make a living for ourselves or our families!
I am trying to make change within the industry but it is hard to do alone!
Thank you for bringing this to light!!!
Kavvy Sonhos