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Economics of fitness modeling and photography


Studsearcher

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I’m hoping someone here can shed some light on this. Since I joined Instagram I’ve seen hundreds of bodybuilders and aesthetic guys posting about traveling for modeling shoots In Miami, LA, etc. The thing is, these shoots usually don’t seem to have any purpose that I can tell. There is never any follow through showing their work in an ad or magazine.

 

I’m curious - how do the economics work? Are the models being paid? How do the photographers make money? It seems like for all the beach photo shoots I see posted on IG I should be seeing more of those photos in real life.

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I can venture some thoughts @Studsearcher.

 

Most male models earn very little. Their income is sporadic yet their maintenance bills are constant (shared apartment rental, gym membership dues, quality food costs etc). Catalogue work used to be well paid but rates have been declining. The only high income for a model now is to be the ‘face/body’ of a new fragrance.

 

In consequence, models often work other jobs and many are receptive to discreet offers. Paid travel to a resort and a complimentary stay can be attractive to many guys. There are many amateur ‘photographers’ who will offer to pay a model for his time and cash-in-hand is usual. Some models will do a great deal more...and some will earn good money.

 

And as @sniper suggests, becoming a social influencer reinforces a model’s standing as would-be clients check a model’s following on social media.

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I've often wondered about this myself. Do you know, @Lchnsf how much Instagram or YouTube pay those with heavy followings? Do they get paid even when they don't endorse products? Most of the men I see who describe themselves as "models" and have hundreds of Instagram photos (sometimes even thousands) rarely show actual photos where they've modeled for print media or on the runway. Some promote ridiculous "nutritional supplements," but I wonder how much that can really bring in. I've noticed a large number of super-handsome men with photos of themselves at resorts in Dubai, Bali, Ibiza, and Thailand, and I suspect that there is someone in those places, such as a rich Emir, who's lavishing on these men in exchange for intimacy. And many show pictures taken from expensive yachts or private jets, obviously from rich men who are paying them for something. I know that it's common for photographers not to charge models if they think that model's photos will enhance their portfolio. The model just gets some great photos in return (called Time For Print).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_for_print

A lot of these studs seem to get money, or try to, by being "personal trainers."

Here's Addis Miller on a yacht in Dubai:

Addis-Miller744.jpg

 

On a private jet:

Addis-Miller729.jpg

 

And on a yacht in Phuket:

Addis-Miller807.jpg

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I like Charles-Laurent's sense of humor in his pictures!......at least he smiles and looks like he's having fun!........good for him!!......

 

(now if some other social media types (and some on this forum.....) could take that lead...........)

 

his IG....full of great shots and cool captions......

 

https://www.instagram.com/laurent.xiv/

Edited by azdr0710
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You’re forgetting Charles-Laurent’s main claim to fame @azdr0710. He’s the first mainstream male model to have been pictured unashamedly - not half-hidden, not in shadow, not artistically hinted at - with his cock out on various sites including Grindr

 

yes, did find those just now.....not bad!!......

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I like Charles-Laurent's sense of humor in his pictures!......at least he smiles and looks like he's having fun!........good for him!!......

 

(now if some other social media types (and some on this forum.....) could take that lead...........)

 

his IG....full of great shots and cool captions......

 

https://www.instagram.com/laurent.xiv/

 

This picture might make you forget about his smile and goofy attitude in front of the camera.

 

charles-laurent-hotel.jpg

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As for these travel things it wouldn't surprise me to find out that there are gay older men with more money that God who just do this for multiple attractive young men just taking a shot that one of them will put out(or feel he has to). Think Bryan Singer pool party but more consensual. You couldn't fuck 50 guys in one night, but if you invite 50 hot guys over and throw some money at them, odds are almost 100% that at least one of them will want to play hoping for more...

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Instagram does not pay posters directly, they are paid direct endorsement deals. On YouTube they make their money when viewers watch the commercials attached to their videos, in addition to commercial endorsements.

 

When I see photos like the ones above, especially when the guy is alone, I have always assumed there is some super rich old guy behind it.

 

I’m more curious about the guys with 20-100k followers (more likely to be in my price range haha) who fly out with a couple other guys to meet a photographer and his assistant for a day of shooting.

 

I guess I can see where the model is getting unique content, a short trip and free prints out of it, but what the heck are these photographers doing with all those photos?

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I've often wondered about this myself. Do you know, @Lchnsf how much Instagram or YouTube pay those with heavy followings? Do they get paid even when they don't endorse products? Most of the men I see who describe themselves as "models" and have hundreds of Instagram photos (sometimes even thousands) rarely show actual photos where they've modeled for print media or on the runway. Some promote ridiculous "nutritional supplements," but I wonder how much that can really bring in. I've noticed a large number of super-handsome men with photos of themselves at resorts in Dubai, Bali, Ibiza, and Thailand, and I suspect that there is someone in those places, such as a rich Emir, who's lavishing on these men in exchange for intimacy. And many show pictures taken from expensive yachts or private jets, obviously from rich men who are paying them for something. I know that it's common for photographers not to charge models if they think that model's photos will enhance their portfolio. The model just gets some great photos in return (called Time For Print).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_for_print

A lot of these studs seem to get money, or try to, by being "personal trainers."

Here's Addis Miller on a yacht in Dubai:

Addis-Miller744.jpg

 

On a private jet:

Addis-Miller729.jpg

 

And on a yacht in Phuket:

Addis-Miller807.jpg

Instagram does not pay posters directly, they are paid direct endorsement deals. On YouTube they make their money when viewers watch the commercials attached to their videos, in addition to commercial endorsements.

 

When I see photos like the ones above, especially when the guy is alone, I have always assumed there is some super rich old guy behind it.

 

I’m more curious about the guys with 20-100k followers (more likely to be in my price range haha) who fly out with a couple other guys to meet a photographer and his assistant for a day of shooting.

 

I guess I can see where the model is getting unique content, a short trip and free prints out of it, but what the heck are these photographers doing with all those photos?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/social-media-influencer-pay.amp

 

I have a friend who works at YouTube, I will ask (though it may make me cry). Bottom like you need to have 100’s of thousands followers.

 

Even publishers require a following to publish a book.

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As for these travel things it wouldn't surprise me to find out that there are gay older men with more money that God who just do this for multiple attractive young men just taking a shot that one of them will put out(or feel he has to)....

 

Really? You think that anyone is going to shell out to fly someone on a private jet or 1st class on Emirates to Dubai without some pretty solid agreement to some hanky-panky? I find that hard to swallow. But I'll never forget the chapter in which John Barrowman made fun of the designer Valentino. The latter invited him on his yacht and lavished him with gifts, promising him a lucrative modeling gig. But John recoiled when Valentino touched him on the neck, and he was subsequently dropped off without the modeling contract. Someone correct me if they know otherwise, but it's difficult for me to imagine even an extremely wealthy man spending tens of thousands of dollars halfway across the world without some assurances of what services will be rendered in exchange.

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How many times have we seen people gush over escorts and from the way the client talks it's clear nothing sexual actually happened? Some people are addicted to the thrill of uncertainty and there are people for whom ten thousand dollars is like ten bucks to regular people. Also that's a level if wealth where things like free hotel rooms get thrown at you and the marginal cost is probably far less than you think. If you're taking a private jet somewhere you're paying by the hour not the number of passengers for example.

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I’m hoping someone here can shed some light on this. Since I joined Instagram I’ve seen hundreds of bodybuilders and aesthetic guys posting about traveling for modeling shoots In Miami, LA, etc. The thing is, these shoots usually don’t seem to have any purpose that I can tell. There is never any follow through showing their work in an ad or magazine.

 

I’m curious - how do the economics work? Are the models being paid? How do the photographers make money? It seems like for all the beach photo shoots I see posted on IG I should be seeing more of those photos in real life.

Instagram is real life. Magazines were last century.

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I met a guy through seekingarranbements. He is a very handsome muscle guy with about 30K followers on IG. He told me he dreamed of going to St Lucia. We went for 5 days together. I didn’t not pay him anything. We stayed at a 4K a night resort. The “sex” was awful and he was boring and self obsessed. Think 17 year old cheerleader. Never again. That was 2017 or so.

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I am acquainted with a model/trainer on IG that flies to exotic regions where we see images of him swimming and hiking in beautiful surroundings. From time to time he flies to far off places such as the middle east to spend time with wealthy men. These are specific men he has known for a long time. No pictures of these trips are posted on IG. He never admits being paid for his time, which is no one's business anyway.

To make ends meet he is a personal trainer and does modeling. One doesn't pry, but he makes comments how his expenses are a challenge sometimes. He has a large IG following. I understand that can help bring income but at some point he'll age out. Must be worrisome.

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I am acquainted with a model/trainer on IG that flies to exotic regions where we see images of him swimming and hiking in beautiful surroundings. From time to time he flies to far off places such as the middle east to spend time with wealthy men. These are specific men he has known for a long time. No pictures of these trips are posted on IG. He never admits being paid for his time, which is no one's business anyway.

To make ends meet he is a personal trainer and does modeling. One doesn't pry, but he makes comments how his expenses are a challenge sometimes. He has a large IG following. I understand that can help bring income but at some point he'll age out. Must be worrisome.

Are his comments on his page or specific to you? He may be sounding you out looking for an offer...

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Are his comments on his page or specific to you? He may be sounding you out looking for an offer...

 

No, these aren't comments he would post, though I do read other IG influencers that share personal stuff, this guy is a private and serious young fellow.

 

And no, I am and will be acquainted through his personal training only.

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  • 1 month later...

I had kind of an odd experience a few months ago (since quarantine started) with an Instagram influencer/model who has been on TV recently. I had liked several of his handsome shirtless pics on the days they were posted, I may have posted a comment or 2 (nothing graphic, just admiring) and he DMed me. At first it was friendly chat and then he offered to do a fitness consultation call. I was surprised but thought what the heck (jeez, what a sexy masculine voice he has). He soon messaged saying that for ($100? $300? I don’t remember right now), he would come up with a program for me that was guaranteed to get me to achieve all my goals and it just sounded too good to be true. Maybe it would work with weekly in-person meetings but not online/by phone, for me anyway. I’m about twice his age and I think people in their 20s can’t fully grasp how much harder it can be to get or stay fit once you’re not in your 20s anymore. Especially when it’s not part of your job to be in top shape, and in fact the job demands a LOT of desk time... But I’m sure he could help some other people. I had a really hot, knowledgeable trainer before I moved to DC and haven’t found an affordable one here yet.

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it just sounded too good to be true. Maybe it would work with weekly in-person meetings but not online/by phone,

 

I give the man full marks for being enterprising and showing interest in helping you @Penn7. Being handsome and shirtless isn’t enough on IG these days, and the costs of good food, a nice place to live etc have to be met somehow..

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I give the man full marks for being enterprising and showing interest in helping you @Penn7. Being handsome and shirtless isn’t enough on IG these days, and the costs of good food, a nice place to live etc have to be met somehow..

Yeah, he seemed really nice. And he was obviously able to get *himself* fit. Helping someone very different get fit is a different matter. :)

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