Petite models work! And they get paid! The pay range is a wide spectrum–it depends on how good your agent is at negotiating, and what your rates are as a model. In this article, I share everything you need to know about the types of jobs you can book and how you can make money as a petite model.
What is a Petite Model?
Petite models are shorter than high fashion models, standing at 5’6 and below. We often book commercial, beauty, eComm, and parts work. Many commercial jobs pay much more than high fashion runway jobs.
In this article, I will primarily discuss rates as an agency signed petite model. Freelance modeling (as an unsigned model without an agency) typically pays substantially less, because clients offer lower rates to unsigned models especially when it comes to usage agreements.
Note about Model Compensation
Model salaries vary depending on the rate of a job or the rate of a model. The numbers I share in this article are the rates I have observed as a commercial model in the NY/LA markets, through the agencies I have worked with. Some agencies might have higher paying clients, and negotiate higher rates for their models, but as a commercial model in NY/LA, these are the rates I have observed.
How Models are Paid
For front of camera jobs, model compensation is broken down into day rate (also known as session fee) and usage, sometimes with a fitting fee included as well.
Day rate/session fee is what the model is paid for being on set and shooting the job.
Usage fees are what the model is paid for their face being shown in the final campaign, and for how much time. Never sign an agreement for usage in perpetuity. This will prevent you from booking with competing clients in the future. And rates for usage in perpetuity are often never worth it.
Models may also get asked for a fitting before the shoot date, so that their outfits are approved by the client. Typically they will get paid for 2 – 3 hours of fitting fees.
As an agency signed model, my agency typically doesn’t send me jobs less than $1,000 of combined day rate and usage (before paying agency commission).
If you’d like to learn more about how much commercial models actually make, feel free to check out my YouTube video here:
Commercial/Lifestyle Modeling
Commercial and lifestyle modeling requires elevated relatability. Models who get booked for commercial and lifestyle work have images in their portfolio with huge smiles. Commercial modeling also has the widest spectrum of characters you might play. I have booked jobs playing a mom, an office worker, best friend, and just an overall very happy individual. Commercial models typically tell a story via stills, and highlight the product while doing so. Below are some commercial campaigns I have shot.
How much Commercial/Lifestyle modeling pays
Pay for commercial/lifestyle modeling varies widely. It depends on the brand, industry, and usage rates.
Day rate: $500 – $750
Usage: $1,000 – $5,000 for 1 to 2 years of usage.
Fitting: $45 – $60/hour
Usage renewal for beyond 2 years is typically at 10% higher than the original usage.
The rates I typically see range between $1,200 – $4,000 all inclusive of session fee, fitting fee, and usage. The higher paying jobs I cast for are pharmaceutical companies, which can range from $4,000 – $10,000 all in.
Parts Modeling
Parts modeling is a great option for petite models, as macro shots are taken focusing on the product with the model’s body parts. This can be hands, legs, or macro shots of your face. Here are some parts modeling jobs I have worked:
The most common parts modeling is with hands, which requires your hands to be moisturized and well-maintained, with no scars.
How Much Parts Modeling Pays
The rates for Parts modeling is very similar to Commercial/Lifestyle Modeling, since there is a session fee and usage fee.
Day rate: $500 – $750
Usage: $1,000 – $2,000
eCommerce
EComm consists of the model shooting the clothes for all of the SKUs of a brand to be posted on their website. Models shoot each outfit with many different poses, and cycle through tens of outfits per shoot day.
While eComm can be more monotonous, it can be a consistent paycheck. I personally have never worked eComm, but I had a friend who had a consistent monthly eComm client which would cover her rent with one day on set.
Rates: $1k – $5k, potentially more.
Fit Modeling
In fit modeling the model tries on clothes for designers to understand where they need to make adjustments to the garment. It’s a technical job, and sometimes models are asked for feedback, in which case they must use the correct technical terms to describe what they are experiencing.
(ie “The back rise feels too angled” when referring to how pants fit on you)
Models do not give feedback on the designs, only on how the clothing fits on their body. Typically the designer already can see what needs to be changed when the model wears the clothes.
Fit models are required to keep their measurements consistent, as brands like to use the same fit models on a weekly or monthly basis.
Fit models get paid anywhere from $300 – $600 per hour. This is simply for time in-office, as there is no usage component. Work can be quite consistent–many fit models work multiple hours per week, and sometimes with multiple brands.
Height does not matter in fit modeling, since brands need fit models that align with the consumer. Brands often hire many different fit models for the different sizes they sell. Fit modeling opportunities occur anywhere there is a garment district.
Rates: $300 – $600/Hour on average
Beauty Modeling
Beauty modeling focuses primarily on shoulders, face, and hands. Beauty modeling jobs are my favorite types of jobs, because sometimes they allow models to be more creative with posing and facial expressions.
How Much Beauty Models Get Paid
Rates for beauty modeling are similar to commercial/lifestyling modeling, as there are day rate and usage fees.
Day rate: $500 – $750
Usage: $1,000 – $3,000
Usage renewal for beyond 2 years is typically at 10% higher than the original usage.
Tips for Success
Now that you know how much industry standard is for each type of job, don’t undersell yourself, especially around usage. Never sign for usage in perpetuity, because usage is compensated per year. Signing for usage in perpetuity will prevent you from booking jobs from competing clients in the future. Do not do it.
Work with an agency that works with clients regularly. The backbone of every successful model is strong digitals. Outside of that, you’ll need to build a strong portfolio that helps clients envision you in the role. Continue shooting with photographers on TFPs to keep practicing your skills in front of the camera.
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