Once or twice a year, Creative Sports Photography issues a "model call."
You might have seen other photographers do this too. And you might be wondering what the heck is a model call and is it worth it?
Today I want to lay out everything you need to know about CSP's model calls to help you decide if it's something you'd like to take advantage of.
What is a "Model Call" anyway?
I've been blessed since starting Creative Sports Photography to have worked with young athletes who play an amazing variety of sports, from Track & Field to Softball, from Swimming to Football, from Competitive Dance to Field Hockey.
However, when I look at the portfolio, I might notice a sport that's missing. For example, I've always wanted to work with a surfer, but as of today, I haven't.
I might also see that I've worked with a lot of athletes from a small number of schools or towns. But as of yet, maybe there's a high school with athletes I haven't worked with, a place I'd really like to get to know and to whom I'd like to provide this portrait service.
That's usually what prompts a "Model Call."
The goal is to provide opportunities to expand CSP's reach and portfolio, and a Model Call gives clients benefits like lower costs as a "Thank You" for participating.
Am I look for "models" like you see in magazine advertisements? Absolutely not.
I'm looking for you. I'm looking for young athletes who are a perfect match for the kind of high end portrait services I provide.
How do Model Call Portrait Sessions work?
Model Call Portrait Sessions work exactly like a normal portrait session. There's really no difference.
Which means you'll get the VIP treatment and a gallery of high end athlete portraits that regular paying clients receive. And at a lower cost.
*A regular athlete portrait session costs $245. Instead, for a Model Call session, you'll pay only $99.
*Pricing is current as of January 2025 and is subject to change.
As a token of appreciation, you'll receive for free three digital files (JPGs) with Creative Sports Photography's logo discreetly placed.
Yeah, free.
During the next three weeks, if you make three separate social media posts with those files, tagging Creative Sports Photography and telling everyone how amazing the experience was, that unlocks another benefit.
That benefit is 33 percent off you next order of prints or digital files from the gallery.
How does CSP benefit?
There are a number of ways a Model Call session helps Creative Sports Photography and its team.
For one, you're helping expand the portfolio so I can showcase what's possible to your sport's community.
The behind-the-scenes footage and the images will be used in CSP's marketing, which is an enormous incentive to provide clients with those free downloads and the opportunity to have 33 percent off a print or digital order.
You're also helping my team build its experience. I may have a new member of my team I'm training, and it's important for them to see how the whole athlete portrait process works.
When does CSP issue Model Calls
Once or twice a year, Creative Sports Photography on its social media channels will issue a Model Call Week.
It's a whole week dedicated to issuing one Model Call a day.
These have been wildly successful in the past, and I can assure you that at least one is planned for the upcoming year. Maybe more.
So if you aren't already, make sure you're following Creative Sports Photography at:
Keep your eyes open there. You never know when a Model Call Week is announced.
Got questions? Want to know if your sport or activity qualifies? Shoot me an email at the address below.
Dave Pidgeon is the owner and chief image maker at Creative Sports Photography, a second-to-none athlete portrait service based in Lancaster, Pa., and available anywhere. You can contact him at dave@creativesportsphotography.com.
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