If you have a non-exclusive contract with your agent, this frees you up to do work with other companys without having to worry about agent loyalty. Another perk is that when you freelance your own projects/gigs, you get to keep 100% of the profits...no agency involvement, no percentage!
Be cautious when you begin freelancing and have an idea of what kind of work you want to be booked for and who you want to work with. I've already spoken about Craigslist but this is a good site where many freelance models get the bulk of their gigs.
Choose wisely and only choose projects that are paying. Being a start-up company or working on virtually no budget is an understandable situation but you as a model need to make a living as well, plus because you already have agency representation and a resume, you should demand to be paid what you're worth.
If the gig in question is negotiable when it comes to payment, think carefully about how much you want to charge. Most photo shoots tend to be a few hours long or as short as 1 1/2- 2 hours. For shorter shoots, charge a flat rate and for shoots that will last longer than 3-4 hours, charge hourly. Play around with rates and see what pay you feel comfortable working for.
If a pay rate isn't already set for a gig, I'll charge no less than $75/hour and $200 flat rate, give or take depending on the project and what it involves..but that's me. Some people think that's too high to pay--some think it isn't high enough. Don't worry about people turning you down because of what you charge.
Good, reputable clients are always willing to pay a fair rate for a good model. You get what you pay for so know your worth and start freelancing in your free time. It's an excellent way to continue to build your portfolio and make more money!
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