Hire activewear models for product photos and ads
To hire activewear models, post a casting that names the pieces, the sizes you sell, the movements on camera (studio poses, running, lifting, yoga), the dates, the rate and where the images will run, then book from verified adult applicants on a signed agreement. ModelContracts gives activewear and athleisure brands a usage rider and a model release with every booking, and the agency fee is shown before you confirm.
Activewear sells on fit and movement, so the model has to move
Shoppers judge leggings by squat opacity, seam placement and compression, and sports bras by support. A flat lay or a mannequin cannot answer that. Brands that book well decide the garments, the size range and the movements before they post, so applicants know whether they are cast for a clean ecommerce shot or an action campaign.
- Ecommerce product pages in a full size range, front, back and detail
- Lookbook and seasonal drop campaigns shot in studio or on location
- Action sequences for yoga, running, lifting and cycling that show fit in motion
- Paid social and marketplace ads that need clear usage for each placement
- Size inclusive casting across extended sizes, with a plus size models brief where needed
- Athletic builds for performance lines, cast through our fitness models brief
Name the garments, sizes and movements before models apply
A vague casting gets headshots instead of people who can do the job. State what the camera will see.
- Pieces and number of looks per model, with the size you will fit each model into
- Body type and size range, stated as measurements rather than adjectives
- Movements required, and whether the model needs real skill (yoga poses, running form, lifting)
- Studio or outdoor location, weather plan and changing area
- Hair, makeup and nail guidance so the garment stays the focus
- Where the images will run and for how long, so usage is priced into the rate
Agency, freelance site, social media direct messages or ModelContracts
Finding the right body and skill range
- Traditional agency
- Booker sends a package
- Freelance gig site
- You sort replies yourself
- Instagram direct messages
- Hit or miss, no screening
- ModelContracts
- One casting, verified adults apply with photos and measurements
Rate
- Traditional agency
- Day rate plus client service fee
- Freelance gig site
- Package price
- Instagram direct messages
- Negotiated each time
- ModelContracts
- You set the rate, agency fee of 10% to 20% shown before booking
Usage rights
- Traditional agency
- Negotiated per campaign
- Freelance gig site
- Rarely written down
- Instagram direct messages
- Usually verbal
- ModelContracts
- Usage written into the booking
Model release
- Traditional agency
- Agency paperwork
- Freelance gig site
- Often missing
- Instagram direct messages
- Often missing
- ModelContracts
- Signed with every booking and stored
Age and ID check
- Traditional agency
- Done by the agency
- Freelance gig site
- Your responsibility
- Instagram direct messages
- Your responsibility
- ModelContracts
- Every model verified as 18 or older
Repeat shoots each season
- Traditional agency
- Re-brief every time
- Freelance gig site
- Start the search again
- Instagram direct messages
- Start the search again
- ModelContracts
- Invite models you already booked
Best for
- Traditional agency
- Large national campaigns
- Freelance gig site
- One-off test shots
- Instagram direct messages
- Quick creator style content
- ModelContracts
- Brands shooting every drop and season
From brief to signed booking in four steps
1. Write the brief. Garments, sizes, movements, dates, hours, rate and where the images will run.
2. Post the casting. Verified adult models apply with their portfolio, and you can invite people you already like.
3. Shortlist and book. Compare applicants side by side, then book. The agreement is generated with rate, hours, cancellation and usage.
4. Shoot and pay. Approve the actual hours after the wrap, the model is paid and the signed model release form stays on file with the booking.
What an activewear shoot costs on ModelContracts
You set an hourly or half day rate, the model accepts or declines, and your plan sets the agency fee: 20% on Starter, 15% on Studio, 12% on Agency and 10% on Enterprise. Models never pay anything. Activewear days are physical and involve many outfit changes, so many models set a four hour minimum and ask for breaks. A simple example: two models for a four hour session at $75 an hour is $600 in rate, plus a 15% fee of $90 on the Studio plan, so $690 before photographer and studio. Market rates by model type are in our guide to the cost to hire a model for a photoshoot.
Activewear images get reused in ads far more than brands plan for
A frame shot for a product page often ends up in paid social, a marketplace listing, an email and a retailer deck. Each needs rights. Name the media, the term and the territory in the booking, and price wide usage before the shoot rather than after. Model usage rights explains how term and territory change the price, and the model booking agreement post lists every clause worth writing down. If the plan is mostly paid placements, read how to hire models for paid social ads first.
Built for brands that sell activewear and athleisure
For general lookbook casting see hire models for clothing brand.
- 01 Direct to consumer activewear labels with regular drops
- 02 Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers moving from mannequin shots to on-model images
- 03 Yoga, running and cycling apparel brands that need models with real movement skill
- 04 Gym, studio and team merchandise brands
- 05 Photographers and small studios casting for activewear clients
FAQ
How do I hire activewear models?
Post a casting that lists the garments, sizes, movements, dates, rate and usage. Verified adult models apply with portfolios and measurements. Shortlist the ones who fit, book them on a signed agreement and keep the release with the booking.
How much do activewear models charge?
Rates vary with experience, market and usage. Freelance models on a standard commercial shoot are commonly $50 to $150 an hour, with a minimum block of two to four hours. On ModelContracts you set the rate and see the agency fee before you confirm.
Do activewear models need a model release?
Yes. Activewear images are commercial use, so you need written permission to use the model's likeness. On ModelContracts the release is signed with the booking and stored with it.
Can I cast different sizes for the same activewear line?
Yes. Post one casting with the size range you sell and ask applicants for measurements. Booking models across your size range shows shoppers how each size fits.
Are all models verified adults?
Yes. Every model on ModelContracts is verified as 18 or older before they can apply to a casting.
Show every piece in motion and keep the paperwork in one place
Post one casting, compare applicants side by side, book the people who suit the brief and keep usage and release signed in one record. See how to hire a model step by step or compare model booking platforms.