Usage & buyout calculator
Turn a session fee into a usage quote: pick the media, territory, term and exclusivity, and see the talent fee to quote.
The job
All factors are example values for the method, not market rates. Replace them with your agency’s own rate card.
The quote
| Session fee | €1,000 |
| Media factor (sum) | 1.00× |
| Territory × term × exclusivity | 1.00× |
| Usage / buyout fee | €1,000 |
| Talent fee to quote | €2,000 |
The talent fee is before the agency fee and tax. See how it splits in the commission calculator.
The method behind the calculator
Most usage quotes follow the same logic: start from the session fee (what the model earns for the time on set), then add a payment for each way the client will use the images. Wider media, a larger territory, a longer term and exclusivity each increase the price.
Usage fee = session fee × sum of media factors × territory factor × term factor × (1 + exclusivity surcharge)
Writing the quote this way has a practical advantage: when a client asks “what if we add outdoor” or “what if we run it for two years”, you change one factor and the answer is consistent with your earlier quotes.
What each part means
- Media: where the images appear. Organic social, paid ads, e-commerce, print, outdoor, TV and packaging usually carry different weights.
- Territory: the countries where the media runs. Online media is visible everywhere, so define territory by where the campaign is targeted.
- Term: how long the client may use the material, counted from first use or from the shoot date. Say which one in the booking confirmation.
- Exclusivity: when the model may not work for competing brands during the term. It limits the model’s income, so it is paid separately.
Put it in writing
The usage you priced must appear, word for word, in the booking confirmation and in the model release. A full explanation of how agencies price and renew usage is in our guide Usage fee and buyout fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is a usage fee?
A payment for the right to use the images or footage of a model in specific media, in a specific territory, for a specific time. It is quoted on top of the session fee for the shoot day.
What is a buyout?
A buyout is a usage fee that covers a broad package of rights, sometimes all media, worldwide or for a long term. It is still a usage fee and should state exactly what it covers and for how long.
Why are the factors editable?
Usage pricing depends on the market, the client and the model. The calculator gives you a transparent method; the numbers must come from your own rate card and negotiation.
How do I quote a renewal?
Run the same calculation for the new term and media. Many agencies quote renewals before the original term ends, so the client does not keep using images without a valid licence.
Does the usage fee include the agency fee?
No. The calculator returns the talent fee. The agency fee to the client and the commission from the model are calculated on top, for example with our commission calculator.