Tinder for Photographers and Models: Romey.co

Now, photographers and models have their own Tinder-like mobile app called Romey.co. Romey.co is a global marketplace, connecting companies, bookers, models, and photographers where everyone is empowered, and everyone wins, changing the paradigm in an industry notorious for being cutthroat. Models and photographers download the app (iOS and Android) and use it to match intelligently with each other so they can keep active portfolios and network. The app's algorithms match you based on your profile and preferences, so you spend less time searching and more time connecting. 

Jerome Rault, the founder of Romey.co, notes:

Romey came out of necessity. I was sick of seeing really great talent simply get left behind because they didn't have the right contacts or knowledge about how to network, grow great portfolios, and get paid jobs. I saw a way that we could help the whole industry, not just the top 0.01% at elite agencies, by creating a marketplace.

Jerome is a Melbourne, Australia based developer and media entrepreneur. He says he built Romey.co so that models, photographers, and companies could be empowered to deal directly with each other and so that effort would be rewarded with paid jobs. He's a filmmaker with a digital advertising and marketing agency called Jerome Rault Media, and back at university, he took some photography classes. “And I loved them,” he says.

As an amateur photographer, I was so keen to network and get shoots going, but I found the process of shout-outs on Facebook or posting castings on websites laborious and ineffective. You're getting contact from all these people, and you spend time getting to know them only to find out they're not right for you, or not available when you are, or not who they pretend to be. It's a nightmare!” Digital Media is my thing, and I knew what to do to make this process easy. I couldn't believe no one had bothered. Of course, it took 14 months to build, so maybe that's why!

Armed with these experiences, he created a global marketplace: Romey.co

I found Romey.co simple to use. It matches photographers and models that have shared interests and availability, so they can organize free collaboration or paid work. Cleverly, Romey.co only connects photographers and models if they like each other's profiles, so no time is wasted on dead ends. If you match, then you just start a conversation for your upcoming shoot right in the app. Cool. 

Benefits for Photographers and Models

The app's structure is very similar to well-known social matching app Tinder, but make no mistake, this is serious business. On Romey.co, photographers and models create their profiles, including uploading images that reflect their style, choosing the types of photography they like doing and more. You specify what days and times you are usually available for collaboration and the algorithm will match you depending on your preferred locations, times, and more. Interestingly, both models and photographers are eligible for paid-only work posted through the Romey.co website by companies, and they just opt in to be considered for jobs that interest them — one click job applications! Romey.co doesn't take a commission from talent, but charges a subscription of $5-10 per month to receive paid jobs (we got you a free 12-month subscription, though; see the end of this article).   

Benefits for Companies

One of the really commendable things about the Romey.co marketplace is that it encourages paid work. Designers, clothing brands doing catalogs and look books, companies needing headshots or event coverage, couples getting married or whoever cannot (or will not) afford the budgets of production companies and model agencies can post jobs directly to models and photographers listed on the app. Models and photographers just opt in with one click via the app or an email if they want to be in consideration for the job. That's it. The company makes a shortlist from these applicants directly on the website and just connects with the photographers and models they like best. Romey.co charges $10 to post a job to up to 100 models or photographers.

For more complex needs, such as photoshoots with multiple models or photographers, a feature called “Talent Searches” allows companies to generate interest in their brand by creating a viral campaign around photoshoots. Imagine running a Talent Search for the “Face of Your Brand 2016.” Photographers and models who apply are both advocates and potential clients since they readily associate with your brand and are keen to work with you. Romey.co then encourages them to share about you when you promote the Talent Search or announce shortlisted candidates and finalists. It's great for their profile and yours. Plus, you all get to promote the actual photoshoot, while retaining ownership of content based on the terms you set together. You're the boss now — imagine that!

In short, any company or booker who wants to use their own unique images rather than stock images can find models and photographers on Romey.co almost instantly with their own budget and terms set. 

More Features and Footnotes

Romey.co is a worldwide app, but it's still pretty light on numbers in some cities. I think it's only a matter of time before every major city fills up, though, since it's free to use. Also noteworthy, when traveling, you can start matching with local talent in advance by changing your search location in the app before you go on a vacation. Profiles you like will be prompted to match with you, and they can see if you have added travel dates. As a traveling photographer with little spare time, I think this is a particularly useful feature.

Most of you may think you already have platforms that you can create casting alerts from (like Model Mayhem), but Romey.co is quite different in its style, usability, and end users. Especially considering the real models who use the app, I recommend giving it a try.

Jerome is offering a free upgrade to Pro or Elite for 12 months to FStoppers readers (this is only for a limited time so get in quick). Mention Fstoppers in your bio and, as long as your profile meets Romey.co standards for each level, he will upgrade you for free.