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Finding -- and keeping -- good models can be difficult. Because of atelier experiences in which "long pose" or portrait models quit after about 75 or 85% of the work had been done, I have for my own portrait practice hired models on the basis of, say, $8/hour, paid each session, with the promise of a $2/hour bonus payable *upon completion of the portrait*. The closer you get to finished, the more the model loses if she/he quits. Of course, some discretion is required. A professional model might refuse or be offended by such an arrangement. But a student trying to pay the rent may not lightly walk away from the bonus payment.
If you're not quite ready for commissions and need practice more than sales, consider offering the finished portrait to the model as payment, or as a complement to a reduced hourly payment. Take some good photographs of the finished work, for your portfolio.
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