So You Want to Become a Model? (PLEASE READ POST #1 BEFORE POSTING)

[Blunier]

you dont have to pay for test shoots !!!

That's not correct as blank statement.

In many cases models are asked to pay a reasonable amount for their tests (mabe the prints or some participation beyond the prints but the typical amount varies according to the location). It even happens that an aspiring model is proposed to pay for some preliminary tests before the agency decides but in such case she can normally keep the pictures.

Most important is not to ask if you pay the agency or the photographer as uses may vary, there are no strict rules about that as it depends on local uses.
What ultimately counts is if the agency is legit and working for the model, I mean if they take care of her and help developing her, send her to castings (or abroad), promote her etc.

Of course there are lots of scams around and in some countries laws prohibit agencies to run photography-related businesses though these regulations are unfortunately relatively easily circumvented.
When it comes to fashion modeling there are usually only few (or even very few if any) serious players in any given area so one can find out which agency is reputable or not.
Normally it's also quite easy to tell if a girl has some potential or not, unfortunately most aspiring models have no potential (it's more tricky to decide between serious and top potential though). Unfortunately, many girls without any real potential end trying to join scam (pseudo-)agencies because no real agency is interested in them. Of course due to politically correctness and other, partially valid reasons as opinions and requirements vary and decisions also depend on which type of girls are already signed as your board doesn't need two really similar faces, a girl will often not be told the raw hurting truth.

The fact that local practice varies makes it difficult to give advice in a public forum because for example what is usual in Paris isn't necessary usual in a small local market. Even between major markets there are some differences.

While most advice given is correct, the fact that in a specific case some things are different doesn't necessarily mean that it is a scam excepted when it comes to things like paying formal upfront registration fees (illegal in some locations) or for so-called modeling classes.

In many cases there's a grey zone where something isn't formally illegal though ethically highly questionable.

Blunier

 

[Blunier]

about the contests. i think you should do them only if they are directly created by the big agencies with a good name in the business. like the elite model search. if its with an agency thats not so well known... it might be a scam. (...)

Indeed many national contests are organized locally by someone who pays for the contest license. Similarly, there are also Miss contests which are franchised.

The national Elite Model Look contests are typically organized by local agencies which pay the Elite Licensing Company a fee to be allowed to organize the contest, that explains why the contest level widely varies depending on the country. Even many national Elite agencies are like franchises where one pays locally to be allowed to use the Elite logo etc. Only a few Elite offices are owned by Elite.

This is just to be considered as neutral information and as example. There are various franchised contests.

Blunier

 

[funnyface]

just out of curiosity: elite brazil, owned by Elite or franchise?

 

[BetteT]

thanks! that's it, i'll go to the agencies...
there's tones of big-agencies contests here... John Casablancas just launched one, but it feels like too much work for too little... i met girls who had to give up a lot only to be told they are not good for the business, maybe an agency would be more direct: let's do it, or give up...

John Casablancas is only a school ... not an agency anymore. Has not been for decades. What this means is that they take money to teach wannabe models about makeup, poise, dressing themselves and a little bit of runway and maybe one photoshoot ... something like that. Essentially it's just what they used to call "charm schools" for young ladies to learn how to be a young lady. But it's not the way to become a professional model.

Modeling contests and conventions do what you can do for yourself for free, but they charge you and sometimes it's a lot of money. I won't go into the mis-information that most of them tell you about becoming a model or your potential. Some are legit ... but most are only money makers for the organizers, so of course they will tell you that you have potential ... you have potential profit for them .... word to the wise.

You ahould present yourself to real modeling agencies at open calls and send in your polaroids if they don't have open calls. You will find out soon enough if you are model material ... and if they agree to represent you and they are a good. loegit agency, they will coach you on what you need to know.

 

[Blunier]

just out of curiosity: elite brazil, owned by Elite or franchise?

IIRC it's a franchise as Elite World S.A. in Luxembourg City (Luxembourg) only owns the totally or majority of relatively few subsidiairies like for example Paris, London, Milano, Barcelona etc. but maybe it has changed. They also own participations of Nathalie Paris and Frame London but as said things can change quite quickly.

Elite seems also to focus more on brand merchandising than in the past, or however it could be called (there must be a correct English word but I've forgotten it as English is only my 3rd language).

And BTW you probably know that since the famous problems in the U.S. some time ago, the U.S. Elite agencies are unrelated to the Elite World group though the court decision allowed them to continue to use the Elite brand in the U.S. for model representation.

Blunier

 

[Fontenrose]

thanks! that's it, i'll go to the agencies...
... i met girls who had to give up a lot only to be told they are not good for the business, maybe an agency would be more direct: let's do it, or give up...

there's really great agencies here, but they seem to only work with the top models, rarely new faces...

You can be assured the top agencies are looking for new faces all the time, they are just very particular. They have a pretty good idea of what is wanted in NY or other good markets.

As you have noticed, it is possible to waste a lot of time and money, with bad agencies, or even being a "new face" at good agencies. Agencies do girls a big favour by telling them when it's not going to work.

 

[fashiongirl28]

That's not correct as blank statement.

In many cases models are asked to pay a reasonable amount for their tests (mabe the prints or some participation beyond the prints but the typical amount varies according to the location). It even happens that an aspiring model is proposed to pay for some preliminary tests before the agency decides but in such case she can normally keep the pictures.

Most important is not to ask if you pay the agency or the photographer as uses may vary, there are no strict rules about that as it depends on local uses.
What ultimately counts is if the agency is legit and working for the model, I mean if they take care of her and help developing her, send her to castings (or abroad), promote her etc.

Of course there are lots of scams around and in some countries laws prohibit agencies to run photography-related businesses though these regulations are unfortunately relatively easily circumvented.
When it comes to fashion modeling there are usually only few (or even very few if any) serious players in any given area so one can find out which agency is reputable or not.
Normally it's also quite easy to tell if a girl has some potential or not, unfortunately most aspiring models have no potential (it's more tricky to decide between serious and top potential though). Unfortunately, many girls without any real potential end trying to join scam (pseudo-)agencies because no real agency is interested in them. Of course due to politically correctness and other, partially valid reasons as opinions and requirements vary and decisions also depend on which type of girls are already signed as your board doesn't need two really similar faces, a girl will often not be told the raw hurting truth.

The fact that local practice varies makes it difficult to give advice in a public forum because for example what is usual in Paris isn't necessary usual in a small local market. Even between major markets there are some differences.

While most advice given is correct, the fact that in a specific case some things are different doesn't necessarily mean that it is a scam excepted when it comes to things like paying formal upfront registration fees (illegal in some locations) or for so-called modeling classes.

In many cases there's a grey zone where something isn't formally illegal though ethically highly questionable.

Blunier

dont know
i never paid for a test
my agency is all doing with that . I just go to the tests and leave them and get then the pictures !!! But I dont have any costs for tests ,just for other things ,train,appartment .....

 

[BetteT]

The agency won't ever pay for tests ... it's part of a models marketing costs along with paying for shipping of their books, postage, the actual portfolio, etc. The may not tell you this, but any money they spend on your behalf, comes out of your pay, when you get paid ... in addtion to their commission.

As I explained before, if you have a really good look and are repped by a well known agency, photographers are probably chomping at the bit to "borrow" models to test for their own books and your agent may send you. So no one gets paid and no one pays .. but everyone gets pictures. You may have been lucky enough to be one of those girls .... many are not so lucky to have the right agency or the right look for a photographer, but they still have to get pictures ... so they may have to pay for tests.

 

[fashiongirl28]

yes ,
i am on of this girls

So no one gets paid and no one pays .. but everyone gets pictures. You may have been lucky enough to be one of those girls

 

[model_mom]

It's all a gamble.....you can have all the right qualities,the desire to succeed, photogentic as hell, the best walk in the world and the best agency....but if you don't make the right connections....none of it means s**t. The agency is going to try and get you connected with the best photographers and clients and you may even get a go see or casting for them....then it's all up to lady luck.
It's a crazy business but sometimes it all comes together for some of them.....and that is what most of us want to read and hear about. If you have nerves of steel and enough confidence to sell yourself to a client....along with all the other attributes listed then more power to you....go for it!

 

[Alexandra H.]

That's not correct as blank statement.

In many cases models are asked to pay a reasonable amount for their tests (mabe the prints or some participation beyond the prints but the typical amount varies according to the location). It even happens that an aspiring model is proposed to pay for some preliminary tests before the agency decides but in such case she can normally keep the pictures. ...

The fact that local practice varies makes it difficult to give advice in a public forum because for example what is usual in Paris isn't necessary usual in a small local market. Even between major markets there are some differences.

While most advice given is correct, the fact that in a specific case some things are different doesn't necessarily mean that it is a scam excepted when it comes to things like paying formal upfront registration fees (illegal in some locations) or for so-called modeling classes.

In many cases there's a grey zone where something isn't formally illegal though ethically highly questionable.

Blunier

As a freelance makeup artist I've done the makeup for a number of agency tests; some were paid gigs, some were trade shoots. Invariably it was the photographer who hired me but usually I had no idea who, if anyone, was paying the photographer (in most cases I suspect it was the agency but, of course, they'd recover the costs when the model began making money). When I've worked paid gigs for freelance models they always footed the bill or split the costs with photographers looking for new photos for their books.

Toronto is a small market with relatively few real opportunities for up-and-coming models to plug into name agencies so a lot of girls freelance in fashion (when the opportunities arise) or work as glamour or import models (also small markets here). Unfortunately, the expectations of many of the models I've worked with far exceed the realistic possibilities, but they've got to start somewhere.

 

[funnyface]

John Casablancas is only a school ... not an agency anymore. Has not been for decades.

Oh no. HE, John Casablancas as a person is lauching a contest, it's sponsored by Mundial, a brand that sells manicure-related cosmetics and stuff... he has an agency here in SP too, called Joy MM, it's 3 or 4 months old i don't remember... website: http://www.joymodelmanagement.com/

although it's suppose the contest is suppose to be in the name of the agency, they are using John's, for obvious reason.

 

[funnyface]

oh, also: thanks everybody for your thoughts, it's been very helpful!

 

[LOVEITALL]

It's all a gamble.....you can have all the right qualities,the desire to succeed, photogentic as hell, the best walk in the world and the best agency....but if you don't make the right connections....none of it means s**t. The agency is going to try and get you connected with the best photographers and clients and you may even get a go see or casting for them....then it's all up to lady luck.
It's a crazy business but sometimes it all comes together for some of them.....and that is what most of us want to read and hear about. If you have nerves of steel and enough confidence to sell yourself to a client....along with all the other attributes listed then more power to you....go for it!

Well said model_mom.... you hit the nail on the head. It's a combination of all the above. Bravo to the girls who come out on top - they deserve it and all the success that comes their way. There are so many who try & try and never break through.

 

[cocktaildress]

why am i under the impression that it is harder to break into modeling if you are a brunette? should i dye my hair lighter or what?

 

[tgeezyband]

^ nah leave it like it is or if you get signed let the agency do with it, btw to me I see more brunettes in high fashion, now maybe commercial is more blondies but I doubt that.

 

[BetteT]

It's more to do with your face and your body ... the bookers know a good face when they see it .. they are expert enough to look past the hair color. If they want you to change your hair, they will tell you.

 

[funnyface]

why am i under the impression that it is harder to break into modeling if you are a brunette? should i dye my hair lighter or what?

ohmy! i so have this impression too! and i'm a brunette! ok, i know they say they want to see you as natural as possible, and they'll ask you to dye it if they want to, but what if they don't even think about u blonde? it's not like agencies take girls to change, they really prefer to have theri look kind of ready at least, cause there's so much other things to work on!
but still, if it doesn't fit you or you won't like it, don't do it! confidence is everything, u can't be what u don't love being... also, if you really think about it i think you shouldn't save on the saloon/hair-stylish. pick the best and he won't let you look bad! at least for the first dye! than you can follow! oh, and don't do it at home!

 

[funnyface]

i like to look for models my height and hair color! almost eveytime i found one my height: tcha-ram, blonde!

who is brunette and 1.79/1.80? (im 1.795)

freja is i think...

 

[.amahlia.]

daria i think.