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

[*DiamondQueen*]

OK, I have a tax question here. In the figures quoted above, when are the french taxes taken out and apporximately how much would they be?

French Agencies keep approximately 70% Taxes are higher than in other countries for models.

 

[kmodel]

Fashiongirl, Blunier, Diamond Queen - thanks to all. Our agency wants to send my daughter overseas and we are a little hesitant because we are trying to figure out if it will actually be worth while to send her. We are trying to minimize her debt to the agencies but I know that some will happen! Her mother agency is not very forthcoming about all the "little" details like this.

 

[Fontenrose]

I've heard 80% of girls don't make money in Paris. You can work pretty steadily for a couple of months and end up owing the agency.

The other reason to go is to get the most prestigious tears.

The New York market is possibly the hardest or one of the hardest markets to break into. My agency has a philosophy that there is no point in even trying (i.e., going to castings) until a model is fully ready. Basically, the goal of any model is to have a portfolio entirely filled with editorials. A model usually starts their career with test shoots. Shoots with other photographers who are also building their book. The shoot is free for everyone involved and everyone receives photos in return. However, in order to gain better photos quickly, a lot of models do paid tests. This is where they pay a better photographer to shoot with them. Eventually, test after test, turns into booking jobs for magazines. Now the problem is that photos don't always turn out in a way an agency feels is "suitable" for the portfolio. Meaning, it takes a lot of f*g shoots to build a portfolio. This is why agencies send models overseas. When a model shows up to a country for eight weeks, the goal is that every magazine in that market will want to work with the model. But. Another problem, is that while a model might shoot for twenty magazines in an Asian market...what Asia feels is "high fashion" at the moment, might not work for a New York portfolio. I must have shot over forty jobs while in Hong Kong. Three or four of those jobs are in my book right now. I shot for Harper's Bazaar in Hong Kong. Bazaar is one of the best magazines on the planet to book. However, my agency, decided that the photos didn't work for the NY market.

So. Models keep working. They keep traveling to different markets. They keep shooting. They keep "building their book." When I got back from Asia; I had a meeting with my booker. I told my booker, "Can you make me a star? Because this working and not getting paid thing is getting kind of old." My booker then gave me a rundown of my "career path." I was to go to Australia, try out Europe, maybe go back to Asia, and hopefully by next fall I would be "ready to be based out of New York."
...
Before leaving for Asia, I shot a lot of editorial for European and American magazines. It took awhile to get all of the tears, but they came while I was gone. Since being back, my agency has spent a lot of time reconstructing my book. Well. My booker called. And surprise! It was good news. He and the rest of the board had a meeting. They went over my portfolio. They all concluded I was ready to work in New York. My booker apologized. "We know you were looking forward to traveling more. However, we feel you are ready to work here. Why not make money here instead of getting in debt for tears you don't need in a different country?" He told me that for the first time, they owed me money. I finally covered all of my expenses on my account.

So. Whoa. This was a shock. A year of constantly working for nothing, moving every two months, anxiously waiting on tears...not happening. Not that you'll see me gracing the cover of Italian Vogue next month. And yes, I'm still broke. (Shea P's blog)

 

[model_mom]

Every girl that even thinks about modeling needs to read that post. Truer words were never spoken. Thank you for brining them to our attention.

 

[fashiongirl28]

this article says the truth thing

You work so hard ,then they tell you "no good porfolio" then you start again at "0" and work and work with the dream to be one day a topmodel

 

[Blunier]

Fashiongirl, Blunier, Diamond Queen - thanks to all. Our agency wants to send my daughter overseas and we are a little hesitant because we are trying to figure out if it will actually be worth while to send her. We are trying to minimize her debt to the agencies but I know that some will happen! Her mother agency is not very forthcoming about all the "little" details like this.

Another point about New York, beside being a competitive market, is that foreign girls need a work visa which is expensive and a hassle to obtain. So, together with other reasons, NY is not considered as place to start. Even local residents are typically sent some time overseas to develop their portfolio.

I don't know where you're located but I suppose it's in the U.S. If your daughter is given the opportunity to work in Paris she should do it. Remember that it should not primarily be a question of money, if money is the objective one should forget modeling and study medicine or law.
Check contract details and make sure the agency is reputable.
From there it can be a very interesting experience to live some time abroad. Most girls will never have that opportunity. Don't wait.

Don't worry about school, one can learn far more living some time abroad than learning stuff which can still be learnt later if required.

Blunier

 

[avoocadoo]

hi!

that's why I think being model is not an easy work, every models dreams of becoming next claudia schiffer...but only a few managed to be supermodels


only those survive in fashion world, who do not take this job seriously....who study, who do something apart from modelling...

 

[model_mom]

I've always wondered this and thought someone on here might know.....When does ' tall enough to model become too tall to model'? You hear a lot about the short end of this but not too much is said about being too tall.

 

[BetteT]

Usually around 6' is considered too tall for a girl and above 6'2" or 6'3" for a guy ... that is what I've heard a lot. I know several 6' girls who model, and although their bookers know it, they sell them as 5'11". Don't lie to a prospective booker/agent, hoever it's up to them to decide how to market you.

 

[Deleted member 106803]

I'm doing a model shoot on Monday and I've never done one before...
Does anyone have any first timers advice? I really want to do well, hair is by Toni & Guy, makeup is by Mac and clothes are Dolce & Gabbana <3 I don't want to let them down.
I just don't feel good enough :/ Any ideas on how to boost self-confidence?

 

[Swallowtail]

Be very very nice, ask questions like you're interested in what's going on, be interested in knowing the people without getting hurt by any brush offs (that thing where you meet someone and repeat their name back is really good, it shows someone you want to know who they are), stuff that makes people remember you as someone they would want to work with again. People can be awful, but it's a job and it's always good to be professional but friendly even if they aren't going to be. Ummm. Remembering it's just a job makes me calm down really good when I'm nervous about stuff where I'm not wearing much. Congratulations on D&G! I hope you have a fun time, if this is your first time you must really have a good look.

 

[Deleted member 106803]

Yeah I have to go shirtless at parts, and interact with other 'models' in a promiscuous way - it's a clubbing scene themed photoshoot. Being entered into a competition of some kind..
It is my first shoot yeah. It's more casual than you're interpreting I think - I'm doing a favour for a friend and don't want to let him and his team down.
And you never know, may be a start of something. Hah.
Eek, I won't know anyone there!!

Thank you loads for the tips swallowtail - really, really appreciate it

 

[Alexandra H.]

I'm doing a model shoot on Monday and I've never done one before...
Does anyone have any first timers advice? I really want to do well, hair is by Toni & Guy, makeup is by Mac and clothes are Dolce & Gabbana <3 I don't want to let them down.
I just don't feel good enough :/ Any ideas on how to boost self-confidence?

In photoshoots beginning models are at the bottom of the food chain and in its simplest form your job is to reflect light, so you must be willing and able to take direction from the members of the creative team, particularly the photographer, or shoot director if there is one.

Be nice, be friendly; having a reputation for being pleasant to work with will help you in the long run. Don't scream and jump around like the twits in America's Next Top Model (hehehe...), that sort of behavior will annoy everyone else on the team.

If and when you're asked to sign a model release form read it, and understand it, before signing.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Have a good time on the shoot.

 

[fashiongirl28]

The most important thing is being yourself ,go in and say "Hi,I am ..." and be very nice don´t be nervous ....its like to going in school ,dont be scared in front of the camera ,be relaxed

 

[.amahlia.]

when one sends thier pictures to and agency through email, do they always look at each picture?? or do they just not even give it a chance?

 

[wednesdays child]

Ofcourse, it's one of the easiest ways to see someone. i don't mean they look at every pic you send in, they might look at the first and think NO, then press delete, that's why it's important to send the best pics possible in.. and not too many. Usually there is someone who looks at the emails, then if they think someone looks like potential, they will pass it around the other bookers to see what they think, if bookers agree, they might ask for more photos, info, or ask you tio come in straight away if they are excited by the pics

If an agency calls you almost immediately and is super nice to you on the phone, then they really liked your pics!

 

[Arven]

Hey
Have you ever heard about Double Face Agency from China (http://www.doubleface.com.cn/)
It is seemes to be really good :>

 

[fashiongirl28]

when one sends thier pictures to and agency through email, do they always look at each picture?? or do they just not even give it a chance?

Never ever send an application per mail !!! Call the agent and ask them when you can visit them ,when they say first pics then ask the booker you call for his direct e-mail adress !!! not info@ ..... they won´t look at every application you need names like barbara@.....

 

[fashiongirl28]

Hey
Have you ever heard about Double Face Agency from China (http://www.doubleface.com.cn/)
It is seemes to be really good :>

I don´t think its a good agency !!! Look at the porfolios from the Models "not good" if you want to travel there to China look for a better agency ,if you want I can send you some or post some here good ónes

 

[Torchb3arer]

Found a list of nonserious agencys on fmd1.com

Model Group Management
Italian Model Agency based in Milan.​

Pulse Management
Model agency based in Oregon, with "network" offices around the world​

Look Models International - Vienna
Modeling agency with offices in Vienna, Prague and Hong Kong.​

Welldone Models
Swiss model agency based in Geneva​

Flair Model Management
Austrian modeling agency, based in Vienna.​

Look Models International - Prague
Modeling agency with offices in Vienna, Prague and Hong Kong.​

Look Models International - Hong Kong
Modeling agency with offices in Vienna, Prague and Hong Kong.​

Eviterna Model Management
Eviterna is a new model agency created by Adrian Munevar in the year 2004 and is located in Bogota, Colombia, South America. We have specialized on women and their work on runway, editorial, lingerie, swimsuit, catalogs and as TV hostess.​

P Model Scout Team
Czech model agency​

STUDIO Model Management
Agency based in Tempe

DM agency - Klaipeda
Lithuanian agency with offices in Klaipeda and Vilnius.​

DM agency - Vilnius
Lithuanian agency with offices in Klaipeda and Vilnius.​

​