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

[Tresor]

I have a few questions about starting a career in (mainly) commercial modelling.
I've been scouted by some agencies which mainly offer their models commercial jobs, but all of them ask me to send in pictures which they can put up on their site and to promote me with.
But this is where I start wondering..

I know a fashion agency should help you build up your portfolio, but is this also the case with commercial agencies?
I really want to know the answer to that, before I sign myself with a 'bad' agency. So I hope someone can help me, and tell me some more about the whole commercial career/agencies and stuff.
Thanks in advance

ps. sorry bad english

 

[BetteT]

I feel like I'm about to ask the dumbest questions ever. but anyways,

Is there any point to applying to an agency that isn't in your vicinity? I would love to sign with a good agency in NY or LA but I live in San Francisco.

Also, what is the outlook for models with large boobs? ***Edited*** I feel like most models I see are flat chested or A-B cup and frequently go braless.
Thanks

Start in your own city ... you have to be a bit experienced and have a strong portfolio, before anyone will hire you to come to their city to shoot.

Fashion models must be about 33 or 34 " total (around the fullest part of the bust) ... so, no ... larger breasts are not suitable for fashion modleing. But it might work in commercial modeling if everything else works and yo are the right "type" that a commercial agency is looking for. There is always product modeling ... where they use pretty girls at shows and conventions to give out samples, to stand in front of a car, etc.

 

[BetteT]

hopefully this isn't a silly question, but I was wondering...if I wanted to get into modelling but concentrate on lingerie or swimsuit modelling, how would I go about that? I'm not interested in high fashion modelling, but I guess I was just wondering if it would then fall under the "commercial" category. if so, would I go to agencies and simply tell them thats what im interested in? could I still go to open calls?

It would fall under the "commercial" category ... find agencies that do that ... commercial/talent agencies. Ask them how to submit and if they have open calls.

 

[BetteT]

I have a few questions about starting a career in (mainly) commercial modelling.
I've been scouted by some agencies which mainly offer their models commercial jobs, but all of them ask me to send in pictures which they can put up on their site and to promote me with.
But this is where I start wondering..

I know a fashion agency should help you build up your portfolio, but is this also the case with commercial agencies?
I really want to know the answer to that, before I sign myself with a 'bad' agency. So I hope someone can help me, and tell me some more about the whole commercial career/agencies and stuff.
Thanks in advance

ps. sorry bad english

You do not show where you live, but if you live in Paris ... I am not sure how they work there.

In the US ... commercial agencies work pretty much the same way as fashion agencies ... they do work with the model to develop their portfolio and send it out to prospective clients. Most agencies do have a web site that the clients can see with all the models. But the agency usually guides the model ... sends them to a photographer they like and tells them what kinds of looks to get. Then the agent criitiques the pics and selects the best to put into the portfolio and on the site.

So ... my instinct says that these agencies that are "soliciting" you may just be scams. If they ask you for money in order to rep you ... they probably are a scam. That happens here, all the time ... they send "scouts' out to approach people in the streets, tell them that they can be a model and that it will only cost them a certain amount of money to have thier picture put up on the site. And they say that all the companies that hire will look there. Yes, you get your picture up on a site ... but the "agency" has no clients and don't actively promote their models. And they will accept anyone that has the money ... they don't discrimintate. Which means they don't work with real models ... only apsiring models who have money to spend.

I would suggest that you go to open calls at agencies in your city that you know are legitimate and see what they say. If they want you ... then you know it's real. If no one takes you after doing this a lot of times, then you know that you really don't have what it takes ... maybe the people approaching you were just trying to get your money.

It is good you asked ... it's one of the most common scams anywhere ... taking aspiring models' money for nothing. If they do not ask for money ... then maybe they are OK. But, either way, you need to do more reseach on that agency before you decide ... look them up on line, ask people if they know who they are, go to some of the modeling scam sites (you can find them by seaching on Google) to see if anyone has mentioned them, if they have something like the Better Business Bureau, check with them, too.

 

[BetteT]

I thought it would be a good time to post some sources of information about modeling scams:

http://www.modelingscams.org/find.html

And here's a good site by a former commercial modeling agent that and a lot of his accurate information applies to commercial modeling:

http://www.newmodels.com/

Newmodels is written by Roger Talley, who also wrote our glossary of modeling terms: click this link for the Glossary:

 

[Tresor]

Thanks a lot for the information, BetteT!
But actually I'm not from the US nor Paris. I'm from the Netherlands.

The first link you gave me said it's alright to pay a photographer as long as you don't have to pay you agency, is this correct?

Because the agency is not asking me for money at all, they just want me to send them my own pictures which they then can use.

This is a link to the agency:
http://www.internationalmodelmanagement.nl/

I know they won't create TOPmodels, but I just want a job regularly.
And since I'm already 20, I just really want to get started!
But not at the wrong agency..

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new at this and don't want to ruin my rep before I even have one

 

[MikChick]

Tresor, I'm from the Netherlands too, that agency is not comparible to big agencies like Paparazzi/Ulla/Name/Touche/Wilma Wakker/De Boekers/Micha/Tjarda etc... I wouldn't do it.
Send your pictures to the ones I mentioned above and you will know if they are interested. There are a lot of agencies in the Netherlands..

 

[cologne_rocks]

I confirm what MikChick says, Netherland is such a big market for scouting, try all these agencies:

Fresh Management Amsterdam

Code Model Management Amsterdam

House of Holland

Ragazza Model Management

Ulla Models (have also a commercial devision)

Paparazzi

Wilma Wakker

Micha Models

Tjarda

SPS Models

 

[BetteT]

It is correct that you normally should pay the photographer directly ... real agencies don't have photographers on staff so paying them is a big red flag.

A legit agency ... such as those listed above .... will only need to see snapshots of you. If they decide to rep you, then they will direct you to get some photos done, probably recommend a photographer or two and instruct you as to what sort of looks you willl need to start your portfolio.

It's never a good idea to have pro pics taken before you have an agent ... because 9 times out of 10, they won't like them and will tell you to test again. So, save your money until you are certain that you have a legit agent lined up who will direct your career.

 

[BetteT]

I took a look at that agency site and although they look impressive, I get the feeling that there is something wrong there for the following reasons:

- Our members who know these things, don't seem to recommend them
- They have pics of a beautiful office and say they have a photo studio. An agency does not have photo studios ... at least in the US. I think that they may be a photography studio and production management company that has decided to rep some models or maybe just has pics of models for thier clients to peruse. But that tells me that they are not really a model agency ... it's just a sideline. (Maybe this is how it's usually done in Amsterdam .... so maybe I am wrong here.)
- They provide coaches and personal trainers! That tells me that they will offer coaching for you ... for money, of course. Red flag!! (It's like a modeling school, which I never recommend, anyway.)
- They offer portfolio shoots ... again, making a profit from you ... not working to earn a commission for work they find you.
- They don't show any of their models in ads or magazines .... a couple have runway shots but that's it. And if the model picked her own shots to put up, then I would guess that the models did not get the gig from these people .... they had already gotten the gig by some other means.
- They say they are starting a marketing campaign at "dutch labels" ... but they fail to name them. And, anyway ... it could be that a Dutch label is using their studio or production services ... not their models.

An agency should only make money from the commission earned when their models get paid for working. The model is not supposed to be a paying customer.

I'd think twice about these people. I'd only send them a picture if they don't charge your for it ... and don't fall prey to any coaching if is costs you any money. And don't sign a contract with them ... you still want to keep your options open, if you find that a real modeling agency wants to rep you. If you are under contract with these people ... you probably won't be able to sign with anyone else until the contract is up (read the fine print in any contract and make sure you understand it all).

 

[Tresor]

Thank you very much betteT! You've been very helpfull!
I made up my mind; I'm not gonna sign with them at all.
It's just not right to sign myself with an (wannabe?) agency which makes me question their capability of representing me.'
I'm a starting model, so agencies like that could kill my rep.

cologne_rocks and MikChick, thanks a lot for the list of agencies + info

 

[agee]

^One thing you may want to do is check out a site like modelmayhem.com, it is a repository of models, photographers, makeup artists and hairdressers. I think it is mostly US, but I think it has members from all over the world - you can click on "browse" do a search for your country. One way that it may be useful to you is that there are photographers (or hairdressers, makeup artists, etc.) who, if interested in you, will take pictures of you for free and you get a copy of the prints as compensation, often referred to as TFP. Once you start to accumulate pictures, you may also opt to create your own account.

I don't think that it is going to help you get discovered or signed, but it may help you get experience being in front of the camera and with the overall process - although I have heard of opportunities coming from it, still I would not consider it a guarantee. You should definitely be researching the agencies listed a few posts ago, I would go to their sites and see if any of them have open calls.

Also, recognize that this is the internet and that anybody can post anything, so don't agree meet anyone in a non-public place, and even if you are willing to do nudes I would not suggest doing nudes with a photographer that I just met. If a photo shoot comes about, consider taking a friend. Note that some legitimate photographers may not like this, you have to do research and use your judgment, it is not difficult to find out about a photographer once you have a name. Try to find out things like if the photographer is represented by a reputable agency, what work has s/he done before, have they had work published - you don't want to be too picky, but you also don't want put yourself in an uncomfortable situation either.

 

[MikChick]

I agree with agee about modelmayhem!

I joined modelmayhem too and I got the opportunity to work with a great photographer and I got a great picture out of it And maybe there's a photographer who wants to help you with finding an agency.

 

[BetteT]

Eh ... although there are a few legit photogs, stylists and makeup artists on modelmayehm, I'd be very, very cautious. Most of them are just wannabes .... so don't think that it will get you "discovered".

It definitely is a way to get camera time to get comfortable, to learn your best angles and how to pose ... but most of the time the pics won't be good enough for your agency portfolio. It will be practice, but not much more than that ... unless you get very lucky.

And yes, as suggested, you could be in physical danger so protect yourself by researching the individual, maybe meeting him first, taking a friend (who should sit quietly in the lobby, not in the studio, unless invited in).

Do not do any nudes or "glamour" shots, if you intend to be a fashion or commercial model. Images like that could loose you your agency and their clients ... cost you your potential career. They will not be happy if they find such pics out there ... it smacks of being a "web model", girls who work for money to pose for "photographers". If you have shot with any photographers (especially ones who posts thier stuff on places like modelmayhem), be aware that they own the images, not you ... and they may use them any way they want to. So, they can end up in some very nasty places. So protect your image ... never do anything that might upset a potential agent and that you would not be proud to show your mother.

 

[MikChick]

True, there is a lot of crap on modelmayhem, but there really are some good ones too. (look at my display picture, it's through modelmayhem )

 

[fritmayo]

Eh ... although there are a few legit photogs, stylists and makeup artists on modelmayehm, I'd be very, very cautious. Most of them are just wannabes .... so don't think that it will get you "discovered".
)

i would also definiltly clearly advise against modelmahyem, it is probably the crappiest modelling site on the whole web, and one good experience from it can no hyde the fact that it is overall of very very low level.

it is a site for amateur model meeting amateur photographers, but it is clearly a place to go only if you know that better level is not for you.

 

[wekilledcouture]

i have an agency interview on friday!
if model_mom is around or other experienced models i would love some tips and questions i should expect to be asked?

 

[cologne_rocks]

^^ It's a thing to be dealt in like 5-10 minutes, you come in, introduce yourself, they tell you a bit about the agency (usually some self-praise), ask you some random things like age, school and so on; a bit small talk, take a set of polaroids, or nowadays, rather snap shots, then they send you home and tell you that they'll call you/write an email later..... That's it.... Not exciting at all....

 

[wekilledcouture]

ahh except this time they have called me and my mother agent in.. is that normal?

 

[cologne_rocks]

oh sorry, i thought you're talking about an interview with a potential mother agent but will be quite the same as meeting with a potential mother agent