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

[agee]

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.

My point about modelmayhem is that it is a means to get experience. Also, note that people can make comments and some have commented about bad experiences, especially photographers who are not the real deal. I was clear, or at least I thought I was, that an aspiring model should not see this as the means to get discovered or as the cornerstone of modeling career.

If anyone can go to an open call or send in Poloroid type pictures and get a response from a bunch of agencies which leads to them getting signed, then they don't need to go this route. However, if a model is looking for a way to get experience and build her book, without shelling out money herself, then this is a consideration. As BetteT said, be careful about the work that you do and don't do anything that you would not be proud to show your mother. If you want to mitigate the chance that you will get sucked into doing a glamour shots, then you may want to focus more on shoots being commissioned by makeup artists and hairdressers, since that will most likely be beauty type work. Also, if a photographer takes a picture of you that will not help you get the kind of attention you are seeking, then don't put it in your book. My mantra is do your homework and use good judgement.

 

[everybrightstar]

Hey girls, wondering if any of you had advice or could help,
I live in a city with virtually no agencies and the ones that we have are very small. I have some friends who are 'with them' and they don't get much work, if they are lucky maybe something local. But the agencies themselves are not big enough to offer much.
So what would be advised? Just sending head and body shots to the bigger agencies in Australia, is that the first step? Thank you.

 

[cologne_rocks]

Send them to bigger agencies, if they refuse, try at the local ones, good luck!

 

[everybrightstar]

Thank you, they don't have to be professional do they, just no make up shots?
any tips?

 

[MikChick]

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.

That's not totally true, I know quite a few (good!) agency-signed models who joined modelmayhem to do some free work or networking next to what the agency offers.
And of course 99% is crap, amateur or nude, but there really are some good ones too. You don't have to expect major things but surely some nice things, cause I've seen it happen. I'm talking about the Netherlands right now, as I don't know about other countries.

 

[Surfbunny]

Thank you, they don't have to be professional do they, just no make up shots?
any tips?

check out the Polaroids thread and try to copy those pictures. good luck!

 

[cologne_rocks]

Thank you, they don't have to be professional do they, just no make up shots?
any tips?

DO NEVER SEND "PROFESSIONAL" SHOTS to an agency. It's not just that professional pictures are useless for applications as they are most likely retouched to hell but it does also come across a little - sorry for the pejorative manner - wannabe, to shot with more or less semi professioal photographers, if i were a scouting director in an agency i wouldn't like to see professional and therefore retouched pictures in my inbox at all (unless there're polaroids as well).

As for the polaroids - Ask a friend to shot them, i think it could quite become difficult to do them by self-timer
Consider to shot outside with something neutral in the background (like a wall), prodive some very clear headshots (frontal/face), and shot full length images, at least 1 or 2. To never use make up..... and i also wouldn't send some bikini shots as first application if it isn't required, don't know why, but too keep it a little secret could make you more interesting. Some tight clothing like the common model uniform involving high heels, leggins etc is okay for first application.

Have a look at those polaroids, i think they're quite good, use them as pattern. (Have to put the link as my photobucket is screwed)

http://i.models.com/oftheminute/images/2007/03/yana-karpova-polaroids.jpg

 

[Fashion1987]

Does anyone know any good commercial agencies (NYC, Milan, London, Amsterdam) that also accept shorter girls (5'7)?

 

[emmaj]

^ i am also curious for australian agencies?

 

[Bamhutt]

^I'm no expert, but I think most agencies represent both editorial and commercial, as the market is not viable to represent just editorial. I think Priscillas have a few commercial girls about 5'7.. also try Chic, Viviens, Chadwicks, Scene etc.

 

[romydomy]

okay so my teeth are really straight except for i have two eye teeth coming down and they protude a bit but only when i smile, so will that stop me. and i went to ford modeling last year and they told me i was just 1/2 inch to short, , so do you think they we're lying and just trying to get me out the door or we're the telling the truth, oh and they also took poleroids of me if that means anything. do you think my eye teeth were the real reason

thanks, any feed back would be great

 

[BetteT]

More likely the height and you just didn't wow them, to be honest. If they loved your look and really think that they could get you work, they'd just ask you to get some cosmetic dentistry ... it can be fixed. And a half inch can be overlooked for an exceptional face.

 

[romydomy]

thanks i was so thought it was the teeth

 

[everybrightstar]

Like BetteT said teeth can be fixed, there was a girl on Australia's next top model with shocking teeth and she's become quite successful since the show and made it quite far.

 

[cologne_rocks]

But i don't think that agents would invest so much in a newface nowadays. Too much risk probably and being afraid if the girl will ever be able to get you the money back. In Germany some don't even pay for a hair dyeing, it's not like agencies had tons of money and those who have (here and there some high end company) don't loooove to do those investments. Give it a try, but don't excpet too much.

 

[BetteT]

I didn't say the agency will pay for it ... they probably won't. It's an investment you will proably need to make up front, before they will get serious about signing you.

They'll most likely say get your teeth fixed and come back to show us. But they will only say that if they have a serious interest in possibly repping you.

Remember ... you don't work for the agency ... you are actually self employed, your are your own business. You hire the agency (if they want to work for you) and agree to pay them a commission for any work they get you. So ... you pay for every expense either up front out of your own pocket, or later out of your paychecks, depending on your contract, what you negotiate and what their company policies are. So that varies .... but you always pay your own expenses ... including shipping your portfolio (do they even do that any more?), cost of comp cards and photos ... every little thng ... and every big thing, like rent in a models apt. if it's necessary that you move there.

 

[everybrightstar]

No I wan't implying the agency would pay for it. I never said that.

 

[BetteT]

I know ... I'm sorry if you thought I was answering you. I was actually addressing cologne rocks when he mentioned "investing" in their models. I was clarifying what both he and I said.

I just didn't want anyone thinking that they actually pay for anything ... they don't ... they occasionally advance the money, but the model must always pay it back. If she doesn't make any money within a reasonable time, then she still owes the agency ... and they bill her.

 

[cologne_rocks]

I know ... I'm sorry if you thought I was answering you. I was actually addressing cologne rocks when he mentioned "investing" in their models. I was clarifying what both he and I said.

I just didn't want anyone thinking that they actually pay for anything ... they don't ... they occasionally advance the money, but the model must always pay it back. If she doesn't make any money within a reasonable time, then she still owes the agency ... and they bill her.

Sorry, my post was actually neither reffered to you nor to
everybrightstar. It was just an addition to your post in oder to point just out that agencies don't invest this way.

 

[BetteT]

Thanks ... we are all actually on the same page here.