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

[BetteT]

how do I find out about these?

Open calls ... days and times (if they have them) are usually published on thier web sites. It's usually one day a week for a couple of hours. If they don't have open calls, they will probably tell you how to submit picutres. But, if it's not on the site, then it's OK to call the agency to see if they have open calls or not.

 

[myown]

thank you all for the answers!
But now I think I dont have a chance. I have no influental family. And now I have to admit, that I am too short and maybe too old to start, too (even if everyone says I look like 18 at most).
But thank you all for these answers!!!
cologne_rocks I am from Germany, but from 26th february till 7th march in NYC..

 

[agee]

^ Realistically, it may be too late for you to try to be a high fashion model* or at least the type that we are familiar with, but if commercial and catalog modeling interest you, you should go for it, especially if you have the right proportions, a pleasing or interesting face and good skin and hair. If you are in or near one of the big cities, presumably Berlin, Hamburg or Munich, just go to a few open calls and see what happens, really the worst that can happen is that they say thank you and you never hear from them again. This is a listing of agencies by country, although I don't think that it is an exhaustive list. The two that I am most familiar with are Modelwerk and Place, although I am familiar with Louisa, M4 and Mega as well, and Viva and Wilhelmina are branches of international agencies. Regardless if you are interested in modeling, you should look up all of the agencies in your area and find out what their recruiting process is and then take it from there.

* A caveat, fashion modeling is not out of the question if you meet the specs, but it may not be the visible type, it may be more along the lines of showroom and fit modeling, or print and runway work for small and / or new designers / design houses, photographers or magazines.

 

[daisyfay]

when you are signed with an agency and they take your polaroids and put you on their website...after they send your pictures to international agencies, if they decide to sign you, how long after that do you travell abroad, is it like a week, two or months?

 

[tayloryepp]

I'm not sure if this was already previously addressed, but what advice does anyone have for an aspiring model who's parents are 1) in the picture and 2) not supportive?

I'm 16, , ****Edited You many not post your stats, no dicussion of weight and you may not post (or refer to) your picuture for critique, per the thread rules posted in Post #1 of this thread **** and I've been dying to move to NY and model, but my parents are so against it. I do model in my city currently..but it's not the same. )

Advice?

Sorry if this was addressed already, I just would love some advice/personal experience about it.

 

[tayloryepp]

Also, adding onto my last post, someone told me to just directly walk into an agency and not attend an open call? Is this a good idea or bad idea?

Another question, I have red hair. Does that give me any advantage?

 

[theBlueRider]

when you are signed with an agency and they take your polaroids and put you on their website...after they send your pictures to international agencies, if they decide to sign you, how long after that do you travell abroad, is it like a week, two or months?

If an agency abroad offers a contract they will want you to work in that market for at least two months.
But if it doesn't seem like you're doing very well initially at that market abroad, your trip might be over sooner.
If you end up doing well, you might stay longer.

 

[ModelMommy]

Parental support is critical when you are underage. They will have to sign contracts on your behalf with any agency who would be interested. As a mom, I know how much I have to support my daughter in this business and yours would need to do so until you are 18. Perhaps your parents are just worried about the business and for that, they will need to understand it and learn about it. Do you have valid agencies near your location (not model schools)?? If your parents can't get on board, you can always try when you turn 18.

I'm not sure if this was already previously addressed, but what advice does anyone have for an aspiring model who's parents are 1) in the picture and 2) not supportive?

I'm 16 and I've been dying to move to NY and model, but my parents are so against it. I do model in my city currently..but it's not the same. )

Advice?

Sorry if this was addressed already, I just would love some advice/personal experience about it.

 

[cologne_rocks]

Open calls are not that common in Germany (I think the only agency doing that in a regular manner is Izaio Models in Berlin). Just use the application form provided on the websites and they will get back to you if they think you are model material.... Viva Models in Berlin is not related to Viva Model Management in London and Paris.
Hamburg is swamped with agencies but most decent commercial deals there run through Place Models and Mega Model Agency. M4 Models has also achieved nice results recenty, just as Modelwerk (but MW tends to push their own editorially). All of the agencies mentioned are very strict about height, so they will most likely not take a 5'7 girl (unless she's 12 or 13). There are a few good agencies outsite of Hamburg... am model management in Cologne represents very cool girls, all equipped with top placements (Louisa Bianchin at DNA, Lena Hard at DNA, Aysche at DNA, Val & Nur at FM), but the owner is also very strict about height/age and the overall look... Otherwise you could try Tomorrow is another Day (Cologne, Düsseldorf) or Quantum 7 Model Management (Cologne, Marburg). Tomorrow is another Day does EXTREMELY well for boys - They represent all their models worldwide and therefore take 50% provision from the jobs. Meisel, Nick Knight, I&V, Rick Owens, Dazed Group etc book the lads regulary, but i highly doubt that clients check TIAD's female division. The air gets thinner the more you get southern - There's S M C in Wiesbaden.. They have a few girls at IMG/Marilyn, but their reputation is evil as they charge for tests and some other reasons. The only agencies worth to be recommand in Munich are Louisa Models and Munich Models. Louisa Models is one of the best agencies for commercial only....

 

[tayloryepp]

Parental support is critical when you are underage. They will have to sign contracts on your behalf with any agency who would be interested. As a mom, I know how much I have to support my daughter in this business and yours would need to do so until you are 18. Perhaps your parents are just worried about the business and for that, they will need to understand it and learn about it. Do you have valid agencies near your location (not model schools)?? If your parents can't get on board, you can always try when you turn 18.

I don't I live in Pittsburgh, PA. The modeling here is excuse my french, but trashy. There is Docherty and apparently a few years ago a girl was signed with Next NY after she was signed with Docherty..but that's one girl.

My mom did say she would take me to NY this summer, but I'll be 17 :/ kinda pushing the limit.

I might have an opportunity to go to Paris this spring for modeling though, so I guess I will see. Thank you!

 

[tayloryepp]

@ModelMommy,

If I was to be signed this summer with an NY agency, would my mom have to live in NY with me? Because I can tell you, she will not move for me for modeling.

 

[cologne_rocks]

^She doesn't have to move with you.

 

[theBlueRider]

Also, adding onto my last post, someone told me to just directly walk into an agency and not attend an open call? Is this a good idea or bad idea?

Another question, I have red hair. Does that give me any advantage?

If your parents are definitely not supportive and you're under 18 then you won't be able to sign a contract even with your mother agency pushing you.

You could try to move out to NY for college once you're 18 and model on the side. If you do end up modeling in NY, you will be in debt with your modeling expenses for a while (6 months if you become a superstar or longer). You will also face a lot of things most 18 year olds don't have to deal with like work visas overseas, legal paperwork, taxes etc so it is also good to have supportive parents (agencies are not parents btw). Modeling is emotionally grueling and the people who work in the industry aren't always there to be a true friend so it is very important to have someone back you up.

Which city do you currently model in?

Don't walk into an agency unprepared--without pictures, your book if you have one and the right attire. If you're with a mother agency, let them set up appointments for you. Open calls are usually full of...random "it will never happen" girls but if you really should be modeling, anyone at the agency will be able to see it at an open call.

Red hair doesn't give you an advantage...any girl can dye their hair red.
Models with red hair typically don't do as well as girls with other coloring blue chip wise (top runway, editorials, campaigns) because it's not as versatile. But there is a niche more commercially/catalog wise for models with red hair (hair box, hair advertising)--but you will probably end up cutting it often and dying it often. If you're open to that, you can make some money but not a lot (say around 25K).

 

[tayloryepp]

If your parents are definitely not supportive and you're under 18 then you won't be able to sign a contract even with your mother agency pushing you.

You could try to move out to NY for college once you're 18 and model on the side. If you do end up modeling in NY, you will be in debt with your modeling expenses for a while (6 months if you become a superstar or longer). You will also face a lot of things most 18 year olds don't have to deal with like work visas overseas, legal paperwork, taxes etc so it is also good to have supportive parents (agencies are not parents btw). Modeling is emotionally grueling and the people who work in the industry aren't always there to be a true friend so it is very important to have someone back you up.

Which city do you currently model in?

Don't walk into an agency unprepared--without pictures, your book if you have one and the right attire. If you're with a mother agency, let them set up appointments for you. Open calls are usually full of...random "it will never happen" girls but if you really should be modeling, anyone at the agency will be able to see it at an open call.

Red hair doesn't give you an advantage...any girl can dye their hair red.
Models with red hair typically don't do as well as girls with other coloring blue chip wise (top runway, editorials, campaigns) because it's not as versatile. But there is a niche more commercially/catalog wise for models with red hair (hair box, hair advertising)--but you will probably end up cutting it often and dying it often. If you're open to that, you can make some money but not a lot (say around 250K).

I am currently planning a 2 week trip to NY for June. My mom said that she would go with me for about 5-7 days, the rest I will be with my friend in Manhattan. It's not that my mom is completely against it, she just isn't willing to move to change her life for my for it.

I live in Pittsburgh, PA. Terrible modeling opportunities here.

Lol I suppose everything I was told was wrong! A couple people told me that since I was a natural redhead I had better chances since it was so rare. Interesting

 

[tayloryepp]

Sorry to keep adding so many things..but I also have a gap in the front of my teeth, kinda like Lara Stone's. I have the option of closing it or keeping it open and I want to keep it open because I thought it would increase my chances with how many models now have "the gap". Bad or good idea?

 

[theBlueRider]

I am currently planning a 2 week trip to NY for June. My mom said that she would go with me for about 5-7 days, the rest I will be with my friend in Manhattan. It's not that my mom is completely against it, she just isn't willing to move to change her life for my for it.

I live in Pittsburgh, PA. Terrible modeling opportunities here.

Lol I suppose everything I was told was wrong! A couple people told me that since I was a natural redhead I had better chances since it was so rare. Interesting

If the issue is that your mom just won't travel with you or she doesn't want to come to NY often to chaperone, you can still model. You just won't have her by your side. But lots of models come to NYC alone. I advise you to stay close with your mom and talk to her very openly about the business and jobs--she may offer an adult perspective to making decisions and how to negotiate like an adult (basically get the business respect that very few models have today).

Haircolor has nothing to do with the quality of a model since it can be changed. Most models don't have their natural haircolor. An agency might want you to go strawberry blond or dye it darker red or go brown depending on their plans for you.

 

[ModelMommy]

Taylor, I would wait until your trip since it is clear that you wouldn't have support to do anything prior to that. Make sure that you are in the best shape you can possibly be. You could also submit yourself to the top ten agencies in NY, indicate that you plan to visit in NY and see if any respond back. Simple polaroid pictures is all that you would need. With your parents permission, I'd be happy to answer any questions by PM. Good luck!

 

[theBlueRider]

Sorry to keep adding so many things..but I also have a gap in the front of my teeth, kinda like Lara Stone's. I have the option of closing it or keeping it open and I want to keep it open because I thought it would increase my chances with how many models now have "the gap". Bad or good idea?

It would honestly depend on the rest of your features. Do you have any current management?

Don't spend the money on closing it without a second opinion. If an agency really loves you then they will let you know what changes you need to make in addition to signing you.

These little things aren't going to increase your chances on getting signed. It's more about your stats, the way you photograph (symmetry, cheekbones, neck etc), your level of modeling. These "feature trends" go in and out. Every agency has a girl with short hair and it might not be in but in the next year it is and they will push her. Lara Stone, Lindsey and all the other girls with the gap were sitting at the sidelines a few years ago but they were still working models because of the bigger picture.

 

[tayloryepp]

It would honestly depend on the rest of your features. Do you have any current management?

Don't spend the money on closing it without a second opinion. If an agency really loves you then they will let you know what changes you need to make in addition to signing you.

These little things aren't going to increase your chances on getting signed. It's more about your stats, the way you photograph (symmetry, cheekbones, neck etc), your level of modeling. These "feature trends" go in and out. Every agency has a girl with short hair and it might not be in but in the next year it is and they will push her. Lara Stone, Lindsey and all the other girls with the gap were sitting at the sidelines a few years ago but they were still working models because of the bigger picture.

I appreciate both the advice from both of you.

Right now, no, I'm not with an agency. I thought it would be a waste of time.

TheBlueRider has it correct, my mom is willing to sign a contract/release whatever but she will not live in NY with me IF I get signed.

***Edited . ****
Thank you both very much!

 

[cologne_rocks]

Taylor, try to take a pass on discussing about your measurements/weight loss on tfs, it's not permitted.