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

[luvvmoment]

Well I can finally say I have mother agency, Yay!! And now the real work begins building a quality book, but I am excited the key is finally in the door, it's up to me make sure it gets opened!

 

[Birgit]

I sent some pictures to some agencies in Paris. Should I expect an answer at all if they don't like me?

 

[cold_sun]

^nope

 

[Birgit]

^nope

Ok, thanks

 

[cologne_rocks]

Yes, agree with cold_sun. Paris, or main markets in general don't take phrase of civility too seriously.

 

[iRyan]

I sent 4 pictures to DNA, and the next day I received an email back from an agent asking where i'm from and to provide additional pictures. I did, and they replied saying 'you are not right for us but good luck'. Did they like me in the first pictures and not in the others or something? I think I made the mistake of sending pictures taken by ME, some of being a reflection of myself in the mirror (you know those typical myspace/facebook mirror pictures). I should have taken them outside and had someone take it OF me. Do you think that might have been part of the problem or what?

I'm going to try sending to ReQuest, Fusion, Red, and VNY after I get better pictures. It was discouraging because I got all excited that they replied to then being disappointed.

 

[fritmayo]

I . I should have taken them outside and had someone take it OF me. Do you think that might have been part of the problem or what?

.

if they have any doubt the girl might be interesting, they of course ask a bit more pics.
in you case, more pics makes that they finally were not interested.
if they still had some doubt after the additional pictures you sent, they would have asked more, a video, or you to go to meet them.
Still, the fact they asked more is a positiv sign you have at least something, so to try on other agencies can give you more chances.

in a top agency, there is still a big step between to be considered, and to be really taken, on 10 girls good enough for the bookers to discuss about them , maybe just 1 will finally be taken.

 

[BetteT]

Try again in 3 to 6 months ... with better pictures. They probably won't even remember that you submittee before ... they probably get hundreds every week.

You are correct ... those pics taken in a mirror don't really do anyone justice. Get a friend to take them with a real camera, outside in light shade (no sunlight on your face, or you will squint and have dark shadows ... not flattering), against a plain background. Wear body hugging clothes in solid colors, no or minimal makeup, hair off your face. Do some close up shots of your face both serious and smiling, do some full length, without doing any "model poses" ... straight on and turned partially to the side. Make it easy for them to see all of you ... the real you. Make sure they are clear images, well lit and in focus.

 

[tayloryepp]

Anyone heard of Painted Faces Model Management? I was contacted by a woman who said she was a mother agent. She has a legit website that says she's worked with agencies such as Ford, Elite, Supreme, etc.

 

[avitar]

help: Go sees/ casting outfits

Hey guys! I have a bunch of castings in the city and I need some outfit help :/ what should i wear hahah!?!?!?!

 

[BetteT]

Somtehing simple and close to the body ... so they can see your shape. Minimal accessories .... keep the focus on yourself. Jeans and a tank top is fine or something like that. Bring heels ... they may want you to walk ... but if you are walking to castings, wear comfortable shoes and carry the heels in your model bag. Be prepared to remove clothing, if they are looking for swimsuit models ... so make sure your undergarments are nice, have good coverage, but again, nothing fancy.

 

[MikChick]

Does anyone have info about Fenton Moon NY?!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[MissSadie]

Does anyone have info about Fenton Moon NY?!
Posted via Mobile Device

I know a few girls with them and unfortunately haven't heard good things. Try your luck (and persistence) with the more reputable agencies!!

 

[Fontenrose]

Interesting article about the profit margin in starting modelling:

http://dismagazine.com/discussion/16801/what-i-owe-the-financial-exploitation-of-models/

"But owing significant debt in a market, I came to realize, meant that in practical terms that market was dead: Although Lindbergh Junior had said a warm “A bientôt” when I left the agency for the last time, there was little hope of my ever going back to Paris. My debt was a four thousand Euro handicap. To return, I would certainly need another advanced flight and advanced rent and advanced “pocket money” — and for that outlay, there was still no greater likelihood of my working. My “career” as a model became a kind of shell game: could I get a new agency in a new market to take a chance on me, and, at the conclusion of one or two deeply mutually fiscally unsatisfactory months, could I get another new agency in another new market to take a chance on me? Markets went dead progressively, like a body undergoing organ death; a disastrous incursion into the spleen of Milan would be followed by a retreat to the break-even liver of Sydney, or the strike-it-lucky heart of New York, which for some reason always beat for me, however faintly. I needed to continue modeling because the deeper I sank into debt, the more I needed to at least have a chance of booking the unjustifiable day rates only modeling offered, the $15,000 television commercial, the $10,000 catalog, or even the $40,000 campaign. I had to keep playing the game not in spite of the fact that but because I was losing the game."

 

[tayloryepp]

What is the deal with online submission? Is sending pictures via mail a better idea?

And I was thinking of wearing black skinny jeans, a white tank, and black ankle boots for the two open calls I'm going to in NY. Decent attire?

 

[ArtVandelay]

^^
Thanks for posting that article Fontenrose. There's a lot of detail there but it really is invaluable information for any model (and/or parents) who contemplates leaving their home to find work.

 

[BetteT]

What is the deal with online submission? Is sending pictures via mail a better idea?

And I was thinking of wearing black skinny jeans, a white tank, and black ankle boots for the two open calls I'm going to in NY. Decent attire?

Attending open calls is the absolute best way, IMO. They see you in preson and you know that day, if there is any interest or not.

However, unless an agency says they prefer email submissions, I'd say that snail mail is probably better, because it actually will end up in someone's hands and maybe, someone will keep your pics to share with someone else in the office. Make sure that you put your name, stats, and contact info on the back of every hard copy picture, just in case it gets separated from the rest.

The atire sounds fine to me. If those boots aren't heels, make sure you bring some, in case they want you to walk.

 

[lanakau]

Hi guys, I've got a friend who wants to get into specialty/body-part modeling, like modeling for Net A Porter for example:

choosystyle.com

Does anyone know a good UK agency she could get in touch with? Or words of advice on how to get started?

 

[cologne_rocks]

I don't think clients look out for so called "body part models". They would simply book the girls with the best bodies at common London-based agencies I assume.

 

[BetteT]

Body parts modeling is not this which you illustrated. That's still a regular model.

Body Parts Modeling is just one part (not the whole body) and each model specializes in only one body part. Hands, legs and feet are the most common.

She will need to have an exceptionally attracive body part (whatever her specialy is) and will have to make sure that part stays perfect and well groomed at all times. I've heard of hand models who wear gloves all the time they are not working, to prevent tanning, age spots and wrinkles, not to mention having perfectly manicured nails all the time (without nail polish, because that can stain them).

Most of this kind of work is "commercial" (for ads of things like jewelry, but also bath products, food, computers, shoes, nail polish, medical/insurance, sports equipment ... anywhere a person's hand, foot or leg would be needed) so a good commercial agency or talent agency would be a place to start to inquire if they have a need for body parts modeling. I can't offer names of agencies that rep parts models ... sorry.