Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: The information contained on this blog is so very informative. My question is as a new freelance model are there any links you can share that protect both the model and the photographer? One that allows me to be able to use the photos for my use (calendars etc?) as I may require? Thanks in advance! Hi, Anonymous! Below is a link to a pdf file for a release form from the Model to the Photographer (traditional release forms are from the Photographer to the Model): Release Form (Model to Photographer) This version has a "special conditions on usage" section, where you can write in any specifics about usage, such as the calenders you mentioned. As long as you and the photographer both sign the release form, the photographer will still be granted the rights/ownership (as is the law) but you'll also be protected on your end, as well as free to use the images for your own promotional purposes.

Leslie R. Wrote: Hi.! My Name Is Leslie And I Have Always Dreamed Of Being A Model. I Am 13 and 5'4 And I Was Wondering If I Can Still Make It? Since Im New To Modeling I Want To Start Off In A Normal Agency Nothing Like Elite. Please I Want To Know Before I Go To A Casting Call and Get Sent Home Because Of My Height;(.. Thank You! Hey, Leslie R! Sure you can still make it! At your age and height, you're ideal for either teen modeling or commercial/print. Do an online search for agencies with these divisions that are within no farther than a 2 hour's drive from where you live. Make sure to read the instructions for what materials to submit and what ways they will allow you to send them in. Since you're a newbie, you won't need professional headshots, photos or portfolio. Non professional, digital snapshots will be more than enough.

Anonymous Wrote: Hi dania, You really helped me with your comments, im Viktoria (with a k) and im ten years old ,I really want to be a model when I grow up , and I have almost all the requirements. Im smart(gifted student) ,the tallest in my class,but not a teen . The problem is that I weigh 115 POUNDS do you have any tips on losing weight, not getting fat again ,and how to get accepted into elite and Ford? P.s. I live in Rockford Illinois thx write back Hi, Viktoria! Please read these words very carefully: 115 pounds is NOT FAT . Models are expected to weigh anywhere between 100 pounds to 125 pounds maximum. I'm 115 pounds and I'm not fat, nor has my agent ever told me to lose weight. So you are fine and do NOT need to lose weight ! You are 10-years-old so weight loss should be the least of your problems. Just make sure to keeping eating healthy (fresh fruits and veggies and lots of water) and you'll be just fine. To get accepted into agencies like Ford and

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! I want to apply to Elite Model Management but I have several options: 1. Apply to a local modeling agency in partnership with Elite 2. Apply to an Elite office in a neighboring country 3. Apply to the NYC office Which option would be best for my modeling career? I'd ultimately like to be signed by Elite Model Management New York.  Hey, Anonymous! I don't know where you are currently located but I say do all 3! Since each of those offices are far apart, there's no harm in applying to all of them. It's not like they're going to call each other to cross check, you know? There's far too many model submissions for them to do that. If you got accepted to Elite in NYC then obviously that's the one you'd ultimately go with since it's your main goal. However, if you got an offer from either of the other options, that would still be good because it's a practical way to get your foot in the door. If the agency feels you&

Anonymous Wrote: Hey Dania! I just have a few questions. I've been working as a freelance model and competing in local beauty pageants for a bit and I'd love to try to get agency representation. I live in a small town in North Dakota though and there aren't any agencies here, but there are two in Fargo ND which is about an hour away. The problem is that I'm 21 and I'll be graduating college in a year (Dec. 2013.) I'd love to move to a large city such as Chicago or NYC after I graduate but if I can't find a job right away, I'll probably stay in ND a bit longer. I know the economy is much worse in large cities and everything is more expensive, so the thought of living in one and being super poor freaks me out, which is why I decided to finish college in my hometown first. My parents are paying for my tuition so at least I won't have any student loan debt when I move. If I'm too poor to afford healthy food, a gym membership and qual

Baha Elvar Wrote: I am wondering if the invoice should include also a VAT number, because I haven't seen it on your invoice template... Thank you, it is very helpful! Hi, Baha! When it comes to modeling invoices in the USA, we don't use VAT numbers, which is why that info wasn't included on the modeling invoice template I provided on my blog post, " Modeling Invoices ." However, I found a template example for a VAT invoice that you might be able to customize for your own uses for modeling jobs that should meet those requirements: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/templates/vat-invoice-price-including-tax-TC001180191.aspx I hope that helps!

Trifuion Wrote: I am not signed to any agency. I got an offer from a mother agency. Do you advise me to sing with a mother agency? Because in this way, a mother agency takes a % from your earnins, and the modelmanagement also takes a % from your earnings. Will I get enough money for me...to cover expences, pocket money and still have some for myself? Hi, Trifuion! If you have an offer from a mother agency I would say take it, especially if you don't have offers from other agencies on the table. While there are two sets of commission you'd have to deal with, the move will get your foot in the door with modeling, allow you to travel and gain the exposure needed to increase the likelihood of being successful in the field. The agencies book models for the highest paying work most times so they'll do their best to make sure that the money you walk away with is enough to cover basic living expenses. It might be a difficult transition in the beginning but once you ga

Farrah Wrote: Hello Dania, I would just like to ask you a few questions concerning modelling. Well i'm 21, female, 5"9, (30-27-34). I've always been told that i look like a model, however i've never really been confident about my looks and whenever i see photos of models they always have those perfect features and perfect white teeth. Unfortunately, my nose is not tiny, it's not huge but it's noticeable, i also don't have straight teeth or soft hair. I'm scared if i try modeling, they would reject me because of these flaws. Do you think a larger nose and a few imperfections could be an issue? And also do you think 21 is too old to try Runway modeling? Last but not least, Do you think there are models out there who started with no confidence and with time they were able to grow and become more confident? Thank a lot :) Hi, Farrah, There are TONS of runway models with imperfections...many right on their faces. But that didn't stop t

Nala Wrote: Hi dania I would firstly like to thank you for having such an amazing blog. I have aspirations of becoming a VS model I'm only 14 right now but I'm turning 15 on the 24th of december which is in a couple of days. I exercise and do kick boxing and yoga and jog and I try eat healthy I don't wear make up at all do you think I'm on the right track?. I read a post from another website that said that told me to wear things that make me feel beautiful and be confident but I'm not the confident type of girl I'm more of the socially awkward girl are they're any tips you can give me to be more confident?. The post also said you must be on the cover of vogue before you're 18 but how do I do that because I live all the way in south africa but I'm moving to new york in 3 years. And lastly I would like to know if NEXT, IMG, Elite and ford agencies have open casting calls. Thank you I hope I didn't ask to many questions. Nala. Hey,

Ashley Wrote: Hi Dania! So, I've already asked a few questions (reader question #475) but I have a few more... If you were to persue fashion modeling and had the right measurements does your wieght play in? Like you're proportioned well had the measurements and height but you were heavier? Thanks so much! Love the blog! -Ashley Hi, Ashley! Don't worry, you can never ask too many questions! If your height and measurements are on point, then weight doesn't play as much of a factor. However, if you're aiming for fashion and runway, just be aware of the fact that in large markets like New York and Los Angeles, fashion agencies do "weigh ins" on their models so they'll know exactly how much they weigh. And in some instances, even if the height and measurements are good, an agency could still tell a model to lose a few pounds.

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, if I live in PA and almost 3 hours from nyc, would it be okay to send pictures to agencies like Ford and Elite in New York?  Hey, Anonymous! You can send your pictures to agencies in New York but if an agency there wants to sign you, they'll more than likely want you to relocate to NYC to be closer to the agency and castings. So I would recommend submitting only if you're willing to move.

Emilie Wrote: Hi Dania! I contacted Unique Models in Denmark about a year ago (i were 14, soon 15) and they said that they wanted a follow-up meeting because they thought I were too young. Now, a little over a year after, I am turning 16,and they want to see me one last time (I've been there 3 times i guess)to finaly decide weather they want me or not. I am SO excited, but I am afraid that I don't have the right mesurements.. I am 176 cm, 78 cm around my bust, 62 cm around my waist, and 88-89 around my hips. is that too much? and another thing is that I have got acne.. last time I went to the agency, my skin was almost perfect, but now my skin is really bad, an I get medication from my doctor. what will they say if I have acne on my next meeting at the agency? will they change their minds, and not want me? please Dania, I am so confused and scared that they don't want me Love Emilie Hi, Emilie! First off, your measurements are just fine , so please don&#

Kristine Marks Wrote: Hi Dania :) I really enjoyed reading all of your postings, and was so impressed to see that you literally respond to each person who posts! I'm 23 years old, and have the exact measurements that you listed, except I have an extra 1/2 in. around the largest part of my rear. I'm 5'8" and just applied to Ford. Though I've done a shoot to create a portfolio with a local Wisconsin company that wanted to sign me, I did not agree with the terms of their contract. That was when I was 20. Now I'm 23, graduated from college, living in Chicago and at a full time job... and have decided that I need to give this my all one last time! My dream has always been to be a victorias secret model, and my husband and friends have been pushing me to send in this application for a long time. But... what do I do now? Just wait? I literally just sent in the application 2 days ago, but I want to make sure that I'm doing everything that I ca

Izabela Serban Wrote: Hy! Can a modeling agency want to sign with them even if they never seen you live' but just on pics and videos? Who pais for the model apartment, food and plain ticket?ft Hi, Izabela! Modeling agencies must see a model in person before offering them a contract. If a model can't make it to the interview, it isn't likely to convince the agency to want to sign them. Once signed if a model has to relocate and live in a model apartment, the agency will cover the costs of living until the model begins to book work and can either afford to cover their own expenses in the model apartment or has enough funds to find their own place. As far as the plane ticket for relocating the model, this expense is usually covered by the model. Or if the agency agrees to pay for it, that expense is later reimbursed by the agency taking the amount back in the form of the commission they charge for each paying gig they book for their models.

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I would like to ask if an exclusive model can still get jobs on their own but let their agency know so that they can be in charge of those jobs? Hey, Anonymous! It is possible for models with exclusive contracts to freelance their own jobs on the side. It is best to bring this subject up once offered a contract by the agency. Let them know you're interested in freelancing and see what feedback they have. Most times, the agencies are perfectly fine with this and could give you guidelines to follow for how they would prefer you to go about this. Others might not have any guidelines in place but may just tell you to let them know when you do book work on your own. I will say, though, that many agencies that allow their models to freelance often do ask for commission from those jobs, even though the model got the assignment on his/her own with no help from the agency. So be aware of that possible situation as well.

Anonymous Wrote: Hey, Dania. I'm 5'2" and 15. I'm not 100% sure how to become a model with any really important agencies, so if you could give advice? I'm not really material for VS, but I'm really interested in becoming a model. Any advice you give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!  Hi, Anonymous! At your age and height you should try looking into agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live. Make sure they represent either or both of the following divisions: teen models, commercial/print models. Below is a link to a blog post I wrote, which gives the basic steps for how to get started in modeling if you're looking for agency representation: Where Do You Start?

Nika Wrote: Hey Dania, So I have a question, I can't hold it. Is 130lbs really considered not fit or not small? I notice a lot of your readers post about their weight which is small and then at the end they say, but I'm trying to lose weight (insert: confused face). For fashion probably a little to big I guess, but for commercial I would think 130 is totally okay. I'm 128 now which is how my body looks most fit. I can't imagine going below this on purpose. When I'm lazy and don't exercise my weight can max out at 135 but I'm still in my size 4's and 2's comfortably, although again 128 is where my body has the most toned/fit look and it takes work to stay there. I'm 5'5" like the poster. I consider 130 to be a small/healthy size at that height, of course this all depends on how you are are proportioned and your muscle tone etc. I'm on a workout regimen now and while I hope to lose an inch or two, I don't