Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, Dania! I was reading through questions and answers on this page and came across this question! I'm in a similar position as this person, except I have an interview about a week later and I have applied for fit modelling. Would the agency ask this type of question to a person appling for fitting model? Because I do'n't think it's appropriate to say something about my potential etc when I'm only applying for fit modelling where they care about the body size :L I don't know how to prepare myself for the interview because since I applied for fit modelling, the agency will not ask the same questions they ask to people who applied for high fashion. I'm lost and it would be great if you could help me!!  Thank you so much!! P.S I read every post on the 'Dania Denise' blog and try to do the same for 'Modelling 101'! I admire and look up to you!  Hi, Anonymous! Thank you SO much for the kind words...you brought a huge

Kristen Wrote: Hi, My name is Kristen ive always been the popular one in my school but not too skinny I would love to become a justice model! It is my passion please! I live in Rabun county Georgia. Hey there, Kristen! Justice is based out of Ohio but what you can do is look up the websites of modeling agencies in Atlanta, GA, which is just under a 2 hour's drive from where you are. Getting your foot in the door by obtaining agency representation is a good way to increase your chances. Once signed, you can explain to your agent about wanting to model for a company like Justice and depending on their connections they may be able to submit you if there are any castings for Justice coming up or book you for other clothing companies that are geared towards that age group that are similar in style. Justice may only stick to local modeling/talent agencies within Ohio but that doesn't mean you still can't be a clothing model for another great company or retailer. So ju

AmberDB Wrote: Hi my name is Amber. I'm a mother of a 4yr old. I have stretch marks seemingly everywhere stomach, sides, and butt but other than that i have really good skin. I am 5'6" weighing in about 100lbs. I live in Virginia and am considering modeling with a nearby agency. I have to send them pics and I was wondering should they be regular or glammed up, face, full-body, clothed, or fully naked, make-up, or no make-up. I'm just looking for some sort of direction on whether I can do it and possibly succeed at it  Hi, Amber! At your height you are ideal for commercial/print modeling. The good thing about that is that print models don't show a lot of skin and are supposed to represent the everyday person/consumer so your stretch marks won't be a hindrance at all. For the snapshots the agencies want you to send, you can wear a solid colored, fitted t-shirt or tanktop and skinnies or other type of fitted jeans or shorts as long as they aren't bag

Lisa Wrote: I have a question are you also on Pinterest?  Hey there, Lisa! I'm not on Pinterest or Instagram...there's just too many social media platforms out there and I don't have the time or energy to maintain profiles on all of them, lol. I may have a photo or two on Pinterest that other people have uploaded from previous shoots so there is a chance you may come across something of me on there. I am on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter though. :-)

Jay Wrote: Hi... m jay i m 24 old nd my height 5'4 & 55lb cn i b fashion model... plz reply me thnxxxxx Hey, Jay! Since you posted your comment on my post about male models and height, I'm assuming you're a man, lol. That being said, given your age and height you are ideal for commercial/print modeling. Unfortunately you are much too short to pursue fashion and runway modeling. The minimum height for male fashion models in most markets is 5'11". Even men who are 5'10" often have a hard time getting into fashion modeling so at 5'4" this type of modeling won't be a realistic option for you. However, that doesn't mean you can't model. As I mentioned, you should look into agencies that represent commercial/print and/or lifestyle models. These categories of modeling are very flexible when it comes to height for both men and women and will give you a chance to at least get your foot in the door if there is a print agency that

Michelle Wrote: Hi Dania, I've been debating this recently and I'm wondering what you think. Since Miami is a seasonal market, what times of the year would an aspiring model have the best chance at getting signed? Or how early before the season are agencies interested in new models/how late DURING the season is too late. I know timing is everything!! ;)  Looking forward to reading your thoughts!  Hi, Michelle! Each market operates differently as far as what times of the year agencies prefer to sign on new models and since Miami is very different from the San Francisco market where I'm based, I can't exactly say for sure what time of the year would be best for you. Clients actually book models for work during off seasons (i.e. shooting winter clothes in the summer and summer clothes in the fall/winter because it's cheaper) but since Miami tends to be fairly warm all year round, things may not work the same way there as they do in other markets. I woul

Waverly Wrote: hi! I go to college and will still be in college for 2 more years. If I am interested in going to a few agencies open calls, should i go to agencies near my college town or near my home town? (my college town and home town are 10 hours apart) Hey, Waverly! Since you'll be in college for two more years, I would recommend checking out agencies near your school. However, only do so if you have a flexible schedule where you can manage to balance both modeling and your courses. If you've got a full schedule and don't want modeling to interfere, then you should submit to agencies in your hometown. They work with students in high school and college all the time. All you'd have to do is let them know the months you'd be back home and during that time you're in town they'll send you out on castings and such.

Anonymous Wrote: Hello Dania! Firstly I love you and your blog!! Okay I'm kinda in a panic mode because I have a modelling interview in two days and im not prepared! I read through your'what the agency might ask' but i can't think of any answer to that! Any adivce? And also,can i say things like 'if I'm represented by (agency name)..."? Like if they ask "where do you see yourself in 5 years", can I say "Hopefully represented by you (as in agency)..."? And if they ask "why did you choose this agency" can I say "If I'm represented by you, I feel...etc"? I'm sorry if some parts don't make sense! I'm just really panicked! Thank you so much! Hi, Anonymous! Awww, I love having you as a reader and thank you for submitting your question! As I wrote in one of my recent "Answering a Reader Question" blog post, the first thing to do is BREATHE! :-) Congrats on getting the interview with the a

Julia Wrote: Hi Dania! First of all great blog! I am a 21 year old (most guess around 17 when I'm all natural though) Swedish girl who are 5"7 tall. My entire life I've been told I should really try to become a model and that I don't look like "the others" (this applies to both friends, relatives, strangers and professionals). I have also been scouted on the streets by a few photographers. The reason why I've never started is mainly because I've never thought it possible with my height and also because of the industry it self. Now being a little bit older I've started to change my mind, but am now instead afraid that it's getting too late for me. What do you think? Hey, Julia! Thanks for the compliment! :-) At 5'7" it is going to be hard for you to get signed to most traditional fashion agencies, especially since many of them also set pretty strict age requirements. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least

Anonymous Wrote: Hey I'm 14 years and I live in South Africa, I've always dreamed to be a V.S modelling but now at the beginning of the year I started to have white stetch marks on my butt to my hips only... And I was about to make a form for Ford modelling, I dont know if they gonna take me because I'm from S.A? Don't know what to do anymore please help! Hi, Anonymous! Because you just started noticing your stretch marks the first thing you need to do is start treating them...buy all natural 100% cocoa butter and start applying it to the area where the marks are at least 1-2 times a day. While it isn't possible to get rid of stretch marks completely, if you start working on them while they're still new you can prevent them from getting worse, which will go a long way as you get older. At 14 you aren't old enough to even be considered for VS so even if you applied to Ford, you wouldn't be considered for that kind of work until you turn 18. Th

Lynnell Wrote: Hi denise, what if you are 26 yrs old. but i pass and get mistaken for 18- 20 yrs old. 5'5 and weights about 90lbs measurements are 34-21-31. yes, im very slim. (which i hate) :( but i still want to know is it too late to try to still model, please let me know if it is too late for me???? please recommend me to some good modeling agencies in san fransisco? how do i get started? whats the first step? am i too old? or way too skinny? please? please ? please? help!!!! i greatly appreciate it Hi, Lynnell! First off: breathe, lol. It's gonna be okay. :-) At your age and height you are ideal for commercial/print and lifestyle modeling, which is super open when it comes to age so no worries about being "too old." Lifestyle is the same as commercial/print but is for models that are 25 years of age and older. Some agencies have their commercial/print and lifestyle divisions separate, while others think of them as the same thing. You're not tall

Anonymous Wrote:  Hello i read your blog and its so interesting I want to be a model but the problem is that im from Paraguay hmm and i want to go the US to try in agency but i dont have the Visa to work as a model because here in my country i dont modeling because the agencies are not high fashiob do you think that even i dont have the visa a agency can hire me ? Thank you sou much  Hi, Anonymous! I'm not an expert on the subject but I'm pretty sure you won't be able to work with any agency in the US without a visa, unfortunately. The best shot you have is to get signed with an agency within a 2 hour's drive from where you live so that the agent can make the arrangements to try and send you to work in the US. If there aren't any high fashion caliber agencies in Paraguay, maybe you can look into submitting yourself to agencies in Brazil. As long as they have experience with placing models with US agencies, that is what matters so try to look up the websi

Anonymous Wrote: Hello, My daughter is interested in modeling. We have been in contact with a booking agency that has sent us a contract. In addition to the contract they required her to get her own photos taken which we have don. We are to send the photos along with $199. They tell us the fee covers the layout of her marketing materials as well as her feature on their website. Do you think this is ligit? Any advise you can give us would be appreciated. Hi, Anonymous! Based on the info you provided me with, I believe this is a legitimate charge because you have a contract offer to go along with it. However, it is important to find out if the $199 is a one time fee or not so make sure to be clear about that so there aren't any unpleasant surprises or hidden fees. Another reason why I believe the charge is okay is the fact that the agency allowed you to go about getting the photos done on your own and didn't pressure you to use one of their chosen/recommended photograph

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, im 15 almost 16 in two months and I wanted to know if there is anything I should work on before going to an agency and seeing if they will sign me. Thank you! Hi, Anonymous! I don't know what type of modeling you're interested in (fashion/runway, commercial/print, etc.) but the best thing you can do is to visit the official websites of local agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live to find out what the submission process is like for each one. In most cases, you'll want to work on getting together some quality non-professional, digital snapshots. Take some practice flicks and see how they turn out. Submitting good snapshots are the strongest materials that could get you an interview with an agency or interest them further if you're attending an open call. If you're tall enough to do runway/fashion modeling (5'8"-6'0") then you'll want to get familiar with doing a runway walk. Definitely make

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! Since I was in my teens I was either asked if I was a model or told I should. When I was around 16 my mom and I decided I should give it a shot, especially since I live very close to NYC. We had head-shots taken (no make-up, natural hair) and sent them in to countless agencies and never got a response.  I am now nearly 24, still get the same comments/questions, and would love to give it another shot. I've grown and slimmed out since (5'10, 130lbs, hourglass figure). I also don't quite look my age and can easily pass for a few years younger. The only thing that's been holding me back from perusing is my age. I'm afraid it will get me tossed aside despite how much agencies like my looks. What are your thoughts? Any advice? Hey, Anonymous! At 24 you won't be getting signed to fashion/runway agencies so it is important to know that reality up front. NYC agencies typically set their maximum age cut off at 21 and very few at

Anonymous Wrote:  Hi, Dania. I was reading through your answering a reader question and i saw that you said that agencies whose websites have lots of "coming soon" or something like that aren't a very good agency. (or i could've read that from just your dania denise blog. sorry if I confuse them up :L) I suddenly thought about Boss models Australia. I thought they were one of the big companies but their paris and milan sections of the website says coming soon... so...is this just that they haven't done it or does this mean something else? Because I have had interest in Boss Models for a long time and their paris and milan section is always coming soon...  Thanks a bunch!  Hi, Anonymous! How long have Boss's Milan and Paris sections been showing the "coming soon" message? If it's only been a few weeks, maybe it's just that they've yet to get around to building/gathering enough content to properly display. However, if it's be

Jenny Colomy Wrote: Hi Dania, my name is Jenny. I am 13 and I have never modeled in anything and have no experience but I really want to be a model. Where should I start if I'm around 5'8" and interested in commercial or magazine modeling? Hi, Jenny! Being 5'8" at age 13 actually qualifies you for fashion and runway modeling but if you're mainly interested in commercial/print, that's totally cool, too! Although you've got the height for fashion/runway, print work also uses taller models as well as shorter ones. It is okay that you don't have experience, that is something you will gain "on the job" during your first test shoot, which the agency that signs you will help arrange. That being said, I would recommend doing an online search for modeling agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live and then checking out each agency's official website to find out what the guidelines are for submission and the types of p

Anonymous Wrote: Hello, Dania. I am going to go to a casting call next week and I wanted to wear short pants. I was just wondering if we have shave?? I don't shave because when you start shaving you have to shave continously... also there are things people say, if you shave, your hair gets thicker, etc... Are they true? Thank you :D Hi there, Anonymous! It is true that shaving does end up becoming a constant chore and that the hair does grow back thicker, however, this isn't the only option you have when it comes to hair removal for the legs. Waxing is a popular alternative that actually causes the hair to grow back much thinner over time. You also don't have to do it as often as shaving with a razor. There are plenty of nail salons and day spas that offer this service for a very affordable price. All you need to do is an online search to find out what places are near you or simply drive around town and chances are you'll spot a nail shop that also does waxing

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I've been thinking about starting to do modeling lately. But I'm already 23. Isn't it too late to start a modeling career? And also I am 6'1" ..are there any agencies that would hire a model this tall? Hi, Anonymous! I don't know if you're a male or female, which would help me give you a more accurate answer so I'll just answer for both situations.  If you're a female, being 23 is considered too "old" (I'm using this term very loosely) for fashion agencies but this mostly applies if you're located in a major market like New York, Miami or Los Angeles. These markets set very rigid requirements and typically set the cut off at 21 or 22.  Living in a smaller or medium sized modeling market means most agencies will be flexible with the age requirements and most likely would be fine with you being 23 and just starting out. As far as your height, fashion agencies tend to set the maximum height at 6'

Izzy Wrote: Hi Miss Denise! I'm 12 years old and I'm thinking of submitting to this local agency, and they want a full body shot. On the website it says that they want you to be in a bathing suit or something that shows your body. Do I have to wear a bikini, or can I wear a one piece? Or, better yet, actual clothing? And if yes to the clothing, what should I wear? Thanks in advance! Hi there, Izzy ( very cool name, btw)! Since the agency website said "bathing suit or something that shows your body," that means you don't have to wear a swimsuit. But if you want to, a solid colored one-piece would be fine (they'll see your age and will understand the choice). Other options for what to wear in the snapshots include a fitted, solid colored tanktop or t-shirt with dark skinny jeans (you should be barefoot). Or you could wear fitted short shorts. As long as the shorts aren't baggy with a ton of pockets, it should be fine. Hope that helps and be

Lindsey Wrote: Hi Dania! I love your blog! It's very helpful. I have a question that's kind of urgent. I'm going to New York soon to go to open calls at the agencies there. I'm very excited and am trying to prepare myself for anything that may come up. One question that I'm worried about them asking me is "Why do you want to be a 'agency's name' model?" I don't know how to answer that, and I know it shouldn't be as difficult as I'm making it. Any tips on an answer? Thanks!!!  Hey, Lindsey! I certainly can't tell you what you should say (I wouldn't feel right) but it is important to remember that you are basically "selling yourself" to the agency. It's like pitching a marketing campaign idea to a company that has hired you to be in charge of helping them gain more publicity. Think about what makes for a successful model: great in front of the camera, takes direction easily, works well with other

Lee Wrote (In response to my post "Did You Know...? #7" ): Is this only applicable in United States? or even in other countries?  Hey, Lee! From what I know, the excused absences for high school students missing classes for modeling related purposes is for the US education system. Other countries operate their education systems very differently (I'm guessing) so I'm not sure what their policy is for their students when it comes to that subject. BTW: The info I stated in my post is in reference to US high school students only, not US college students.

Anonymous Wrote: Hi! I have been aspiring to become a male model for a while and I think I have what it takes but I just feel like there would be a problem because I have a bit of acne on my face(very minimal. like 2 or 3 noticeable ones). Is it a problem because my face isn't crystal clear like these other male models? Also my body isn't completely hairless like theirs either. I have a bit of chest hair and stomach hair(again, very minimal). Would an agency turn me down because of these things? my body is very athletic built and I am lean and 6'0 feet tall.  Hey, Anonymous! Models don't have perfect skin--contrary to popular belief. The published images you see have been retouched so don't worry, your complexion doesn't have to be flawless in order to gain interest from an agency. They understand that models have skin issues, blemishes and breakouts from time to time. If your acne is very minimal and not considered "moderate" or "

Jeff Castro Wrote: Hi, My wife and I signed a 3 year contract for our 5 yr. old son in NYC. And we live 9hours away not thinking about what or how we will do this. We need at least a month to transfer with my job. How should I approach this with my agent that as of right now we can't do "go-sees" that to give us at least a month to get everything situated. Right now they went to a go-see the day we signed and they called us back for another look with the company. Thank you Hey, Jeff! Congrats on your son's contract but I definitely see the dilemma you're in. The good news is the solution really is simple: call/email the booker at the agency and tell them exactly what you told me. :-) You've already got the contract signed so the good news is they can't change their mind but I'm sure this isn't the first time they've dealt with such a scenario. Be honest and ask for that wiggle room so you and your family can get situated an

Adina Wrote: I'm 6 feet tall, a size 3 and 14 years old. People say I should model and that agencies will overlook my braces because of my height. Do you think they're right or should I just wait until they come off? Hi Adina! Your height won't necessarily make you an exception to the rule for agencies when it comes to braces. The best way to determine whether you should go for it now or wait until the braces are removed is to take into consideration how much longer you have until your braces come off. If you have 1 year or more to go, then I would recommend submitting snapshots to agencies and attending open calls to see if they'd be interested. But if you have less than a year to go, it would be best to wait until they're removed. The reason for this is the agency's main concern will be the status of your photos (headshots, comp cards, portfolio, etc.). If you got signed with your braces, when they come off, you will have to redo all your photos.

Anonymous Wrote: Hello! im just wondering if redheads are viewed as a plus or a negative in modeling because i dont see that many at all and the ones i do see look spray tanned ,so if you are a redheaded model do they make you get a spray tan?? Hey, Anonymous! Redheads aren't necessarily a negative in modeling, in my opinion, but because they have such a specific look, it sometimes makes it hard for them to consistently get work. Not all clients want to use redheads but there are times when they're requested. That's probably why not many agencies have a whole lot of them on their rosters, compared to the large numbers of brunettes and blondes. Sometimes redheads are a "hard sell" to clients but not to the point where an aspiring model who has red hair shouldn't still try to submit themselves for representation. It also helps to view the models on an agency's website to see how many redheads (if any) they currently have on the roster. I'v

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I love fashion and when I went to go try on wedding dresses they told me that I fit very one and that they all looked really good on me. She also told me that I should be a wedding dress model and I would like to volunteer at bridal gown shows and be a model but I don't know how to get into it. I am 18 years old and 5'2 and my family tells that girls would kill for my hair, I have red curly hair. If you can give me any tips or can help me that would be amazing. I know I am probably not typical model stature but I am still interested. Also I would like to stay in my home town. Hi, Anonymous! Although you are 5'2" a lot of local bridal shows do use models of all height and sizes, which could definitely work in your favor. I would suggest going online and seeing if there are any upcoming bridal fairs/shows scheduled to be in your area. Focus on the ones that have bridal fashion shows (to my knowledge, not all of them do). Once you kn

Anonymous Wrote: Hey Dania! So today I had nothing to do and just went through your whole blog. Like no kidding, I read almost all of your posts! And then I came across a post about modelling types and I just have some questions about it. So here we go! 1. do commercial/print models actually film commercial? or do they just appear in like catalogs? like any catalog? 2. Do fit models know how to pose? or will the agency teach the fit model? And this question is not about the modelling types. When I looked at some of 'become a model' section of some agencies, they had a message section. What are we supposed to write in it? Because I think that message section is important as the agencies kinda get a 'first impression'from that message. Thank you so much!! Hi, Anonymous! Great questions and WOW you must've had a lot of time on your hands to read through all my posts...if I had a trophy I would award it to you, lol! 1. The word "commercial" is ve

Anonymous Wrote: How do I get my daughter into modeling and what can I do as her mom to make sure she get noticed.  Hello, Anonymous! The best way to get your daughter into modeling is to seek out an agency to represent her. I don't know how old your daughter is but there are a variety of divisions for models under 18: baby, child, tween and teen. Do an online search for modeling agencies in your city/state and browse through the official modeling agency websites that turn up in the search results. The websites will have all of the information you'll need. The first thing to check out is whether or not they have the right division for your daughter. If not, then don't submit to them. At this point you'll only need non professional, digital snapshots so don't focus on trying to get professional images or hiring a photographer. It isn't necessary or mandatory to be considered for agency representation. The agency websites will also have instructions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I have been signed with an agency for 2 years and havn't gotten a job. Agents tell me I should be getting jobs, but I'm not. Does this mean the modeling industry is not for me? I am thinking about giving up. Hey, Anonymous! That's very frustrating and I'm sorry you've found yourself in such a position. The fact that you have agency representation and are getting positive feedback from the agencies is a very good thing but, unfortunately, even modeling agencies can't control clients or the decisions they make. I don't know any specifics about you, such as your height, stats/measurements, age, etc. but there are a number of reasons why a model--even one who is signed--might not book any work. A few of the most common include but are not limited to: - Their physical look might not be in demand at the moment - Their physical look may be "too in demand" and clients are looking for something completely different

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania. My 16 year old daughter has been offered a three year exclusive modeling contract. Most of the contract seems to be pretty typical. But I'm not sure if this is typical: the "manager" can terminate the agreement early without penalty, while my daughter would incur penalties - $2,500 if she terminates within the first year, $5,000 in the second and $7,500 in the third. Does that seem typical/appropriate to you? Or should that raise red flags? Thanks! Hi, Anonymous! Ooooh, I don't like that part of the contract at all and it does raise red flags for me. I know that not all modeling contracts are the same and are tailored for each business but I have had several agents over the course of my career and have signed my fair share of contracts and not one of them has ever penalized the talent/model for wanting to terminate the agreement. The most common clause I've seen in virtually every modeling contract I've come across

Kesha Wrote: Hello, I was wondering if you knew of any products to help remove acne scars. I use to have really bad acne the first 3 years of high school and now I have finally won against the acne battle! Now I just need something for the scars that were left behind. Agencies have told me I have a lot of potential, but I need to clear up the scars. Please help me! Thank you, Kesha C. Hi, Kesha! Kudos on beating acne, yay! I've been hearing a lot of good things about Mederma. It is specifically formulated to help fade both new and older scars, including those caused by acne. I've never used it personally so I can't speak from experience but it has a lot of decent ratings/reviews online. As with any product, of course, it is important to remember that the results vary from person to person. You can find Mederma at any drugstore. Not sure of the price but it's definitely worth looking into. Another good idea would be to make an appointment with a dermatolog

Lexa Wrote: Hi Dania, which hip measurements do agencies want when asking for bust/waist/hip? Is it the lower hip or the high hip? Because if I measure about 8 inches below my natural waist line and then my lower hip then there's a 2 inch difference. So if I want to send my measurements, which one should I send? And I'm 172cm, which is between 5'7.5" and 5'8, I'm 17 so hopefully still growing, but what should I put in for height? Thank you so much! Hi, Lexa! It's best to measure your lower hip and submit that number for your stats to agencies. A common mistake is taking measurements too high up on the hip. The ideal area to target is the widest part of the hips just above your butt. When it comes to height, if you put 5'8" just know that agencies who are interested will measure you to verify that the stats you've provided are accurate. If you're not a true 5'8" when measured in bare feet without wearing shoes, I think

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! Any news on the webinar? Thanks a bunch! Hi, Anonymous! Why, yes, there is! :-) The webinar is set for August 31st at 5:00pm PST. For more information on how to attend, check out this link: http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/p/dania-denise-webinar-event-page.html There is also info on my blog home page right before the actual posts, which explains the details of the upcoming webinar event. The heading is titled, "How to Attend the Dania Denise Webinar August 31st, 2013 @ 5pm PST." Hope you can make it!

Bekah Wrote: Hi Dania, I found your modeling-agency sample contract, but I'm wondering if you know of a sample contract for a freelance model to have photographers sign? Is this something that would be reasonable to present to photographers and feasible to create for myself? ~ Bekah Hey there, Bekah! It is more traditional for models to sign the photographer's Model Release Form but there are releases models have for photographers. Just FYI: model release forms are not the same as contracts offered by agencies. It is fine if you have your own release form for a photographer to sign but not all photographers have dealt with signing a release given to them by a model. So don't be surprised if you get a few who may think it's odd. I don't think any would refuse to sign it...as long as they read through it and are okay with what it says, they shouldn't have a problem. Here is a link to a template of a release form you can give to a photographer as a

Anonymous Wrote: I don't really have self confidence in myself. But I really want to be a model. Im a shy type of person. Do you think theirs hope? Or any tips for me to boost my confidence? Hi, Anonymous! Y our first priority is to learn how to be more comfortable in your own skin and overcome your shyness. Only when you've accomplished this, can you take the idea of modeling more seriously. It isn't impossible but depending on how much self confidence you're lacking, it will be a matter of time and something you'll need to keep working at consistently. It won't happen overnight. Here are some helpful links to blog posts I've written about boosting self confidence for people that aspire to enter the modeling industry: Tips for Being Confident as a Female Model A Confident Model Is...

Serin Wrote: Hi Dania, I love your blog! It's been helping me a lot, but I have another question. I was recently signed to a small, local agency but they asked me to develop a portfolio. They also gave me a list of photographers so I can start shooting with them, but the problem is they asked me to pay for the shoots. Is that normal and should I pay for the shoots to develop my portfolio? Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it! Hey, Serin! I love having you as a reader! :-) Congrats on getting signed to an agent, that's fantastic! Because your agent signed you first and then asked you to develop your portfolio at your own expense, it is completely normal and legal for them to do this. It would be a no-no if they were to ask you to do that before giving you a contract to sign. So don't worry, you're on the right path and your agency isn't trying to pull one over on you. However, it doesn't hurt to ask if it's okay to find your own p

Zoia Wrote: Thank you so much for your blog! I'm Zoia and I also want to pursue a modeling career and thought that it might be too late for me. I am 24 years old but in fact look no older than 16! I didn't know that this could be a good thing. I am 5'7" but I don't think that will be good enough to be a runway model. Hey, Zoia! Unfortunately, doing professional runway work through an agency at your age and height isn't likely to happen. You might do local shows where they're flexible with the height requirements but the main niche/category you'll want to focus on are commercial/print and/or lifestyle modeling. So make sure you seek out agencies that represent commercial/print and/or lifestyle models and if you've got a look that's marketable and a great personality, you should have no problem finding someone to represent you and get the ball rolling. Glad you're enjoying my blog, I'm happy to have you as a reader!

Isabel Wrote: hi, I was told by my booking agent that gym memberships, tanning and hair extension (which were recommended by her) were write offs? Hey, Isabel! Normally I wouldn't recommend counting these as tax write offs because you have to be able to justify that these expenses are solely used for modeling purposes. Everyone--not just models--go to the gym, visit tanning salons and buy hair extensions. However, in your situation you might be able fine with writing it off because it was your booking agent who recommended that you participate in these activities in the first place as they relate to modeling as your profession. But keep in mind that should you ever get audited by the IRS, you will have to be able to "prove" that you only got the gym membership, tanning and hair extensions solely for modeling and that the only time you use those services/products is when preparing for a modeling casting or job. This means keeping diligent receipts as well as b