Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Trueman741 Wrote: Hi Dania, So what about us males who are 50+ what chances do we have? i don't think i am too shabby for my age, black, 5'10, 75lbs, not wrinkly, medium size frame and bald. Hi there, Trueman741! Men who are 50+ certainly have a place in the commercial/print/lifestyle modeling world. Your age and other stats represent one of many specific demographics certain clients hope to target by hiring male models that reflect their audience. Think about the products you use on a regular basis or services that men in your age range are known for actively using--these are all areas where clients would be in need of male models to represent them. I say check out the websites of agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live and see what the requirements are for submission. Focus specifically on agencies that represent any or all of these divisions: - Commercial/Print - Lifestyle - Real People Models - Mature Models Sometimes the terms "c

Anonymous Wrote: What is your opinion on Farrah Abraham?? I know she was with models international in Beverly hills. I don't know if she's still with them. Do you think any legitimate agency will take her on? I feel no one will take her on due to the reputation she's created for herself. She's a plastic pornstar. Will she ever become a legitimate model/actress?? What are your thoughts on her modeling career or lack thereof??  Hey there, Anonymous! To be quite honest, I didn't have an opinion of Farrah Abraham because until I read your comment, I had never heard of her, LOL. So I did a quick online search and got up to speed. I must say I'm not very impressed with her and given the steps she's taken and the "things" she's come to be known for publicly, I don't foresee anything really legitimate happening with her modeling career. If anything, she'll probably get a manager (not to be confused with a modeling agency) who will con

Mark Chen Wrote: hi Im male and 6‘0 (183cm) tall. I want to be a fashion model. All the rules say that it will be fine if you are taller then 5’11, but when I check all the active male models now they are all above 185cm. So am I short for being a male model? Hey, Mark! No, you are not too short to become a male fashion model. There are plenty of successful male models out there who are the same height as you. Of course there are taller fellas out there but that doesn't mean you're out of the running. You're ideal as is. :-) So start submitting yourself to fashion agencies, if agency representation is the goal. Go in with the mentality that being 6'0" means you've already made the cut height-wise, instead of focusing on how much taller the competition is. Remember: it's all in the mindset! Don't let negative thinking psyche you out of the game before you've even started. You'll be just fine!

Birdbath Wrote: How should I go about investigating local agencies for my teenager? I know one does charge for classes to "get you ready". We are not near the bigger, more reputable agencies. Do they have a presence in most big cities? Hey, Birdbath! The more reputable agencies are typically located in the larger cities. While that doesn't mean the ones located outside of those areas shouldn't be trusted, it usually does require being much more critical when trying to see if they are operating on the up-and-up. The best resource is the agency's website in addition to seeing if they have a general Internet presence. Sites like the Better Business Bureau can also be helpful, as are sites like RipOffReport.com . If an agency doesn't have its own website, that isn't automatically a bad thing but it isn't really a good thing, you know? These days even the smallest, rural area agencies have some kind of website or online profile to display. Howev

Bru Marx Wrote: Hi, I booked a job in 2010 and the buyout stated this: Usage: Buyout- 18 months exclusivity So they paid me at the time. What I want to know is, after this 18 month usage, are they supposed to pay me more? I keep seeing my images to this date everywhere (was for a product sold in supermarkets). Please help me, let me know if I have money pending! hehehe thank you Hey there, Bru Marx! Is the product where your image appears, that you are still seeing long after the buyout term, the same image on the same product or does it appear on a different product and/or are they using a different image of you? If it's the same photo appearing on the same product that they paid you the buyout for back in 2010 then they wouldn't technically owe you any further compensation because the usage of the image hasn't changed, even though it's past the time frame mentioned. Now, you would be owed future compensation if they changed the way they used the imag

Stenly Wrote: Hello, I signed a contract with my agency about 6 months ago and now, since they're trying to be a very 'exclusive" agency in town, they're dictating whom I may hang out with and whom not. Also, I signed the contract, not knowing if it is 100% legal to sign a contract, if I am a student on an F-1 student visa who is about to go through an adjustment of status? I am trying to get out of this contract as soon as possible, and I also sent a request letter to be released from the agency, professionally explaining my situation and the information I'm concerned about. Any ideas? Is this even legal to sign a contract with an agency, even when at the last page of the contract it's asking for my SSN, but it's just left blank by the agency? Thanks a lot! Hey, Stenly, That's terrible about your agency trying to tell you who you can hang out with. I don't blame you for wanting out. Unfortunately, I don't have any knowledge or exper

Sage Kirk Wrote: Hi, I'm interested in starting a modelling career. I don't have any photos.. where can I start? Also I'm not the slimmest.. is there a certain weight requirement? Hi, Sage! When it comes to weight, it all depends on your height. Agencies want models that are height/weight proportional. For fashion work, the rule of thumb for agencies is that models 5'8" and taller should weigh no more than 125 lbs. However, for models 5'7" and under, they would be considered for commercial/print modeling, which is a category that is very flexible when it comes to size, weight and height. As long as you are healthy in appearance and are proportional, then print agencies don't really care or focus on exactly how much you weigh. You don't need professional images to get started in modeling. As the post you commented on clearly says ( Where Do You Start in Modeling? ): ***If you're concerned about photos or if you've never done a

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I was wondering if you could help me understand better what it takes to become a commercial model. I am 25 (unfortunately) so I know I'm not runway material anymore but I do think I would be good for commercial jobs, i.e. leg modeling, ads etc. Another problem I have are mild blemishes on the lower part of my facial skin - is this a big problem for this type of work? Thanks! P.S. I hope this blog is still active! :) Hi, Anonymous! Yes, my blog is active and still going strong! :-) I have just the blog post for you if you'd like to get a better idea of what commercial/print is all about. Click on the link below and you'll learn all you'll need to know about this very popular category of modeling: Understanding Commercial/Print Modeling As far as what makes for an ideal commercial/print model, it's pretty basic: being photogenic is a must, as is being able to successfully portray a variety of expressions (happy, sad, angry, su

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! Your posts are awesome! I'm just getting to know the industry better and better! Two quick questions! Is catalog modelling part of commercial and print section?  Also, is it possible to model for different sections? Like can I be a fit model as well as parts model?  Thank you! :) Hi there, Anonymous! I'm glad my posts are helping you learn the ropes of the industry, that makes me happy! :-) To answer your first question, yes, catalog work does fall under commercial/print. There are also more fashion-y catalogs but the bulk of the catalog work out there is geared towards print models. The answer to your second question is also "yes." The more versatile a model is, the more marketable they are for the agencies that represent them or if they're freelance, the more marketable they become when promoting themselves. Some agency websites allow models to select which types of modeling they're interested in during the appl

vlad17ism Wrote: Does this apply to teen models?Like if someone at the age of 16 or 17 wants to be a models and he is under 5'10 , does that apply to him?And we incrase height until 21 right?:D Hi, vlad17ism! The blog post you commented with your question on ( Male Models & Height ) is talking specifically about high fashion and editorial models, which comes with the strictest height requirements. There is a difference between "male teen models" and "male fashion models." A male aged 16 or 17 who wants to get into modeling but is under 5'10" can certainly do so as a "teen model" because height isn't a stringent factor because the nature of teen modeling is focused on products, brands and companies that appeal to teenagers and their families, not selling designer clothes. A teen guy who is 16 or 17 years of age, under 5'10" and wants to get into fashion modeling will have a much more difficult time getting a fashion

Katrina Wrote: Hi Diana,  I am 16 and am thinking of trying to model. I measure 34-24-34, and people say i have unusual features. i am asian but have euro features (russian ancestory). does that sort of count as 'exotic?' however, i read that u have to be 5'8'', 173. Well, i am 172 and a bit, just off 173. :( Would that count against me significantly? i live in NZ btw. thank u :)  Katrina Hey, Katrina! The good news for you is that because you're 16, many agencies make an exception when it comes to the minimum height requirement since they know there's still a few more years for you to grow taller. If you were 18 and under 172 cm, then it'd be a different case. That being said, I don't believe being a bit off would count against you a lot, especially if the agencies believe you have an exotic appearance and feel they can get you work. The best thing to do is visit the websites of the agencies you're interested in to find out what th