Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Unknown Wrote: Should you put your child in a modeling school? And will they guarantee them a job Hi, Unknown! I personally and professionally do not believe, encourage or recommend putting a child in modeling school UNLESS you simply want to help them overcome shyness and get a sense of what it is like to be in a new environment and around new people (and if money isn't a factor because modeling schools are expensive). If the goal is to get your child into modeling professionally then you should submit them directly to modeling agencies, which is 100% free to do. No portfolio, professional images or previous experience is necessary or required. Digital snapshots of your child are all that is needed for a modeling agency to consider your submission, in addition to other information, of course. Modeling schools get paid to offer services and cannot (by law) guarantee that your child will get a job or signed to an agency as a result of using their services. Even modeling

Anonymous Wrote: Hi I have 3 body piercings, one on my nose other one on my lip and theven last one is my belly button. I would like to know if there is any agency with alternative models besides suicide girls? Hey, Anonymous! The good news is that in recent years alternative modeling has gained more popularity so while there aren't as many agencies out there for alt models as traditional modeling divisions, there are a small handful online that you can check out that seem to have gained enough traction to stay in business. They are listed below: Pages Model Management http://www.pagesmodel.com/ The Twisted Agency http://www.thetwistedagency.com/ Valt Models http://valtmodels.com/about/ H.V. Quenzer Agency http://www.hvqagency.com/

Eliza Wrote: Hey Dania, My friend and I (both whom are tall and have been told for years we should try modeling) have decided to try modeling. We're both from SoCal and are going to be 18 in the coming months. Are we too old to start now? If not do you have any tips for older(ish) aspiring models? I tried to ask on your other blog but couldn't figure out how. Thank you,  Elizabeth Hi there, Elizabeth! Many agencies accept new models that are 18 years of age so while it is a later start to begin modeling, it's not like it's too late for you and your friend so I say go for it! I would give you the same tips/info as I would for someone younger or older than you: make sure you know what kind of modeling you qualify for and then search for agencies accordingly. Since you live in SoCal, you'll want to consider either the Los Angeles and/or San Diego areas. It depends on which market you live closer to. The rule of thumb is to submit to agencies that are no

Kindra Wrote: I LOVE your blog! I've done a bridal show with David's Bridal before when I was 15 among other other small photo shoots but now I am 18 and have always wanted to model! I'm 6'0 and have legs that are about 4ft long. Everyone has always told me to become a model but in a small town that's hard to do. I really would love to become a professional in any category. I was wondering if you had tips to help me start and get out there with me having already experienced some of it! Or if you could give me a chance to get an audition with either yours or a place you would recommend that would be amazing! Thank you and I hope you are having an amazing day! Kindra Hey, Kindra, I'm happy that you love my blog, I love that you're a reader! :-) Being in a small place where there isn't much of a modeling market is definitely challenging. I don't know the city/state where you live (I may be able to find agencies near you if I knew that info) b

Emma Wrote: Hey this has nothing to do with being tall because I'm small. I really want to be a model but I'm 5'4 and still growing , I was adopted and my brith mother was really small I'm talking 4'9! So I'm quite lucky to get to this height. I never knew my birth father so I don't know wether he was really tall or average . I've been on every website and it says if you not tall you should give up but that's not me I don't give up I'm determined to be a model and i know that it takes a lot to get there but Im willing to try . I was wondering if you could tell me if there is hope for a small teen who wants to be a model and if so what do you suggest I do ? I really need to know thanks. Hi there, Emma! At 5'4" you have a shot at doing commercial/print modeling, which tends to make more exceptions when it comes to height compared to other categories like fashion and runway. For you, it'll be a matter of locating agencies that

Riley Quinn Wrote: Hi, I'm interested in becoming a model. What would you call the modeling in online surf shops like O'Neill and Roxy. That would be my dream. Where do I start? I live in San Luis Obispo which is a small town and I'm not sure if we have big agencies, but I'm willing to travel. Hi, Riley! The type of modeling you described would be under either Lifestyle and/or Sports modeling. It can also be considered Commercial/Print on a broader scale. It is ideal to be within a 2 hour's drive from where agencies are located. You're pretty far from San Diego so that probably wouldn't be an option. By comparison, you're closer to Los Angeles than San Diego but still well outside the 2 hour driving range. However, that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to submit to those agencies. It doesn't hurt to see what could happen but if an agency is interested in you, it will be your responsibility to be able to get yourself to and from cas

Anonymous Wrote: Do you know any model agencies that would take short girls? 5ft-5'4? And have you ever known of an older person who modeled as a young person? Hey, Anonymous! Agencies that represent commercial/print models are the main ones that have shorter models on their rosters so that is the type of agency you should be searching for if you are within that height range. Location plays a key factor in the agencies a person submits to so asking for names of agencies in general is too broad. To narrow down the options, it is important to do an online search for agencies within a 2 hour's drive from the city/state/area where you live. To answer your second question, there are many people who have modeled in their younger years who have either returned to modeling in their later years or who have modeled off and on throughout their life. I've been modeling since I was 15 and am in my 30s now so it is very common for older people who have modeled in the past to

Girl with the Red Ribbon Wrote: Hi Dania! I live near London in the UK and have wished to be a model since I was young, as its a true dream of mine! I'm 5,9 (if anything, just over) and have 16" thighs - but I'm a size 8 clothing wise? Is this okay? What type of modelling would I be suited to and how shall I get started? Thanks so much! Girl with the Red Ribbon x Hi, Girl with the Red Ribbon! Based on your height, you are ideal for fashion/runway modeling. As far as your clothing size, there are many fluctuations between sizes for clothing in the US and the UK and even more differences when it comes to brands so I can't say based on your size 8 measurement alone whether you have the body type for fashion/runway modeling. The information that is best to know in order to answer your question are the measurements for your bust, waist and hips. London is the biggest market in the UK at the moment so it definitely works in your favor that you live close by.

Sara Wrote: Hi! I am 5'5 and 14 years old. My dad is 5'8-5'9 and my mom is 5'3. Do you think I have a chance at runway modeling? If not, which kind of modeling can I do? I live in NYC so can you suggest a reputable modeling agency that I may have a chance at entering?  Thank you so much!! Sara Hi there, Sara! Agencies go based on the height you currently are so if you were to apply to agencies now, you'd want to aim for submitting to agencies that represent teen models and/or commercial/print. Your height is ideal for print and your age makes you ideal for teen modeling. The following agencies in NYC have either or both of these divisions (the links go to the pages that talk about how to submit): BMG Models New York http://www.bmgmodels.com/wp/new-york-bam/ Funny Face Today Model Management http://www.fftmodels.com/become_model.html Grammercy Models http://www.gramercymodelsnyc.com/become-a-model.html Wilhelmina http://www.wilhelmina.com/new

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I have been selected by First Models and Houston agency. They have asked me to pay 490 USD for my portfolio. I am really scared whether am I doing right or not as they asked to pay 390 USD as a cash. They will take my pics for 6 changes. Can you please help me with this. Hey, Anonymous! The key to this situation is if the agency offered you a contract BEFORE saying you had to pay the money for the portfolio shoot. If they did give you a contract BEFORE, then it is legitimate for them to ask you to cover the cost for the shoot, as that is one of the common routes agencies take when signing a new model. However, if they're asking you to pay the money upfront in order for them to offer you a contract, then that's a big no-no. For more info, you can check out this link to a blog post I wrote that breaks down the options agencies choose from when it comes to this subject: http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2008/07/deal-with-agencies-test-shoo

Ashley Forst Wrote: Hi, Dania! I am 17 and 5'1. Do you think I have a chance at being a model? I would say my "modeling" makes up for my height. I do not think any of the "big" agencies where I live will sign me. Can you help me find an agency? Thanks! Hi, Ashley! At your age and height, your best bet is commercial/print. Some print agencies make exceptions and have shorter models on their rosters so it would be a good idea to check out the websites of the agencies local to you and clicking on the female print models they have listed to see if any of them are under 5'5". If there are, then it's a good sign that they will make exceptions, especially if they feel you have a look that is marketable. Feel free to send me an email directly at: daniadenise@gmail.com so I can see about helping you find agencies locally that you'd be a potentially good fit for. Or you can comment on this post with the city and state where you live (not your