Answering a Reader Question #901

Anonymous Wrote:

Hi, Dania! Thanks for the wonderful blog :)

I was wondering how aspiring models find out if they have the potential to make it in the industry, except for being told by friends and family (who aren't professionals). Other than having the correct height, weight, and bone structure, how do they know if they have the right facial "look"? I ask because I was discouraged when I appeared at an agency in Chicago (where I live) and didn't get any face time with an agent - a receptionist simply snapped a couple of photos and told me I'd get a callback if I fit their needs (I didn't). I called them the next day and asked for some feedback - they said they weren't willing to supply that. There's only two other well-known, legit agencies here that I know of and I'm nervous to go. So, here are my questions: How does one find out if they are fit for modeling, if not through an agent at an open call? Does getting turned down at one agency mean you should give up trying, or do you have a chance at another place? If you don't live in New York, Paris, or other city with an expansive list of reputable modeling agencies, what happens when you get turned down at the few that are in your hometown?

Hi, Anonymous!

You're very welcome and thank you for reading my blog!

How does one find out if they are fit for modeling, if not through an agent at an open call?

Having the stats is a solid start in terms of being a good fit for modeling. The rest, however, is on a case-by-case basis, unfortunately. Aside from attending open calls (although those are the best way to find out) there is also submitting snapshots via email, regular mail and/or through an agency's online submission form. Ultimately, it is the agencies who can determine if you have the look that works for them to bring you onto their roster.

Agencies only respond back if they're interested so while playing the waiting game sucks, if you don't hear back after 6-8 weeks, that's usually a sign that they are passing on you for now. For lack of a better word, it's a game of chance.

Does getting turned down at one agency mean you should give up trying, or do you have a chance at another place?

The modeling industry is a game of numbers in many ways. The more gigs you are submitted to, the better the odds are of getting booked and it takes many "nos" but only one "yes" to really get the ball rolling. The same can also be said with submitting to agencies.

That being said, I highly recommend submitting to as many agencies as you meet the qualifications for and doing so around the same time frame. This increases the chances of receiving your responses around the same time as well.

What may not work for one agency may be totally what another agency wants so don't let that one experience deter you from seeking out others.

If you don't live in New York, Paris, or other city with an expansive list of reputable modeling agencies, what happens when you get turned down at the few that are in your hometown?

Chicago has a handful of agencies so I would first suggest submitting to all the ones there in order to exhaust your possibilities. The good news is that you are allowed to resubmit to any agency between 6 months to 1 year from the first time you submitted. So the door is not closed to you forever. This is because the demand and looks for certain models changes throughout the year so if your look doesn't work for an agency during a certain time of the year, there is the chance that it could work several months from now.

So don't be discouraged! Seek out the submission guidelines of other Chicago agencies or those that have open calls and make sure your snapshots and other info are on par with what they list online and go from there.

Best of luck!