Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Unknown Wrote: Hi Dania, this us actually a question. How soon after getting published in a magazine can I post other photos from the shoot that didnt get published on social media? Hi, Unknown! The moment a magazine gets published, you have complete freedom to post any other photos from that shoot, including BTS photos and/or video. Remember that magazines are really strict about the no posting policy before publication, even if it is a candid BTS. It can take a while for the issue to come out but it is worth the wait. It is okay to mention that you did the shoot and for what magazine but as long as there isn't an image that goes with it, you'll be fine. When in doubt, it also doesn't hurt to reach out to your contact at the magazine to make sure you know their policy but regardless, after the magazine has come out, you're free to do what you want and post what you want. Hope that helps!

Anonymous Wrote: First of all, I think I love you Dania! Thank you for answer my question (#986) it was more than helpful, but I have more questions and I think you can help me: 1. I've just turned 18! my country is Venezuela and literal there isn't a decent modeling agency (here the modeling world is not a good idea), and being honest I don't want to start my career here, and like I said before I'm planning to go to NYC (next year) to see some agencies, my question is: Is okay to apply online to an agency that doesn't have open calls once there? I mean, like you said before I have to plan ahead the agencies that I'll attend but there is one on my list that only accepts an online application, and I want to apply once there because I want to fill the "addres box" with an address of NY, it is okay to do that or is crazy? 2. How do I “plan ahead” the agencies I will attend to, I mean, I have a list but do I need to contact them first? or do I have

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dana, I hope you're okay I have a problem, I live in Latin America and I want to start my modeling career in NY, I mean, I want to go to NYC and meet some agencies but my doubt is: does it is safe to go to the US as a tourist to visit agencies? and if I get signed will the agency be my sponsor for my working visa?  Hi there, Anonymous! I'm doing great, thanks for asking! :-) Despite the political atmosphere going on in the United States at the moment, it is safe for you to travel as a tourist to meet with agencies in the NYC market. As long as you plan in advance for which agencies you'll go to and are able to maximize your time while you're here, you'll be able to hopefully get the results you want out of the trip: an agency to petition on your behalf to bring you over to work as a model. Of course that is easier said than done. There are several important requirements that must be met and specific documents that need to be provided i

Unknown Wrote (in response to the blog post "Modeling & Tax Season: To Write Off or Not to Write Off?" ): Would you elaborate more about "your income made from modeling also needs to justify the deductions" and exactly what you mean? Hi, Unknown! I absolutely can. :-) If you choose to claim certain expenses as tax deductible because it relates to your modeling career, then the money you report to the IRS that you earn from modeling jobs has to be enough of an amount to show that you are, in fact, making a profit and earning enough from it. For example, if you have a ton of deductions for manicures and spa services (let's say they total $1,000 for the tax year) BUT you didn't make that much or more in income from modeling, that's not going to look good to the IRS. When you show a tax return record too many years in a row where the money you make from modeling isn't more than the amount of tax deductions you are trying to claim, the F

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, my current mother agency isn't really finding me any new jobs or shoots and I'm thinking about switching to another one. I used to be signed with an exceptionally good agency, which, however, isn't located in my current country of residence (it's 5.5/6 hours away by car or train from where I live at the moment).  Please let me know if it makes sense to sign with agencies that aren't located in your country of residence if they're very good.  Thanks! Hey, Anonymous! Are you considering trying to sign again with that same agency or somewhere else? Having a mother agent in your country of residence is ideal and recommended but if you're able to secure representation with that same agency from before or if you come across other agencies that are non-mother agencies you want to work with, it doesn't hurt to submit, see what feedback/response you get and then make a decision from there. In the meantime, it would also be advi

Tanisha Wrote: Im Tanisha in I have had alot of people tell me oh my ur so beautiful why u want sign up to be a model in I'll tell them im not that beautiful in down grade myself all the time so I need a little help from anyone because everyone has there in opinion Hi there, Tanisha! Although I don't know you personally or all of the details of your situation, it sounds like you have some work to do before entertaining the idea of pursuing modeling. Because it is an industry that is based on many superficial/physical factors, I strongly encourage you to work on loving yourself first before anything else. I say that because it's not that modeling wouldn't be good for you or that you shouldn't try it BUT entering this field requires a lot of confidence and a thick skin that can handle rejection. Many men and women find it hard to be judged based on their looks and the many other factors involved with the process of finding agency representation and submittin

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dana!  Thank You so much for being so helpful to those who want to get into the industry. If I recall correctly, I believe you said you have some recommendations for agencies. I am looking for agencies in Florida, I am in Tampa, Florida. The first one I signed up for was very pushy about paying money upfront and so far I didn’t not have a return on that investment. Please let me know if you have any recommendations? Also, how many agencies in Florida do you think I should be applying to? (Commercial modeling) Thank You so much Dana! I truly appreciate it! Hey, Anonymous! When it comes to seeking agency representation, you want to cast a wide net. It is a numbers game, after all. Submitting to them all around the same time is also recommended because it makes it easier to keep track, especially if you end up getting interest from more than one. I don't live or work in the Florida area so I can't vouch for any agencies I recommend there but based o

Unknown Wrote: Hi there, just to ask, do models pay to join the modeling agency,your own outfit,make-up and manicure? I’m just curious this could be a scam because I have little knowledge when it comes to modeling and the mechanism. Do I have to pay for the Job? Kindly help  Hi there, Unknown! Models do not pay upfront fees to join agencies. Legitimate agencies will offer a contract, have the model sign it and then discuss whether the agency will cover the costs related to expenses like the test shoot and putting together the model's portfolio and comp cards or if they require the model to take care of it (please see the following blog post that explains this arrangement in better detail:  http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2008/07/deal-with-agencies-test-shoots-for.html ). As for the costs like wardrobe, makeup and manicures, this is the model's responsibility to pay for. It is seen as investing in yourself and your career. In some instances a model may get hired f

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, About one and a half years ago, I signed a mother agency contract with a modeling agency but decided soon after that I did not want to pursue the opportunity. I emailed the agency, and on amicable terms it was decided that I would not continue though it was not explicitly stated that my contract was terminated. The contract was for two years. Now, I am interested in signing with another agency. Am I in the clear, or will there be legal repercussions? Thank you,  Hi Anonymous! Do you still have the email correspondence you exchanged with the mother agency? If so, then that's a good thing because you'll want to make sure to keep it as well as print out a hard copy for your records. Both serve as proof that you communicated with the mother agency and that an agreement was made by both parties to terminate the contract. Usually you have to put it in writing but since you didn't do any activity while you were with them is more than likely

Anonymous Wrote: We live in the Uk but my daughter has been asked to sign with a mother agency based outside the UK - is this a good idea? We are not sure whether she would be overlooked for work if the London agency has to pay the mother agency an extra 10% for each job. Should we try and get her with a London agency instead or sign with this mother agency? We don't know if it is normal practice for the mother agency to be in a different country. Hello, Anonymous! While I won't say there hasn't been such an arrangement before where a model's mother agent isn't located in their country of residence, I will say that it is ideal and preferred to have the mother agent where you actually live, instead of another country--mainly for common sense factors of course. London is a major modeling market internationally so it would be in your daughter's best interest to obtain representation from a reputable mother agency there and then go about the routine pr

Unknown Wrote: I am 17 and i am 5ft11 i am also handsome tho and a lot of people have been telling me to go into modeling but m not really sure my height is appropriate Hey, Unknown! Many male models for runway and fashion are 6'0" - 6'3" but that doesn't mean agencies won't consider someone of your height. The fact that you are 17 is also something that could work in your favor. Agencies often will consider a model who isn't the minimum height for fashion if they are younger because they know that means they'll likely grow taller as they get older. That tends to be the case for a lot of men. That being said, you should do an online search for agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live. Check out the websites and find out what the height requirements and age ranges are if listed and if they hold open calls where you can go in person without an appointment. There are also commercial/print agencies where the height requirement

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, Diana :) I'm 17, 5'7", 107 lbs, measurements are 34-24-35. My whole life, I've had people tell me that I should model. When I was younger (toddler age), I was supposed to start, but my father prevented that from happening. I was also approached at 13 in a mall by a company to model for them, but I was with my friend and in a hurry, so I kindly waved and declined as I walked passed. With college starting in a year for me, I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to finally try it out and get some money for college. It seems like a flexible job - is it? I approached my mother about it today. She basically laughed and said that I wouldn't make it because of my teeth (I have an overbite), and it wouldn't work for me to start at my age. That hurt, but the truth does hurt, I suppose. Since I'll be on my own soon, is it possible to start modeling at the age of 18? I don't have the most beautiful face in the world, but I feel li

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, should a promo resume be like a normal resume with tasks listed under companies worked for or like a model resume with each individual job listed? Thank you! Hey there, Anonymous! Promo resumes can be formatted either way. If you're specifically wanting to be a promo model and have a lot of experience, then I would recommend having it set up like a normal resume with the tasks listed under the companies worked for. If you do other types of modeling, then you can add a "Promotional Modeling" section to your modeling resume and list a simplified version of your experience. You would submit the more formal promo modeling resume to promo jobs directly, while the other version could be sent to non-promo modeling jobs since it would showcase the diversity of the types of work you do and have done previously. To cover all your bases, I would suggest having both version readily available to submit. Hope that helps!

Unknown Wrote: Hey Dania,  Im so in love with the way you handle all these questions I hope you're going to have an answer for mine. Im 17, just came out to New York and I was planning on stopping by some agencies like IMG to " pick up information" to kinda make a good first impression? Im about 125lbs and 5'9. Im pretty European. Im very nervous, in todays trends having big lips is almost a must but mine are pretty thin. Do you think I should just submit online and possibly get fillers or just go the way I am ?? Hey, Unknown! Dropping by the agencies for anything other than attending an open call or scheduled interview isn't a good idea. On the websites of many agencies they say to not come by unless you have an appointment or if there is an open call happening. But the good news is that many of the top agencies in NYC have open calls where you can go in as you are to be evaluated. You have to visit each agency's website to find out what days and t

Katie Wrote: Hi, I'm Katie and it is a dream of mine to just be able to become a well-known model but VS would be even better, although i'm 15 and 5'4 so not a great chance there. A question of mine is if famous models can have nose piercings? Hi, Katie! Absolutely. Many models have nose piercings, although for modeling assignments they typically remove them and then put it back in afterwards. So it's a compromise. It also depends on the kind of piercing. Many have small studs or rings. If it's a more alternative type of piercing that isn't easy or possible to remove, that could be a challenge for an agency and that particular model would need to have a look that was really in demand for them to be okay with the model wearing it during modeling jobs. There are always some exceptions to the rule in these kinds of cases and it varies from model to model. However, it is easier for fashion/runway models to get away with the type of nose piercing I descr

Freyaaaa Wrote: Hi, I’m not sure if you’kk reply to this anytime soon but whatever. I have acne on my face and have had for the past 3 and a half years. I’m 14 and i’ve Tried many washes and scrubs but haven’t visited a dermatologist yet. I really want to give modelling a shot because i’m Always complimented on my ‘ model figure’ . I don’t know where to start and want to know how likely I am to actually model. (Hopefully mostly catwalk). Thanks, Freya Hey, Freya! The first thing to do is make that appointment to see a dermatologist. Trying a bunch of different products randomly without any guidance could do more harm than good. Seeing a qualified dermatologist is a great way to start off on a clean slate, understand your skin better and have the dermatologist recommend the right skin care products for you to try out. Take that first step to get your complexion at its best and then when you find the products and regimen that works, the next step would be to look into local mod

Julia Wrote: Hi Dania! I am 16yrs old, 5'10, 127 lbs, 34-26-35. I am not stick-straight, but I am thin and have a more athletic build. I know my stats, particularly the waist, are a little big, but I am interested in modeling on the side. Would I be able to fit in Fashion/Runway and is it worth going to open calls? I live in Austin, which isn't huge on the HF scene, so I didn't know if they would be a little more forgiving on stats. I don't know much about the industry and am trying to see if I honestly would be able to model. Thank you so much! Hi, Julia! I would most certainly suggest attending open calls in Austin. That's going to be the only way you'll know for sure which agencies would be interested in you or not. Smaller markets like Austin are more forgiving when it comes to measurements so you're pretty accurate in that sense. However, the rule of thumb is that a female model's stats can be a maximum of 2 inches larger in the bust, wai

Maranda Wrote: Should you list jobs that you don't get paid for on your resume? Hi, Maranda! The answer to your question is yes! Paid or not, modeling assignments, shoots, fashion shows, etc. all count as work experience and should be listed on your resume. And you don't have to specify which ones were paid and which weren't. For the purposes of the resume, that doesn't matter at all. Hope that helps!

Steve Wrote: Hello Dania: After reading your post, I see that I am missing lifestyle and family man shots in my portfolio. So could a father-daughter shoot serve both these categories? When I visit the Bay area in April, if there is a TFP photographer who can shoot me in these categories aside from the beach shots we discussed, can you connect us? Since I look younger with my beard now trimmed short, do you think my agent is less likely to cast me in roles targeted to the over 50 audiences? Thank you, Steve Norwood Hi there, Steve! Having a father-daughter type of shoot would certain qualify for lifestyle and family man shots for your portfolio. There are modeling groups on Facebook that are great resources for networking and posting travel notifications for those that are location-based for its members. It couldn't hurt to reach out to those groups and ask to join or to post your availability and interest in doing trade shoots with local photographers in the Bay Area

Steve Wrote: Hi Dania, When I did a google search for talent agencies in Arizona, then one for casting agencies, the list of companies displayed was essentially the same. The distinction can be a little vague for the newbie. From a model/actor who is serious about the business, after recently signing a contract with a talent agency, my agent referred me to a couple of different casting agencies. I feel like with my lack of experience, do you agree talent agency is more likely to find me work? For aspiring models and have to have to work in other fields to support themselves for a couple of years while establishing themselves in the industry, and thus have a limited amount of time to read all the casting agency listings, is their time better spent with the talent agency doing the leg work? Btw, please see my related comments for your blog, "The difference between casting agencies and Talent/Modeling agencies". Thank you, Steve Norwood Hey, Steve! Because talent a

Steve Wrote: Hi Dania, If an aspiring model is lucky enough to find a talent agency to sign them, this seems like a great career booster, the best place to start? I'm wondering if a newbie who has no headshots or related background such as Pageantry, can reasonably expect success with a casting agency. Before spending money on casting agency fees, is it more financially sound for the model to to begin establishing social contacts and obtaining a few headshots first? Btw, see please see my related comments on "Tips for finding a good casting agency". Thanks for your New Years commitment to keep your blog alive! You are the only trained model in the U.S. of A who is offering free advice! Thank you from all of us Dania!!!! Thank you, Steve Norwood Hi there, Steve! Thanks for the kind words of support and being a fan of my blog, I appreciate you and the questions you ask for the benefit of yourself and others in your position! Starting with a traditional model

Anonymous Wrote: What does Video Buyout re-up: +10% per year per spot (+20%) mean? Hey, Anonymous! Because the term "re-up" is mentioned, the rate listed is only applicable if the client chooses to renew the spot you're in and run it again in the future. So if they decide to run it again for, let's say 1 additional year and 1 spot airs within that time and if the original video buyout rate was (for example) $500, the numbers would break down something like this: Original video buyout rate: $500 + 10% (1 year with 1 spot aired) = $550 + 20% = $660 Depending on what the original video buyout rate is, that could add up to some really good residual income for work you only had to do once. Of course if they never air the spot(s) again, then you wouldn't be paid the rate above but even if they only air 1 spot for 1 year that means you'll get a decent check coming your way. :-)

Anonymous Wrote: Hi,  I love your blog I was wondering if in the modelling indistry you can change or shorten your name when the agency asks for your name when applying. For example can I change my name from Lucinda to Lucy as it is what people call me. Or is it better to use your full name then see if the agency suggests shortening it?  Hi, Anonymous! Thanks for being a reader of my blog! When you are applying for agency representation and are filling out the forms you need to use your legal name for legal purposes. Sometimes the forms have a field where you can list any nicknames or other aliases you use so that's where you'd put that information. Or if there is a comment box you can mention that you go by Lucy and are open to using it as your "Model Alias" instead of Lucinda. Once you get an offer for representation and move forward with signing the contract that's when you can discuss your name further with the agency and see what feedback they

Steve Wrote: Dania, Commercial/print is a dominant type of work I will be doing in the future. When my talent agent says 90% of their work is acting, but talk about doing a lot of commercial/print work, are these primarily modeling or acting jobs? Steve Norwood Hi there, Steve! When they specifically reference "commercial/print work" they are referring to modeling jobs. In most cases if they are talking about acting work, they'll make sure to use the word "acting." Sometimes the word "theatrical" will be used in reference to acting work. Although it may imply "theater" as in stage-plays, in the entertainment industry "theatrical" is commonly associated with acting work in the TV/commercial and film categories. If at any time you are unsure, it's perfectly acceptable to ask your agent for clarification. That's what they are there for. :-)

Anonymous Wrote: Hi I was really wanting to become a sports model, and I'm young and meet many of the standards but, I have terrible acne on my back. I got rid of many of the pimples, but I've noticed there are some scars. How would that affect my chances as well as having frequent breakouts on my face? Hi, Anonymous! Having noticeable scarring to the extent you described can make pursuing modeling challenging because there is a difference between a few marks and blemishes here and there and the kind of scarring that has a big affect on the appearance of your skin. My best advice would be to treat your scars and breakouts ASAP. Make an appointment with a dermatologist and get into a diligent skin care routine to effectively start fading the scars. Once your skin improves then you should pursue modeling. Doing so will help you feel truly confident and comfortable in your own skin (literally) moving forward. Best of luck to you!

Jack Hold Wrote: Hi Dania, Should I start apply to top high-end agencies in NY. Or start first with the ones here in Dallas,Texas. I feel I do I have the look with height (5’10)and weight (120lbs)not really in the bust area though, a little in the wait and hips. I think I do look exotic lol and my personality is really good along with a sense of humor. Hey, Jack Hold! I say do both to make sure all your bases are covered. There are pros and cons to both approaches as far as trying to decide between modeling locally or going to a different market. I personally would recommend starting local to learn the ropes, however. The upside for modeling locally is to get your feet wet in a smaller pond and build the professional experience, portfolio and networking skills that would better groom you when you are ready to move on to a larger market like New York. Additionally, there may be modeling agencies in Dallas that also serve as "Mother Agencies." These types of agencie

Tahnee C. Wrote: Hey! I am very new to modelling and would like to know where to start!! I am 14, almost 15... and am only 5'1. My proportions are roughly 31/26/34. What category would I be best in? Also, I am from Adelaide, Australia and can't find any close modelling agencies.. thanks x Hi, Tahnee! At your age and height you are ideal for Teen Modeling and Commercial/Print Modeling. Below are the modeling agencies in Adelaide that you should check out as a starting point: Tanya Powell Models Azaelea Models RMT Finesse Models Mostly Kids (they represent models up to 17 years of age) Go through each site thoroughly to see what kinds of models they represent and what other requirements they look for in potential models. As long as you provide each agency with exactly what they ask for you should be good to go. I hope that helps and best of luck!