Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Erik T. Wrote: All this usefully information is incredible! Also what are the do's and donts of eating, in order to keep you figure? Thanks! -Erik T Hi, Erik T! Each person's body is different and reacts in its own way but in general you'll want to take note of the following as it relates to eating habits and maintaining one's figure: Cut down or eliminate highly caffeinated and super sugary drinks (soda, coffee, energy drinks, etc.). Instead, stick to water as your main beverage for regular hydration and as an easy way to flush toxins out of your system.  Don't make processed foods (those that come in a box) a major part of your eating regimen. They contain a lot of calories and fats. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be eaten as healthy snacks in between main meals on a daily basis. They provide not only vitamins and minerals that promote healthy skin, hair and a trim figure, but the kind of sugar that is good to consume and won't mak...

Megan Wrote: im tryin to get famous i can sing,dance,model but i cant find auditions can somebody help Hey, Megan! The best way to get your foot in the door and gain access to auditions is to either sign up for a casting website that is local to you (avoid casting sites that deal with nationwide castings and auditions) or by submitting yourself to talent agencies for possible representation. I don't know the city/state where you live so I can't give you more accurate info on casting websites and/or talent agencies, however.

Anonymous Wrote: I have had many people tell me that I have a great smile and that I am extremely photogenic. I think it would be a great opportunity to have fun. Is there a more simple way to become a model for any other company? Hey, Anonymous! Unfortunately, modeling isn't the kind of industry that is "easy" in any way, especially if you want to model for a well known company. The most direct way to model for a company/brand is to gain agency representation, which means attending agency open casting calls or submitting your photos and info via email or regular mail. Once an agency is interested and willing to offer you a contract, then the doors will be open for you to be considered for modeling opportunities for companies/brands like Justice. There is freelance modeling, which means acting as your own agent and finding your own modeling jobs but that is much more challenging to undertake compared to having an agent do the legwork for you.

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! I was wondering what ur modeling schedule is like, are jobs usually during weekends or weekdays, and if on weekdays, are they during school hours? I know that there's a variety, but I would like to know what happens in most cases. Thanks! :) Hi, Anonymous! In my career, the castings are almost always on weekdays. I'm not in school anymore but they are usually during school hours. However, some fashion show casting calls are held on weekends since they know it will produce a bigger turnout. The actual gigs (once booked) are a toss up between being scheduled on weekdays and weekends--it's entirely up to what the client wants. If you're a student and have to attend a casting or modeling gig during school hours, it counts as an excused absence. For castings, you don't have to miss an entire school day since it only takes less about an hour or less if there aren't a bunch of people also there. For actual shoots, fashion shows a...

Pedro Wrote: Loved the art :) nice portrait. :) Diana, Should I contact the agency first or put my composite on a envelope and send to them without communicating? -- Other thing, Do I send my composite card just by itself or should I write a letter with "blah blah blah's" on it? Not really necessary, right? --Imma send my composite and snapshots together. If I send a letter together, what should I write? Thanks! Hi, Pedro! Thanks for the compliment...much appreciated! :-) You can just send the agencies your materials, you don't have to contact them beforehand to let them know you're about to send it or anything like that. If you're mailing your submission in, it is best to submit a 1 page cover letter to go with the materials you're sending them. It's just like applying for a formal job in that sense. Keep it simple. Introduce yourself in the letter and let them know you are writing to them with the intent of seeking agency representat...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! I'm 14 and interested in both acting and modeling. So talent agencies find you work for both, right? I'm not sure which ones offer both :/ I live in the NYC area, of that helps. Thanks! Hey there, Anonymous! Yes, you are correct. Below are agencies in the NYC area that represent both models and actors:  BMG Models - NY http://www.bmgmodels.com Click Model Management http://www.clickmodel.com Funny Face Today Model Management http://www.fftmodels.com There are obviously tons more agencies in that area but not as many represent both (or at least they don't say so directly on their websites) but submit to these 3 and see what happens! You can also submit yourself to talent agencies within a 2 hour's drive from NYC so if there are any cities within that area that you can think of, let me know and I can see what I can find.

Anonymous Wrote: i have wanted to model for Victoria's Secret, since probably about 10. I'm 15 and am about 5"6 right now, but i'm still suppossed to grow. I wear a size 1 in bottoms, and have long legs. I want to know how to get started and if I have any of the requirements? oh, and I wear a 34B bra size. Hey, Anonymous! Since you're only 15, I can't really tell you if you meet the VS requirements because you still have a few years left to grow taller and develop physically. If you haven't already, you should read my post about how to become a VS model, which lists the specific requirements they look for in potential models: Want to Be a Victoria's Secret Model? All of the info you need to know is listed on there. Like I said, you don't meet the requirements right now because you're too young and aren't tall enough yet but see where you're at when you're 18 and you'll have a better idea of what your chances coul...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania!! I've wanted to be a male model for quite sometime and now that I will be moving to Chicago for college, I think its a great time to start. I'm 17 but I don't plan on starting until I'm 18 which will be this November. I'm 6'3 and while I don't have the best body in terms of washboard abs, I will working on my body between now and the time I start going to open calls. I really want to do high fashion modeling and runway. I've been doing tons of research in the Chicago area and I've come across agencies like Ford and BMG, but I know I should look at more agencies than those and so my first question is: Do know of any other respectable agencies in the area that I should think about looking into for the type of modeling I want to do? My main goal is to model full time and move to New York and so my second question is: How does one make that transition to moving into the New York market? Is it the models decisio...

Anonymous Wrote: Hey I'm 12 ab to be 13 in September and I have braces and just got them and I have to wait a Year until I get them off but I want to start modeling soon bc I love being in front of the camera,everyone I know or see they say I'm beautiful And I have a good bubbly personality but idk.what to do!!!!:(I can't wait 2 WHOLE years P.S Ive never mOdeled and I have zero exsperiance:/ Hey, Anonymous! It's fine that you don't have any modeling experience--it isn't mandatory for getting an agent so don't worry about that. If you can't wait until you get your braces off, submit yourself to agencies now and see what feedback you get. Just make sure to let them know how long you have until your braces will be removed. If you hear back from an agency and they want to sign you now then go for it. If you don't receive a response from any of the agencies you submit to, then you'll know it's more than likely a sign that your ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! I loovvvee your blog and that drawing is so amazing! I had a couple questions and didn't know where to post them, so I thought I should just post them here. I'm 16 years old, 5 foot 6 and 3/4 and my measurements are 34-25-36. Basically, here's a list of everything that may stop me from being a model: my face isn't very symmetric, like one of my eyes has a more asiany look to it while the other has folds and looks more like a non-Asian eye, and I also have acne scars, it's not that bad ( like if I wear make up you can't even tell, but, if I have to go to a casting call without make-up... well... it's not going to look that good. I also have stretch marks on my hips that kinda wrap around to my butt too, but I read your post on that and it made me feel sooo much better! But here's the one thing that really freaks me out: my stomach! I have this belly fat (it like starts from my belly button and curves down to my ...

Anonymous Wrote: I'm 14 and 510 will I ever get to 6 feet  Hey, Anonymous! The best person to ask that question to would be your doctor. I would recommend making an appointment for a checkup with your doctor/physician and ask him/her how tall you could potentially grow to be. Doctors would be able to give you a more accurate answer because they would have access to your family's medical records and would be able to tell (based on how tall the people in your immediate family are) how tall you could be. It also helps to look at the members of your family. Are your parents and siblings tall? How about your grandparents, aunts and uncles? If you notice that many of them are very tall, it could be a good sign that you will as well in the next few years. Genetics are sometimes weird though...some people end up being the tallest in a family full of shorter people and vice-versa. But in general, if height runs in your family, then it likely means you'll continue growing...

Anonymous Wrote (in reference to my post: Description of Types of Modeling & Pay Rates ): Is this for the average model? I never knew they were paid so much! Are there significant payment differences for new models (past free shoots for building portfolio)? Hi, Anonymous! Those rates (which I don't know if they've been updated to reflect current market pay rates) are for the average, agency represented model in most cases. Freelance models sometimes get lucky but most of the time, such high rates are granted to models with agents that work aggressively to secure those rates. There isn't necessarily a huge pay difference based on a model's experience for print work. As long as your portfolio itself is strong, you're good in front of the camera and your agent is good about submitting you for such opportunities, a newer model can nail well paying work just like a model with more experience. It's all about the look and what the client wants.  For f...

Erik T. Wrote: Hi Dania! Do comercial/print and fashion/runway make about the same amount of money? -Erik T Hi, Erik T! The easy answer to your question is "no." Commercial/print gigs are very high paying if you have an agent that is working with national, recognized brands/clients. They're the ones that pay the big bucks for things like print campaigns, ads, etc. Some of the castings I've been to for clients like Verizon start their day rate for models at $2,500...$1,500 at the lowest...maybe $800 minimum. For the average working fashion/runway model, such pay rates are few and far in between unless you've booked a major ad campaign or brand. Keep in mind, I'm talking about the everyday working fashion/runway model, not the supermodels. Of course they get the higher end of the pay scale no matter what project they're on. Editorial modeling gigs only pay between $100-$300 per shoot. That's because they're the "filler...

Erik T Wrote: Hi Dania, when signed to a normal modeling agency, what is a normal percentage for agents off of your gigs? Also when at a job is there people for your make up and hair, or is that your responsibility? Thanks! -Erik T Hey there, Erik T! According to the current industry rates, the normal percentage for agency commission is between 20% - 25%. When you're booked a modeling assignment through your agency you almost always have a professional makeup artist, hair stylist and wardrobe person there to assist you. That's one of the main perks of agency booked gigs--you get that pampering. There may be few instances where you'll have to arrive to a gig "camera ready" but a good agent will negotiate to make sure such services are provided for you. When freelance modeling, there is a higher chance that you will be responsible for hair, makeup and wardrobe since not all clients that use freelance models have the budgets or resources to hav...

Caroline Clark Wrote: Hey Dania! I'm 15 years old in the Bay Area, and my measurements are a little wacky. I'm 5'9 but too curvy for most fashion work... my measurements are 36-25-37. Do you know of any commercial modeling agencies in the area that might take a girl with my bigger measurements? Or if I just need to try and slim down before going to see an agency. Thank you bunches! Caroline C Hi, Caroline C! The good thing about commercial/print is that agencies are very flexible when it comes to your measurements. What they care about most is that you are proportional and healthy in appearance. So I would recommend submitting to commercial/print agencies first before attempting to slim down. If they like you as you are, then you won't have anything to worry about. Below are a list of Bay Area agencies that represent print models: Boom Models & Talent http://www.boomagency.com Marla Dell Talent http://www.marladell.com JE Model Management http://jem...

Taylor Wrote: My name os Taylor and it has always ben a dream of mine to model for Justice. But heres the thing, I have never done anything with modeling and I'm not sure where to start. I dont have an agent or anything. How do I start and what should I do? Hey, Taylor! It's okay that you're new and don't have any experience...this doesn't make you any less appealing to agencies. The best way to pursue the path towards becoming a professional model is to seek an agency for representation. You don't need to have previous modeling experience, professional pictures or a portfolio put together to do this. I would recommend that you click the link below to a blog post I did that covers the subject on where to start in modeling: Where Do You Start?

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I'm so happy to have come across your blog. I am in desperate need of some advice. I am an aspiring model age 27, and wondering how to get started in the world of modeling. I am aware that I'm too old for high fashion etc but I really just want some advice on how to get my feet wet in commercial modeling. I've had so many scam agencies trying to exploit money off me by claiming I need to pay ridiculous amounts of money for a portfolio. Please help!!!! Hi, Anonymous! I'm glad you found my blog, too. :-) You're definitely on the right track with trying to locate agencies to submit to. It's often hard for newbies to tell whether an agency is legit or not so I can understand your frustration. It mainly depends on where you're located. In order to better help you find potential agencies to submit to, I would need to know what city/state you live in (I don't need your mailing address or anything personal like that). Once I ...

Juan Carmito Wrote: if the model has long hair, (male model) how to take snapshots from the face? no hair in front of the face? how many photos would be enough? 6? Can you tell me all the styles recommended? I mean, describe all the poses that need to be. Hey, Juan Carmito! Male models with long hair should wear it pulled back into a low ponytail. It is also important to keep the hair out of the face/off the forehead. As far as how many pictures and the styles, you will have to follow exactly what the instructions say on the website for each agency you plan on submitting to. For example, some will say to send a minimum of 2 and no more than 4 photos, while others will say for you to not pose...not all of them ask for the same things. The only way to know how your snapshots should be is to check each agency website and then prepare your photos accordingly.

N. Pedro Wrote: Dania, so snapshots are the best to impress the agencies, right? I agree with you. So that's what Im gonna do first. However, would be good for me if I had my portfolio ready? Comp cards done with some professional pictures? I mean, first of all send snapshots, then if they invite me for an interview, Ill bring with me all the rest of my material that Ive done. What do you think? How do I take snapshots? Prefer smiling, striking a pose, showing teeth, showing forehead (i have long hair). Hi, N. Pedro! Yes, snapshots are the way to go. It's okay to have your portfolio and comp cards ready as a backup if they ask for them but start with the snapshots first and then provide them with your professional images when they request them. It is important that you have someone take your snapshots for you (no mirror photos or trying to hold the camera in one hand). Each agency's website will tell you specifically what they want you to do, whether you shou...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, my friend and I applied to the same agency around the same time. She got signed and I didn't. I'm happy for her but what makes her so marketable? She emailed me her online portfolio and the pictures are just ok not spectacular. I don't mean to be jealous but I admit I am. I was wondering if you could look at her portfolio and tell me what makes her look so special. What could I do to increase my marketability I would be commercial print and lifestyle too. Here's the link: nymmg.com/eportfolio.cfm?mid=124302 Hey, Anonymous! It's totally normal to feel jealous, especially when you've applied to the same agency as your friend. From looking at her photos, she has a look that's been in demand for a while now when it comes to ethnic models in commercial/print: natural hair, darker skin and more of the everyday looking type, as opposed to a drop-dead supermodel type. Because I don't know what you look like physi...

N. Pedro Wrote: Dania, this is N. Pedro again, the brazilian guy from Boston. I am a new model, and im almost done with a new portfolio. On this new portfolio, Im intending to put lifestyles pictures, wearing glasses, hair, body, face, editorial, and also i guess IM going to put some private pictures. what do you think? im doing something like a booklet, and im going to try to send them to all the agencies im trusting. so i already have a good material, PLUS im updating my compcard. -- Do you think will i be better for me sending them a lot types of pictures, different styles, private ones? Diversity. Other question, Im 116lb 53kg - 5'8 172cm. -- Waist 26.. Am I ok or you think the agencies will just ignore me because of my weight? Thanks N. Pedro Also Wrote: Dania. How modeling outside of US work? I mean, Id have to send my portfolio to them? to other countries or my agency here in the US would be responsible for taking care of it?   Thanks Hi, N. Pedro! T...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, In this post you say the minimum height requirement for print/commercial models is 5'5", do I have a chance if I'm 5'4"?  Hey, Anonymous! Being 5'4" doesn't completely put you out of the running for print modeling. Unlike fashion and runway, agencies are more welcoming to making an exception to the rule if there is a one inch difference. However, this is mainly the case if your look is exceptionally strong and marketable. So not every 5'4" aspiring print model is going to be automatically signed to an agency as an exception to the rule. In some markets/locations, agencies have a much more flexible height requirement for this type of modeling and may gladly bring on much shorter models for print work. It doesn't happen everywhere but in general, this category of modeling isn't as strict when it comes to their height requirements so definitely give it a shot.  I'm actually 5'4" but mana...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I have two questions. 1) I'm a new model in nyc and I have a agency it's for commercial and lifestyle modeling as well as acting. It's a non-exclusive contract and I want to sign with more than one agency. The agency that I am with now I've been with them for 3months total(I haven't gone on a single casting I contacted the booker and she says she submits me for anything I fit for but casting is by request only) and my professional pics have been on there website for almost one month. My comp cards and hard copy portfolio are still in the process of being printed via them. How do I gain additional representation with another agency I want to keep the one I have and gain another one basically I want two agencies. However, I don't want to jeopardize the relationship I currently have with my agency now. If I seek additional representation and I email my pics via their website do I send professional pics or simple sn...

N. Pedro Wrote: Hi Dania, Im a 5'8 guy, and Id love to do modeling. I know I deff cant do runway but im fine with that. Im very photogenic, brazilian, have a great face structure, with a wonderful jaw line, squared face shape. im tanned, got a straight hair, athletic body, great teeth and skin, i have a face very symmetric and i love my eyebrows and nose. (kinda narcissistic here lol, but im being honest.) i have a strong personality, and i dont give up on things easily. if im cute, why not working with beauty, right? and just one more thing, i have a birth mark (beauty mark) next to my superior lips, just like "marylin monroe". sometimes because of my beauty, some people judge me, and they say (some) that i have a very female beauty. i dont know if its good or bad, but i feel comfy with what i see in the mirror. oh and btw, i came from the same city of the brazilian male model "Francisco Lachowski". and now im living in Boston where Gisele Bu...

Anonymous Wrote: Hey Dania! I really want to go to New York and go to some agency open calls to try and get signed but I'm afraid they will all reject me because my height. Im 18 years old and 5'7. My measurements are on point 34-24-34 and I weigh 110. I honestly appear taller than I am but I know top agencies minimum height is 5'8 and some are even 5'9 now. I know their are exceptions in modeling for girls a little shorter in high fashion but I was wondering if their are exceptions for runway? Do you think I will have a chance at Ford, IMG, Elite, Women, Next, Marilyn, Supreme, New York, Trump, One, or Major? I know some of those do not have open calls but what agencies will be more open to having a model that has all the requirements except is 5'7? I don't want to waste my time going there if all the agencies are going to automatically reject me because my height. I also on the other hand will regret it if I don't go and try. Can you give ...

Anonymous Wrote: Do top agencies like Elite and Ford prefer models with zero experience or a year or two of experience in a smaller market? Hi, Anonymous! Big agencies like Elite and Ford love new models with no experience, especially if they have an amazing look that they know would market well. Having no experience means working with a model on a clean slate who is easier to train and mold. This is why it is not a mandatory requirement for new models to have previous modeling experience or even professional photos. Agencies like Ford and Elite are trained to see potential and that's why they're almost always more impressed by a new/inexperienced model's snapshots where they look plain without fancy makeup, hairstyles or photoshop effects. However, that's not to say that a model with 1-2 years of experience from a smaller market wouldn't be of interest to them, either. But when it comes to having no experience, it doesn't count against a new model at ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi! i have two questions for you.What is the minium height of a female model? Also, is it possible to become a model even if you have small eyes? Hi, Anonymous! To answer your first question: the minimum height of female models depends on what type of modeling you are asking about. For commercial/print, the minimum height is 5'5". For fashion/runway/editorial it is 5'8". In stricter markets like New York, some of the agencies (like Elite) have set their minimum height requirement at 5'9". For your second question: yes, it is possible. There are models that have smaller eyes (Gisele Bundchen is a prime example) so depending on how the rest of your overall look is, that wouldn't necessarily prevent an agency from wanting to work with you. With the right eye makeup, eyelash curlers and mascara, there are plenty of tricks to make the eyes appear larger so it's an easy thing to work around.

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I'm a student on summer break, staying in another state for a few months. I want to get started modeling as soon as possible. Since I'm only here for a few months should I refrain from contacting agencies in my area and wait till I go back to school? Thanks  Hey there, Anonymous! Since you're only going to be there for a few months, I would advise that you wait until you get back to school and are able to submit to agencies nearby. They work with students all the time so they'll be able to work around your class schedule. During your summer break you should look into what agencies are near your school and visit their official websites so you can find out what photos and info they want. That way by the time you return, you'll already know what to expect. You could even start submitting now or a few days/weeks before heading back and hopefully one or more of them will reply with interest, giving you something to look forward to ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi! So about maybe... 5 months ago, I submitted to a few agencies in my area. One of the agencies I was very interested in contacted me back and invited me to their open call. Something came up and I wasn't able to attend. I decided to put my agency search on hold until my braces came off. (Im 16 in case you were wondering). Well, my orthodontist said I will most likely get them off next appointment. So, I decided to start searching again. Do you think it will be unprofessional of me to resubmit to that same agency? Do you think they'll even remember I sent them snapshots (Im taking new ones, not using the same ones I sent before)? Should I also submit to more agencies I did not submit to before? Thank you for all of your help!  Hey, Anonymous! You're definitely on the right track in your way of thinking. Once you get your new snapshots taken, definitely resubmit to the agency that had interest in you before...it wouldn't be unprofession...

Anonymous Wrote: This has been extremely helpful. Do you know anything about "agencies" saying you don't need a portfolio, per se, but it all has to be put up on a CD? No matter what I have researched, nothing says anything about putting your pictures on a CD... Hi, Anonymous! Glad my post on Portfolio/Photo Mills was of use to you. :-) I haven't quite heard of agencies requesting portfolios on a CD but it doesn't surprise me because of the whole online/Internet approach that agencies are using nowadays. So it may be something new that not all agencies are implementing yet. If the agency you're with or want to submit to has specific instructions on how to prepare this type of portfolio on CD, definitely follow what they say. However, if they don't provide any details about it, my best advice would be to either send an email inquiry for how to go about doing this or you could simply take hi res files of your best professional modeling images ...