Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! First of all, congrats on your Official Jira Couture New York Ad! I'm so happy for you! Okay,now, here goes my question! I have been searching up talent agencies as well as modelling agencies as i want to submit in a modelling application. It's for fit modelling. Firstly, almost every one of the talent agencies have 'Academy' or 'courses' which says that their talents have to do before they can be out in the real world. The thing is, I don't know if it's normal for talent agencies to have these courses. I've read from your blog that model agencies which tell you to go through their course is a big no no.I'm wondering if this is the same for talent agencies. Secondly, do talent agencies accept fit modelling application? Most of them talks about TV commercial in their modelling section description. I want to do fit modelling, trying on clothes before they are sent out to shops, that's what I want to do...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I live in Brussels. I'm 15, brown hair, 175cm. Last summer, I was scouted and went to meet with the agent. She said they would get back to us, here we are one year later and no word. Would it be completely unprofessional and desperate to send her an email. She seemed to be worried about my height back then but I have now grown. I don't know what to do, but I would really like to model someday. Thank you for your help! Hi, Anonymous! There is nothing desperate about reaching back out to that agency to find out if they would reconsider you. Them not getting back to you was probably their way saying they weren't interested in you at the time but you are allowed to get back in touch to resubmit yourself after 6 months to 1 year. So definitely follow up, remind her of who you are, mention that you had been scouted a year ago and want to find out if they would be willing to sign you now that you have grown taller. That's the only way to f...

Emily Wrote: hiiiiiiii, first of all I just wanted to say I LOVE your blog I read it all the time, I was just wondering what the difference between a contact and a booker is? i'm from the UK so I don't know if they have a different name here :) thank you Emily xx Hey there, Emily! I'm glad you love my blog! :-D I don't think there's a difference between the US's definition of a contact and a booker so here goes: A booker is the model's point of contact at the modeling agency. This is the person who emails/calls the model with information about castings, go-sees and who tells the model where to be, what time, what to bring, wear, etc. Any questions or concerns the model may have, they contact their booker at the agency. A contact is usually short for "contact person." In general this is used to describe who the model is supposed to meet with when they arrive for a casting or for an actual assignment. For example, a model's ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hey! I've had stretch marks for about two years. I barely even knew what they were and thought they were just temporary(good thing it doesn't look too serious). Anyway, I have a question...I was just wondering if there are any short-ish models? I'm still pretty young, but I do wish to be a model. Thank you! Hey, Anonymous! There are plenty of shorter models working in the industry, both freelance and with agency representation. :-) I don't know your age or height but commercial/print models typically range from 5'5"-5'7" in height. Agencies will make exceptions for print models and will take on people who are under 5'5" if they have a great look. So rest assured, there is hope for shorter models out there, it's just a matter of finding the right agencies to submit to.

Anonymous Wrote: I am signed with MMG and it is such a waste of time. They told me about their ridiculous photo package but that was after a contract was offered. In fact when I met with them they wanted me to take the contract home and look it over for a few days before signing with them. In retrospect I knew paying $1420 for pictures was outrageous but I was so happy someone took an interest in me and really eager to start working. Before I paid the price I did desperately try to find other quality photographers in the NYC area. I even asked other models who they shot with but they never got back to me. I've been with them for a year and haven't been sent out on anything. It's strange because I get castings and auditions from this website: http://www.theagencyonline.com/home.php. This proves to me that clients clearly like my look if they're calling me in for castings and auditions. I've even gotten some tear sheets on my own, so clearly people in the industry...

Anonymous Wrote: I am 13 and i want to become an abercrombie girls model but i dont have an agent Hi, Anonymous! If you don't have an agent, then it's time to start searching for one, my dear. :-) The best way is to go online and do a search for modeling agencies in the city/state where you live. You'll want to consider agencies that are no farther than a 2 hour's drive from where you live. Visit the official websites of the modeling agencies and they'll tell you exactly what they look for and how you can submit yourself to them. Remember, you don't need professional photos so make sure to follow any guidelines provided on the agency website to see what kinds of digital snapshots they want. You'll want to look for agencies that represent teen models. If you need help finding legit agencies to submit to, I'll need to know the city and state where you live (not your mailing address or anything like that) and I'll see what I can find for y...

GlitzStar10 Wrote: Theres this agency called MMG Models and i send them some snapshots.They send me an email letting me know that they wanted to meet with me and my parents since am underage (16). I went to the meeting with my mom and she was talking about the process and in which catergy i would fall into (teens). And the woman said that since i was just beginning and didn't have any pictures i have to built my profolio and that she had 2 Photographers that each cost more than $1,000 she said i could pick between those two but she never gave me a contract to sign. I told her we would think about it and at the end i told her no. Do you think i made a mistake or was that agency a scam ?!  Hi, GlitzStar10! Based on what you've told me, I don't think you made a mistake. Asking you to pay that much money for portfolio pictures, especially without offering you a contract first, is a big red flag. I've been getting emails from aspiring models about offers fro...

Anonymous Wrote: hi, i have my hips & back dimples pierced (both dermal) i just want to know if i will be able to go into the modeling career with permanent piercings. ?? Hey, Anonymous! Permanent piercings like the ones you described won't prevent you from doing modeling completely but it will limit the type of modeling you want to do and could be a put off to agencies, if agency representation is your goal. I don't know what type of modeling you're interested in but the kind of piercings you have could be a hindrance if you want to do stuff like high fashion, runway and swimwear, since these are modeling categories that involve showing skin (tastefully) for certain outfits and would be hard to work around. Not all clients want to take the extra step of airbrushing out the appearance of piercings in photos and in runway shows they would be impossible to hide if those areas of your skin had to be shown. For print work, however, it may be easier since this ...

Ashley Wrote: Hey I'm Ashley! I got a casting call for modeling acting and talent & I would really like some tips! Im only 13 so do I have to wear heels and I also have neck length hair and its in layers so I usually don't wear my hair in a pony tail! What should I do?  Hi, Ashley! If you're tall enough for fashion/runway (minimum 5'8") then you'll want to wear heels to the open call. 3 inches minimum, 4 inches maximum. Make sure they're heels you know how to walk in and aren't brand new (or else they'll hurt your feet). But if you're shorter than 5'8" then you can just wear regular shoes or something with a little bit of a heel, like a wedge style. Wearing your hair in a ponytail isn't mandatory but it is the best way for the agency to see your face shape. If your hair is too short to hold back in a ponytail, then you can wear it down like you normally do but make sure you don't have any hair in your face. Ot...

Lindsay Wrote: Hi I'm Lindsay! It's my absolute dream to model for vs! Many people and modeling scoots for smaller angency have said you can be a model. And I pretty much believe them . I'm 14 years old . I'm 5'6 ... Hopefully still growing! And I've been told I have an exotic face . I'm not super skinny or fat either. I have curves my measurements are 32-25-35 . My mom wants to put me in modeling school but I don't think that it's a good idea . Right now I'm working on my portfolio so I can get pics to send to people I guess. So anyways I have 4 questions 1. Do I seem like I have a good chance of being a vs model? 2. Should I go to modeling school or should I try to "get discovered? 3.do you think I will be at least 5'8 by the time I'm 18? Is there any like ways I can grow taller ? 4. How do I convince my mom that I'm serious about modeling ?  Hi there, Lindsay! Here are the answers to your questions (thanks for n...

Anonymous Wrote: It is often that at shoots and runway shows male and female models are expected to do their own makeup and hair? Also I'm an aspiring male model from Tallahassee, and I'm not sure how to enter the profession. There aren't any agencies around that I know of and I'm not too keen on going freelance; what should I do to start? Also I hoping to do mostly high fashion modeling.  Hi, Anonymous! The majority of the time hair and makeup services are provided to models (male and female) for fashion shows and shoots. However, there will be occasions where--for whatever reason--models could end up being responsible for getting themselves ready. I always advise that models, including male models, learn the basics of applying makeup and know how to do their own hair so that in worst case scenarios they'll be prepared. If you have to arrive "camera ready" for a shoot, the client will usually tell the model well in advance. Sometimes this h...

Anonymous Wrote: When you're a male, or female, model; what is the payment situation? Is the money just the money you get from your work and they get a percentage? Or do they give you an actual salary? Also ive heard that the agency bills you for everything like flights and hotels etc. Is that true? And what is the highest percentage you believe an agency can ask before they're ripping you off? Hey, Anonymous! Models (male and female) get paid per job/assignment they book and do not earn a salary. If you book work, you make money and vice-versa. Agencies take a percentage out of each paying job they get for their models, which is known as "commission" in the industry. They only make money when the models do. Many agencies state this directly on their websites. As for the situation you described with the agency billing models, there is much more to the subject and depends on a number of factors. When a model has to travel for a booked assignment, in mo...

Anonymous Wrote: I'm an aspiring male model and I was wondering if you knew how much male models get paid for high fashion shows, ads, and campaigns. And for normal print modeling. THANKS! Hi, Anonymous! There is no specific, set in stone rate that list how much male models make, unfortunately. Each project is different and payment rates depend on the client's budget, as well as other important factors. If a male model books a gig through his agent, the rate could be higher than if he got the assignment on his own. However, experience also plays a role in how much a client would be willing to pay. Newer male models could expect to make a few hundred dollars for a high fashion show or may only get offered free merchandise/store credit as compensation (the lowest paying shows sometimes only offer $100, if not less). More experienced models that are in demand by designers will get paid more, especially if chosen to walk in more than one show. In this situation, a male ...

Lindsey Wrote: Hey Dania! I just want to start off by saying how much your blog has helped me. I'm going to be a supermodel, and I need all the help I can get. I have a question about my career. I want to model, record music, and act. What do you think would be the best way to go about that. My original plan was to break into the modeling industry first, and then cross over to music and acting after that. What's your opinion on what I shoud do? Thanks! Hey there, Lindsey! I'm so glad that my blog has been of help to you! :-) My best piece of advice would be to seek out " talent agencies " who represent both models and actors. I don't know if you have any training with acting but if so, submit yourself as an actor and once you get representation, let your agent know you're interested in modeling as well. If you feel you'd get in quicker by applying as a model (and don't have previous acting training/experience), then do that as you h...

A Wrote: Hello, I am based out of NYC, I have an exlusive contracts with my agency. I'm not very good at understanding these legal documents but in the fist line in says. "Model hereby engages (agencies services), and (agencie) accepts such engagement, to act as Model's exclusive Manager throughout the world (the “Territory”)" Does this mean that I can't sign with an agency in another country? If not is there a way to change that? Thank you, A Hey, A! You are correct. With an exclusive contract, you are not allowed to sign with any other agency even if it's in another country. When I was signed to Ford my contract said the same thing so this is a normal part of the process when dealing with exclusive contracts. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to change that. Models have no say or influence when it comes to contracts...that is completely up to the agency. However, there could be the possibility of asking your agent if they'd be will...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi I have a question about a modeling agency. It's called future faces. I was wondering if you thought it would be a reliable place. Thanks! Hi, Anonymous! Future Faces NY has a pretty good track record and not many negative reviews. From browsing through their website I didn't see any particular red flags (i.e. signing up for workshops, modeling classes, etc.) or mention of any upfront fees/costs. From what I could see, they appear legit but it is important for you to submit yourself since I don't work with them and couldn't possibly know any insider info other than what I could find on the Internet. Definitely submit yourself and see what happens. Should you get invited for an interview be sure to attend and if they make any mention of charging you for anything before offering you a contract or if they use high pressure sales tactics to get you to agree to work with them, recognize those as red flags. *Remember, if you sign a contract ...

Zoie Wrote: Hello. I'm only 14 and wanting this as a career but I have one simple question. I have my ears gauged and not planning on letting them close anytime soon. However do you think I would be able to go into modeling with gauges? Hey, Zoie! If you're hoping to get a modeling agent to represent you, the gauges could make you a hard sell. But then again it depends on how large the holes in your ears are. In general, agencies don't want models to look too edgy and gauged ears may turn them off. However, it is still best to submit yourself to find out for sure. That's the only way you'll get a definite answer, especially since you don't plan on letting them close up right now. But I think if you have pretty big/noticeable gauges, it probably won't work in your favor.  

Amber Wrote: Hi Dania, I would like to get started in the commercial/print modeling, but I'm 15 and 5'4". Is that too short? If I go to an open call, would they turn me down because of my height? Also, could you find me any agencies in the DFW area? Thanks! Hi, Amber! For commercial/print 5'4" isn't too short and since you're still young you also qualify for teen modeling, so I don't think you have anything to worry about there. Below are agencies in Dallas you'll want to check out: Campbell Agency http://www.thecampbellagency.com DMG Management http://www.dmgmanagement.com * They offer modeling workshops that cost money but as long as the workshops are optional and not mandatory, this is okay. But if they try to force you to take the workshop then that's a red flag. The Clutts Agency, Inc http://www.thecluttsagency.com Kim Dawson Agency http://www.kimdawsonagency.com Page Parkes Management http://www.pageparkesmgmt.com/ * They hav...

Anonymous Wrote: I've been doing a little modeling over the last year and I was approached by a photographer to do a car shoot. I've never modeled with cars and almost every picture that I look up ends up looking more for Men's magazines. What would you suggest as far as posing with cars and not looking sexual?  Hi, Anonymous! When it comes to cars and women posing on them, sex appeal is the ultimate goal. Have you looked at the photographer's portfolio to see if he's shot models posing with cars before? If so, are all of them sexual in nature? It is important to do research on any photographer that you are thinking about working with. Aside from checking out his portfolio, it is a good idea to talk to him (email, on the phone, in person at a public place during the day) to find out what ideas he has for the shoot. Would he be okay with you being more on the safe side with posing with the cars or is he expecting the standard sexy type of shoot? Knowing...