Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I have been signed with an agency for 2 years and havn't gotten a job. Agents tell me I should be getting jobs, but I'm not. Does this mean the modeling industry is not for me? I am thinking about giving up. Hey, Anonymous! That's very frustrating and I'm sorry you've found yourself in such a position. The fact that you have agency representation and are getting positive feedback from the agencies is a very good thing but, unfortunately, even modeling agencies can't control clients or the decisions they make. I don't know any specifics about you, such as your height, stats/measurements, age, etc. but there are a number of reasons why a model--even one who is signed--might not book any work. A few of the most common include but are not limited to: - Their physical look might not be in demand at the moment - Their physical look may be "too in demand" and clients are looking for something completely different...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania. My 16 year old daughter has been offered a three year exclusive modeling contract. Most of the contract seems to be pretty typical. But I'm not sure if this is typical: the "manager" can terminate the agreement early without penalty, while my daughter would incur penalties - $2,500 if she terminates within the first year, $5,000 in the second and $7,500 in the third. Does that seem typical/appropriate to you? Or should that raise red flags? Thanks! Hi, Anonymous! Ooooh, I don't like that part of the contract at all and it does raise red flags for me. I know that not all modeling contracts are the same and are tailored for each business but I have had several agents over the course of my career and have signed my fair share of contracts and not one of them has ever penalized the talent/model for wanting to terminate the agreement. The most common clause I've seen in virtually every modeling contract I've come across...

Kesha Wrote: Hello, I was wondering if you knew of any products to help remove acne scars. I use to have really bad acne the first 3 years of high school and now I have finally won against the acne battle! Now I just need something for the scars that were left behind. Agencies have told me I have a lot of potential, but I need to clear up the scars. Please help me! Thank you, Kesha C. Hi, Kesha! Kudos on beating acne, yay! I've been hearing a lot of good things about Mederma. It is specifically formulated to help fade both new and older scars, including those caused by acne. I've never used it personally so I can't speak from experience but it has a lot of decent ratings/reviews online. As with any product, of course, it is important to remember that the results vary from person to person. You can find Mederma at any drugstore. Not sure of the price but it's definitely worth looking into. Another good idea would be to make an appointment with a dermatolog...

Lexa Wrote: Hi Dania, which hip measurements do agencies want when asking for bust/waist/hip? Is it the lower hip or the high hip? Because if I measure about 8 inches below my natural waist line and then my lower hip then there's a 2 inch difference. So if I want to send my measurements, which one should I send? And I'm 172cm, which is between 5'7.5" and 5'8, I'm 17 so hopefully still growing, but what should I put in for height? Thank you so much! Hi, Lexa! It's best to measure your lower hip and submit that number for your stats to agencies. A common mistake is taking measurements too high up on the hip. The ideal area to target is the widest part of the hips just above your butt. When it comes to height, if you put 5'8" just know that agencies who are interested will measure you to verify that the stats you've provided are accurate. If you're not a true 5'8" when measured in bare feet without wearing shoes, I think...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! Any news on the webinar? Thanks a bunch! Hi, Anonymous! Why, yes, there is! :-) The webinar is set for August 31st at 5:00pm PST. For more information on how to attend, check out this link: http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/p/dania-denise-webinar-event-page.html There is also info on my blog home page right before the actual posts, which explains the details of the upcoming webinar event. The heading is titled, "How to Attend the Dania Denise Webinar August 31st, 2013 @ 5pm PST." Hope you can make it!

Bekah Wrote: Hi Dania, I found your modeling-agency sample contract, but I'm wondering if you know of a sample contract for a freelance model to have photographers sign? Is this something that would be reasonable to present to photographers and feasible to create for myself? ~ Bekah Hey there, Bekah! It is more traditional for models to sign the photographer's Model Release Form but there are releases models have for photographers. Just FYI: model release forms are not the same as contracts offered by agencies. It is fine if you have your own release form for a photographer to sign but not all photographers have dealt with signing a release given to them by a model. So don't be surprised if you get a few who may think it's odd. I don't think any would refuse to sign it...as long as they read through it and are okay with what it says, they shouldn't have a problem. Here is a link to a template of a release form you can give to a photographer as a ...

Anonymous Wrote: I don't really have self confidence in myself. But I really want to be a model. Im a shy type of person. Do you think theirs hope? Or any tips for me to boost my confidence? Hi, Anonymous! Y our first priority is to learn how to be more comfortable in your own skin and overcome your shyness. Only when you've accomplished this, can you take the idea of modeling more seriously. It isn't impossible but depending on how much self confidence you're lacking, it will be a matter of time and something you'll need to keep working at consistently. It won't happen overnight. Here are some helpful links to blog posts I've written about boosting self confidence for people that aspire to enter the modeling industry: Tips for Being Confident as a Female Model A Confident Model Is...

Serin Wrote: Hi Dania, I love your blog! It's been helping me a lot, but I have another question. I was recently signed to a small, local agency but they asked me to develop a portfolio. They also gave me a list of photographers so I can start shooting with them, but the problem is they asked me to pay for the shoots. Is that normal and should I pay for the shoots to develop my portfolio? Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it! Hey, Serin! I love having you as a reader! :-) Congrats on getting signed to an agent, that's fantastic! Because your agent signed you first and then asked you to develop your portfolio at your own expense, it is completely normal and legal for them to do this. It would be a no-no if they were to ask you to do that before giving you a contract to sign. So don't worry, you're on the right path and your agency isn't trying to pull one over on you. However, it doesn't hurt to ask if it's okay to find your own p...

Zoia Wrote: Thank you so much for your blog! I'm Zoia and I also want to pursue a modeling career and thought that it might be too late for me. I am 24 years old but in fact look no older than 16! I didn't know that this could be a good thing. I am 5'7" but I don't think that will be good enough to be a runway model. Hey, Zoia! Unfortunately, doing professional runway work through an agency at your age and height isn't likely to happen. You might do local shows where they're flexible with the height requirements but the main niche/category you'll want to focus on are commercial/print and/or lifestyle modeling. So make sure you seek out agencies that represent commercial/print and/or lifestyle models and if you've got a look that's marketable and a great personality, you should have no problem finding someone to represent you and get the ball rolling. Glad you're enjoying my blog, I'm happy to have you as a reader!

Isabel Wrote: hi, I was told by my booking agent that gym memberships, tanning and hair extension (which were recommended by her) were write offs? Hey, Isabel! Normally I wouldn't recommend counting these as tax write offs because you have to be able to justify that these expenses are solely used for modeling purposes. Everyone--not just models--go to the gym, visit tanning salons and buy hair extensions. However, in your situation you might be able fine with writing it off because it was your booking agent who recommended that you participate in these activities in the first place as they relate to modeling as your profession. But keep in mind that should you ever get audited by the IRS, you will have to be able to "prove" that you only got the gym membership, tanning and hair extensions solely for modeling and that the only time you use those services/products is when preparing for a modeling casting or job. This means keeping diligent receipts as well as b...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I'm a random blogger that was just looking up older age models on google. I have always been interested, but scared of the regection....first time you've heard that I'm sure, ha. But if there is some hope for a youngish woman to come across a modeling position with no commercial experience/acting and still have a position available, than I hope that I can assist.  Hi, Anonymous! Fear of rejection is completely normal, especially for aspiring models who are no longer in their teens. However, I don't know any of your stats or information to get an idea of where you'd fit in (age, location, height). Depending on how old you are, where you live and what your height is, I'm sure there is someplace in the modeling world for you, even just starting off without experience. Generally speaking, models who are 25 years of age or older qualify for what is known as "lifestyle modeling," which is a sub-division of commercial/prin...

Ericka Wrote: Hi Dania! Oh man I didn't know where to post this but I really REALLY need your help, I've been trying to set off my modeling career lately as I am already 18 and I recently got an email from this talent competition telling me I received and invitation to compete. Now I wanted to know if this was a Scam or not because I live in California and the competition is in Miami Florida and I pay for my own travel fee plus a $39.99 fee for every category I decide to compete in. Please check out the link and let me know ASAP if this will be a big break or just another scam :/ http://www.areyouthehottestmodel.com/  Hi, Ericka! One word: RUN ! Lol, all jokes aside, this is the type of event that I encourage all aspiring models to stay away from at all costs. Whether it is a true scam or not, I can't readily verify myself (although the company/competition does show up on the website Rip Off Report) BUT I will say that it doesn't make much sense to par...

Izzy Wrote: Hi Miss Denise! I'm a huge fan! You're a big inspiration to me and I really wanna thank you for that! Now that I'm done fangirling, onto my question: A little about me: I'm a 12 year old girl living in the Bay Area, California. I live about 30 mins away from San Francisco on a good day (you know how Bay Area traffic can be). After reading many of your posts, I'm certain modeling is something I want to do. My parents are supportive, which is a good thing. I'm gonna start taking acting lessons in the fall, I can play piano, guitar, violin, and I'm working on vocal. I've never really taken any dance lessons, but I used to figure skate so I'm flexible and in good shape. My question: Do you have any recommendations for local agencies that are good for total newbies like me? Also, I heard minors need some thingy from the state in order to work and get paid. Can I get a little more info about that? Thanks so much for everything...

Anonymous Wrote: hi, dania i am 15 my dad is 6'3'' my mom is 5'11'' and my brothers are 6'3'' and my sister is 5'9 bt me im 5'6 n my mom told me that ill be 5'8 by 18 n i was just wondering because of what she said do you think i could do high fashion and editorial n im also planing on going overseas when im 19 to model n i wont have my parents with me but probably a best friend do you think thats a good idea? Hi, Anonymous! If you're able to reach 5'8" by the time you're 18, you'll meet the minimum height requirement for fashion and editorial so as long as you can manage to find an agency to represent you for this type of work, I don't see why you couldn't pursue those categories of modeling. As for going overseas, you'd be of legal age so you wouldn't need to have your parents with you. Whatever agency you would have at that time will certainly guide you through the process, make the n...