Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania! I love your blog... this is the best info on modeling I've come across yet! I have a question/scenario for you... I'm currently 19 years old in college. Next spring (2015) I'll be studying abroad in London and graduating in May. I'm in college because I was forced to go, and am unfortunately stuck in the South/midwest (aka zero modeling jobs). I've done all that I can to get out of school ASAP, and when I graduate I'll be 20 years old. I'm 6 feet tall, razor thin, have a clear complexion and healthy hair. I have minimal experience in modeling, but people have told me my entire life that I should pursue it. My plan is to submit photos to multiple agencies in London before I leave, and visit them if I hear back, and to also attend open casting calls while I'm there. I'm wondering what your thoughts were on pursuing modeling in London, if there were any specific agencies I should look in to, and how much of a factor m...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I read on your post that you had some additional resources on finding modeling agencies. I live in upper Michigan and will be moving to Kalamazoo in July- maybe earlier, but definitely after I graduate high school which is at the end of may. I know of a few agencies in Chicago, like Ford, BMG, & Factor women but are there any other agencies in the Midwest? (*Or parts of Canada) that are respectable agencies? I would be interested in commercial or editorial. I'm 5'10 and my measurements are 33-24-35, Hey, Anonymous! It is important to consider submitting to agencies that are no farther than a 2 hour's drive away from where you live or will be relocating to later in the year. If you're farther than that, agencies won't be able to consider your submission because they wouldn't feel confident that you could attend last minute castings and go-sees on short notice. Plus, they don't cover travel expenses for castings so that w...

Lexie Wrote: Hey, im Lexie and ive been interested in modeling for a while but when you go to the casting calls do you wear makeup or not? Hi, Lexie! Before I answer your question, I want to make it clear that there is a difference between a "casting call" and an "open call." Casting calls are where a model goes in to see a client, in the hopes of getting booked for a modeling job with them. For casting calls you do wear makeup. Open calls are events where a model can go into a modeling agency to be evaluated without the need for an appointment. For open calls you should wear little to no makeup because the agency has to see how you look in the most natural way possible. When it comes to wearing "little makeup" to an open call, that means concealer (for any problem areas), clear pressed powder for shiny spots on your face and light mascara. Not concealer, foundation, powder, blush, mascara, eye color and lip color, lol.

Stella Wrote: Hi,I'm 15 and had stretch marks for over 4 years.. Is it too late to cure them？Also with cocoa butter as u mentioned？ Hey there, Stella! Sadly, the longer you've had the stretch marks without treating them, the less likely you'll be to get rid of them. There isn't a "cure" so the only thing you can do is manage their appearance. Using products like pure cocoa butter is a good way to prevent the stretch marks from getting worse as well as preventing new ones from cropping up. As soon as you start to notice new stretch marks as you get older, make sure to start applying the cocoa butter right away and that will keep them from getting worse or even showing up altogether but as for the ones you've had for 4 years, there isn't much you can do to reverse those effects.

Courtney Wrote: Hi Dania,  My name is Courtney. I am a 26 year old African American male. I am 6'2 200 pounds with an athletic build. My question is in my age. In reading various opinions and the average age of beginning a modeling career I see the cut off is usually 25. How true is this? Also I am in the process of dropping some weight, as a former athlete this process is usually rapid. In order to be considered for print or non fitness modeling, what weight do you believe would be good for me? I idolize Tyson Beckford, someone who is similar in size to be. Thank you for your help! Hey, Courtney! As a male model you don't need to be as concerned with age as female models do. The cut off at 25 is true but that's for female fashion/runway models. Male models typically go on in their careers well into their mid 30s and even longer depending on their popularity and demand. A majority of agency websites I've seen list the max age for male models at 35 so I think...