Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Magen A. Wrote: Hi Dania, I wanted some advice on if I would still have a chance in commercial modeling at my age? I am 26 standing at 5"10. I know I am to old for high fashion but this has been on my heart since I was younger but my family was not to supportive of the venture and did not let me pursue it when I was younger. I don't have very little experience with modeling but have done a few shoots when I was younger. I would like to get into this fashion/entertainment industry preferably as model but not sure if that would be an ideal career with such a late start. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Magen Hi there, Magen! You absolutely have a shot at commercial/print modeling. The print world welcomes models of all ages and sizes. What I would recommend is doing an online search for modeling agencies in your city/state or that are within a 2 hour's drive from where you live and look for agencies that represent either commer...

Morgan Wrote: Hi Dania,  I've been reading all of these comments and decided to ask a question myself. I'm just 17 years old, am 5'7.5" and strangely am still growing. My measurements are 34-24.5-34 and I have been dying to be a VS angel for years. I've had experience in modelling, recently have entered a modelling competition and have gone through to the grand final. I'm constantly told I could be a VS model and this is my dream. However, I wanted to ask if my height will really work too much against me. Thank you for any advice you can give :) Hi, Morgan, If we're talking bare bones here in regards to the height situation, if your goal is to be a VS model when you turn 18, your height will be a hindrance. I mostly say this because, as I'm sure you're aware, to be a VS model is no easy feat and the physical requirements are strict for a reason. To have a legitimate shot, you'd have to get signed to a high fashion agency in New York (...

DeAngelo McCraney Wrote (in response to the Modeling 101 blog post: " Male Models & Tattoos ": Hello Dania,  Love the post its very helpful to me.. I was wondering if you could take a look at my instagram and give me some feedback on what modeling agencies that i could go for, any help would be great ^_^  thank you very much https://instagram.com/zammo_productions/ Hi, DeAngelo, Glad my post was of use to you! I don't know your age or height, which are critical stats for me to know in order to help you figure out what kind of modeling you could do but based on your photos, I can only suggest that you look into fitness modeling. The amount of tattoos you have will make you a hard sell for commercial/print agencies because your ink makes you look too "edgy" and while I don't know your height, your look doesn't meet agency standards for fashion and runway. However, fitness modeling is a popular category that is a bit more accepting of t...

Anonymous Wrote: Hey lovin your website by the way! Can you find me some modelling agencies that accept children/teenagers in toronto? Thanks <3 Hi, Anonymous! Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated! I was able to find several agencies in Toronto that you'll want to check out: Agencies that represent Teens & Kids: Orange Model Management Inc http://www.orangemodels.ca/toronto/#becomemodel.html Sutherland Models http://www.sutherlandmodels.com/contact.asp Agencies that represent Kids Only: Icon Model Management Inc http://www.iconmodels.ca/open_call.php

Chelsea Wrote (in response to the Modeling 101 blog post: "A Letter to Tall Girls, From a Short Model" ): Thank you for this I as a tall girl but not super tall have been the way as you described. I want to be a model/actor but I dont know what modeling agency to go with could you help me? I live in NC Hey there, Chelsea, You are quite welcome, I'm really happy that my post was able to help you! Below is a list of the names and websites of agencies in NC that you should check out. So far these didn't raise any red flags for me but it's up to you to submit and see if any of the agencies respond back in order for you to determine if they are on the up and up: Marilyn's Model & Talent Management http://www.marilynsagency.com/representation.php Carolina Talent http://www.carolinatalent.us/ The Brock Agency http://thebrockagency.com/submissions.asp Evolution Talent Agency http://evolutionmt.com/auditions/ Maultsby Talent http://www.maul...

Charlette Wrote: Hi Dania! My name is Charlette and I am 15 years old. Im 5'1 and weigh 88 pounds. I look a little young in the face but have the body shape for a model. Any suggestions and would anyone even consider me for how little i am? Hey, Charlette! At your age, you're ideal for teen modeling and commercial/print so even though you are 5'1", agencies will be able to represent you for modeling. :-) Similar to the advice I gave in the post below this one (Answering a Reader Question #812), do an online search for modeling agencies in your city/state and visit the websites to see which ones represent either or both teen and commercial/print. Some agencies have these two categories separate, while others may represent teens but will have them listed under the commercial/print category.

Akila Wrote: Hi Diana im 10 and im not sure what kind of modeling i want to do im 4,8 what is best for me  Akila Hey there, Akila! The fact that you're 10 means that height shouldn't be a concern for you right now. What you'll want to do is focus on local agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live that represent kid models . The websites will clearly state what types of models they work with so jump onto Google and look for modeling agencies in your city/state and then check out the agency websites that come up and see if they represent kids. If they do, follow the online instructions/guidelines for how to submit yourself (you'll need a parent/guardian to submit for you since you are underage). If you don't see anything about kid models mentioned on the website then that likely means they don't work with models your age and you should not submit to those. Good luck!

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I appreciate your blogpost. I wish to be a model and have been offered a contract from an agency (gtm) in London. However, It is not a big agency like IMG of course and a major con I believe is that it is an exclusive contract for 3 years! And asking for 20% plus VAT as well as expenses such as an annual marketing website fee of £120 and comp cards I believe... I a scared I'll miss out on opportunities of being signed to big agencies and I am 19. However I keep on getting rejected from big agencies so I'm feel I don't want to miss out on modelling altogether. I have the body and height requirements (5'11, 34-24-35) and one of the reasons was because they think I have a strong look or exotic. It's really hard for ethnic girls (black) in particular so I don't know whether I should just take the opportunity.  Hi, Anonymous! The 20% commission, contract duration and cost of the website fees all fall within the typical range of what...

Anonymous Wrote: For submitting pictures for the agency I'm applying to, in their example their is a girl wearing a swim suit but in the guidelines they suggest a tank top and a form fitting skirt which one should I do? Hi, Anonymous! You should follow what the guidelines recommend. I know that can be confusing when agencies post images that don't match what the guidelines say but they are probably posting the swimsuit photos as examples since that is what most models wear. But in this case, if they specifically say to wear a tank top and form fitting skirt, then go with that. Best of luck to you!