Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: hey! Im female, im 16 and 5ft9/10 and thinking about persueing modeling, I had my ears pierced but they have close up, but i was really wanting the cartilage of my ear done and my belly button pierced! would you advise not to?? I really want to but I am not sure... Hey, Anonymous! Belly button piercings are really common these days and aren't as much of an issue as it used to be so that's the good news. As far as the cartilage piercing, it's growing to become more popular and I'm sure agencies have seen their share of this type of piercing. What is important to keep in mind when it comes to this subject is that if you do get the piercings, you may be asked to remove them for modeling assignments from time to time. So that's something to consider. You basically have two options: 1) Get the piercings, wait for them to heal and then submit to agencies. It is important to note that cartilage piercings are slow to heal and can take, on aver...

Anonymous Wrote: Hello!! I just recently turned 19 and I am a little over 5'8". My measurements are roughly 34-25-37 and I weight about 129. Can you please tell me what I need to weigh or how much weight I need to lose to become a model, or if I even have a chance considering my height and age. Thank you so much!!!! Hi, Anonymous! What matters more to agencies are measurements so if you want to have some kind of guideline, you'll want to consider that the "industry standard" is 34-24-34 (bust, waist and hips in inches). However, you can be one inch larger in any or all of those areas so 35-25-35 would be the max. You have the minimum height for fashion modeling so if you wanted to pursue that, then you'd want to focus on slimming down your hip measurement, which can be difficult. There are exercises and other health related info that's just an online search away, though, so it would be worth looking into and seeing if you can find resources to h...

Anonymous Wrote: Hello, I'm trying to become a model, so i'm going to attend my first casting. I am thinking about having some pictures with me. but since i'm just starting I don't have a portfolio and i dont have too many pictures to put on a portfolio, so I would like to know where should i put them. Since I dont have portfolio I would like to know where should I have them when going to the casting. thank you! Hey, Anonymous! I don't know what kind of photos you have, what the sizes are or if they're professional or non-professional but agencies are perfectly fine with you bringing non-professional snapshots that are no smaller than 4"x6" but no larger than 5"x7". You can just bring those as they are without a portfolio or other type of carrying/display case but make sure to write your name, stats and contact info on the back of each photo in case they get separated. If you have professional images that are larger than the si...

Sarah Wrote: Hi D, I have been signed with my agency for a year now and wishing to sign wish on in another state closer to me. I don't know if i am meant to approach my agency about it, as they have not said anything about having another agency. please help xoxox Hi, Sarah! The first thing you need to do is refer to your copy of the contract you signed. That will have the answer to your question without having to ask your agency about it. You'll want to find any of the following keywords: - Non-Exclusive - Exclusive If your contract states that it is Non-Exclusive, that means you'll be able to sign with more than one agency as long as those agencies also offer Non-Exclusive contracts. However, if it is Exclusive, then that means you won't be able to sign with another agency. So it is important to find that information in your contract. It'll be there--it wouldn't be a legitimate modeling agency contract without mentioning it. Best of luc...