Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Jazmin Castrellon Wrote: Hi Dania, I'm currently 34 about to be 35 in July with a height of 5'2" and weigh 105-110 lbs. I've been asked many times if I'm a model or if I plan on becoming a model. Many people say I don't look my age and that I look younger. I have always maintained an athletic/toned figure. I was thinking of taking up modeling not so much for money but more as a hobby. What do you recommend? Hi there, Jazmin! Let me answer your question with a question: what are you waiting for? :-) I definitely recommend trying it out, especially since you know you want to do it as a hobby. That will alleviate a lot of the pressure many aspiring models put on themselves when they want to pursue the industry at a professional level. Based on your stats you'll want to look into agencies that represent commercial/print and/or lifestyle models. Agencies work with models who do it part-time as well as full-time. Whether you want to do it as a hobby o...

Taylor Beadell Wrote: so i did a gig for a company and i was told i would be getting an invoice 2-3 weeks from the shoot day. and i havent heard anything or received one in the mail . and i still dont understand how it works. does this mean that i owe them money? or this is like a cheque ? Hi, Taylor! That's confusing for sure. Typically the model sends the client the invoice so that payment can be made after the work has been completed. Or the client will send the model a check for payment to the model on their own (in which case no invoicing is needed). Models don't pay clients for standard modeling services performed so maybe there was some miscommunication? Are you sure they used the word "invoice"? When you receive the paperwork from them in the next few weeks I'm sure that will make things more clear. However, based on the description that you did a gig for a company, they should be sending you payment and not an invoice for you to pay them. ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hey Dania! I just wanted to quickly ask your opinion on online submissions to agencies? With school in the way, its really hard to go to open castings in person. Do you think they're as effective as in person meet and greets? (sending to both small and big agencies) Hey, Anonymous! Open calls in person are always going to be the best way to make an impact on an agency simply because you're right there in front of them BUT people get interest from agencies via online submissions all the time. While not as personal as seeing an agency in person, an online submission goes straight to them as well and they carefully review each one. If your snapshots are good quality and you follow whatever the given instructions are for each agency, there's no reason why you can't get a reply back using that method if making it to open castings is inconvenient at the moment. Just remember that it can take a few weeks for them to respond back so don't get d...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi!I am an aspiring high fashion model but I can't seem to get signed by an agency... All of them have just said that my look isn't quite right for them.I live in the UK and I am 5 foot 9, 16 years old and my measurements are 33-24-34. What can I do??? please help. thanks so much Hi there, Anonymous! Hmm...that's a tough one. You've gotten this consistent feedback from agencies so on the one hand at least you're getting this info straight from the best source. Of course on the other hand, that is discouraging. Have you tried posting your snapshots on IG and/or DM agencies on there? I know that scouting models on Instagram has become quite popular these days. I don't know what you look like but I would suggest maybe switching gears and looking into agencies that represent commercial/print and/or teen models? Those categories have models who are fashion height as well so it isn't like that's not an option for you. I'm sure...

CherryMelon Wrote: Hi Daria, I am really interested in modelling, I am 5'4 and 15 years old weighing at about 111 pounds but I think I could grow in height a lot more. I am a bit of a late bloomer and I have only really started growing rapidly in height and I believe I could reach up to 5'8 by the time I am 17. Would you think so? I am the correct measurements and I would absolutely LOVE to be a VS model but I am starting to doubt myself. Do you think I would have a chance?? Hey, CherryMelon! I can't say whether or not you'd grow to be 5'8" by the time you turn 17 because that is totally a medical/genetic subject and I'm not a physician. If height runs in your family (your parents, siblings, grandparents, etc), then that's an encouraging sign that you could end up being taller. I would suggest making an appointment with your doctor to see if he/she can determine what height you'll ultimately grow to be. Doctors have the resources and profe...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi I am a tall, thin, tan girl with long legs, but the thing that is keeping me back from sending things to agencies to get signed is that I have a small scar on my face. Would any agencies ever consider me? Hi, Anonymous! If the scar is small and can be easily concealed with makeup (not to mention Photoshop can airbrush it completely off), I don't see any reason why you shouldn't take a shot and submit your snapshots to agencies. Never let something like that prevent you from pursuing an opportunity--because even if the answer is, "No," it's still an answer and you don't have to go through life wondering about the "what ifs" or regretting that you didn't take a shot when you had the chance. So go for it, you don't have anything to lose!