Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, so i have been offered contracts from two different agencies in the same city. They are quite different, and each one has its own pro's and cons. I wanted to know if it would be wise to tske on two agencies as a beginning model in the industry. Thank you Hi there, Anonymous! First off, congrats for having two agencies interested in you, that's awesome!  Now here's the bad news: you cannot have representation from more than one agency within the same city/market. This would create a conflict of interest and if either agency found out you were signed with the other, you could get in big trouble. If you were to tell each one that you had an offer from another competing agency, they might take back the offer (it would be taken as an insult). So keep that information to yourself. The standard way it works if you have more than one agent representing you is if both contracts offered are "non-exclusive" and if the other agencies are not located withi

Grace Wrote: Hi Dania, my name I Grace. I love your article, it really helps. Although, I surprised that till this day I can’t seem to figure out if we are suppose to include the makeup hours before a shoot in the x per hour charges.. Hope to get a reply from you soon 😊 Hey, Grace! I'm glad you enjoyed my article about modeling & pay rates. It's always a tricky topic that isn't black and white so it can be challenging to really get a handle on how each model should be charging for his/her services. When it comes to the hourly rate, that is referring to the actual hours you are physically modeling, not the activities that occur beforehand. So you wouldn't include the makeup hours in an hourly charge because that takes place before the actual shoot. To account for any costs related to getting your makeup done, it might be easier to work with a half or full day rate instead of an hourly rate. This will allow you to factor in the cost of makeup/prep in addition to the

Unknown Wrote: Hi , I have a nose piercing on left side can I become a successful model like Kendall Jenner with it or not Hey, Unknown! Nose piercings are common these days and many models sport them with no issues. If you're able to take the piercing out as needed for modeling jobs and castings/go-sees, that's even better.  Having flexibility with your piercing will be a big help when it comes to switching up looks and catering to different clients or jobs you'd get booked for. It also depends on the type of modeling you want to get into (i.e. fashion, commercial/print, etc.), as well as your agent's input, if you have representation already.  If you don't and are submitting to agencies, it would be a good idea to not have the piercing in the digital snapshots you send it but make a note along with your submission that you have a nose piercing.  In most cases, the online modeling applications already ask if you have any piercings or tattoos so that type of thing i

Anonymous Wrote: I’m a mixed race asian woman (India-Indian & chinese), age 31, I’m 5’10, it’s always been my dream to be a model, but a lot of life issues in my 20’s got in the way, that I’ll probably solve when i’m 33. I’m 31 but have been told through just selfies, most people think I’m in my.mid-20’s and to a lesser extent early 20’s. I’m hoping to be scouted from social media, would 32-33 years old be too old???? I’m usually seen As five years younger than I am throughout my life, Do I have a genuine chance to get scouted or should I should I try to find an agency Hey, Anonymous! I would definitely recommend finding an agency to represent you over trying to get scouted online. While many agencies have a strong social media presence and even have scouts looking online for new models, submitting yourself right to the source is always going to be your best (and safest) bet. It is free to send in your digital snapshots and contact info via agency websites, email and/or online form

Anonymous Wrote: Hi! Can you be a runway model and actress at the same time? Do you have to be signed to an agency to be a runway model? Can you be signed to runway modeling agency and acting agency at the same time? Hey, Anonymous! The answer to your question is yes, absolutely yes! :-) There are a number of models who are also actors and vice-versa (as far as which profession they started out with first before adding on the second one).  To be a runway model it is ideal to have an agency represent you but there is the option to be a freelance model and act as your own agent. However, I always advise pursuing professional agency representation when starting out because it is a safer, more direct way to get your foot into the modeling industry. The same goes with being an actor/actress. The best way to kill two birds with one stone if you know you want to do both acting and modeling is to seek representation from a talent agency instead of a modeling agency. Talent agencies are designe

Beth Wrote: Hi, My daughter is signed wirh a NYC agency but lives 3 hours away. Our closet city is Boston. With the pandemic should she be proactive and reach out to businesses in our area or submit a comp card ? She has been getting booked off her Instagram to shoot locally. Any advice is appreciated . Thank you , Beth Hi there, Beth! I apologize for the delay in replying, as I'm sure you know, life has been hectic on a whole new level with everything going on. Instagram has been a great resource for helping models network and discover additional opportunities. Because the pandemic continues to affect/challenge the modeling industry--and every other industry, for that matter--I think it's a great idea for your daughter to stay in the loop by networking with local businesses you feel are in a position to hire her for projects. If she hasn't done so already, make a list of legitimate businesses in the area that she feels would benefit from working with her. Find out if they&

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I’m currently 14 years and 6 months old. I am 5’5 and weigh 110 pounds. I really think modeling is something that I would love to do. I’m not really sure where to start though. Do you think I could model despite my height? I know agencies typically look for models who are 5’8 - 5’10. I’m not too confident that I’ll grow anymore. Does that mean I could never be a runway model? Any advice?? Hi, Anonymous! If you remain 5'5" in height and end up not growing taller, that means you can pursue commercial/print modeling. There are agencies that represent commercial/print models and there is plenty of work to be found in catalogs, billboards, magazines, product packaging--you name it.  Below is a link to a blog post I wrote about commercial/print modeling that will give you a better idea of what this type of work entails: Understanding Commercial/Print Modeling As far as runway goes, you're correct that the height standard fashion agencies look for is 5&

Tom Wrote: Hi, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me, relating to the various different boards that exist within male modelling? I’m mainly looking at UK based agencies where I’ve seen some such as AMCK models list both a new faces and development board. What’s the difference? Many others will also list an image board and direct board in addition to the regular main board and new faces/development board. Who are the image and direct boards aimed at? Also what are the circumstances in which a model ends up assigned to each board? Many thanks in advance. Hi there Tom! Great questions! These different boards are created to help clients better understand the categories an agency has for the models on its roster. It also serves as an organized way for those working at the agency to know who belongs where. New Faces describes the models who are literally newbies. They have little to no modeling experience and, as a result, don't have a solid b

Unknown Wrote: What about modeling classes, aren't they a job related expense? If the child turned 18 in August do they claim all the job related expenses, or do we as the parent file it as education or job related expenses? Hi, Unknown! You make an excellent point: modeling classes can be considered a job related expense and, therefore, a write off for tax season. Good catch! The rest of your question would be best answered by a CPA but in my opinion, you as the parents can claim the modeling classes as a job related expense for that tax season up until the month of August. From that point on, your child/young adult can then claim the remaining modeling classes that took place from August until December. That seems to be a good compromise. Of course, if your child/young adult doesn't care or isn't really focused on that, then you'd be fine to claim those job related expenses. Chances are your CPA (if you use one) isn't going to be a stickler about those

Wayne Westwood Wrote: Dania, Adding a small photo and hyperlink to an email signature sounds like a great idea. What are some of the technical hurdles for accomplishing this? Wayne Westwood Hey, Wayne! The method for inserting a photo in your email signature will vary based on what platform you use for email. For example, the steps for doing this via a Gmail account will be very different than for a Hotmail account, Yahoo account, etc. I recommend doing an online search for the right set of instructions. So if you use a Gmail account, you would do a search for "how to add an image to my gmail signature". As far as adding a hyperlink to a website, all you have to do is go to your email Settings, locate the part that contains the email signature content and then type the website/URL right into the email signature area. As long as you save the changes, it will show up in your next email to someone. I know with Gmail it automatically makes the link you type out &

Unknown Wrote:  I really wanna be a model I'm in Nigeria...please I need someone to out me through...to be a model as been my dream Hi, Unknown! The best way to start is to look locally. Signing with an agency in your country is the ideal way to build your career, network and create a portfolio of work that will (hopefully) open the doors to modeling opportunities outside of your area and even in other international markets. Below is a link to the top 10 modeling agencies in Nigeria. Visit each one's websites to find out what the instructions are for submitting yourself: https://nigerianinfopedia.com.ng/best-modelling-agencies-in-nigeria/ South Africa is also a large market for high caliber agencies so if you're able and willing to relocate (if the agencies in Nigeria aren't an option for whatever reason), then you should visit this list of agencies in South Africa and browse through the agency websites to find out what you need to submit or if they have o