We’ve assembled some modeling resources to help aspiring models learn a bit more about the business and hopefully give you a bit more “street smarts” as you consider a modeling career.
The industry is full of good, honest, hard-working people – but unfortunately it also has more than its fair share of bad apples. Aspiring models are often taken advantage of by unscrupulous people in a variety of forms: manager, agent, scout, photographer, editor, you name it. We’ve assembled some tips and resources that we hope inform you and help you navigate the business.
The Basics
One of the best online resources we’ve found for the basics is NewModels’ “Modeling 101″ site. They do a wonderful job acquainting you with the basics: the different types of modeling, how an agency works, how to steer clear of scams, and a lot more. Spend some time at their site; you’ll be better (and smarter) for it.
How To Avoid A Scam
Probably the simplest rule of thumb for the aspiring model to avoid being ripped off is to never give an agency any money. Legitimate agencies make money (as a commission) from the work we book for you. We get paid when you get paid – it’s that simple. If someone claims to be an agent or agency and wants some kind of up-front payment, they are almost certainly a fraud.
That doesn’t mean you won’t have to cover some expenses – you probably will. If you are far from a major market, you’ll need to get yourself to that city. That means airfare, lodging, food, pocket cash, things like that. We’ve heard of major market agencies advancing money for these things (once they’ve already seen/signed you, of course) but it’s extremely uncommon. Some agencies have model apartments you can stay in while you seek work in major cities – and some don’t. Some agencies expect to be paid for this, but this should always be taken out of your future earnings, not advanced to the agency by you.
Photography: Who Pays?
You might have to pay photographers for pictures to help you build your portfolio. Your agency will be able to direct you as to the “look” they’re trying to market you for (they’d better!) and they will also help guide you toward photographers they think would work well with you. Any legitimate agency will have relationships with photographers and can arrange very inexpensive (sometimes even free) sessions for new faces (this is often called “testing.”) Many of them will charge, but it should be very modest (think a few hundred dollars at most) if you are being referred by your agency. Sometimes an agency will pay photographers on your behalf, but this is quite rare.
Test shoots with photographers serve many purposes: the model builds her book; the model gains experience working a professional shoot; the agency gets feedback from professionals as to how the model is doing/developing; and in some cases it helps the photographer build his own book or a specific project he is working on (it is these cases where you are most likely to arrange a no-charge session.)
Beware: scam “agencies” will tell you they believe in you and want to sign you, but you need to pay the agency a bunch of money to work with a specific “approved” photographer, attend special classes, schools, or events, or buy pricey marketing material. Such high-cost, high-pressure tactics are a sure sign you’re dealing with a “portfolio mill” who just plans to take your money and run. An agency should not be profiting from your startup expenses – this is predatory behavior. Forcing you to pay certain vendors as a condition of representation is illegal in many states (such as California).
Any recommendations that involve you taking money out of your pocket should be optional and have no bearing on representation. If they’re telling you they’ll sign you, but it’s conditional on you paying for a school, a class, or a big expensive photo shoot, they’re trying to rip you off.
Scams: what else should I know?
In a nutshell, you may have to pay some of your own startup costs, but you shouldn’t be paying startup fees to an agency. In the rare cases where an agency incurs or advances expenses on your behalf, they certainly have the right to be reimbursed once they start booking paid work for you. In these cases, those costs will be deducted from your future earnings.
If you’re in California, talent agencies must be licensed by the state. They are required to pass background checks, post a bond, and get all their contracts reviewed and approved by the state labor commissioner. You can easily search the agency database to see if a California agency is legit. In other states it can be more complicated, but the earlier rules of thumb will go a long way toward protecting you.
Also, don’t sign a contract unless you’ve read it very carefully. If you’re under 18, review it thoroughly with your parents. In most states they will have to sign it with you anyway. Make sure you have a way to exit the contract if the agency doesn’t get you any work – you don’t want to be stuck with an agency that’s doing nothing for you.
Do I Need To Submit Professional Pictures?
No – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. An agency wants to see you (your face and your body) just as you are. So, a few clear snapshots with good lighting (avoid flash), no background distractions, and no makeup are best. Avoid cell-phone pictures. We’ll post a few examples soon.
The perfect set has six pictures:
- Three full body (front, side, and back views). Make sure we can see your figure. A bikini works well; so can a form-fitting t-shirt/tank and a short skirt or shorts. Wear heels and keep your feet touching together. (No crazy stances or wild poses – let’s save that for later!)
- Two face shots (front and profile) with your hair pulled back, no smiling, no pouty faces, just you.
- A face shot with hair DOWN/loose, smiling.
How To Get Your Correct Measurements
We see a lot of submissions where the measurements (also called “stats”) are wrong, so we want to help you get them right. Ideally you’ll have a helper for this. A fashion model’s measurements / stats include:
- Height: seems obvious, but this is your actual height standing against a wall barefoot.
- Weight: your exact weight (usually with a light layer of clothing.)
- Bust: measure around the fullest part of your bust.
- Waist: measure around the smallest part of your waist (usually just above the belly button.)
- Hips: measure around the fullest part of your hips.
A side note: it’s really important to be sure these are accurate. And be honest – there’s no use in playing loose with the numbers, because any agency worth its salt will check them (often!)
