starting modeling?

Question

does anyone know how to start modeling for a company? how to get noticed? no porno please...

Answer 1

What company?

First off, to be a model you have two options: work freelance, or have an agent. Working freelance is rather hard - you always have to be on your toes, marketing yourself and selling yourself to photographers. It's rare that a freelance model will get big photographic/advertising jobs. Most mainly get promo jobs passing out beer or gum to people in the local mall.

Getting an agent is the best way to go. But first, you need to make sure you fit the requirements. Obviously, one has to be attractive. Be in good health. Height is a near necessity - if you want to tread the catwalks or be involved in high fashion, you have to be at least 5'9. For commerical photography and such, it's still recommended being 5'7 area. You don't have to be super skinny; in fact, there is a large market for plus-size models nowadays.

Most vital - make sure you have the attitude for modelling. Be prepared to wait around a lot, to wear stuff you don't like, be in places that aren't that exotic, and most of all DON'T BE CATTY. The modelling world is plagued by catty and ***** like models, and they are so unpleasant to work with. So, be sure to have a great attitude with you and it will transmit to your agent.

Your agent: Look in the Yellow Pages for them. Have a look at their websites, at the type of talent they supply. You'd do no good as a model with their agency if they specialise in children - waste of your time and theirs. Have a good look at what they want in talent, and if you can, have a look at what work they have done and their model database. If you recognise some of the work, great. Looks like a legit agency. Also, checking out the rest of the talent enables you to see your 'competition' - when a job comes around and if the models in the agency are all blonde blue-eyed waifs; if you're brown haired and eyed, you'll be capturing a niche they haven't covered yet which means you'll be submitted to more jobs.

First, call the agency who has the biggest ad in the Yellow Pages. Or at least has a website. Common sense says that if they make things very easy for people to call them to book models, they'd get a lot of calls. Find out if they require you to send in photos, or actually come into the office of your own accord. You don't need professional photos at this stage; just polaroids are good.

DO NOT EVER HAND OVER ANY MONEY TO ANY AGENCY. Agencies are just an agent FOR YOU. They work FOR YOU. If they do a good job, then they will get a share of your earnings. If not, then they lose out. You should never pay to be put on a website, in a book, to be registered, anything. Do not be forced into taking modelling school that the agency runs as well, unless it is free. Do not be forced into using the agency's photographer, unless it is free. You will, most likely, be told you need professional photos. A few agencies will pay for them for you; a number won't. So that is perhaps the only cost you will incur, other than prints of the photos. If an agency wants to charge you anything, go away. They're making the money off your hand-over money rather than your work.

There are plenty of websites otu there that will be able to help you a lot better than what I have

Answer 2

I have heard a lot of bad thing about SOME (not all) modelling agencies and how they make you pay for photos and photo sessions before they take you on then never give you any work. Always check with the local Better Business Bureau in teh US or Trading Standards in the Uk or Similar organisation elsewhere.

I think a better starting place before you go to agencies is if you have a friend who is reasonable with a camera (do not have to be a professional or even that good just okay) Just take 100 photos of yourself in different poses, clothing and backgrounds then pick out 10-20 nice photos. You can then use this as a portfolio, and even better instead of printing them which cost you money every time, host them on a website and get some business cards print with the website address on and just hand these out instead. This is a far cheaper way of doing it and with no RISK. You should never have to pay to get a job if you do there is a high chance it is a scam.

However if you would like a personal portfolio site please contact me and I will set you on up for free. I can design you a fully personalised flash website with as much or little information and then host it for you. This site can contain a gallery of your photos, personal information, list of work, contact details, etc or if you prefer just a couple of photos and nothing else. It can be password protected and all images will be protected as is humanly possible, or the photos can be available to download.


Examples of work can be provided on request. Just message me here if you want, I am a professional website designer but have lots of free time (and enough money) so I am currently doing free sites for small bands, small artist etc, basically anyone who could not afford them otherwise. I have my own hosting server so can offer hosting servers or you can host the site yourselves. No images sent to me will be used for anything other than your site and I will not give anyone your detail or link to the site. You will have complete control and the site can be removed or changed at any time. This is not a scam and I will design a site for FREE, I do not need the money, and enjoy working. If you do want it message me you can tell me what you want and how you want it done and I will help.

Depending how old you are I may require parents permission before i will do any work.

Answer 3

You should try looking in the phone book in your area for modeling agencies. A lot of them also offer classes on some important things you need to know and will be able to put your portfolio together for you. You could also try seeing if there are any model searches coming to your area, but you would definitely want to get some good pictures taken before going to something like that.

Answer 4

Set up photograph shoots with a photographer for your neighborhood subject and make a portfolio and ship it to a modeling company. That's how I did it and now I belong to Jet Set Modeling Agency.

Answer 5

I am with a modeling agency, and got discovered In a funny way. But from what I've learned you the best way is too get a good mother agent ( and usually smaller agency close to where you live that gives you good personal attention ) and then they groom you and get you ready for the big time!

Answer 6

send ur pics to a model agency wid ur biodata or join america's next super model

Answer 7

irene marie modeling agency

Answer 8

I don't know but when you find out please e-mail me at [e-mail]. Thanx