How can I get into modeling w/out having to pay any money?

Question

I'm really thinking about doing some modeling gigs on the side while in college. But I don't want to have to pay any money. What should I do?

Answer 1

Getting into modeling, at least the intro. stages, is actually pretty simple.

First, you'll want to build a portfolio of shots. You'll want a good variety of shots with different outfits, poses, etc. It shouldn't be a problem to find a photographer that will do a time for print or time for CD session with you. Make sure to find a real photographer, and not just a "guy with a camera." One is out to take photos, the other is out to take pictures of girls!

Second, get some of your portfolio images up on one of the large modeling websites like OneModelPlace.com. The website gets a ton of traffic from photographers, modeling agencies, other models, and a variety of other people that are involved in modeling. You can get a beginner portfolio on OneModelPlace for free. Setting up an online portfolio on OMP is the very first thing I'll do when I shoot aspiring models.

Third, check places like Craigslist to see if there are any gigs available in your area for local modeling projects. A model friend of mine finds plenty of modeling gigs this way, and some have paid in excess of $100/hour. Not too shabby when you're just starting out!

I hope this info. helps you out at least a bit! Take care and good luck with your modeling career!

Answer 2

You don't mention how old your daughter is. If she is under 12, it's normal to get new headshots every 6 months. But you don't need to pay $400. You should be able to find someone for $150-200. You don't need a whole portfolio - just 2-3 shots. Or if you have an Arts college near you, contact the photography department to see if there are students willing to shoot your daughter to get experience with child models - and you would only have to pay for the prints. This is your expense, not the agency's. There is no way the agent can guarantee they would even book your daughter on a job - that's all up to the client if they want your daughter, not your agent. And for $400, that means the agency would have to book your daughter on $4000 worth of jobs if he's taking a 10% commission, which is more than most child models will make in 2 years. Considering most child modeling jobs pay $125-250/day he'd have to book your daughter on a minimum of 16 jobs to recoup that expense. No agent is going to assume that expense for a child model.

Answer 3

Contact local photographers. Get to the business mettings in your area and find out who you can work with. Use the telephone to call the marketing agencies for your local stores. Your local mall has a marketing director. Sometimes any community gathering place can be turned into a 'Run Way' with a tea time atmosphere with some community involvement. Tell some parents it would be good for the Youth Self Esteem. Start something. These ideas cost you nothing. Just put some effort into your dream and good luck.

Answer 4

Visit the fashion coordinators at department stores and volunteer for fashion shows, etc. Photos will be taken, and you can acquire one of these. Put a portfolio together on your own. If you need to see one, make an appt. at a modeling agency and ask them to show you their examples. Copy this. Contact university fashion/design departments and offer to model for students, faculty and shows. Keep photos. Contact the Art Dept. and offer to model. You may not get a photo but you can have the artist write a recommendation letter for you. Good luck in your pursuits. This is how my sister got started.

Answer 5

You need to get signed by a modeling agency. Sometimes they just discover people, you could contact them and ask them how to go about the process. However, I think you're better off getting something in your field, even if it's just to make contacts.

Answer 6

here is an idea.. chances are there is a photography course at your college.. get a student to take some killer shots of you. either way.. somehow.. get a photographer somewhere to get some good shots of you and then you start submitting them to modeling agencies yourself.

where the agencies get you is the photography most times.

they always "suggest" their "photographer"

Answer 7

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Answer 8

You can sign up to sites like
http://www.onemodelplace.com
http://www.modelmayhem.com
You probably won't get paid in the beginning unless you can really help someones portfolio. But you can meet a lot of people in the business and get some good work in.

Answer 9

find a legitimate modeling agency. i also want to do modeling.

Answer 10

you could start by being good looking.