Model Tips: Starting Your Modeling Career

Posted on September 21 2013 by Raj Singhania

 

 

I have met so many young people in my travels around the country and the world who want to pursue a modeling career, and they just don’t know where to begin! In this installment of my Model Tips, I want to discuss exactly how to begin your modeling career. Here are some key tips on exactly where to begin.

Starting Your Modeling Career

If there is one thing I can say about how to start a modeling career, it is that it has no definite step by step procedure. There are however some very important general steps you can take to begin your modeling career.


The first step is this. Start taking photos. Most models start off their career doing mostly test shoots. A test shoot is when a group of industry want-to-be-professionals come together to produce a photo shoot with the sole purpose of making images to put into their personal portfolios. In every town and city around the world there are photographers, designers, makeup artists and hairstylists that need models to work with.


You can start by taking some simple snap shots of yourself; it doesn’t have to be professionally done. Have mom or your best friend take some simple beautiful photos of you in natural light while smiling and looking like your beautiful self. Print those photos and take them to some of the local talent you may want to work with. If there is a hair salon you enjoy going to, take them your photos and mention that you would like to model for the next set of promotional photos they will need for their business.

If there is a local designer whose clothes you love, go about the same process. You can reach out to anyone like this and the chances are, they will most likely be more than willing to work with you! Remember to get High Resolution (or HiRes) copies of the images from any photo shoot so that you can add them to your own personal portfolio.

A lot of models also find other industry professionals on internet social networks and set up test shoots with them from there. Having a few of your best photos on your social network page may not be bad idea. Just make sure they are tasteful and represent you the best. Also, if you are younger or feel unsure of the test shoot always bring someone with you. Bring mom or a sister to set with you and don’t be embarrassed of this. You always want to protect your safety first!


The second thing you may want to do is take the photos you have gathered of yourself to a local modeling or talent agency. People underestimate the references you can find online, but the internet is a great way to start the search for these local modeling/talent agencies. Simply search for “Modeling and Talent Agencies in (your city here)”. A list should come up with some information.


Take some time to investigate if they have working models that their company represents. Look at what kind of work those models have done. This will give a reflection of the type of clientele the agency works with. Usually clients will return to an agency in the future for more models to work with, giving you the possibility of a casting, go see or actually booking the job!

Contact them and move forward with a meeting with your local Modeling or Talent Agency and from there you can decide if it is a good fit for you.

Many models want to take their career a little further than the city they live in. In this case, I would do the same research on the city you want to live move to for pursuing your modeling career.

In the United States, New York City is the most important fashion driven city. The next is Los Angeles and the third is Miami. In that order the demand for a more commercial look increases and the demand for more a high fashion look decreases. All in all, I strongly believe the city that would offer the most work for a model would be New York City.

You can research the Modeling and Talent Agencies in these cities. Usually they will have a “Board” of their models on their website which includes images of all the models they represent.

Check out their Board of models and see if you would fit in well with that agency. They should also have listed some information on how they accept submission portfolios. Contact them and submit your photos. You can also take a weeklong trip and visit the city of choice you may be interested in to see if you like it.

This will give you the opportunity to go in to the agencies you have been researching for a one-on-one meeting. Not every agency will be interested in representing you. But that’s ok. Someone will!

Don’t forget “Boutique” agencies. These are smaller, newer agencies that have a limited board and are usually more open to accepting new models to represent. They are agencies that can help you begin your professional modeling career with more attention to you. These agencies may have a board of only fifty models where larger agencies may have a board of five hundred.


Lastly, if you decide to move on and sign a contract with an agency they may provide Model Housing. This is an apartment or house that is shared with other models that the agency represents. It is not a bad living situation to start off with, but a lot of agencies will ask for a small rent payment that will be taken out of your future check.


Most importantly, if any agency asks for a lot of money up front IT IS A SCAM! A reputable agency should be able to provide you with Composition Cards (model business cards with some images of you and your sizing information), test shoots, a valid portfolio and model housing without asking the cost of it upfront.

This is the agency’s investment in your talent. It is a risk for them as they are starting you off as a “New Face”, or literally a new face in the fashion industry. The cost of these amenities will be taken out of your check once you start booking work.

I hope this helps out for all of those aspiring models out there in the world! GOOD LUCK!!! For more advice please email me.... rajsinghaniabd@gmail.com


 

 ~~~~ Fire Works by Prince Raj Singhania ~~~~