Applying to work with a Model Agency
If you are new to Modelling, or have some experience, finding a model agency is paramount. If you want to make a career as a professional model, you’ll need to work with an agency as top photographers book their models through Model Agencies (for quality, convenience, reliability, accountability, and instant model replacement if the model booked is sick and can’t make the shoot).
A reputable agency will not ask a Model for any money to be paid to them to upfront to get started (if an agency does this, it may be a scam, so check agency reviews on google before handing over a penny!). A reputable agency will take a percentage of any money earned through job bookings they have contracted for you. They may charge additional fees (again taken out paid photo-shoot bookings) to cover investments they have made on your behalf, like printing costs for your model portfolio.
Model Agencies are the experts in models. They are experienced in selecting new models they think they can find work for with their current clients and the current market trends. A reputable Model Agency will let you know if you have a look they think they can promote successfully.
Different Model Agency’s measurements entry criteria to taking you on varies, so check with each model agency’s individual measurement requirements and application procedure. Minimum height for fashion models is usually around 5ft7″+. (Kate Moss is 1.70m and considered short in the industry, Cara Delevinge is 1.73m, Karlie Kloss is 1.85m) Heights and application procedures can vary from sending in initial snapshots/measurements, to booking an initial meeting, or attending an open casting day.
Even you pass the first hurdle and the Model Agency decides to take you on; there is a lot of competition out there, it is hard work to try and make a decent living pursuing a career in fashion modelling. And a lot of whether you get booked for that dream model job or not is often largely out of your control (beyond doing your best to present yourself promply at castings/shoots, presented well, being polite, flexible, able to follow direction, posing in ways your body looks good on camera, being a team player, relationship building, etc).
If you don’t meet the model agency requirements, you won’t have the proportions to fit the samples sizes made by the fashion designers: so the model agency won’t be able to take you on or find you work.
Get in touch directly with the Model Agency you think you have the right look to work with, to ask if they’d like to consider taking you on. (If applying via email – don’t send CC multiple model agency companies, send separate individual emails!).
Check the T&C with model agencies that offer to take you on as a model.
Click HERE to find out : What To Wear To A Model Open Call or Casting
While you may be beautiful, you may not always have the right look for the right agency, at the right time. So don’t be put off by the first no, or the second. In fact if you want to pursue a career in Fashion Modelling you’ll need to deal with rejection as part of the job, going to multiple model castings for photo-shoots.
Once a Model Agency has agreed to take you on, they will likely send you on Test Shoots with carefully selected Professional Photographers to build up your Modelling Portfolio, aka your Book. A reputable agency will use their experience to build a book with the best possible images to promote you as a Model to potential clients for fashion shoots. Hopefully the bookings start trickling in and you gain more experience and… hey hey! You’re now a successful fashion model!
Click HERE for links to reputable London Model Agencies : Top 10 Model Agencies
On the other hand, maybe fashion modelling through an top model agency isn’t going to happen for you. Maybe all the Model Agencies turned you down. Perhaps you were stunning but just too short to meet their criteria as a fashion model.
If none of the agencies think they can get you enough work to take you on, then Fashion Modelling isn’t likely to be a sustainable career choice for you. Though you might be still be able to make a some money occasionally as a Freelance Model.
Freelance Modelling
If you’d like to start out on your own and promote yourself as a freelance model; it is harder to make an income. Though it doesn’t mean you can’t have a lot of fun and feel like a super model while doing it!
You’re effectively being your own model agency. So you need to put together a strong portfolio to promote yourself. Though, as you are just starting out, you don’t have the model agency years of experience and creatively trained eye to know what Photographers and potential clients look for, effectively what sells. What we look for in photos of ourselves is heavily bias, so it’s best to seek guidance from an industry professional. Your professional Model Portfolio is about presenting quality, not quantity. Working with an experienced Fashion Photographer gives you a first-taste of the on-shoot experience and jump-starts your model portfolio.
Aspiring Models – kick-start your portfolio and career in modelling
For your Model Portfolio session, Maggie will arrange a professional creative Make-Up Artist/Hairstylist who will create looks to bring out your natural beauty. Feeling beautiful, we will guide you to get the best results from your session.
Feel like a star in your studio make-over session
If professional modelling isn’t your cup of tea, you can still have a fun and relaxed photo-shoot experience and feel like a star. With a creative professional make-up artist/hairstylist, giving you on trend fashion looks to bring out your natural beauty. With flattering lighting to create stylish images where you look your gorgeous, beautiful best. You’ll gain confidence and love your shoot experience, as well as treasure the stylish images created for you.
Email Maggie directly at info@margaretyescombe.com to get the current Model Portfolio packages information and book your session to create stylish imagery for you.
