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Answering a Reader Question #109

Melissa Wrote:


I have a question - I'm Asian, 24, 5 foot 8 inches at 114 pounds and a light tan skin tone.. I've been told countless times to go for modeling but I don't know where to start. I don't want to throw any money away because I don't really have any to start with...and I'm not sure if I'll get lucky with being discovered in a mall. What would be the best way to start?

Thanks,
Melissa 

Hi, Melissa, thanks for the question! The best way to get started is to find a reputable and legit modeling agency to represent you. Having an agent dramatically decreases your chances of getting scammed or taken advantage of. Additionally, it will be their responsibility to submit you for work and only deal with the most credible clients. Go for the agencies first because this is the most direct way to get "discovered" and not have to deal with any middlemen.

At this point you don't need to spend a small fortune in order to get started. When submitting to agencies, 9 times out of 10 they will request non-professional, digital snapshots of yourself. So you don't have to go out and hire a professional photographer or pay to print out high quality images. Here is an easy checklist to help you in getting started:

1) Go online to look up which modeling agencies are within a 2 hour's drive of where you live.
2) Visit each agency website to find out what their instructions are for submitting photos or if they have open casting calls, where you can go in to be evaluated without needing an appointment.
3) Get together with a friend and go about taking your snapshots according to each of the agency's submission guidelines
4) Send out those pictures and attend those casting calls!

As far as cost goes, here is a blog post I did that addresses the way stating a portfolio with an agency works.

The Deal with Agencies & Test Shoots for Portfolio Building

Aside from the portfolio, other areas where costs may be involved relates to transportation (gas money to get you to and from castings, shoots and go-sees, parking fees, purchasing any clothes or accessories for test shoots that aren't provided already, etc...agencies do not cover such miscellaneous costs). These are minimal at best, really, but it's good to be aware of them.

If you need help finding legit agencies and their websites, drop me a personal email and I'll be able to help you you! Good luck!
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi Dania!
I recently read your post about model makeovers and I had a question about it. About six months ago, I got my hair cut for locks of love. Since then, I have found a couple possible agencies to apply to once I get my bottom braces off (I'm a sophmore). I think I would have a more versatile look if my hair were a bit longer, though. What are the chances that an agency like Ford or Factor Women in Chicago would want to add hair extentions, and would I have to pay for them? Thanks!
January 13, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Dania Denise said…
Hey, Anonymous! Thanks for the question! You'll find your answer in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #111." Thanks for reading!
January 13, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi! Can you be a runway model and actress at the same time? Do you have to be signed to an agency to be a runway model? Can you be signed to runway modeling agency and acting agency at the same time?
September 23, 2020 at 6:29 AM
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #1,007," which can be found on my other blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."

Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
September 28, 2020 at 10:36 PM
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