Answering a Reader Question #292

Jackie Wrote:

Hi! I'm interested in being a model but i have absolutely no experience and I feel like I may not be tall enough... I'm 18 years old, I'm almost 5'7'' and my measurements are 35-26-35. Am I too short or too old? If not, how would i start? Thanks!

Hey, Jackie! It's okay that you don't have experience--in fact, agencies prefer this because it makes you easier to train and mold into someone they can effectively market. For new/inexperienced models, having previous experience, pro headshots, comp/zed cards and a portfolio already in place is not mandatory or required by modeling agencies in order to be signed. So no worries there.

At 18 you are definitely not too old. But you are shy of the minimum height requirement for fashion, runway and editorial modeling, which is 5'8". If you're not actually 5'7", this will make it even more difficult for fashion agencies to want to sign you. However, you are the ideal height for commercial/print and lifestyle modeling. If you pursue commercial/print and lifestyle modeling you won't have to worry about losing weight or anything, either, because your measurements are fine and proportional.

To begin the path towards modeling, you'll first want to go online and do a search for modeling agencies according to the city/state you live in. You don't want to submit to anyone farther than a 2 hour's drive unless you're willing to relocate. The official websites for the agencies will contain everything you need to know, including what methods of submissions they accept, if they hold open casting calls and what types of pictures they want you to send. Not all agencies ask for the same thing so make sure to prepare each submission for each agency accordingly.

Hope that helps and good luck to you!

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