Skip to main content

Answering a Reader Question #294

Anonymous Wrote:


Hello! :) Well I'm 16 years old, Native American, and was thinking about doing "modelscouts.com" have you heard of it? but I'm not sure yet. I've had people tell me that I should be a model, but I just always thought I couldn't do it. I can also get insecure sometimes, but people tell me otherwise, so maybe this could be a confidence booster. Any tips? I always thought it would be amazing to model though. :) They are asking for photos and stuff and I'm not sure on what type of poses, do you have any suggestions? By the way, I don't have any experience with modeling yet, so any tips for starters?
Sorry for all the questions! Lol 

Hi, Anonymous! I personally and professionally would not recommend doing ModelScouts simply because there is a more direct and free way of breaking into modeling, which would be to submit yourself directly to agencies--you don't need to pay a "middleman." ModelScouts is not a modeling agency, they are a casting agency, which basically collects photos/portfolios and info about models and actors and puts them into a huge database, where you pay fees in the hopes that an agency sees your profile, likes you and signs you.

Since you are a new/inexperienced model, it is not necessary to invest in a professional portfolio or get headshots done. Agencies would prefer to review non-professional, digital snapshots, which really tell a person's true potential to model. Once you get offered a contract, the agency will then guide you in arranging your first test shoot. It is from this test shoot that the agency gets the images they need to put together your professional portfolio, headshots and comp/zed cards.

I don't know your height, measurements or city/state you live in so I can't really offer you advice that is tailored to your situation. But if you are between 5'5"-5'7" you can submit to agencies that represent commercial/print/teen models. If you're between 5'8"-6'0" then you can submit to agencies that represent fashion/runway/editorial models. It is best to go online and look up the official websites of the agencies that are within a 2 hour's drive from where you live. Their websites will tell you what types of pictures they want, how to submit your info and if they have open casting calls, where you can go in and be evaluated by the agency staff without the need for an appointment. All of this is free to do and puts you in direct contact with the agency themselves. Companies like ModelScouts mean well and they do have some success stories but again, they are middlemen who make a profit by accepting anybody that is willing to pay their fees. It's better to hear what your chances are straight from an agency themselves.

Should you need assistance with finding legit agencies in your area you can always post more questions to this post or email me directly at: daniadenise@gmail.com.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who
6 comments
Read more

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It
37 comments
Read more

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks
4 comments
Read more