Skip to main content

Models, Do Your Homework on Clients!

(This post is mainly intended for freelance models.)

Being a freelance model isn't easy. Without the protection and pampering of a modeling agency, freelancers are responsible for every aspect of their career. Unfortunately, this increases their odds for running into shady individuals and scammers.

It is vital that anyone hoping to pursue a freelance modeling career learn the importance of doing their homework on anyone they plan on working with. This includes photographers, casting directors, makeup artists, etc. There are different ways to go about this.

If you come across a post for a modeling gig and there really isn't a lot of information available, this is the time to go into detective mode. Submit yourself according to the instructions (if there are any specific ones given) and in your submission, don't be afraid to ask basic questions that the post itself didn't answer for you. This could include questions such as:

"Is there a link to the photographer's portfolio that I could look at?"

"What is the name of the company/brand/client that the project is being cast for?"

Sometimes the person in charge of the casting will be able to provide you with this info and sometimes they may not. I've submitted to gigs where they weren't allowed to release the name of the company/brand/client unless you were officially hired for the project, due to confidentiality matters. So don't be too suspicious if the person you submit to tells you they can't volunteer that kind of information unless you get booked. BUT at a minimum, they should be able to tell you the name of the photographer and/or give you a link where you can check out their portfolio.

Below are some ways that I currently do my homework on potential clients, which helps me decide whether or not I am interested in working with them: 
  • Google. I mainly do Google searches whenever I submit to a casting on Craigslist that mentions the name of the company or a person associated with the project. Sometimes results come up and sometimes they don't. Obviously, depending on what results pop up, I may or may not decide to send a submission email. If the Craigslist post contains a non-CL email address, I'll Google that and see what comes up. This has allowed me to find out which projects are likely scams--a few times the email address I've researched will show online results where the person that posted the project on CL will have also posted on various other casting sites and/or on Craigslist in other cities and even other states. Most times, that's a sign that the project being cast probably isn't legit.
  • Check The Website. Anytime a website URL is included in a modeling gig post, definitely use it! Unless it's for a well known client or photographer that you're already familiar with, it's in all freelance models' best interest to visit the website for a glimpse as to who they could potentially be working with. There have been many times when I went to a website that was in a casting and I would change my mind about sending in my pictures and info because I didn't care for the quality of the photographer's work or based on the product/clothing, I knew I wouldn't be the right fit.
  • Read Their Profile. This method applies to models looking for work on sites like Model Mayhem. Unlike Craigslist, these social networking sites aren't buried in anonymity. Use that to your advantage. For example, when I see a casting on Model Mayhem that is posted by a photographer, not only will I look at his/her profile to see his/her portfolio of work, I'll also read the "About Me" stuff on the page, if there is anything written there. Sometimes I'll be impressed by what they write and other times I'll be turned off by the way they come across through their words (cocky, snobbish, foul-mouthed, etc.). Social networking sites are all about learning who other people are so don't be afraid to see what a member is all about, especially if that's who you'll be working with if you're hired.
Right now I use a combination of Craigslist, SF Casting (this is a casting site that is only for talent working within the San Francisco Bay Area/Northern California) and Model Mayhem. So the methods above are as they relate to those sites.

Comments

FionaAlanna said…
This might be a bit of an odd question, but do they usually play music or something at photo-shoots? :]
Dania Denise said…
Hi, FionaAlanna! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #293." Thanks for reading!
This post is so cool and insightful! You really had done your homework to come up with this! It has answered most of my questions!

Popular posts from this blog

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

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

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