Modeling 101 Blog FAQ

What Is This Blog For?

The Modeling 101 - A Model's Diary blog is an online resource for all models of all experience levels. 

It contains information, experiences and advice that aspiring and established models (male and female of all ages) can use to help them in their own careers.

What Qualifies You As an Expert in Modeling?

I've been working as a professional model for 13+ years and have a long resume of experience, including working with agencies.

Are You Who You Really Say You Are?

Enter "Dania Denise" into any search engine and you'll get plenty of results that show I am who I say I am. I'm consistent in the information I put out about myself and thanks to social networking sites, people can easily verify my identity by checking out my profiles on Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Do You Get Paid To Do This Blog?

No. My blog is a passion project of mine and I contribute to it whenever I get free time. I have no sponsors, donors or other people that contribute to my blog financially.

Do You Have Connections With Modeling Agencies?

No. I have agency representation but do not have any connections where I can "hook up" aspiring models with agencies. Telling an agency my name or that you've talked to me will not improve a person's chances at agency representation.

How Do You Help Models Other Than Through Your Blog?

I regularly communicate with models online via email and through social networking sites, where I'm able to provide more one-on-one advice and mentoring to address specific situations.

How Do You Know So Much About Agencies?

Since I first started when I was 15, I've always had agency representation so I have a lot of knowledge as to how these types of businesses operate and what models can expect in most situations. Additionally, I regularly visit modeling agency websites (both nationally and internationally) and am very familiar with the processes involved with submitting to agencies, open calls, etc.

How Am I Supposed to Use This Blog?

It's more of a learning resource. The more posts you read, the more knowledge you can gain about the modeling industry in general. You're free to post comments with your thoughts and opinions, as well as questions, which I answer in a separate blog that is dedicated to just answering reader questions (http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/).

How Can You Help Me?

The most common form of assistance I provide for aspiring and established models is by answering any questions they have related to the modeling industry. I also do online searches to help models find local agency websites so they can learn how to submit themselves for agency representation. For those that ask, I also do photo critiques, mainly for snapshots that models plan on sending to agencies, as well as general feedback on portfolios and headshots.

When Helping Me Find Agencies, Why Do You Ask for the City/State Where I Live?

It is an industry rule of thumb to only submit to agencies that are within a 2 hour's drive from where a person lives. Without knowing the city/state, I couldn't accurately get the names and websites that would be appropriate for the person in need of agencies. Simply asking me to give someone the names of agencies is too broad and location plays a major factor. Putting together a long list of random agencies wouldn't only take up a lot of time, it would be useless to the person if they live too far away from those agencies since they wouldn't be considered anyway. I never ask for anyone's mailing address, just the city and state is all that's needed.

Why Do You Look Up the Agency Websites? Why Not Have the Person Asking Do It Themselves?

Those unfamiliar with searching for agency websites often have a hard time telling the difference between legit agency sites and those that should be avoided (those that charge upfront fees, are actually modeling schools and not agencies, etc.). I'm very familiar with browsing through these types of sites and spotting red flags. By conducting the search myself, it decreases the chances of a person dealing with the wrong type of company.

I've Already Looked Up Agencies in My Area On My Own. Why Do You Need to Do What I've Already Done?

When a person has told me they've looked for agencies on their own, I'll still offer to do my own search because many times I'll find agencies they've never heard of or came across. I have my own resources that can help expand the search beyond what a regular search engine can do. It just gives them another opportunity to possibly find agencies they may have ended up missing out on.

One of the Agencies You Gave Me Info About Tried to Scam Me. What Should I Do?

No agency can ever "force" you to do anything you're not comfortable with. As soon as you realize that an agency is trying to scam you, charge upfront fees or sell you things like classes, workshops or portfolios, politely decline the offer and stop all contact/communication.

I do my best to give people the names and websites of agencies that appear legit and do not raise red flags for me. However, I cannot possibly know all agency intentions, especially if these are businesses that operate outside of the state I live in. All I can do is give a person the information to check out--it is their responsibility to exercise caution and use common sense when dealing with a potential agency.

Does Anyone Else Write For Your Blog?

No. I am the sole writer and person maintaining this site. I currently do not accept guest writers or allow others to do posts for me.

How Can I Contact You Other Than Through Your Blog?

Email is the fastest way to get a response from me: daniadenise@gmail.com. Or you can add me on Facebook but please make sure to send a message with your request, explaining that you are a blog reader and would like help with getting into modeling. I screen my friend requests so sending a note helps me know who you are. I do not give out my phone number.

Can I Meet You in Person?

I am currently offering Meet & Greet opportunities for models within Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding cities. I'd love to travel to outside of California to meet my readers but can only do so if a concentrated effort was made by the readers to create such an event.

Is Your Blog Only For Models?

This blog is for the benefit of models as well as others in the industry. I've gotten positive feedback from photographers, makeup artists, casting directors and even agencies. Parents of models are also welcome to use my blog to help them navigate the industry. There are some posts that do address other industry professionals--I do my best to include all the key players.

Are You An Agent or Manager?

No. I do not work for an agency, nor do I have an agency of my own. I also do not operate as a manger and do not manage anyone's career.