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Modeling with Braces


Is modeling with braces impossible? No. But is it possible? Rarely. Before you start rattling off the models you've seen in publications wearing braces, let me just inform you that they are far and few in between.

Of course there will always be exceptions to the rule--the modeling industry is famous for that, but generally speaking, modeling with braces may not always be an option.

If you currently have braces and wish to pursue modeling, you may encounter some difficulties. Models wearing braces are not in high demand. Yes, there are those print ads for dentists and other specialists who do braces but there isn't enough of that type of work to keep the small number of models with braces busy.

You'd end up seeing the same faces over and over again for those ads. If you're hoping for agency representation, don't be surprised if an agency decides to pass on you. Marketing a model with braces is just too hard and time consuming.

However, you may find an agent who wants to sign you...as soon as your braces come off. And that's great so don't despair if you're on the waiting list. The agency knows that once your braces are off, they can begin to market you right away with your brand new killer smile. If anything, just be patient and pursue your modeling career after you get your braces taken off. But if you just can't wait, it doesn't hurt to go to open casting calls to ask different agencies what your chances are. You never know, you may be that exception to the rule.

Is your smile not as perfect as it should be? If you're thinking about getting braces or if your dentist has stressed that you do so and you currently have an agent, you need to talk to them about this first before making any decisions. Your agency may not want you to have braces. After all, they did sign you as you are and if they saw your teeth as a problem, they would have pointed it out.

If it is something that you are determined to do, you may have to take a break from modeling during the time you have the braces on. This may frustrate or disappoint your agent because if you get braces, then they have to redo your photos...maybe not all of them in your portfolio but definitely your headshots. There's no use in sending a client a picture of you without braces, right?

At best, they could start to market you in a different direction towards clients that need models with braces, but it does severely limit your agent to the amount of work they can book you for. So be sure to talk things over with your agent in order to find a happy medium.

My dentist has been bugging me to get braces for the past year. Unfortunately, I never wore them as a child so I'd be a grown adult sporting braces, which I don't mind except that I've got a modeling career to think about. My agent has never requested that I get braces (some agencies may ask this of you so don't be surprised) so I've never bothered with them.

Even though they do have clear braces, they can still show up in pictures and I would feel bad for any photographer who has to Photoshop those out! haha. After giving it some thought, I've come to love my non-perfect smile. I don't have a horrible smile, or missing teeth, gaps or a snaggletooth. I simply have a slight overbite, which you can't really see, and a few of my teeth on my right side are spaced a little but other than that, I've got a perfectly healthy smile. And that's what matters.

I have no reason to get braces at this point, especially since my contract with FORD isn't even a year old and I've got about 2-3 years left with them. As I always say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Comments

Anonymous said…
ya i just went to a model expo with braces and they didnt look twice at me.
Anonymous said…
I did a runway show and I have braces.
It was no problem at all.
If you have braces, just go for it and I am glad I did because now I have an agent!
Unknown said…
I am going to amtc the 25 and have braces but I always get complements on my hair and people say my braces are cute do u think that they want me I went to a preivious event like that and they wanted me but I had no braces please tell me if I have a chance otherwise I don't want to make a fool of my self.
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Alma, and thanks for your question. You'll find your answer in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #51." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
Dania-understand the whole pressure thing with agents wanting you to get braces. had to deal with the same thing! and your smile is beautiful so it seems ridiculous doesnt it. my smile is almost identical to yours. the only thing that i did have changed that you also have is how "gummy" my smile is. I was actually able to have a surgery where some of the extra gum tissue that is above my teeth was cut down so you could see more white in my smile rather than gums and i love it! it helps so you can smile bigger and show a dazzling bright smile and not so much gums. Now that my teeth show more and not so much gums I cant stop smiling :)
Anonymous said…
um i m 14 and i went to this agency and they said that they cant do a photoshoot wit my braces on they said i had great looks and i should come back when i get them off:( well idk i m just kinda confused cuz i want to start my modelling career as soon as possible:)


reply back thanks:)
Dania Denise said…
Hey, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #76." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
i'm 13 nearly 14 and i want to start modeling but i've got braces , i really want to start as soon as possible but i would like to know what my chance's are .

please reply!!
Dania Denise said…
Hello, and thank you for your question! You'll find your answer in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #84". Thanks for reading!
Paige W. said…
I currently have braces and had them on before I got an agent. I still have them on, but I am going strong and far in modeling and continue to do so when they some off. Don't think you can't. Never say never! Go for it :)
Anonymous said…
How do I get signed if I'm 14, and have braces? Do you think it will be a problem ?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous, thanks for the question. You'll find your answer in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #98."
Ruth said…
Hi! I'd really love to start modeling, but I have 2 problems, I'm 12 and I have braces. I am 5'8, weigh 130, have brown hair and blue eyes and I'm peitite I guess you'd call it. Do you have any suggestions to help me get started?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Ruth! You'll find your answer in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #103." Thanks for reading!
brit-brit said…
ok i have a question ok if u have like bad teeth like a big over bit and a gab in ur teeth is there like an modeling company that will fix it 4 u and will have a contract thingy. Like if they c protentrial in u and u very pretty and like u have everything but ur teeth r bad
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Brit-Brit! Thanks for the question! You'll find your answer in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #113." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
Hi. I am going to a casting call for hair/fashion and I have braces. Do you think the braces will be a problem?

Please reply! Thanks!
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #134." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
hi i am 12 and i want to start a small modeling career but i have braces and my teeth agent as bad as they could be but i do have a gap between my front teeth. so what are my chances and are there any modeling agencies that specialize in children/teenagers?

PLEASE reply.
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Georgia W! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #211." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
My daughter went to a Ford open call and they offered her representation on the spot even though she needs braces very soon. Her agent also said "no client books a model with braces."
Anonymous said…
I'm 14 and I have braces and I got given a letter in dance to audition for modelling dance wear in an international magazine. I looked at the pictures and all the girls are skinny with straight white teeth and now I don't know whether to go for it incase I just get told no straight away because of my braces. Help!
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #221." Thanks for reading!
Taylor said…
I have braces and went to a agency and they told me to come back when I get them off. But I really want to start my modeling career like now!
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Taylor! You'll find my response to your comment in its own post, titled "Addressing a Reader Comment #6." Thanks for reading!
Maddy said…
hi, i have braces and i was wondering if you know any talent agencys or you could help me with finding a talent agency that does select models with braces. i am really serious about modelling so could you please help me!
thanks
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Maddy! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #290." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
will i make it as a model ? im 5ft 6' and ive got braces ???
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #304." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
i was scouted and i have braces. but i don't have an agent yet because i haven't been to an event like that yet. I'm 5 foot 3 and 13 yrs old. i have a small waist, I'm thin and i have curves and the person who scouted me was looking at my face. do you think i could have potential? am i too young t do certain types of modelling? and are there certain types of modelling where you don't show your teeth that i could do? I'm having a hard time waiting :p.
thankyou :)
Dania Denise said…
Hey Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #323." Thanks for reading!
Anonymous said…
Hi, I'm 13 and have had braces about 10 months. I have about another 6 months of braces and then I will be done with my second phase. I'm looking into different agencies and want to pursue modeling. I read somewhere that some agencies are okay with braces if you get them off for a job. Can you tell me how likely that is and if braces make my chances in success slim?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #390," which can be found on my new 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!
Anonymous said…
I'm 13 almost 14, I'm getting braces soon never really thought about modeling but people say I have great potenial.. I think it would be awesome to model.. I have contacts and have medium brown hair and brown eyes I'm about 5'2' or so and I weigh about 110.. do you think I've got a chance?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #404," which can be found on my new 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!
Anonymous said…
Hey I'm 12 ab to be 13 in September and I have braces and just got them and I have to wait a Year until I get them off but I want to start modeling soon bc I love being in front of the camera,everyone I know or see they say I'm beautiful And I have a good bubbly personality but idk.what to do!!!!:(I can't wait 2 WHOLE years
P.S Ive never mOdeled and I have zero exsperiance:/
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #429," which can be found on my new 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!
Anonymous said…
I'm 16 years old, 5'9 140 pounds, hips: 27 Bust: 33. Am I skinny enough to be a model?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #444," which can be found on my new 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!
Anonymous said…
Hi I am 13 almost 14 I am 5'4 and I live in Texas I want to be a model but one problem I have braces and I won't be getting them off until I'm 15 and I would like to start modeling now what should I do? Do u think an agency would want to represent me? Do u know any agencies that accept models with braces
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #483," which can be found on my new 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!
Frida said…
I've always been interested in doing modeling and I've been told I have the looks, height ect for it. But not long ago I got to know that I was supposed to have gotten braces when I turned 15 but at that time we were moving abroad and my parents forgot about it. I'm 19 now and I've had braces since the beginning of this year (they'll come off when I'm 21). I can see how this could be a huge problem if I'd like to start modeling, so I don't know what I should do. I appreciate any advice I can get!

oh and btw, I look younger than I am I've realized from several comments I've gotten. Some months ago I was in a fashion store and since they were advertising their new club card I asked about it and the lady looked at me and said: "You need to be 16 to become a member." That was almost offensive, I'm 19! xD :)
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Frida! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #588," which can be found on my new 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!
Anonymous said…
I'm 14 this year and I really want to become a model I'm 5'4 with brown hair with green-brown eyes ,, I weigh 55 but I've got braces! Is this a problem?

Please Reply
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #596," which can be found on my new 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!
adina said…
I'm 6 feet tall, a size 3 and 14 years old. People say I should model and that agencies will overlook my braces because of my height. Do you think they're right or should I just wait until they come off?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Adina! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #672," 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!
Tia said…
Hi
I'm 16 and gonna get braces but want to try my luck with agencies because I'm looking more into hair and fashion rather than catwalk, I live in the uk, Oxfordshire, and I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction agency wise, I've tried myself but can't seem to find anything, and there's no harm in trying to find an agency even with braces, thank you Tia
Anonymous said…
Could u help me find agencies in the uk? If not then don't worry about it, thanks
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Tia! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #735," 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!
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous!

Below is a link to agencies in London that you can check out:

http://www.kmodels.com/London-modeling-agencies-links1.htm
Anonymous said…
i have braces but since september i haven't got any openings but because of my brace i am finding it hard to start my modelling career and do a shoot or anything! is there any way of me getting a shoot or a runway show. ITS SOOO HARD
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #777," 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!
Anonymous said…
I am 12 I have really big green eyeswith long dark eye lashes. think blond hair I am thin with long legs peopel have always said that I was pretty and I have always wanted to be a model but I am only 5 2 tall I have won kid with the most butiful eyes when I was 2 .
I just need some help
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #835," 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!
Anonymous said…
How do you find a legit agent ?
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous!

Below are links to blog posts I've written that will help answer your question in more detail (you'll want to copy/paste the links into your browser):

http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2011/12/easy-ways-to-tell-if-modeling-agency-is.html

http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-real-agency-does.html

As far as how to go about finding an agent, the Internet will be your best bet. You'll want to do a search for modeling agencies based on the city/state where you live. It is ideal for you to submit to agencies that are within a 2 hour's drive from where you live in order for them to consider your submission.

Hope that helps!
Anonymous said…
hi, i was thinking of getting into modeling soon but my dentist keeps telling me i have to get braces in the new year. im am 13, 14 next year and i dont know if i should start modeling now or not.
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Anonymous!

If there is no way around getting your braces soon then it will be best to hold off on modeling until after your braces come off.

However, if you need to wear the braces for a while then you can always look into trying to model while you have them. Agencies do represent models with braces although as my post explained, there may not be as many jobs but since you're so young that may not be an issue.

Either way, having a camera-ready smile thanks to braces can only help your aspiring modeling career and not hurt it so make sure to take care of your teeth now and it'll give you a huge advantage with modeling in the long term.
Unknown said…
hi,
This is Shreeya I am from India and i going to get braces soon but i am totally looking forward to modelling as my career. i am 16 years old is it ok to start modeling at age of sixteen in India
Dania Denise said…
Hi, Shreeya! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #1,017," 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!

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