Answering a Reader Question #3

Anonymous Wrote:

If your agency is not finding you enough tests, should you find your own on craigslist or modelmayhem?

I’m not sure what you mean by “test” but in general if your agent is not finding you enough work, you are free to find your own. If you are talking about test shoots, that’s somewhat of a different topic. Test shoots usually are arranged by your agent in order to put your portfolio together, although most will cost you unless your agent covers those costs. Since test shoots are free shoots, you are free to find your own on Craigslist, Model Mayhem or wherever else you can find legit photographers to network and shoot with. Most modeling agencies won’t set up a bunch of free test shoots for you since this doesn’t really benefit them much, unless it’s for updating your portfolio. But keep in mind that if you are doing test shoots on your own, make sure the images are ones that your agent will approve of, unless you plan to use them for your own modeling purposes.

If you’re talking about your agent not finding you enough modeling jobs, then you can find work on your own if you feel the need to. I use Craigslist and Model Mayhem and have found them to be very helpful in finding work. If you have a non-exclusive contract with an agent, you can look for as much on your own as you want.

Exclusive contract agencies will tell you that they prefer you to not do any freelance work on your own both for safety and for business reasons. Of course it is totally possible to do this without them knowing. This is where you will need to exercise your own personal judgment on whether you want to freelance on the side if it’s against your agent’s wishes. But in general, there is nothing wrong with finding your own work if your agent is not doing it, however, you may want to take some time to talk to your agent about your concerns and see if they can try to tweak how they’re marketing you so that you will begin getting booked for more modeling jobs or find another agency that will.

Hope that helps and keep the questions coming if you’ve got them!

Comments

Anonymous said…

thank you!

June 10, 2008 at 10:18 AM

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 ...

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 & Acting 101 - A Model/Actor's Diary

Search This Blog