Skip to main content

Answering a Reader Question #120

Aberwaa Wrote:


Greetings Dania.

I am a 30+ model and have found your blog to be valuable!

I have many years of pageantry experience, and have modeled on-and-off for the past 9 years - with a number of TFP gigs. With that, I have decided that I wanted to work with an agency; I have spoken with a few agencies that have alerted me that they already have someone with my "look". Dang it!

So, can you recommend any agencies in the DC DMV/Baltimore/PA area? I reside in DC. Im sure you have a better insight than I do.

Additionally, I was contacted, after a casting call, by Wilhemina PA, and offered a 2 year, exclusive, contract. I passed on it. I was informed by the rep that I need to pay $2700 within 2 months before I could be represented.

As you may know, Wilhemina PA is an affiliate of Wilhemina, and after speaking with Wilhemina NY and LA, I was told that the operations of PA was up to PA. (Thus, Im thinking that affiliates operate differently from the "mother agency").

So, along with the other agency information, can you also offer any further insight to PA. Should I go back to them? (I had a lawyer to review the contact and the only issue was the upfront costs.)

Thanks!

Aberwaa


Hi, Aberwaa, thanks for the questions! Let's see what I can do...

First, I'll address the Wilhelmina PA situation. I can only speak for myself but I wouldn't touch that offer with a 10-foot pole lol. Affiliates do operate differently than mother agencies, which is why I wouldn't recommend putting that kind of money into any agency, regardless of who they are. It would be different if they could guarantee you success and constant bookings but no elite agency in the world can promise that and as such, it just doesn't seem like a wise investment to make when there are other agencies that are much more cost-effective, especially since those won't require upfront fees.

Now on to the second subject of agencies in the areas you mentioned. Below are the agencies I could find. I apologize if they are already ones that you have contacted:


DC agencies:

T.H.E Artist Agency
http://www.theartistagency.com
(Click on the Contact Us link for instructions on how to submit)

Baltimore, MD Agencies:


Dazzling Stars Model and Talent Management, Inc.
http://www.dazzlingstars.com
(Click on the link "What to Know" on the bottom right hand side for submission info)


PA Agencies:

PA Agencies:

Greer Lange Talent Agency
http://www.greerlange.com
(Click on the link on the homepage that talks about REPRESENTATION)

AMA (Actors,Models,Artists) Talent Agency
http://www.amatalentagency.com
(Click on the link "Open Call" at the bottom of the home page)

MMA - Model Management Agency Inc.
http://www.mmaagency.com

Reinhard Model & Talent Agency
http://www.reinhardagency.com
(Click on the link "Open Call" on the home page)

Docherty Model & Talent Agency
http://www.dochertyagency.com
(Click on "online application" on the home page under the section "new talent submissions" on the right hand side)

The Talent Group
http://www.talentgroup.com
(Click on the "talent submission" link on the home page)

Click Models of Philadelphia Inc.
http://www.clickmodel.com
(Click on the "submissions" link on the bottom left of the home page and select "women" from the drop down menu to fill out the application)

Should you have any more questions, concerns or need further assistance, shoot me a personal email and I'll see what I can do to help you out...good luck to you!

Comments

Aberwaa said…
Thank you for the information! This assists a lot. Wish me luck!

Popular posts from this blog

Want to Be a Victoria's Secret Model?

(*Due to the number of comments and questions I get from aspiring models about working for VS, please be sure to read my post on this very carefully. If you don't meet all of these requirements then you cannot become a model for VS. If you are not tall enough, if you are not signed to a top agency, your chances are not good.  If you don't meet the requirements, please don't be too upset about it. Find another field of modeling you may be good for. There are plenty of other modeling opportunities for models outside of being a VS angel. They may not be as good or as well-known as VS but it's better than nothing.) I know I’d jump at the chance to be offered a gig modeling for Victoria’s Secret (although I think they’d be irritated by Photoshopping my stretch marks HAHA, yeah, I said it, I’ve got stretch marks!). All silliness aside, the gals of Victoria’s Secret are probably the inspiration for a majority of aspiring models out there. Not only do they get to wear the s...

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...

How Old is Too Old to Model?

It’s no secret that the media has made a big deal out of youth. Think about it: how many people have you heard say, “Gosh, I can’t wait to get wrinkles!” Worldwide, selling the idea of youth has made many companies billions of dollars. Without the models, however, they wouldn’t get very far. So that’s the obvious stuff but what about the question of age and being older in the modeling industry? Well, for starters, if you plan on being in the fashion and runway field, the younger you are the better. The longevity for this type of modeling is extremely short for the majority of models involved. Agencies sign girls as young as 13 years old and tend to hesitate if a model is over 18. This topic, like the height issue, is a reality of the industry that you don’t have to agree with but you will have to accept or at least get used to. It’s just a plain fact that agencies and their clients can get more work out of youthful models than those who already show the signs of aging. Sadly, this...