Answering a Reader Question #162

Samajo Wrote:

Hey Dania,
I found your blog a few days ago and it's amazing thanks for all the great tips :)
I've always had an interest in modeling and many people have told me before that I could easily do it... so the other day i was "scouted" by a small agency here in Munich Germany and asked to come to a casting where they would be taking pictures of me for a sedcard and there would be a professional styling before hand. However the whole thing costs 40€ (57$) and I am only a high school student... is this really reliable and do i have any chances with such a small agency? Or should I try larger ones by myself by just sending photos of myself to them? They did say that they would take me straight up into their portfolio after the shoot. I'd really appreciate your opinion. Thanks so much. x
Btw I am a 16 year old girl and 175cm tall (5'9'')

Hi, Samajo! Thanks for the question! While I'm not sure how different modeling agencies in Germany operate compared to those in the USA, I will say that you should always cast a wide net when applying to agencies (both big and small...don't limit yourself to just the large ones or just the small ones) and not jump into joining the first one that offers you a deal--especially if they are trying to charge you before giving you a contract.

Right now don't make a decision with that particular agency and instead submit to the other ones in your area in the meantime...remember, both large and small to increase your odds. From there see who responds and figure out from there which one would be the best at getting your career started. If the agency that scouted you recently tries to pressure you into paying them or other sales tactics, this is a red flag and should be a sign that they are not a good company to be with.

It is best to look up the official website for each of the agencies you're interested in because it will contain information about what kinds of pictures to send (professional or non-pro, digital snapshots), as well as if they have open casting calls where you can go in and be seen by the agency's staff. That will help you decide how to handle submitting your pictures so that you don't invest time and money on pro images if you don't need to.

I hope that helps and good luck to you!

Comments

Samajo said…

Thanks for your great advise! I already sent my pictures to a few other agencies and gotten a positive reply :) I'm really learning a lot from you! Thanks again, Sarah x

July 21, 2011 at 11:35 AM

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

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

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 101 - A Model's Diary

Search This Blog