How to become a Professional Fashion Model

How to become a professional fashion model, get an agency, and develop a high fashion modeling portfolio. Also, advice on networking as a model.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A passion for modeling
• The ability to handle rejection.

1. Develop a Portfolio: When starting out as a beginning model, it can be hard to acquire modeling jobs without a portfolio. First, ask a friend or relative to take some photos of you with a digital camera. The photos should consists of a face close-up, a full body shot, a full body-back shot, and ¾ shot from the waist up. The photos should also consist of all angles, including both side angles and back angles.
   Another way to develop a portfolio is by doing TFP or Trade for Prints work. This arrangement is made between the photographer and the model so that both artists can acquire more photos for their own portfolio. The photographer must provide the model with a CD of images or prints for the model’s portfolio. Asking local photographers or student photographers if they would want to work on a TFP basis is the best way to do this.

2. Submit Photos to Agencies: After you have a few prints for your portfolio, the best thing to do is submit your photos to agencies that are near you. The biggest agencies of the industry are Ford Models, Elite, Wilhelmina, Next Models, Click Models, IMG, and DNA. But sometimes joining with a smaller boutique agency has its benefits as well because you may receive more work. If you are submitting to a modeling and talent agency that also has acting and commercial opportunities, it is also best to submit headshots as well. The best comprehensive list online is http://models.com/agencies/ . Many of the big market cities (Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco) will have a directory of talent agencies in almost every book store and 7-11.
   Each agency has a particular way they want photos sent, so read the instructions online carefully. Some agencies will accept email submissions while others prefer to be mailed submissions.

3. Go to Open Calls: Most agencies have open calls on particular days where the Agent can see models in person. It is best to go to as many of these as you can, because then the client can see your physique and your personality.

4. Go to Castings: In your downtime between work or school try to attend as many castings as you can. Craigslist.org and LACasting has a list or local talent gigs. If you are signed with an agency or casting call service they should provide you with local casting calls as well.

5. Make Connections: If you ever ask a professional model what modeling is all about they will say one thing over and over again. Networking, networking, networking. Many jobs travel from word of mouth and many photographers that you shoot with will keep you in mind for future projects. Always carry a business card or a comp card with you to pass off to potential clients. You never know when they might be looking for a model of your particular look.

6. Join a Modeling Networking Site/Community : There are many websites out there that will help you display your photos in hope of getting future works or access to castings. Also, you can keep in touch with photographers, models, fashion designers/stylists, and make-up artists you have worked with in the past. Two websites are Onemodelplace.com and Modelmayhem.com

7. Remember: Be professional at all times, especially at photo shoots. Always arrive on time. Always get a good night sleep before hand and remember to have clear skin. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. For females, always bring a nude bra and panties to every photo shoot as well as makeup that matches your skin tone and an extra pair of heels just in case. For both female and male models, always bring your book to a photo shoot as well as business or comp cards to leave with the client.
   Know your measurements around your bust, hips, and waists as well as shirt/pant sizes and shoe sizes. Men need to know hat sizes and suit sizes especially length of inseam.
   Finally remember that it’s ok to hear criticism and rejection. Try over and over again and heed advice wisely. Many famous models and actors had doors shut in their faces multiple times before getting their big gig.

Tips & Warnings

• Always have business cards on hand, or at least a pen and pencil to write down contact info.
• Networking is Key!
• Never get scammed by any agency asking for money up front. The only fee you should pay are for casting companies or directores that is usually a low monthly fee or $25 up front fee. Do not go to any agency that asks you to pay for photos. Some scam artists such as Transcontinental or Wild Models offer to make you a model for $100s-$1000s of dollars worth of pictures. Politely decline.
• Beware of modeling schools that ask for money. Most models are natural chameleons and can learn modeling simply by watching fashion shows and looking at fashion magazines, how-to's, and pose books.
• If you feel indifferent about attending a photo shoot, ask the photographer if you can bring a chaperon. If the photographer declines then they are probably not worth shooting with anyways.

Resources

• Models.com