How to Be a Successful Teenage Model
In order to become a successful teenage model you must have a solid understanding of the entertainment industry to prevent from being scammed or taken advantage of. Some of the most successful entertainment personalities were teenage models, such as Tyra Banks and Angelina Jolie. While you may never reach the star-status of these performers with dedication you can find success in the modeling industry. Take note if you are under the age of 18 you must be escorted and represented by your parent or legal guardian.
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Instructions
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Research the modeling industry. As a teenage model you must fully understand this industry to prevent from being scammed or taken advantage of. Books such as "The Teen Model Book" by Judith Lasch or "Insider's Guide to Modeling" by Hilary Rowland offer tips and guides for beginner models. Review fashion and lifestyle magazines to learn how to pose for the camera.
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Enroll in acting classes within your city. As a model you may not be performing verbal dialogue for the camera but you must know how to portray emotions and characters for still photographs. Acting classes are offered from community colleges, private instructors or theater companies. If you live in a rural area you may have to travel to a larger city in order to obtain acting training.
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Contact professional photographers within your area. If you are under the age of 18 your parent or legal guardian must be the one who contacts photographers. Review the photographers modeling portfolio. Not every photographer is able to capture professional-grade modeling pictures, thus have your parent inquire about the photographers experience in fashion/lifestyle photography.
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Gather at least five outfits and prepare your makeup for the photo shoot. As a teenage model do not use too much makeup even when performing high-fashion shots. Modeling agencies are interested in seeing the natural beauty of teenage models.
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Arrive at least 15 minutes early to your scheduled photo shoot. Make sure your parent or legal guardian escorts you to the photo session. Discuss your goals as a model with the photographer and have him or her review your outfits and makeup.
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Review the photo shoot prints and select the top 10 to 15 images for your portfolio. Portfolio images should showcase your versatility and ability to create different "characters" within a picture. Select three-to-five images for your composite cards. A composite card, which is known as a comp card or ZED card, is comprised of your best photographs, physical statistics and contact information.
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Purchase a modeling portfolio measuring at least 11 by 14 inches from a hobby retail store or through online merchants.
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Contact a photography reproduction service within your city or state. Order 11 by 14 prints with a glossy finish of your best photographs. Also place an order for at least 100 composite cards. Comp cards are used to send off to modeling/talent agencies and potential clients, thus you need a large inventory of these cards.
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Compile a list of all the modeling and talent agencies within your city and state. Model Network features a list of modeling agencies across the United States. Review this list and have your parent or legal guardian call each agency within 100 miles of your home to inquire about the model submission procedure.
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Submit your composite cards to interested agencies. Upon receipt the agency will review your photographs and will contact you for an in-person interview. Bring your modeling portfolio and 10 composite cards to the interview. After the interview the agency will offer a modeling contract if they are interested. Once you sign with a modeling agency you will then be considered for local and national modeling jobs.
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Tips & Warnings
Re-submit your information every six months if you are unable to secure a modeling agent after your first round of submissions.
Never pay a modeling agency to represent you. Modeling agencies only make money after they book work for you. Any agency that requires you to take modeling or acting classes in order to be signed is a scam and you should walk away.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit old camera 2 image by James Lemmon from Fotolia.com
