Taking the first step towards your dream of becoming a professional model can be frustrating: When you search the web you find all kinds of castings and agencies, but scams are abundant and you should be careful.
You'll almost certainly find some of the usual model scams along your journey, so you should be prepared. You'll find more information on how to recognize scams in the "Stop model scams" campaign website, so you'll be able discard them as soon as they cross your path.
First things first, how to find an agency
The best way to start your journey is to find agencies that fit your profile, not all agencies are right for you. There are agencies for all kinds of models, for example: some agencies focus only on runway models with very specific requisites, and some others work with models with all kinds of profiles, both begginer and experienced models.
Where to search for agencies
We recommend you Litmind's model agency search. Agencies on Litmind are individually verified, so it's unlikely you'll find fake or scammy agencies there.
If you couldn't find agencies near you on Litmind, try Google! Read an learn about the agencies you find in their website, and find out whether they are a real agency with offices in the real world, and not just a phone number and an email. It's even better if you can find reviews about the agency.
First contact with the agency
Naturally, be polite and confident. Ask your questions with conviction and attitude!
When you get in contact with an agency, the bookers (your future managers) will ask you for a meeting in real life if your profile fits what they're searching for. Be aware that meeting with an agency does not mean you're a match for them. Don't be discouraged, there are many offers and ways to become a model nowadays, keep trying!
Each model agency has an personal style that makes them stand out, and they tend to focus on models that fit that style: commercial models, runway models, advertising models with specific looks for specific jobs ... for example: "nordic 20 year-old men/women for a mall commercial", or "brunette models between 20 and 45 years old for a high fashion printed campaign"
How many types of models are there?
There are models of all kinds, and there are even model agencies specialized in unconventional looks. For example, there are hand models that would never show their face in a commercial, and even agencies focused on "ugly" models, unlike most people would think.
Choosing the kind of model you thrive to be before you begin is really recommended, these are the two most common groups of model types:
Fashion models
They're the models that appear in campaigns and editorials for fashion brands, and also the ones who walk in runways. They're the best known type of model, but also the one that demands the most of you, psychologically and physically.
The job of a fashion model is surrounded with glamour because we can only see the shiny surface: The incredible photos, editorials and commercials, the luxury catwalks and travelling lifestyle. The truth is that being a fashion model requires a very specific set of physical characteristics, serious discipline, regular workouts, healthy lifestyle, continuous travelling and working under pressure.
If your dream is to become a fashion model, before you begin this journey I would recommend you to examine your motivations thoroughly to be sure it's not the glamour and external shine what drives you. That's an excellent advice any experienced model would give you rightaway!
Commercial models
They're the models that appear in advertisings of all kinds of brands, for example: The model driving the car in a BMW campaign, the girl showing her hair in a Pantene commercial, or the models that appear in campaigns for the health, beauty, food, sports industry and more.
Commercial models are usually remarkably charismatic, because they're often required to have skills similar to those of an actor.
To become a commercial model you won't need to be super skinny or super tall. Succesful commercial models are also travelling worlwide and, unlike fashion models, they can keep working up to their advanced age.
How tall models should be?
There is not a general rule for the height of a model, specially if you are a commercial model. For fashion models, and specially for runway models, though, if you're under 1.72m tall (5 feet, 7 inches), it's almost certain you won't be able to land any castings for runways or high fashion.
What are the requisites to become a model?
The fashion industry is strongly tied to the image collective conscience along with all its stereotypes. That's the reason it's so demanding.
Not everybody can become a model: no matter how hard one tries, if their look don't fit what the industry wants, they won't be able to prosper as a professional model.
But that doesn't mean that there's a list of requisites written somewhere on how a person should look to become a model. Fashion artists are constantly expanding and redefining standards by working with an ever-growing variety of looks like curvy models, androginous models, albino models and whatever else you can think of.
The fotos to show to agencies
You don't need professional photos to start your modeling career, but having a great book to show to agencies when you begin is a way of showing your commitment.
It's ideal if you can show your modeling skills even with a basic photo shoot. On Litmind, for example, is as simple as finding out the photographers you like and contact them:
You'll soon find photographers that would be able to provide you with a professional book for a fair price, or you can offer your modeling services to them, even as a beginner, for free photo sessions where you'll be able to test your talent, practise and get some photos to begin with in the process.
This kind of collaborations are called TFP, as in "Time For Prints", and they're a common practise in the industry that allow photographers and models to improve their portfolios. In a TFP, though, nobody earns money, only experience.
If you couldn't find a photographer for a TFP shoot to begin your book, we've prepared a guide that will teach you how to take your own photos for a very basic, yet very important, first book to show to agencies:
The model book
The book is the business card of a model, and any agency will surely appreciate that you have one: The book is a compilation of your best professional photos during your career, photos that show how you look in front of a professional camera. If you think your smile is what best defines you, make it shine in your book! If you're great with posing and attitude, show it!
The photographers, make-up artists and stylists you can find on Litmind will be your allies when building up your book, they will help you define your style, acquire experience and continuously improve your book.
The usual form of a book is simply a big elegant folder with great quality prints of your photos.
With this photos, the agency will be able to evaluate you and contact you if they think you can fit their needs, or if a casting opens for models like you.
The polaroids
It's likely that agencies will need to take some plain and simple photos of you where you look natural, without complications, extreme makeup or retouching. These kind of photos are commonly known as polaroids, and their only purpose is to show you as natural as possible. Polaroids allow the agency and their bookers to keep an up-to-date reference of how you're really looking right now, just being yourself, and nothing else. I recommend you to practise in front of a mirror before getting your polaroids done!
It's really important that your polaroids show your current self. If you changed your hair style, had some tatoos done, or if your skin or you weight changed, take another round of polaroids. Many agencies consider polaroids as the most important photos in your book.
Quite often polaroids are taken in a swimsuit, or in lingerie. That's the best way to appreciate the real shape of your body.
Minor models
If you're not yet of legal age and want to begin your modeling career, you should know that your parents must supervise you when visiting any agencies, and they should be aware of everything implied in your journey to become a mdoel. The model agency themselves will gladly inform and guide them on how to proceed. Just remember that this point is simply a requisite if you're underaged, naturally.
How to present yourself to a model agency
When you finally get your first meeting at an agency, they will likely ask you to come in a natural look, without any make-up. They might also ask you to bring a swimsuit, some jeans, a white or black basic shirt and high heels if you're a woman, since they might need to see your skills in the runway.
To take you some polaroids, they'll ask you to come with your natural, uncurled, unironed hair. The same goes for the makeup, they need to see your natural skin.
If the agency finally casts you, they'll likely put you in contact with professional photographers to start building up your book. Take it easy!
With all this, you should already have a great idea about how the process to begin your modeling career works, and you'll be able to take your first steps safely.
My last tip
Being a model is a hard and demanding job, but it can also be a very gratifying one that allows you to explore the world, discover cultures, work with extremely creative people and become part of the image trends from within.
If you have a balanced and hard-working personality, with the physical characteristics required by the fashion industry, and the true values of fashion, image and creativity are the ones that fulfill you, this is your chance!
