Frequently Asked Questions
Its one thing reading books etc & knowing all the answers, but when it comes down to taking care of our own it’s a whole new ballgame. I too have learnt so much about the other side of the fence over the last seven years and if you have a question I will be happy to answer you. Are you a worried parent? Been there-still there! Are you a worried aspiring model? It’s a bitter sweet industry and we can only view it through opaque glass. Unless your accepted or one of the chosen few, it’s almost impossible to get strait answers. Below are the basic FAQ’s but anything else I will be happy to answer & honestly.
Commercial
This is the biggest modeling category and the one most often overlooked and misunderstood by young models. Commercial models appear in ads, packaging, billboards, and magazine articles for everything from A to Z
Promotional
Promo’s are how many models actually earn a living. It can range from being hired to hand out freebies in a supermarket or an event or to work on a stand at a show or event.
Age
Am I too old? How tall do I need to be? Do I have to be really skinny?
It depends what type of modelling you aim for. - There is NO age limit on modelling. Turn on the TV and watch some commercials - pick up a few magazines - there are models of every age range and body type in use today. There is something to suit every category of model. Although Glamour will be a short lived career with the average lifespan in the UK of a glamour model is approx 18 months. Some do have a longer lifespan, i.e. 18 to mid twenties.
Height really is only an issue if you intend to be a Fashion model. In London, most fashion models range from 5'10" to 6' - that's it. The exceptions are the girls with the extremely unique looks so if you are shorter than 5'9" - don't waste your time taking lots of pretty fashion pictures for your portfolio - stick with commercial looks. Male fashion models are usually between 6' and 6'2" tall. For Glamour work there are no height restrictions & many glamour models are very short indeed.
Fashion models still tend to be very skinny. Commercial modeling doesn't require that you be "skinny".
Do I really need a portfolio - and what kinds of pictures should be in it?
YES!! Every glamour model should have a ‘Book’. This will be asked for at every job you go for, any ‘Go See’ you attend, any casting etc, & the rule of thumb is no book no work. Don’t have too many pictures but the ones you do have should be from different photographers & different styles. It doesn’t matter if you only have half a dozen, but they should be your best photos. A portfolio doesn’t happen overnight & people understand this. Also models evolve & constantly change their look; therefore their book will need ever updating too. Remember to only use one picture from each set you have & try to use a different picture from different photographers, but this is often difficult initially.
Do I ever have to pay money up front for an agency to represent me?
NO!!! Agencies who ask you upfront to pay money for classes, photographs, comp cards, etc - are NOT agencies that you want to have representing you. Keep well away from this kind of agency. You are hiring them to find you work, and then you pay them a percentage.
Do I need to take classes to be a model?
NO!! Watch other models, copy poses in front of your mirror. Do this alone & naked. Naked? Yes. This will help you to understand how different poses affect different parts of your body, what pose causes tummy ripples & what post stretches them out. You know your body better than anyone so learn to use it for you.
How do I find a Modelling Agency? Do I need to sign with more than one agency?
There is no one agency that has every job out there. Certainly for larger jobs - many agencies will often be submitting people - however every agency has their own group of clients who will always call them first for jobs. Don't miss out on those opportunities. Never sign to ONE Agency join as many Agencies as you can. One other tip, never allow an Agency to arrange your portfolio pictures as some tend to have them printed with their logo. In due course we will add a list of respected Agencies.
Do I ever have to pay money up front for an agency to represent me?
A legitimate agency makes its money by working for you & in the UK the main Agencies adopt this policy. That's right - when you sign your agency agreement - the fine print says that YOU are hiring them to get you work. You agree to pay them a percentage of what you earn. This is how a good Agency will operate.
Agencies who ask you upfront to pay money for classes, photographs, comp cards, etc - are NOT agencies that you want to have representing you. Keep well away, why should you be out of pocket & they may never find you a job, despite what candy coating they have on their package. You must understand this & be strong as a good salesman will convince you to part with your hard earned or borrowed cash. KEEP WELL AWAY. You want to be with agencies who are interested by making money by getting you work - not by taking it from your pocket.
Will a website help my modeling career?
All a website will do is cost you money & take up some of your time as you will no doubt want a forum too. Companies looking to book a professional model for work will never trawl through hundreds of model sites, & probably miss many anyway. They will go direct to an agency (reputable ones) & may ask around a few of the people in the know too.
So the answer is a clear NO
Will a website earn me money?
NO. Only a very few girls will earn money from a website fanclub (members area). By the time you pay for your hosting, updated pictures monthly, someone to oversee your site etc you won't earn money. You may if lucky just about break even.
You will find too that everyone rips off your pics & they circulate the internet, probably causing you some annoyance! Would you pay for something that you can find all over the net free? Single girl sites are quickly boring anyway, who wants fish & chips every night?
Scams
There are always people that will make money from the vulnerable. There are countless accounts from hundreds of models over the last few decades that have been Lied to, Ripped off, Not got paid, Lost money to a scam, Made to look foolish etc. The list is endless
The best advice we can offer is to track down several of the well known models websites & join their forums. Here you generally find the latest scams to be aware of & you get to 'know' some of the other models that have been around a year or two & will have answers to some of your questions. We cannot stress enough how important it to be on your guard.
Photographers
Be careful here. For every reputable 'tog, there are many 'Men with camera's'! Again as you have joined one or two forums you can ask the models about a particular photographer. A good & trusted photographer will be known. Again here we cannot stress enough the importance of having the 'tog vetted. Do not fall into the trap of getting caught out by a 'Photographer' that is NOT a professional. There are many reasons why many men will try & lure a young attractive girl to a secluded spot & ask her to take her clothes off in front of him. HELLO......... SMELL THE COFFEE!
TAKE A CHAPPERONE! Yes, if he says NO tell him NO. Unscrupulous photographers will use all kinds of blag to get you alone, it's just that-BLAG! A Professional will encourage your chaperone
The photographer didn't turn up
Unfortunately thhis is a common problem in this industry & often too the model doesn't turn up. As a safeguard insist the he sends in writing that if he doesn't turn up without a very good excuse, he is liable for ANY costs you have incured, hair, nails, travel etc.
Likewise, a pro 'tog will have it confirmed from you that if you don't show up you are responsible for his costs, studio hire, loss of earnings, travel etc. It's know as a 'Kill fee' throughout the industry. Upto two days notice is acceptable, one day's notice & 50% kill fee can be charged & cancellation on the day-100% kill fee charged.
If more photographers & models adopted this tried & tested method it will put paid to a lot of timewasters. OK you DO have to get the money out of them, but you have an agreement for one thing (small claims court) & remember those forums I mentioned earlier? NAME AND SHAME!
I got paid
Did you hand over an invoice? No? Get yourself an invoice book from W.H Smiths & have it prepared before your shoot, once he has paid you either write on it 'Paid with cheque' & write the cheque No on your copy in the book, or 'Paid in cash'.
Eventually you will need (for the dreaded taxman) to account for your earnings. You will soon forget just how many jobs you have done!
So get in the habit from the start
If you intend your sole income will be that as 'full time model' you will need to register with the Inland Revenue, your local office will be extremely helpful & advise on national insurance etc too. Remember, you may not get caught out, but those pgotographers you've worked with-remember? & those model release forms you signed? well one of them has just been investigated & the IR also take a copy of every release. So by default, they may just look you up anyway. Just be careful, seek advice. If you have a full time job & work as a part time model, chat to lour local office too. Hey, it costs a fortune to look good, hair, clothes, travel, car, office (your bedroom) phone, computers, lunches etc, all tax deductable, so you wont get a whopping bill anyway, but if you avoid it, they will ESTIMATE you have earned a similar income to Jordan. EEEK!
Who supplies my clothes?
YOU DO. You NEVER assume the photographer has an estensive wardrobe in every concievable size. You need a selection of underwear & clothes that you have agreed with the 'tog well before your shoot. AND NOT ALL BLACK!
Will I become rich?
We doubt it. Hardly any model earns more than a london PA at best. Most models learn to live the life early in their careers, the Gucci, Prada etc & this all costs. So most models have to suppliment their income with dancing in a club etc as this pays (generally) a lot more than modeling. So don't be fooled into thinking you will drive a Z4 & holliday in Marbella, unles you are a household name, and a good one at that. Find a football player.
Time for Print TFP or time for CD TFCD
What is this? I've heard bits & pieces but didn't want to look like a newbie & ask someone.
Time for Print is very simple. Summed up, you need some pictures for your book (portfolio) & don't have the money to book a professional photographer (or 'tog). If you find a 'tog that is reputable, ask him if he does TFP or in your case would "Consider it please?" You give up your day & don't pay anything out, likewise you don't get paid either. What you will get (or should) is a selection of photographs from your shoot. Then you can start getting your book together. What does the 'tog get? Images of you! Why? Maybe for his portfolio, maybe to submit them to a publication. Always ask him if he will be submitting, hey he does have to earn a living here. Make sure he has your details, ie; modeling name & stats for the possibility of publication. You do want to be a model don't you? Then expect that your friends may just see your 'bits! Or worse, your Dad's mates show him a picture down the pub! *Blush*. TFCD is exactly the same, but images on CD.
Always agree on how many images you will receive before you shoot
You do NOT have to do TFP work to become a model, let no one tell you otherwise. As we said, vet them first by asking around the forums.
WILL I NEED I.D?
In a nutshell, yes. It’s good practice to carry your ID with you to a shoot, if your pictures are going for print the magazine will insist on ID & a copy of the model release. The ‘tog will photograph your ID.
MY FRIEND SAID I CAN CHARGE EXTRA TO SIGN A MODEL RELEASE
Noooooooo……Don’t get into bad habits from the start. Girls that charge an extra fee for this quickly get passed over by the ‘togs as its bad practice to do this. All this will do is get you a bad name. Don’t believe me? Ask around.
If you remember one thing only from visiting this site, then heed this. If you’re a new or inexperienced model going on a shoot take a chaperone, Mum, Dad even, or a close friend etc. If the photographer complains then don’t go. No ‘Job’ is worth a risk and any reputable photographer will welcome a chaperone. Does he still insist you go alone? Then tell us and we’ll contact him on your behalf.