You only want to keep current pictures in your book.  As a general rule of thumb a current picture is . . . → Read More: Updating Your Modeling Portfolio]]> It’s important for a model to keep the pictures in their book or portfolio current. Every time you get new pictures either from test shoots or tear sheets you’ll add them to your book.

You only want to keep current pictures in your book.  As a general rule of thumb a current picture is a picture that is less than six months old.  So if you have pictures older than six months you might want to look into shooting again soon.  You want to keep your book looking fresh.  Styles and fashions change every season so even the clothes you’re wearing in some of your pictures can make the pictures look “old”.

Often times your agent will let you know it’s time for new pictures, but remember your agent may have many models they work with and if you are in a busy agency they can’t focus all their attention on you. So, when it comes to updating your book you might have to take some initiative.  The way I look at it, if I’m tired of looking at the same old picture chances are my agent and clients as tired of looking at them too.  So when it’s time for your book to get a” tune up”, what should you do?

It’s easy, It’s time for a test shoot.

The process of updating your book is never ending.  It won’t matter how long you have been modeling, you’ll always be adding and updating your book and the best way to get new shots is a test shoot.  When you are new to the industry the best bet is ask your agent for a reference for a few good photographers. After all your agent will want pictures that get you booked, so asking their opinion will get you on the right the path. Your agent knows what kind of pictures will be best for you and what pictures they can use to market you to potential clients.

The most important thing about your pictures is they need to be an accurate representation of how you look.  Sometimes you’ll need to update you book more often than just every six months. Anytime you have made a change to your look, it’s time to update your book.  So if you cut or color your hair than you’ll need to update your book.  If you have gained or lost weight, you’ll also need to update your book.  Anything that alters your look, having braces removed, or getting a tattoo, you’ll need an update.  For more great modeling tips visit americastopmodelingcoach.com

Your book is one of the most important tools you have for getting booked as a model so you want it to be great.  Modeling is a competitive industry and to stay on top you need the best book you can have.  So keep it current , and you’ll can keep working.

Some of the biggest and most prestigious names in the modeling industry are: Elite, Ford Models, Q Models, Boss Models, Storm, Action Agency, IMG, New York Models, LA Models, Wilhelmina Models, NEXT Models, DNA Models, Trump Models, & Marilyn Agency.

This is a list of the big agencies that . . . → Read More: Top Ten Modeling Agencies]]> A question I am frequently asked is, “What are the top agencies?”

Some of the biggest and most prestigious names in the modeling industry are: Elite, Ford Models, Q Models, Boss Models, Storm, Action Agency, IMG, New York Models, LA Models, Wilhelmina Models, NEXT Models, DNA Models, Trump Models, & Marilyn Agency.

This is a list of the big agencies that have represented top models such as Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, and Kate Moss.  The list isn’t in any particular order (and, I know I listed more then just 10).  Many of these agencies have more than one office.  Elite for example has over 30 offices worldwide.  Next  agency has offices in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Milan.  Although these are top agencies, bigger isn’t always better…

The most important thing is finding the right agency for you.  There are many smaller boutique agencies out there that are getting amazing work for their models.  So don’t judge the agency by it’s size, they might be small, but if they are busy then their models are working.  Another thing is that most of these agencies represent mostly fashion models.  So if you happen to be more of a commercial model these agencies might not be right for you.

I’ve worked with agencies both big and small and in my experience the size didn’t matter.  If you are going to be successful it’ll be up to you, you are the one who has to put in the work.  You have to get out there and pound the pavement, meet clients, attend go-sees, go to callbacks, and fittings, bookings.  Keep your pictures current, shoot often, stay in contact with your agent, and keep yourself healthy.  Modeling can be fun, but it is still a job.

So when you are out there looking at agencies to submit to I definitely recommend submitting to the “Top” agencies, but remember there are other options too.

The best agency is the one that believes in you, and can get you work.

Feel free to send questions directly to me at info@americastopmodelingcoach.com

Do you think your child could be the next Gerber baby, or maybe the next face on Life cereal boxes?  Are there people telling you how beautiful your baby is (even total strangers)?  Have you been thinking about child modeling and wonder if it is right for your little one?  Here are a . . . → Read More: Child Modeling 101]]>

Do you think your child could be the next Gerber baby, or maybe the next face on Life cereal boxes?  Are there people telling you how beautiful your baby is (even total strangers)?  Have you been thinking about child modeling and wonder if it is right for your little one?  Here are a few tips to help you make an informed decision…

As a parent of a model or aspiring model here are some questions to consider:

1) Does your child have the right personality or attitude for the business?  A good candidate should be a friendly, well behaved, outgoing, happy, polite, and “able to sit still for long periods of time” type of child.

2) Do you have the time to invest in your child’s career?  As the parent it’ll be up to you to get your child to auditions, castings, fittings, shoots, and other  jobs.  Do you have the kind of job that allows you time off to take your child to these types of appointments?

3) Can you afford this career for your child?  Modeling itself doesn’t have to be expensive, but we all know time is money.  So as I asked in question two, do you have the time? You have to keep in mind you aren’t compensated for your time.  Can you afford to be taking off early from work to take your child to an audition or call out “sick” for a day because of an all-day shoot your child has been booked for?

4) Is modeling what your child wants to do?  As a parent you want what is best for your child.  So be sure you are pursuing modeling for your child because your child wants to do it.  Give them the chance to experience it. and if they like it and have fun that’s great!  If they don’t really take to it, that is alright too, modeling isn’t for everyone.  So check in every now and then with your child and see how they feel about modeling and if they still want to do it.

Alright, if you’ve answered yes to those questions above then the next step is finding good legitimate representation for your child.  The process of finding an agent is the same for a child model as it is for any other kind of model.  You have to send in submissions or if possible attend an open call. This process is covered at length in my book, but here is a quick overview.

1) Do your research: look up agencies in your area or you can find a free state by state directory at www.americastopmodelingcoach.com.  Check the agencies out, see what you can find out about them online and with the BBB.  Things to check for: complaints against the agency, how long they have been in business, what kind of models they represent (not all agencies represent child models), and who their clients are.

2) Put together a submission packet: Once you’ve done your research you’ll likely find a few agencies that interest you.  Be sure you are sending your submissions to agencies that have a children’s division.  Your submissions should include current pictures of your child, these pictures don’t have to be professional pictures, sending in snapshots you took yourself is fine.  These should be happy smiling pictures (agents don’t want kids shots to look pouty or moody), you want to these pictures to express a happy, fun, outgoing child.  Be sure they are dressed in something cute, clean, and free of stains and holes.  DO NOT send swimsuit shots of your child.  You’ll want to write on the back of the pictures your child’s name, date of birth, age, current sizes and your name and phone number too.  You’ll also want to send a contact sheet, again include the child’s name, age, DOB, sizes, along with contact information like your name as the parent, phone numbers, and address. Then mail the submission packet in.  Some agencies do online submissions and in that case you’ll most likely fill out an online form and upload a few pictures.  In the process of researching the agencies you should be able to find what method the agency prefers to handle new submissions.

3) Once you’ve heard back from some or all of the agencies you have submitted to it’ll be time to meet the agent.  Most agencies are busy places so you’ll be scheduled and appoint to meet them or the agency may have an “open call” day and suggest you come on that day.  Either way you and your child want to show up at the agency looking fresh, and with a good attitude.  Don’t forget to bring your snapshots with you again.

4) If all goes well, the agency will sign your child and we hope to see them in print soon.  If the agency doesn’t sign your child that’s OK too.  There is more than one agency out there so you go to the next.  Rejection is part of the business, you’ll have to be persistent.

Now I have a few warnings and things to look out for:

1) Look out for agencies looking to collect fees up front, as legitimate agencies DO NOT collect up front fees.

2) Stay away from anyone asking you to send in swimsuit pictures of a child.  This is dangerous.  There are and has been trouble with so-called agencies selling pictures of children in swimwear to third parties for unscrupulous activity.  So DO NOT send swimwear pictures of children!

3) Watch out for agencies that Over Promise.  There are companies out there that make big promises for fame, but the catch is they’ll say you need to take their modeling classes, and they’ll have to build your child a professional portfolio before anything can really get started.  Watch out!  I’ve had numerous coaching students call me (or parents of child models) after being taken in by these scam agencies.  They had spent thousands of dollars on classes and worthless portfolios, then the “agency” never booked them on a single job.

All of this and so much more is covered in my book “The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Modeling”.  You can find it at www.americastopmodelingcoach.com or www.modelingadvice.org and it is also available at Amazon.com here

1) Enrolling In A Modeling School

For someone who doesn’t know any better, going to . . . → Read More: The Three Most Expensive Mistakes New Models Make]]> Starting out in the modeling world can be very confusing. Sometimes a little knowledge can be dangerous. New models are so excited to get started they fall into traps that cost them a lot of money. Trap number one…

1) Enrolling In A Modeling School

For someone who doesn’t know any better, going to modeling school might sound like a great idea. The truth is that it can be an expensive and unnecessary step toward becoming a model. Most of the big agencies prefer working with models that haven’t gone to modeling school. The reason is simply because (in most cases) the instructors at modeling schools have little or no experience in the real modeling world. So what the beginning model ends up learning is the wrong way to do things, so by the time the model signs with a real agency, the agent has to un-teach all the bad habits they have been taught. Most models get their real “training” with on the job experience at photo shoots, working runway shows, attending go-sees, and more.

Most modeling schools are not only a waste of time, but also a waste of money charging the student hundreds or thousands of dollars in fees. What many new models don’t realize is that a modeling school is not the same as a modeling agency. A modeling agency earns money by making a commission off of work they find for a model.  So an agency makes money when the model makes money. A modeling school makes money by charging the model for things like classes, enrollment fees, and overpriced portfolios.  Modeling schools don’t generally book models for work because the school doesn’t need to make a commission as the student is already paying them.

There are always exceptions to the rule. If you are reading this and still want to join a modeling school be sure and do your research.  Ask yourself a few questions…

• What is the modeling experience or training of the instructor teaching the classes?

• Are they teaching techniques and skills that are valuable?

• What do I hope to achieve from the experience?

I suggest saving both the time and the money you would otherwise spend. As I said, real agencies don’t care about the modeling school “diploma”.  You’ll be able to learn everything you need to know with real job experience, advice from your agent, and by just doing your own research.  Oh, and that expensive modeling portfolio the school said you needed? It might be as much of a waste as the classes are.

2) Overpaying For Portfolio And Pictures

It is true that professional models have a portfolio, sometimes referred to as a “book”.  What a lot of new models don’t know is that they don’t always need a portfolio in order to find a good agent. The fact is they can be picked up or signed to a major agency with a few simple snapshots. If you don’t believe me check for yourself, look at the websites for Ford or Wilhelmina, and read the section for submitting as a new model; both sites will tell you to send in snapshots. They even show you examples of submitted snapshots so you’ll know exactly what they want.

This is not to say that you can’t submit professional pictures, of course you can! The challenge is that new models have been convinced they needed these expensive portfolios put together before they can really get an agent (and just it isn’t true). I’ve heard of models paying thousands of dollars to have a portfolio put together, when all they needed were a few snapshots. Think about it, a few snapshots will cost about ten dollars.

Now your snapshots can get you an agent, but once you’ve got yourself an agent, that is when you will need professional pictures. Your agent will sit down with you and let you know what they’d like to see in your book. If you already have a portfolio they may or may not like those pictures, so you might have to start all over again. Only this time it isn’t going to cost you thousands of dollars for new shots. A test shoot with a professional photographer shouldn’t run more than a couple of hundred dollars. Your agent will have plenty of good photographers to recommend.

There can be a few exceptions with this bit of advice. There are agencies that will expect you to already have professional pictures, however they also usually expect that you have real working experience too. So if you’re brand-new, then truthfully you don’t have either one, you’ve got no experience and no portfolio. So those types of agencies might not be the best for you.

If you still decide you’d like to build you own portfolio, then once again, make sure you do some research first. Check out the photographer, do some price comparisons, and ask for references. You don’t want to get ripped off.

The best advice is don’t pay for a portfolio or professional pictures until after you have an agent.  Most of the time you can get your foot in the door at the agency with a few snapshots and then let them direct you what to do. So try that approach before making a big investment in professional pictures. Again this will save you time, money, and heartache.

3) Spending Money To Attend Modeling Conventions And Searches

There are modeling contests, model searches, and modeling conventions popping up all over the country that advertise for aspiring models to “come and be discovered”. Usually these types of events have some kind of fee the model will have to pay just to attend, and sometimes they get very expensive. I’ve seen sign-up forms charging models two thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars and more to enroll!

Should you decide to participate in one, do your research. Not all of them are scams, but you have to be very careful. Make sure the contest or convention is being sponsored by a legitimate agency, and always check to see about hidden fees. When contests, searches, or conventions are being sponsored by legitimate agencies they can be excellent learning opportunities, but they can also be very expensive.

Before you pay to attend a modeling convention, model search or contest, once again, think about what you really hope to gain.

• If you are going to pay because you think it might be fun, then go have fun, but there are probably much better ways to spend your money.

• If you are paying for the chance to learn more about the industry, there are much less expensive ways to get legitimate contacts and information about modeling.

• If you are spending your money in the hope that you will find and agency to sign you: you may find one (and they may be a great agency) but why not skip the model convention and avoid paying the fees by going directly to the agency on your own?

At events like those I mentioned above, you are only one person out of dozens or even hundreds of hopeful models. There isn’t time for you to get quality one-on-one attention at these events. You can skip the big price tag and still get tons of valuable information by doing some research on your own. Or, spend your dollars wisely by hiring a professional personal coach to guide you through the process and hold you accountable. Think of a coach as a “personal trainer” for your career. There are very few who actually know the modeling industry, so again, be careful whom you choose. Do an internet search for modeling coach and see what comes up.