On the Job Archives | How To Become a Model

How to Book More Modelling Jobs

November 1, 2017 No Comments

So, you’ve booked a couple of modelling jobs. Congratulations! Now, if you’re like most models, you wouldn’t mind booking a few extra jobs too… but how to you get more modelling jobs?

The harsh truth is that the majority of models will struggle to find full time modelling work, or they’ll have another job that will support them with a stable income. If you’d like to book more jobs as a model, you’ll want to:

Keep your photos up to date.
Models with outdated photos or photos that don’t show them at their most attractive and versatile may find themselves losing out on booking jobs. By keeping your model portfolio updated with new and better photos, you’ll look more professional and be a better candidate to potential clients. Remember that your photos can also be used to set you apart from other models so be creative and unique (in a competitive industry like modelling, this is incredibly important!)

Be open to travelling for work.
Working with agencies in outside cities and states is a great way to increase your chance of castings, especially if you’re outside of the major modelling capitals (for instance, if you’re in Perth you may also want to work with agencies in Sydney and Melbourne). Keep in mind, though, that out of state agencies may ask you to travel on occasion but as a model, this comes with the territory so you should be open to the possibility. Consider this an investment in your career! If you book a big job, it may just pay for itself. And on that note…

Work with more than one agency (unless you’ve signed and exclusivity contract).
If there is no exclusivity clause in your contract, you are free to work with multiple agencies and naturally, this will increase your castings and jobs. Be sure not to work with any old agency – still take the time to do your research and pick agencies that are well aligned with your needs.

Keep your schedule open and flexible.
In the modelling world, go-sees, castings, fittings and jobs don’t always work on fixed schedules. So, if you have a second job, be sure to keep your schedule open to accommodate any last minute bookings and commitments that can further your career. Many models have found themselves losing modelling jobs because they had prior commitments or their schedules were inflexible (and in last minute jobs, even if a client thinks you’re the right model for the job… if you can’t make it, they’ll simply move on and pick another model).

Network, network, network!
Start now by establishing strong relationships with clients, photographers, bookers, casting agents and other models… it’s not what you know but who you know! You can also network on social media and model sites such as Model Mayhem by contacting photographers and letting them know that you’re a model looking for opportunities. Not all that you contact will reply… but sometimes if you contact the right person and they recognise your potential, it can be the start of a great opportunity. You have nothing to lose by asking!

So, if you’re a model looking for more modelling jobs – you know what you have to do! Modelling is hard work, ambition and hustle so the more you learn and put yourself out there, the better chance of success that you’ll have.

All, Modeling Categories, On the Job, Starting Out

Instagram Model

July 9, 2017 No Comments

If you’re wanting to extend your reach as a model, you may want to put yourself out there on social media and start building a following! In the past 5 years, Instagram has become an especially powerful social media platform that is now incredibly useful for not just entertainment but for the business world – reaching out to customers, business development, activism and more. And specifically, modelling agencies now use Instagram to share news, promote their models and (importantly for you), scout for new models.

In Australia, Instagram is one of the most popular social networks and with over 200 million active members worldwide who share 60 million images and 1.6 billion likes per day – it’s not hard to see why models flock to Instagram!

So, if you want to put yourself in front of new potential clients as a model or if you’re looking to be scouted by any of the world’s elite modelling agencies, here’s how to boost your portfolio as a model on Instagram:

Tip One: Have a clear purpose.
Having a distinct focus is so important. Instagram is for sharing photo and video which is perfect for models – share behind the scenes outtakes, portfolio snapshots, live stream yourself on the way to a go see… however you use Instagram, be sure that it aligns with a purpose and this will help you stay motivated. Consider which agencies/clients you want to attract (depending on your niche) and develop your content accordingly).

Tip Two: Promote yourself well.
Remember, everything you share on Instagram is now a part of your greater portfolio… so don’t share anything that you feel doesn’t represent you well or doesn’t align with the greater context in which you present your portfolio! You can also use hashtags to cleverly promote yourself to be scouted by major modelling agencies. Want to be scouted?

Try these hashtags to be scouted by international modelling agencies:

#WABDE / Modelwerk
#MWcurvesWanted / Modelwerk Curves
#wescoutusa / LA Models
#lamodelsyouth / LA Models Youth Division
#beAMunichModel / Munich Models
#Models1scout / Models1
#M1CurveScout / Models1 Curve
#SPOTTEDBYMETRO / Metropolitan Models Agency#WLYG / IMG Models
#TheLookout / IMG Models Men
#WILLYSCOUTS / Wilhelmina Models
#scoutmetier1mm / Tier1 Model Management
#scoutmechadwick / Chadwick Models
#makememajor / Major Model Management
#LoveEliteMiami / Elite Model Management Miami
#nymmscoutingtour / New York Models
#3mscoutme / 3mm models
#omgscouting / OMG Model Management
#Beyondaselfie / Morgan Model Management
#PLscout / Peggi Lepage Model Scout
#jointhemvmt / The Movement Models
#anmscoutme / ANM Management
#scoutmiscmodels / ISC Models
#scoutmeonyx / ONYX Model Management
#21mmscoutme / TwentyOne Millimeters Management
#scoutmeignite / Ignite Models
#heffnerscoutme / Heffner Management
#hunterscout / Hunter Model Management
#bestarsystemfamily / Star System
#WeAreGold #TheGoldBagSquad / Dulcedo Management
#NEWGENERATIONSCOUT / New Generation Model Management
#instasuccessboy / Success Models
#becomecjmodel / CJ Models
#scoutmepanache #panachemodelsearch / Panache Management
#citymodels / City Models
#newfaze / FAZE Models
#be1scoutme / Be1 Scouting
#M4SCOUTING / M4 Models
#ullascout / Ulla Models
#futurefacesmodels / Future Faces Model Management
#meetthesupremeteam / Supreme Management
#WACR / Creartvt Casting Agency
#TeamNemesis / Nemesis Models
#becomeidmodel / iD Model Management
#touchescout / Touché Model Management
#vscouted / Vivien’s Model Management
#BeAnotherSpecies / Another Species
#unikocasting / Uniko Model Management
#beMANGOmodel / Mango Models
#PARSme / PARS Management
#DirectionsScout / Directions USA Models
#dmmscoutme / DMM Models
#ntcme / No Ties Model Management
#ScoutMeBeth / Beth Model Management
#lomoface / Louisa Models
#mc2scouting / MC2 Model Management
#GirlsClubScouting / Girls Club Management
#SCOUTMEIMMORTAL / Immortal Models Management
#MSAme / MSA Models
#ScoutMeTRUE / TRUE Model Management
#scoutmeSTATE / State Management
#PickMePlutino / Plutino Models
#Catchme / Catch 22 Model Management
#makemeelite / Elite Model Management Toronto
#scoutmeaddicted / Addicted to Models
#BecomeWicked / Wicked Models
#ohlssonminisuper / Ohlsson Model&Talent
#hook_scout_me / HOOK Model Agency
#iscoutstarrs / KStarr Management
#Weareonescouting / Weareone Management
#JOINSEEDS / SEEDS Management
#BECOMEOKM / OKAY Models
#ScoutMeMontage / Montage Models
#ModelPartnerScout / Model Partner
#nologoscoutme / Nologo Mgmt
#mirrrsmuse / MIRR/RS
#spotmemodelsearch / Spot 6 Management
#scoutmefaceparis / The Face Paris
#mekamodelmgmt / Meka Model Managment
#beascrew / AS Management
#scoutmebella / BELLA Management
#iamsmg / Seattle Models Guild

Tip Three: Network, follow & comment!
Agencies are increasingly looking not only to your portfolio statistics such as height and weight, but also your social media following – this includes your likes, comments and engagement. There’s no specific threshold of how many followers you need to have but more is always better! For example, Naomi Campbell has 4.8 million followers, Adriana Lima has 11.6 million followers, plus size model Ashley Graham has 6.4 million followers and locally, Jennifer Hawkins has 878,000 followers. Your follower count signifies your ability to market yourself (and this is especially important if you are a freelance model!) and your ability to engage your target market.

However, be aware that social media isn’t the be all and end all – so even as a model on Instagram, you still can’t ignore the importance of being friendly and personable, impressing agencies and clients on casting calls and being an overall professional model.

Supermodels will routinely post their official campaign and runway shots on their Instagram pages, so follow suit and share any work or experience that you may have. Don’t be afraid to get creative – and always be sure to use your Instagram account to network strategically. Ask yourself who you can learn from and who it would benefit you to be associated with.

Tip Four: Clearly understand your audience.
Of course, defining a purpose and doing your research is incredibly important – and after doing so, you should have a good idea of your audience. Now, it’s time to understand that audience! If your audience is agencies that you hope to pitch yourself to, consider what they’re looking for in your content… likewise if you’re freelance and trying to pitch yourself directly to clients or to photographers.

Tip Five: Have objectives.
Social media goals aren’t just for businesses! As a model – and to fully realise what it means to become an Instagram model – you absolutely need to learn to think like a business and as such, setting goals is crucial. Set yourself objectives in terms of your follower count, who you want to engage with, how many leads you want to obtain through social media and what you’d like your engagement rate to be. Not sure where to start? Look to other models in your niche who are a little bit ahead of where you want to be and see what you can learn from them!

Tip Six: Develop your audience.
Hashtags (as mentioned above) are one way to grow your audience, however there are also other ways to grow your portfolio as an Instagram model. One of the best ways to grow is to give your audience value through great quality content. Include not just photos from your portfolio but general musings about the industry and your experience – this will give agents and clients an insight into your personality! Remember too that everything you say (not just the photos that you share) is part of your greater “unofficial” portfolio, so be careful to what you say!
This is by no means an exhaustive list – however, the above tips will give you a good start as an Instagram model!

All, Modeling Categories, On the Job

Child Models

June 25, 2017 No Comments

It’s hard enough to make it as a successful model… but what about child models? As the parent of an aspiring child model, you’ll play an integral role in setting the direction of your child’s modelling career and as you can imagine, the safety concerns of child modelling need to be taken very seriously.

If you’re the parent of a child model….

Make sure the agency actually represents children.
Not every agency will represent children and even if they do, their management may not cater specifically for the nuances of finding jobs for child models so it’s important (as with all agencies) to do appropriate research. Look around agency websites thoroughly and learn how you can submit your child for representation – the process is a lot different than for regular models. Child models will not attend go-sees, but instead are submitted by a parent or guardian – this can involve booking an appointment or attending a talent call. Make careful note to pay attention to the age ranges represented… it’s always worth a shot! If your child is a little bit older than the ages represented, don’t simply give up. They may be looking for someone just like your child!

Work out if your child wants to be an actor, a model or both.
Child models are always in great demand and if your child wants to be an actor as well as a model, you should be seeking a talent agency over a modelling agency. A talent agency will help your child book acting and modelling gigs… and as a parent this means one set of commission and agency instead of two. Anything that makes your life simpler is a bonus!

Location, location, location.
First consider applying your child to local agencies rather than jumping the gun and going for the bigger name agencies interstate or far away. Attending auditions (as for adults) is not paid for child models, so the routine of taking your child to auditions (plus accompanying food, travel, accommodation and other expenses) can eat away at your bank account. And, like other models, be prepared for the fact that it may take a while until your child is ‘discovered’!

Starting local will allow you to build a portfolio for your child which ultimately will help them get better jobs in the long run.

Look at agency rosters online.
Many agencies that represent children will have online photo galleries that allow you to view the current talent on their roster… study this carefully and get a feel for which children routinely are selected. If you see lots of kids with a similar look as your child, you may be in with a good chance. If you don’t see other kids with a similar look as your child, don’t be discouraged though… many clients are seeking diversity and your child could be exactly what they’re looking for, so it never hurts to apply.

Don’t be fooled into thinking your child needs expensive portfolio photos.
Agencies and clients looking for child models and child actors understand that children grow exceptionally fast… this means that expensive headshots are often wasted as just as soon as you’ve taken them and added them to your child’s portfolio… the child has grown and looks different! Agencies and clients typically prefer snapshots of child models and child actors so they can get a better understanding of how the child typically looks day to day. Once your child is signed to an agency, they will need professional photos… but this is usually covered by the agency so until that point, don’t waste your hard earned money on something that will have to be redone anyway!

If an agency goes in with hard sales tactics, be careful.
A contract should always be offered to you first before you’re required to pay anything. And, as always, it’s never ever appropriate for an agency to try to coerce you into signing a contract on the spot. You should always take your time to take the contract away, look over it and ask any questions if necessary.

Agencies who say that they can sweep the rug out from under your child if you don’t sign on the spot are usually fishy, so trust your instinct and walk away to find better opportunities!

Many agencies will offer a list of recommended photographers that they’ve worked with in the past, but the final decision should always be yours.
If you have a photographer that you want your child to work with, you should be afforded this opportunity. Children will react in photos depending on their level of comfort with the photographer so it’s important that you and your child both trust and feel comfortable around the photographer that you choose.

Ask lots of questions and trust your gut instinct.
Never take anything at face value – your child’s livelihood, career direction and safety is in your hands and sadly, many individuals may seek to exploit child models and their parents. It’s up to you to do your due diligence, ask lots of questions, get clarification and make sure you’re comfortable with any situation that your child enters.
These are all run-of-the-mill questions agencies are accustomed to addressing so there should be no reason why they should give you a hard time, get defensive or otherwise not provide you with answers. The way an agency interacts with you in the beginning is a great way to get an idea of what moving forward with them would look like once you accept the contract offer.

Child modelling can be incredibly rewarding in both experience and financial earnings… but above all, it should always be FUN for the child. As a parent, make sure that you’re always putting your child’s best interests at heart.

All, Modeling Categories, On the Job, Starting Out

Fitness Model

March 9, 2017 No Comments

So… you want to be a fitness model! You’re not alone, the fitness model industry in Australia is booming and fitness models are in high demand. However, just like any other niche of modelling, be prepared for a lot of hard work. In fact, you might be surprised just how much hard work goes into it!

Getting discovered
To work as a fitness model the first thing you need to do (just like any other type of model) is get discovered. You may wish to attend open calls or contact modelling agencies – however nowadays, many self-represented models are finding less traditional paths to starting their careers and building a following on Instagram, which then can lead to booking some big jobs. Other models also hold down second jobs as yoga teachers or personal trainers – which can lead to other opportunities in bikini competitions, bodybuilding competitions and other similar events. At these events, talent scouts are routinely lurking in the audience and looking to discover the next big name in modelling!

A day in the life of a fitness model
The day you become signed as a fitness model, that’s when the hard work really begins! Shoot days are gruelling and fun all at once and on days that you’re not shooting you may also be holding down another job like many other models, and as mentioned above. So what can you expect on a shoot as a fitness model? Like other models, expect an early start and a late finish. When you arrive at your shoot, hair and makeup will take a good couple of hours (although fitness models are often portrayed hard at work exercising, it’s still imperative that they look attractive and beautiful on camera!)

Following that, you’ll visit wardrobe and then before you know it, you’ll be on camera! As a fitness model, a shoot will usually inform performing some sort of exercise and unlike other sorts of models who may simply stage activities, you’ll likely actually be performing the exercise – this may mean that your days will be very physically taxing and you may get sweaty and require multiple touch ups during the day.

Plus aside from the physical challenges you’ll face, many fitness models also face the self-esteem challenge of their body always needing to be camera-ready. Needless to say, if you’re a fitness model, you’ll need to take great pride in your physique and absolutely love exercise! Even so, the constant comparison and rejection that is rampant in the modelling industry can take a mental toll so it’s important that you have a thick skin and develop confidence. After all, just like other models, although your body is one the of the biggest parts of your livelihood, having a great personality will also do you huge favours.

Remember as well that as a fitness model, it’s not simply about looking stronger than other people… you must also be stronger. The long hours of shoots and the exercises you’ll repeatedly perform require you to have great endurance.

But, although it’s a tough line of work – fitness modelling can open up some incredible doors for the rest of your career. You’ll meet a lot of interesting people and if your passion is fitness, fitness modelling can open up doors to personal training, gym instruction and other lines of work that you might not have considered. If you’re a fitness model on Instagram, you also have an invaluable opportunity to provide great content that not only shows your passion, but helps and inspires other people to become fitter and healthier too… what a great chance to leave a positive impact on the world around you!

Fitness models also frequently find themselves being offered television appearances and other speaking opportunities, which is great for skyrocketing your image.

In summary, if you want to become a fitness model…
Our number one piece of advice? Make sure to take care of your body and always remember that although it’s part of your job to look a certain way, it’s not all about the aesthetics. As they say, if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life. And modelling is hard work so to be a successful fitness model, if you love what you do then your passion for fitness and the modelling industry will always show in what you do.

Just like any other model, also take care to build a strong portfolio that shows your versatility and if you would like to be agency represented, you’ll need to get out there and network!

But, however you choose to model (whether agency represented or freelance), this is ultimately your career and in a sea of fitness models – you need to stand out, so be creative with your portfolio and let your personality shine!

All, Career Planning, FAQs, On the Job, Starting Out

How Much do Models Earn?

March 7, 2016 No Comments

From the outside, a model’s life looks very glamourous with expensive clothes, makeup artists, jet setting across the globe, beautiful photoshoots and parties every week.

The reality can often be different, though.. and it’s a reality that you need to be prepared for if you wish to break into the modelling industry! This article is not to discourage you but instead to make sure that you’re prepared for the work ethic that you need, as many potentially great models have been discouraged and given up when they realised that “the model life” wasn’t as instantly abundant as they thought it would be.

In reality, modelling is hard work and long hours and especially for aspiring models, the pay isn’t always as high as you might assume.

So, how much do models earn in Australia?
Working on an editorial shoot, models are paid a day rate. The average day rate for an editorial shoot in Australia is $180. If you’re a self-represented model this goes entirely to you however if you are represented by an agency, they will take a commission (which can vary) for referring the job to you. An average agency commission can be around $80 out of a $180 day rate in Australia, which leaves you with $100 for 6-8 hours of work.

This seems very little… however, the day price of an editorial shoot is the same regardless of whether you’re a rookie model on her first shoot or a seasoned pro like Miranda Kerr.

As most experienced models will tell you, models take on editorial work cheaply at the start of their career as that’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to build up a portfolio (which you’ll need to get you most other forms of modelling work). For models who set their sights on advertising jobs as the end goal, establishing a quality portfolio through editorial shoots is a great way to build up their portfolios quickly and then book some advertising jobs, where real money can be made.

For an advertising campaign, a model in Australia may be earning anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 a day – depending on the model. And that’s for a lesser known model… those who make it into the big time earn significantly more.
In 2017, Kendall Jenner was the highest earning model at $22 million, followed by Giselle Bundchen who earned $17.5 million. Prior to 2017, Giselle had been the top earning model since 2002 however, with social media influencer popularity rising, stars like Kendall Jenner are now overtaking. For many aspiring models who take to Instagram to rapidly build up a following, they may find their incomes rising along with their follower count (much like Kendall!

Other high income earning models are Adriana Lima ($10.5 million), Kate Moss ($5 million) and Taylor Hill ($4 million). Gigi Hadad earned $9 million and with 22.2 million followers on Instagram, her bank account and exposure grows each day. It was also reported in InStyle UK that Karlie Kloss at just 23 years old was earning roughly $300 for a single step on a catwalk.

Alongside earning big money by being booked for jobs, models can also earn a significant amount of money through endorsements. Aspiring models will need to work their way up by endorsing smaller brands first – but work hard, build your portfolio and you might just be discovered by a big brand!

And, interestingly, child models can also earn a considerable amount! In 2014 Fairfax Media reported that child models in Australia can earn up to $50,000 per year or up to $10,000 for a single job.

The opportunities and prospects are great, but it’s important to be aware of the pitfalls of the industry. Realistically, not every aspiring model makes it. Some never go as far as they’d hoped, others struggle to book jobs and for others, the pressure of long hours gets too much. Many aspiring models who struggle to make it may find themselves giving up on their dreams to pursue a day job with greater financial stability while for others, the thrill of competition and not knowing how great their next earning may be excites them.

Some models are also paid in “trade”, whereby they accept free clothes, jewellery and products as payment for their services whilst they build up a portfolio.

There are very few models who earn the big bucks – and although models can make a decent living, it’s crucial to make sure you’re getting into the industry for the right reasons and not solely chasing millions. Models are not on a salary or a regular wage and in Australia (and abroad), modelling is a largely unregulated industry. Being paid per job often means that you won’t be paid the big bucks until you make it big so if you’re expecting to get rich quick, you’re ultimately setting yourself up for disappointment.

It’s well known that at Fashion Week, unknown models can barely break even… however, if they have the right look that a brand is looking for, the exposure can be enough to skyrocket their profile and land them some very well paying jobs. Models looking to make some quick money will often book jobs directly with designers in the lead up to Fashion Week testing looks for the upcoming shows. For jobs like this, some models can make up to $1,000.

Models must also be friendly and personable – the industry can get a bad reputation as being catty, however many models will tell you that other models are lovely people. In fact, to save money, many models choose to live together in “model houses” where they split the rent and bills and can all share the experience of chasing their dreams whilst sharing advice with each other.

Of course, modelling is still a competitive environment though as everyone wants to book the best jobs!

To be successful, models must be hard workers, perfectionists and flexible to the needs to their directors/casting agents, as well as open to taking feedback to help them grow and improve (so that ultimately, they can book bigger and better jobs).

Ultimately, how much models earn will vary on the specific model type, the agent and the job itself… so models must be prepared for not every job to be the same.

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