Facts and Misconceptions About Modeling   Fact #1 Fashion models are generally tall. The reason that most fashion models are 5'9" and taller is that most of the clothing is designed to look better on tall models. Fashion is fantasy. There is an saying that "clothes make the man". People also believe that fashions will improve their love life and also their career opportunitities. As a result, many people spend a good portion of their income on their wardrobes. Just as we all try to present things we want to sell in their best light, so do the designers and fashion retailers by hiring models whose bodies make the clothing look its best. Since the camera adds 7-10 pounds to most people's photos, the slimmer the model, the better the clothing seems. Can you blame them? After all, they have a multimillion dollar business to run.    Fact #2 International agencies are generally interested in taller models since they can audition for more jobs than shorter models since fashion shows comprise 50%-60% of assignments.   Fact #3 These days models come in all ages and sizes since many agencies now have commercial print and lifestyle divisions. Since there is much more competition for commercial print work since there are no height restrictions, models must be extremely photogenic and charismatic in order to be successful. Commercial print and lifestyle models are generally hired by advertising agencies in order to market products and services rather than clothing. An outgoing personality is also a definite asset for a commercial print or lifestyle model since your goal is want people to like you and be just like you.   Fact #4 Plus size models have recently done very well in the business since a large part of our population is now plus size. These models need to be at least 5'8" and wear mostly clothing 11/12 13/14 15/16 17/18. These models usually do not go beyond a size 18 since , after all, fashion is fantasy and people buy clothing that makes them look slimmer.   Fact #5 Models need to live where the work is. You cannot hope to be a successful career model unless you are available to see potential clients on a regular basis in larger centres. It is quite often a lot easier for a model to go to Milan, New York, Paris or Tokyo for a couple of months rather than commuting to Toronto or Montreal for work especially if you live far away. Let's face it, the clients are not going to relocate for you. Location is everything in the modelling business since quite often clients call your agency late one afternoon for you to be there for work the next morning.   Fact #6 You do not need a portfolio when you are getting started in the business but you will need one in order to work. Most agencies just initially want to see a colour snapshot or two, ideally both a smiling and nonsmiling headshot and a bodyshot. They are looking at your facial features, bone structure and body type before making an assessment of your modeling potential. If they think you have potential, they will encourage you to have some test shots done to see how you photograph, quite often at your expense. If they see potential from the test shots, they will give you names of a few photographers and tell you to meet with them in order to build your portfolio. Before you begin, however, the agency might suggest that you change your hairstyle, work out or lose a few pounds.   Fact #7  Getting your modeling career off the ground usually takes a good deal of time. As a model, you are a sales person who must first let everyone know who you are. Your agency will send you out every day to meet a few new potential clients. These are called "Go-Sees". The agency provides you with a Go-See list of companies who hire models. Sometimes the agency makes appointments for you, sometimes you make your own.  Photographers who like your look may want to test you, either at cost or for free. If they do, consider yourself on the way to a modeling career. Not only will you receive photos for your portfolio at lower cost than normal but the photgrapher might also show your photos to potential clients. Fact #8  Modeling is a skills and visual businesss. You need to have the skills to carry out the assignments and photos in order for the agency to be able to promote you. A diploma from a modeling school is not a prerequisite although the skills developed through training can be advantagous. Never show a prospective client a diploma from a modeling school. If you do, it will make you look like an amateur. Quite often your agency will provide you with a few workshops to help you develop skills for runway and photography assignments including make-up instruction. Your skills and portfolio indicate whether the clients view you as a professional model or not.  Fact #9  For your portfolio photos, you should shoot with at least 3 or 4 photographers. Each photographer sees you differently and each person's style varies. This will make your portfolio versatile. Also make sure that these photographers specialize in fashion, editorial or beauty work and also have clients. Their clients can soon also become your clients. Also make sure professionals do your make-up and hairstyling. Also try to have a fashion stylist on hard to supply contemporary clothing so your photos look their best and current.  Fact #10  Agencies in large markets solely rely on the commissions they earn by representing you but those in smaller markets and schools earn their money by charging you for training, by surcharging on photo sessions and by taking you to modeling conventions. They do this because there is not sufficient work in their areas for them to survive as an agency alone.   Fact #11 Your agency in a large market will soon drop you if you are not successful within 2-3 months. They will also drop you if you are not available on a regular basis or fail to accept assignments. They will also not sign you or drop you if you do not follow their instructions.   Misconceptions   "If you think I have potential, you should invest in me."    See you later and good luck. Some larger agencies will advance some expenses to models they feel will be successful but expect to have the money returned as soon as possible from their assignments. They expect you to be available every day to see clients so they can get their money back as soon as possible. Usually they will not invest in you unless a client or two has already expressed an interest in hiring you.   "Most modeling agencies and conventions are scams."    Obviously you have heard the bad news. Some modeling agencies are not actual agencies since they cannot be seeing that they are located outside major markets where the work is. Like schools, they charge fees but nothing happens since there is  little modeling work in the area. Conventions are a great place to be providing you have the potential to be a working professional international model. If you do not feel you have potential and the desire to do so, you should not attend since you will be disappointed. Conventions are usually very expensive and not everyone attending is going to receive offers. Why is it our disappointments always seem to exceed our expectations? Always remember that you are attending conventions and model showcases for the exposure you would not generally receive. Convention producers hold their events once a year and from the registration fees they need to pay for the venue for the event, airfare and accomodations expenses for the agents they bring in, as well as their day to day business expenses. Conventions and model showcases can guarantee you nothing except exposure. It is up to you to be prepared so you can be successful.   "My agency is a scam. They haven't called me in six months."    You may be right; you may be wrong. Your agency does not hire you, the clients do. If you have paid them money upfront for training and/or photos they quite often forget about you since that is all the money they hope to make from you. Remember that as a model, you are also a sales person. Don't be afraid to go to see prospective clients on your own. Approach local companies that advertise and go to see them. Also go to local clothing stores and let them know you are a model. Also look in your yellow pages under commercial photographers. Call them to see if they ever use models. Also, don't be afraid to call your local agency if they don't call you