The basic truth is that very few models become a success overnight. It takes months or even years of effort and sacrifice. There are many ways that successul models have gotten started and we all have heard the rags to riches and fame success stories but the best way to get started is by learning how the business works and by developing some basic modeling skills before even starting your portfolio.

For international modeling, models ideally should be tall, slim and extremely photogenic to have a chance to be successful since over 60% of modeling assignments involve fashion and fashion shows are a large part of that, therefore the ideal height requirements of 5'9"+ for female models and 6'-6'2" for male models. Agencies like their models to qualify for as many types of assignments as possible.

For modeling in North America, models can be shorter for commercial print, lifestyle, music video, promotional and television commercial assignments but shorter models ideally should have very commercial looks and outgoing personalities. Naturally, if you are a shorter model, you will find that there is also more competition since you will not only be competing with taller models but also others in your height range. Do not be discouraged if you really have the look and personality for the above assignments since many shorter models enjoy a lot of success especially in the area of commercial print and TV commercials. Commercial print work not only provides a good hourly, half day or day rate but you also receive either a usage fee or a buyout for usage of the photos taken. In some cases, this can amount to $1000-$2000 or more. For TV commercials, you receive residuals for every 3 months that a commercial runs along with your negotiated pay for the project.

Clients paying models naturally expect them to be trained and and have professional portfolios since, to the client, time is money, so they expect assignments to be completed quickly and professionally. Models that do a good job are often rehired, whereas models that do not are not and they lose credibility with both the client and their agency. Agencies cannot afford to represent models who cannot represent the agency and its models well no matter how photogenic they are or no matter how much potential they seem to have. In the past, agenices have to even drop models who are not reliable so always be prepared to be at your best..

Agencies signing new models expect them to already have training and a starting portfolio or at least a true respect for the business and the work, time and investment required to become a working model.

As a agent, scout, manager and client in the business for over 20 years, I have found most aspiring models to not realize what the modeling business is all about. Many people think that being pretty is enough. They tend to believe friends who have had negative experiences with modeling for their imput instead of actually reading anything about the industry. Many also have the misconception that, if an agency feels they have a little potential that the agency should be fronting all the initial expenses. I disagree, although we do invest in models who win our agency New Faces Competitions since they have proven themselves but "potential" means very little until you have proven yourself to be a working model. In large fashion and advertising markets where there is a lot of work, large well-established do advance some of the start-up costs but models are required to repay the agency all of the expenses including travel, accommodations, portfolio building photo sessions, comp cards, agency headsheet and cash advances as soon as money comes in from paid assignments. So for the first few months of your stay with an international agency, you may be in debt. The agency is gambling that you will make money so , if they see positive possiblities, they keep you; if not, they send you home and the advances are forgiven. Local agencies cannot afford to take such financial risks since there is less work and most do not have the money to be able to finance new models.
 

If we feel that you have potential when you apply but see that you have no training or portfolio, we will suggest that you get both either through us or elsewhere. The benefit of doing them through us is that we can watch your skills develop, represent and manage you from the day you register and make sure you get the kind of photos you need for your portfolio, usually at a lower cost than if you did it yourself.

If you are getting started with our help, first of all, make sure you get an honest assessment of your potential from more than one agency or client. Make some calls and knock on some doors since that is what models do. As a model, you are going to be similar to a salesperson, only in this case you are both the salesperson and the product. Clients hire models; they do not hire their agency.

The modeling business offers absolutely no guarantees nor can agencies since you are the one auditioning and models get hired only when clients are convinced they will sell the products or services. Most professional models in large markets meet with 9-12 potential clients every day to show their portfolios or to audition for fashion shows. Not every client is going to love you but if you are not the model selected for one assignment, it does not mean that you will not be hired for the next one so stay positive, enthusiastic and professional on all interviews even when meeting with agencies for representation. Always remember that as a model, you are selling yourself. Personality and reliabilty win over looks every day of the week. people will help you and offer you advice if they like you but will not do so if you make a negative impression.

Most large agencies will give you a list of photographers that do Time For Print shoots or shoot models building their portfolios. Be careful and ask to meet with the photographers and view their portfolios before booking a shoot with them.

This will make you more comfortable at the shoot, prepare you for the kind of photos the photographers shoots and help you to avoid shooting with photograaphers who will not provide the results you need. Do not include nude shots in your portfolio especially if you are a new model. There is very little nudity in Canadian fashion and other photographers that see those shots may try to have you do more.

The last thing you should know is that it may take you 3-6 months or more to start generating income for yourself and the agency since clients have to get to know you and they often take 30-90 days to pay you through your agency.

The bottom line is that if you do have the potential to be a fashion, commercial print, lifestyle, music video, catalogue or promotional model, you have a chance to take advantage of your good looks to earn a good part time income or have a very lucrative career but the key is to always be prepared for success and to do that, you have to get started the right way.