The 7 Biggest Mistakes Aspiring Models Make
There are seven major mistakes made when embarking on a career in modeling, especially “commercial print”. Here are three of them.
- Get pictures taken from a photographer that do not live up to industry standards, mail it out to some agencies, and hope an agent will call them and start booking them work.
Agencies get thousands of submissions a day, and yours has to stand out!! Models can often waste either lots of money or time (if someone shot them for free) and shoot themselves in the foot rather than get it in the door of the agency because they’re pictures end up in the trash. Pictures are everything in the business, and they have to be professional looking. Unless you are between 15 and 22 years old, tall, slender, and looking for a fashion agency, these agencies require just a simple snapshot of your face and body. Commercial print differs where pictures need to capture a “lifestyle” quality and communicate something. Good photographers and proper preparation will get you exactly what you need to grab their attention.
2. Agree unknowingly to a scam: aspiring models often pay money to an agency up front for either pictures and/or representation and are told to shoot with “their” photographer for a fee.
Legitimate modeling agencies do not charge fees up front and are not in the business of doing photo shoots with their so-called “house photographer”. Reputable agencies only make money when they get you a job, and then they take 20% from your paycheck. They are allowed to recommend a variety of photographers but will never make you shoot with any of them before they will represent you. Any fees an agency would ask for would be to put your pictures on their website to market you and it shouldn’t cost more than $150 for a whole year.
3. Get representation with just one agency.
One agency is a good start, but unfortunately, it will not get you enough opportunities to work. Most commercial print agencies work with you “freelance”, which means you can work with as many other agencies as you want. If an agency wants to sign you – watch out. Even a very strong commercial print agency can only accept so many phone calls from advertisers and clients, so spreading yourself out to many agencies will cast the net wider.
To learn the other 4 major mistakes or how to get attention-grabbing, professional-looking photos, legitimate agents, and much more, go to workshop schedule and reserve your spot now! |
