How to Become a Pro Model

Step 1: What is a professional fashion model?

Professional models get paid for getting their photo taken for magazine articles and print commercials that run in magazines, catalogs, books, on billboards, etc.. Basically, models get paid to have their likeness captured. Nearly all professional models are represented by modeling agencies in major cities such as New York, L.A., & Miami, and overseas in cities like Paris, Milan, London, and Tokyo. Very few fashion models are freelancers. To be a fashion model, you really need to get an agency to represent you.

Agencies employ “bookers” or "agents" to find work for models. When models get paid for their work, the agency takes a percentage of the paycheck. Real agencies never ask a model for money to look at your photos or for an application fee. If someone asks you for a fee to look at your images or asks you to pay one of their photographers for images, they are probably not legitimate. A legitimate agency will look at your photos for free, or will see you in person, and will then decide if they want to represent you. This is practically the only way to get represented by an agency. Yes, some models are found on the street or at modeling conventions, but in most cases, you're better off sending photos to an agency.

So, in order to become a pro model, you have to get yourself seen by a major modeling agency.  You can do that in one of four ways:

1. Submitting photos to an agency by mail or online
2. Going to an “open call” at an agency’s office
3. Getting discovered by a scout working for an agency
4. Contacting an agency for a private appointment

Keep reading to see how you can start contacting agencies today for free, but first, you have to ask yourself some tough questions.

Step 2: Do you have what it takes?

To be a top model, you must consider the following:

1. Pro models work in major cities, so you must be prepared to move to or near New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, etc..Smaller cities do have modeling agencies, so if you cannot move, you may start there as well.
2. You must be prepared to travel a lot for your career.
3. Fashion models must meet industry standards:
   • Female models are generally 14-25 years old, 5’8” or taller, and  105-125 pounds, but the industry is currently changing a bit. Girls who are shorter may work as petite models and larger girls may work as full  or plus size models.
   • Male fashion models are typically 16-25 years old,  5”11-6’2”, and 140-165 pounds. Fitness models may be a bit shorter or taller and more bulky in terms of muscle. You must be in great shape.
4. If you don’t meet height and weight standards, you probably will not get work as a mainstream fashion model. Harsh, but true. 
5. Naturally, you also have to be good or interesting looking. Major physical deformities, bad teeth, or really bad skin are a problem.
6. You must be prepared to sacrifice to stay in shape, eat right, etc..

Step 3: Prepare to Be Discovered

1. If you’re under 18, you must get your parents approval before starting to model. They will have to sign contracts with an agency if you get represented. 
2. Have a friend take the following pictures with a digital camera against a white wall. Do not use makeup & keep your hair basic and generally off your face.
   • A straight-on shot of your face and head.
   • A side shot of your face and head.
   • A front shot of your body from the thighs up. Women should be in shorts wearing a tight shirt or in a two-piece bathing suit. Men should be shirtless with shorts.
   • A full length shot.
3. You now have the shots that agencies typically want in Step 4, although some agencies have slightly different requirements.
4. If you will be visiting agencies, get several copies of each printed.
5. Record your body measurements. Include height, weight, chest, waist, bust &  hips (for women).

Step 4: Find Agencies & get seen by them

1. The major modeling agencies in the US are in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Some agencies have offices in other cities, too.
2. Agency lists can be found online. I suggest using the list at models.com
3. Check an agency’s website for your options:
4. Do they offer online or email submission of photos? If so, follow their directions exactly.
   
   • If they don’t allow online or email submission, do they allow you to mail them images? If the site is unclear, email the agency and ask.
   • Do they have open calls? An open call is a time when models can come in without an appointment and be evaluated.
   • Do they allow you to make a private appointment?
5. Follow submission guidelines exactly and be professional.
6. Now you wait! That’s it. If agency is interested in you, they will contact you.  If they’re not interested, they probably won’t.  It’s that simple to become a model if you have the look. And so far, you haven't spent a dime.

Step 5: Avoid Common Mistakes and Scams

1. You do not need modeling school to become a model. The modeling business is based on looks, so you either have it or don’t. A short model is not going to get represented as a top fashion model even if she’s been to every modeling school on the planet. 
2. You don’t need professional photos to submit to agencies. If you have an opportunity to get some pro pictures taken, that’s great, but many agencies only want basic snapshots so they can see what you really look like.  Don’t wait years trying to get a portfolio together when you could be sending snapshots to an agency today!
   
3. Likewise, you don’t need comp cards or business cards before you get represented by an agency.
4. Legitimate agencies won’t charge you for anything. Avoid agencies that do.  Real agencies only make money when they get you modeling jobs.
   
5. There is no need to go to a modeling convention and spend a thousand dollars when you can submit photos to agencies online for free. Some modeling conventions do have legitimate agency scouts, but you still need to meet industry height and weight requirements. Some conventions try to get as many people as possible because they make more money. Therefore, they’ll tell anyone that they have “the look”.  Don’t get scammed. If you don't meet industry height and weight requirements, it is unlikely that a convention will help you.
   
6. If you get approached by a modeling scout, get a business card and check out the scout’s story. A real scout should not ask you to pay for anything. Ask the scout if he or she has placed any models with legit agencies, and then contact that agency to check out the story. You might also look at the website of your state's attorney general's office. They often post stories of scam modeling agencies or scams.
   
7. Modeling contests are sometimes scams if they have an entry fee involved. Again, if you’re not the right height or weight, or if you aren’t good looking, it doesn’t matter if you win a contest or not, you’re not going to become a professional fashion model.
8. All aspiring models should check out www.modelingscams.org and similar sites for more on scams.
9. Nude work is almost never helpful in starting a fashion model’s career. But unethical photographers often tell models that it will. Yes, a few top models have become famous because they were photographed nude by a famous photographer, but the creepy guy in your small town who takes photos in front of a bedsheet is unlikely to launch your career. In fact, nude photos that are published can hurt your career because some family-friendly clients might be reluctant to hire you. Posing for pornographic sites is almost always bad for a mainstream modeling career.
   
10. Modeling websites can be good for learning about the business, meeting pro photographers for test shots, and for making friends who model, but don’t expect that a major agency will find you online. Very few agents have the time to go through thousands of models on a modeling site. You’re much better off taking charge and contacting agencies yourself. Use modeling web sites to show off your work and meet friends in the biz. And be careful of who you meet online. Check them out before you show up alone at someone's house for a test shoot. Many semi-pro models use online modeling sites to find work, but if you do, be smart and stay safe.  Check the forums on these sites for details on staying safe & avoiding unethical photographers.

Step 6: Other Types of Modeling

If you don’t meet height or weight requirements for fashion modeling, you still have some options, including pro and semi-pro alternatives:

• Glamour modeling, which is essential bikini modeling or modeling that involves sexier poses, such as found in Maxim. Glamour models are often shorter and are curvier than fashion models. Glamour models typically work for themselves and use online modeling sites.
• Fitness modeling if you are in really good shape. Men may do quite well with this type of work.
• Petite models are typically 5’3”-5’8”. Some major agencies have petite divisions for shorter girls.
• Plus-size models have dress sizes from about 10-18.  Some big agencies have plus-size divisions. This is a growing part of the industry.