How to Present Yourself

Wear clothes that don’t hide your body shape because that‘s one of the first things your future agency will pay attention to.

Choose flattering simple staple pieces for your body is a good thing, a white T-shirt and a black high waisted jeans is a simple and efficient look for example.

You can go for more fancy outfits but it’s really not necessary.

Girls, keep your make up really simple.

Not 18?

You can visit the agency alone if you wish, but you’ll need to go back to sign the contract.

So it might be a better idea to visit the agency with one of your parents in the first place.

What About You?

The agency will ask you a lot of questions to get to know you. What about School? When will you be available? Can you work full-time?

And all they might think necessary to start managing your career.

So don’t be shy, answer everything they ask you, ask questions too, and tell the people at the agency anything you might think important for them to know.

First Pictures

They will certainly take your first polaroids also called digitals or snapshots in the industry.

Digitals are really natural and simple pictures of your face and body.

Girls, if you fit for a body shoot, the agency could ask you to take some bikini’s pics as well.

It’s very rare on a first meeting but it could happen, so you can wear one in case, since you are comfortable with the idea of taking bikini pics.

If you don’t feel comfortable, just tell the agency, they shouldn’t push you to do it.

Measurements

They will take your measurements, height, bust, waist, hips and ask for your shoe sizes. They will note your eyes and hair colors too.

These info will appear on your page on the agency website and your compcard.

A compcard is a printed presentation of your best pictures, measurements, and the contact of your agency. You need compcards when you go to castings.

With these information the agency is able to follow you and give you the best advice for your body training and good eating habits if needed.

The Contract

If the agency wants you among its models, you will have to sign a contract and also a mandat (the duration may depend of each agency).

Make sure to read it carefully before signing it.

If you don’t understand something about the contract, just ask for a clarification.

You will also be in touch with the agency accounting department to be registered and be given all necessary information about your status.

First Photo test

One the contract signed, the agency will organize your first photo test with one of the photographers they usually work with.

The photographer will probably work alongside a stylist and a hairdresser/makeup (some do everything beautifully themselves but it’s very rare).

The goal is to produce several different pictures, 5 to 15 usually, to show your potential with different styles.

Tip: read this, if you want to know how much does a first model portfolio cost.

Remember

No Go

If an agency doesn’t retain your candidacy, maybe they will give you the names of other agencies that are potentially looking for profiles like yours.

And don’t take things personally, if you’re really serious about embracing the modeling career, you must start to accept that most of the time you won’t be the first choice for a job.

There’s a lot of competition. So don’t give up! 😉