Signing Up with a Modeling Agency?

All geared up to get into the Oh so charming! world of the fashion industry? Made modeling your long-term beau? Ready to commit to this challenging relationship which by far is going to take a hell of a lot of work at the start but is rewarding in unimaginable ways. After the initial phases of indecisiveness about whether it is a good idea, what will you get out of it, whether your monetary investment and the long work that you have put in will produce fruitful results? What you need now is to sign with a modeling agency.

Now that you are at a point you want to delve at it with resilience, because believe me that is one virtue you can never let go of, especially in the industry. It is not as easy as it looks. You have all the prerequisites prepared and on point. Made a bad-ass portfolio having exceptional photographs and even have a website, all your social media is up to date booming with new followers every day. What you need now is to sign with a modeling agency. A company that is going to represent you, gives you a brand when you don’t have one of your own. These people are going to introduce the fledgling that you are and push you to open up your wings and fly. They are going to nurture and prepare you for the unforgiving world of the business.

What to look out for?
All things said it looks like this modeling agency is such good Samaritans, doing so much for you, at the end of the day it is business for them as well. The thing you need to do before signing with a modeling industry is to figure out which agencies you want to sign with. There are numerous agencies out there who claim to be perfect at their job. Check out which agencies you want to focus on and list them out. It is easy to be enchanted by the thought that as a model you will get to live in LA or New York. That comes a bit later down the road of your career. For starters when you are finding your mother’s agency, it is a lot more helpful if you collaborate with an agency in the place you are currently residing in.

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It makes the process smoother, you don’t fear the possibility of missing on a great opportunity just because you could not make it to the impromptu open call. Or could not reach the shoot that was due for a weekday because you couldn’t find transportation. Focus on local modelling agencies at first who will initiate your career.

After you have shortlisted the agencies you want to work with, do meticulous research. Do thorough research about the agency you plan on working with, not just the top two suggestions on google, try across-check from as many sources as you can. Because this is your career that is at stake you cannot risk getting into anything dicey at the very beginning. Make sure to figure out whether the agency is legit or a total rip-off just trying to make money off of young models promising work but not delivering.

Red flags:
Before applying to any agency, keep an eye out for the red flags. If the agency wants you to do a test shoot, it is okay but the agency will bear the cost of the shoot and not you. If they are asking you to get a portfolio made working with their photographers but charges you for it, they are just interested in your money. Check out their websites and their social media as well. You can find many model communities and forums where you can discuss the credibility of a particular agency and even then application procedures of various reputed agencies. Once you have done detailed research and are convinced with it, check the application process, do they take open calls or online form submissions.

Get appointments as to when in the week you can go and meet them, probably do a test shoot. Every agency has a fresh face genre where they are looking for new models. Check that out and apply accordingly. You can work with as many agencies as you wish. It is not limited. Do not sign an exclusive contract with any agency because it will be very difficult to get out of it if they are unable to get you a job well-established agencies might want you to sign an exclusivity contract but that is only logical because they have the potential to provide you constant work.

But they are hard to sign and overall in the beginning it is only better if you don’t because you are a fresh face in the industry, haven’t started networking or building that relationship with the clients so booking jobs straight away even with bigger agencies might be tricky. Check the standard commission rates for an agency which usually is 10 % and if any agency is charging more than that is probably not one that you should work with.

Focal point:
The main focal point when you are starting off, like any other client is to be gain experience and build your portfolio. Even if it is a free job do not lax out of it. Unless you start doing work no one will come to know what you are actually capable of. Sign with an agency that you are sure will get you jobs and those jobs, not just a handful throughout the year but enough that you are working continuously.

There is never one agency that has all the work in the industry or that can provide all the work in one go so sign with as many modeling agencies that you feel is beneficial for you. Have your comp cards handy for open calls and any other opportunity you get, keep revamping it from time to time. No one wants to see how you looked 2 years ago. You can be an advocate for yourself and continue to hustle and look for jobs. The aim here is to find the mother agency from which you are going to kick start your career and hence it is highly crucial to make the right informed choice. Finding the right path to the shining dream of becoming a successful model you cannot afford to go wrong at the very beginning.

Also read: January magazine of 2019