3 Comments on Can you become a model without a modeling agency?

A little birdy on Mon, 28th Jun 2010 9:39 am


Maybe…although big companies usually use an agency to hire models for big shoots. Small local businesses though will normally hire people without going through an agency…small budgets normally don’t want to pay agency fees. If you do go with something like this you may need to wear your own clothes and do your own hair and makeup. Make a list of small businesses in your area and contact them or their marketing rep to see if they ever have a need for local models.

STEFANO_Z on Mon, 28th Jun 2010 9:39 am


yes i was aproched by a photographer while at starbucks…

docbritt on Mon, 28th Jun 2010 9:39 am


no (the first answer is wrong- "small local places" dont really hire models unless its a fit model or something along those lines, in which case they normally DO use an agency. a lot of girls think places like walmart, sears, etc arent picky because the clothing is cheaper which is untrue as well). no store, designer, brand, magazine, etc will just hire a girl off the street claiming to be a model. you must be signed to a legitimate and very reputable (aka unbelievably competitive and selective) agency in order to go to those castings. if they allowed just any girl to walk in, theyd be there for a year. to be signed to a real agency, you must be at LEAST 5′8" (preferably 5′9"-6"), wear a sample size, which is a size 2 or 4, and have perfect proportions, skin and teeth. i see girls who are 5′11", perfect size 2’s and stunning get turned down constantly, so you have to have luck on your side as well. the agencies are looking for something very specific. its a myth that only runway models have to fit this criteria (tall and thin with a unique beauty)- ALL models except for parts models and commercial (aka "real people" modeling) models. the girls you see in magazines, haircare commercials, clothing ads, catalogs and campaigns- all are tall and fit the body requirements, as they are signed to a top agency, and agencies have a height/size minimum/maximum.

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