How To Get a Modeling Agent in 5 Steps (Plus Benefits)
How To Get a Modeling Agent in 5 Steps (Plus Benefits)
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Updated June 28, 2024
Models promote clothes, brands or ideas for brands, fashion designers, events, print publications and videos. Models may choose to sign with a modeling agent to help advance their careers. Agents can help connect models to high-level clients, negotiate contracts and provide career advice. In this article, we explain what a modeling agent is, describe the benefits of having one and discuss how to get a modeling agent in five steps.
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What is a modeling agent?
A modeling agent is a professional who represents fashion models and helps them find work. A modeling agent might scout new talent, submit models from their roster to external clients and negotiate their contracts. They can also help facilitate communication between a model and an external client. For example, they can help communicate audition information, look specifications, shoot dates and pay rate for a job. While a model's manager is primarily responsible for helping with career management decisions, an agent may offer career advice to help their clients book more shoots.While some modeling agencies offer a fixed salary, many make money based on commission. The commission rates may differ depending on the specifics of the contract between a model and their agent. Often, a modeling agent earns 10% of the total sum a model makes from a job. A contract between a model and an agent may also include an exclusivity agreement, which states that the named agent is the model's only representation of their type in the region.Related:How To Become a Model
What are the benefits of a modeling agent?
A model may benefit from having an agent in numerous ways. These include:
Saving time
Having a modeling agent can save you time because the agent takes on the responsibility of searching for new work. Depending on the city in which you live, there may be a variety of job posting boards or online casting networks on which to find jobs, and new casting calls may appear and disappear quickly. A modeling agent understands how these websites work and can submit multiple candidates at once for a modeling opportunity. They also know how to monitor casting calls in their city to ensure that they find as many opportunities as possible for their clients.In addition to finding jobs, agents can also help speed up the process of submitting for a job. A particular casting call may require a certain style of headshot or full body shot, a resume documenting experience with certain modeling styles, availability for different shoot dates and measurement information. The way you enter this information may also differ depending on the submission platform. An agent can help clients by completing the submission process for them in a time-efficient and professional manner.
Finding high-quality jobs
An agent can also help connect their clients with high-quality modeling jobs. Agents are well-connected individuals who build trusting relationships with companies by consistently providing top quality talent. This means that a well-known brand may rely on agents to obtain professional and experienced models for their shoots. Therefore, as a model, having an agent may be the only way to connect with these high-level clients.This benefit can also protect models from scams or unprofessional clients. Agents are responsible for ensuring the safety of their talent, so they may research a new organization to ensure its legitimacy before submitting models.Related:19 Tips on How To Find Model Jobs
Negotiating better contracts
An agent is also a professional negotiator. They can work to secure contracts for their clients that have the highest possible rate of pay. They can also negotiate other benefits for their client, including coverage for transportation, make-up, clothing, a trailer and image use guidelines.
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How to get a modeling agent
If you decide that signing with a modeling agent is the next step for your career, you may use the following steps to guide your efforts:
1. Build a portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of photographs that demonstrate your look and abilities. Creating a portfolio can be a great first step in a modeling career, because it allows you to show potential agents and clients your modeling capabilities. When creating your portfolio, think about what type of modeling you'd like to do and include some photos that match that style. You can also include other styles to show range. For example, a modeling portfolio might include a headshot, a beauty shot, a full-body shot, a swimsuit shot, a commercial shot and a fashion shot.Once you've a clear vision of the portfolio you want, you can search for a photographer. While a skilled friend can take your first portfolio photos, it may be worth working with aprofessional photographer, as well as a hair and makeup artist, to create highly professional portfolio photographs. You can discuss your vision with your team, including your preferred photograph styles, backgrounds and shoot locations. After the shoot itself, you can work with the photographer to choose and edit your favorite shots, then display them on a website portfolio or in a physical look-book.
2. Network
One great way to find and sign with a modeling agent is through a shared connection. You can arrange a meeting with anyone that you may know in the fashion, modeling or entertainment industry. Consider reaching out to individuals through a school alumni network, friend and family connections or online social networks. You might explain that you're interested in modeling and ask if they'd be willing to talk with you about their career and the modeling industry. You can meet in person for coffee or to talk over the phone.Before your meeting, prepare questions about the fashion industry, this individual's career path and what sort of work they do now. You can also explain your background and your goals of becoming a model. You may mention that you're actively looking for an agent and ask if they've any advice. If they like you and are interested in referring you to an agent they know, this might prompt them to make the offer. Regardless, you can gain valuable advice about what steps you might take to find an agent.Related:How To Become a Freelance Model in 8 Steps (With Skills)
3. Do research
There are many kinds of agencies with different styles, goals and strategies. For example, you might sign with a major agency with worldwide connections and thousands of clients, or with a small boutique agency where you can create a personal relationship with your agent. While considering which agency to join, it can be helpful to research the different options to learn more about whether their goals and strategies align with your own. This can also be a good opportunity to ensure the agency is legitimate.You can begin this process by searching the internet for modeling agencies in your city and creating a list. You can also add any agencies that you heard about through your networking. Next, visit each agency's website to see how they brand themselves, what types of models they often represent and what type of work their models book. You can also pay attention to their global reach, investigate their social media profiles and learn more about their reputation by reading reviews.
4. Reach out to agencies
Once you develop a list of interesting agencies, you may check their website to see if they're accepting submissions. If so, you can reach out andintroduce yourself. Some agencies may have an online submission system, while others may include an email address where you can send your information and portfolio. If you heard about a particular agent while networking, you may also include the name of the individual that recommended you reach out.If the agent is interested in you, they may request an in-person meeting. You can prepare to answer questions about yourself, demonstrate your personality, show a physical copy of your portfolio and do some posing, walking or acting exercises.Related:How To Become a Modeling Agent (Including Skills Needed)
5. Attend a casting event
Some agencies host mass casting calls to see many new talent options at once. Attending an event like this can help introduce you to a particular agency and give you the opportunity to show your modeling abilities. There are also casting conferences where many agencies and management offices send representatives to scout new talent. Attending a casting conference can be a useful way to introduce yourself to many agencies simultaneously.You can also follow up with agencies of interest after the casting event and use the experience as an introduction. For example, you might reach out to an agency and explain,"I was at the Element Casting Conference last weekend in Boston, where I had the opportunity to walk for a representative of your agency. I think that we may be an excellent match because..."Including a sentence like this in your query letter can help establish a relationship between yourself and the agency. It can also show determination and a specific interest in their organization.
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