How to Become a Model 2

What tools or training do I need as a model?

As any professional in the arts knows, it takes a lot more than good skills and looks to succeed. You need to have an arsenal of tools at your disposal to properly help you network and make the necessary connections that can help you reach your goals. That may mean a bit of front-end investment, but assets like professional headshots, websites, reels, and resumes will prove themselves worth the money, we promise!

When it comes to modeling, the most important piece of your calling-card package is ostensibly your headshot. Just like with acting, you want an image that accurately reflects you. It should also give casting directors (and prospective collaborators) an idea of how you present yourself in front of the camera.

“Modeling headshots typically feature performers wishing to be cast in fashion and beauty advertising,” says L.A. headshot photographer and Backstage Expert Marc Cartwright. “An amazing model is going to be skilled at communicating through their eyes, knowing how movement and light shapes their face.”

This particularly comes in handy in terms of advertising, which is often the end goal of modeling. “Editorial and fashion modeling is about selling a lifestyle. The goal of fashion or beauty ads tends to be about creating fantasy around a product versus having the audience relate to the person in the advertisement,” Cartwright says.

Cartwright also explains that there are some differences between headshots for models and headshots for actors. “Modeling headshots tend to be more artistic and flatter the subject. They say less about who a person is and more about how they are capable of appearing,” he says. “There is a greater emphasis on the mood, lighting, and artistic merit of the photograph. Makeup, lighting, composition, and retouching are used to creatively flatter the subject and remove the flaws. There may or may not be eye contact in the model headshot.”

That said, it’s imperative that aspiring models pairs themselves with a headshot photographer who can adequately follow through on these points. While it may seem a simple enough task to point and shoot, nailing down a photographer whose style works for you may make the difference between blending in with the crowd or really shining like the model you are. It’s a pretty vulnerable feeling stepping in front of a camera and being told to be yourself; you want to make sure you’re working with someone who you’re comfortable with, who knows what to say to make you relax, and generally speaking, someone who simply knows how to take a good picture.

“Headshot sessions are emotional and personal experiences. If you aren’t comfortable, there’s no way that you can expose your true self in front of a camera,” says image consultant and Backstage Expert Tom Burke. “I have watched many headshot sessions crash due to the same thing: the wrong mixture of personalities. For example, a Type A photographer cannot shoot a Type A [subject]. The entire time, they’ll be fighting for control, resulting in stiff-looking pictures. A very green or laidback [talent] should also never shoot with a Type A photographer. They are not strong enough to exert their individuality and/or power and are led down paths that just aren’t right for their type or brand.”

Besides natural chemistry, finding the right photographer is also about knowing what questions to ask. After doing your research online or getting a referral from someone else, get the photographer on the phone. Or, if the photographer has a website, peruse his or her FAQ page to find out how long a session with him or her lasts, how much he or she charges, and how many photos you’ll walk away with.

In addition to images from spec shoots or previous professional work, your headshot should be included on your literal calling card, known in the industry as a comp card (also called composite card, z card, zed card, or sed card). In total, your comp card will have your modeling headshot plus 3-5 other photos. It should also include your stats and measurements, your modeling agency info if applicable, and your own contact information. Just like with acting and a headshot, a model’s comp card is the best way to make a great first impression in the casting room.

How do I find work as a model?

Particularly as an early career model, it’s going to be difficult to land high-profile work without an agent. But for those early credits that are going to bolster your experience in front of the camera and on the runway (and ultimately increase your chances of impressing an agent enough to take you to the next level), there’s no better resource than Backstage.

If you don’t have a manager or agent who’s in direct cahoots with casting directors of various modeling projects, Backstage is the No. 1 trusted source and top casting platform—for over 50 years—to kickstart your career, land your next (or first!) role, and get discovered. With Backstage, you’re always getting reliable information and scam-free gigs.

Backstage has several subscription options available, including annual and six-month subscriptions to our web content and weekly print magazine, and six-month and monthly web-only subscriptions. Visit models websites to see which option best suits you.

Once you’re subscribed to Backstage, you can go to backstage.com to edit your public profile. This is the page that casting directors see when booking talent for their latest project, so make sure your headshots and résumé are up to date, and link or embed your website, social media accounts, and other fun extras as you see fit.

Next,  You’ll see that each one is broken down by type of production, whether or not it’s a paid job, its location, the age range for talent sought—the list goes on. Search results can also be filtered based on what your preferred preferences are. Save those preferences for future use; there are bound to be new listings for you to consider every single day.

Say you find a project that interests you and fits your type. From there, information on submitting yourself is made available to subscribers. Or, if in-person go-sees are being held, timing for the open call or additional information on how to schedule a time with casting will also be available. The key is to be ready and waiting, because you never know when the right opportunity will come knocking.

How do I book work as a model?

While the decisions of casting directors often feel like they’re left up to chance, there are a few things models can do at a go-see to better ensure that they book the job, or at the very least, leave an impression and get asked back in the future.

First off: Let’s walk through a go-see. Models are often asked to wear fitted jeans and a fitted tank to go-sees, and they also get photos taken on-site if it’s a test shoot. These pictures are different from the Polaroids or “digitals” that are taken when you’re repped by an agent and often done against a plain white wall with natural light and from all four sides of you.

You should also bring along your book if it’s requested from casting, which is basically a portfolio of your previous work. Early career models won’t have a lot to draw from, professionally speaking, which is where non-pro shoots come into play. (Again, any experience you can get in front of the camera is a plus; don’t forget to reach out to early career photographers on Instagram!) Books are increasingly presented as digital files on tablets, but a printed binder is also perfectly fine.

Another thing to remember is that every go-see is different. Come prepared, look your best, and be alive, awake, alert and ready to follow instructions.

In addition to a professionally presentable comp card and fitting the physical expectations of the gig at hand, a model should really dress for the part when at a commercial go-see. (Fashion, again, more often than not calls for jeans and a tank top.) Know the casting company’s type and the job they’re hiring for, and choose your outfit from there.

Unlike acting auditions where talent can impress with singing and performance skills, there’s often no dialogue at a modeling go-see. “Industry professionals decide if you’re right for the job simply by looking at you, which means it’s important to dress the part (without going overboard),” says actor and Backstage Expert Aaron Marcus. “If you’re attending a go-see for a part as a doctor, you don’t need a stethoscope around your neck, a tongue depressor in your pocket, and paper booties over your shoes. But do wear something appropriate that will allow the people who matter to envision you as a doctor, like a dress shirt and slacks.”

Marcus also advises aspiring models to take their time when filling out all the paperwork required before being seen. Wrong contact information, modeling resume, agent information, and more can be the one slip that costs you a job.

“When first arriving at a go-see, you will typically fill out some paperwork. The people running the go-see need to know your contact information, your agent’s information, your wardrobe sizes, and sometimes a listing of any ads you’ve done for competitors over the past few years to make sure there are no conflicts of interest, so take your time and make sure they have everything from you they need,” he says.

“Unlike Union auditions, there typically is not a specific appointment time. Instead, there’s a sign-in sheet to organize the order in which everyone has their photo taken. I highly recommend not signing in until you are 100 percent ready to have your photo taken. Take a look around the room to see if there’s a layout of the ad that depicts the general idea of how the ad will look (similar to a storyboard). If there is one, study it. Try to embody the person in the layout.”

And lastly, Marcus says that the right model will ask the on-site photographer the right questions—among them, “What are you looking for and why?”

“Maybe you know they’re looking for someone who seems happy, but that single emotion doesn’t tell us anything. Asking why will inform your motivation for that emotion and help you differentiate,” he says. And just like with acting, strong choices matter. “Don’t ever try to play it safe by giving a generic look in order to avoid giving the ‘wrong’ look. That kind of approach to auditioning never works well. Even if you’re not provided with a ton of information, pick a specific look based on what you do know. That ability to decide and commit will give you a tremendous advantage while attending a go-see.”

How do I find representation?

Professional feedback, particularly in the early stages of a career, is important. So is experience. Go out and get any experience in front of a camera that you can before even approaching an agent with your headshot and DIY portfolio. If you’re an unsigned model, you should still try to work with a professional photographer for test images. Without first-hand experience, models don’t necessarily know their best angles, poses, and facial expressions. Practicing in front of the mirror is important, but having someone on the other side of the lens telling you “yes” or “no” will bring you up to speed on what works and what doesn’t. “That’s the stuff that you can’t really teach someone until they actually are doing it,”MSA Models’ Los Angeles agency director Francis Arden says.

The next step should be to research agencies and know what they look for in prospective clients. Mavrick Models of Mavrick Artists Agency, for instance, signs an array of talent—but certain specific physical characteristics are a must. Jack Maiden, director at Mavrick Agency, noted that most female models he signs are 5’8”–5’11” or just under 6’ in height. He usually looks for male models who are 6’–6’3”. He did, however, clarify that agencies within major modeling and commercial markets like Los Angeles and New York “all have different styles and tastes.”

Pro tip: One of the best ways to see what modeling agencies are in your area is throughBackstage’s Call Sheet resource. All you have to do is check the modeling categories that interest you, type in your desired market, and filter for preference from there.

Once you find an agency that interests you, it’s time to show them what you’ve got. Many agencies’ websites will list online submission forms that usually require a modeling headshot and three-quarter to full-body photo. (JAG Models co-founder Gary Dakin recently told Backstage that interested parties should “send digitals of just your face without makeup and one full-body in a bathing suit, preferably, and your hair pulled back.”)

You can also find open-call information online. MSA Models’ Los Angeles office holds open calls Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week from 11 a.m.–11:30 a.m.; Mavrick holds L.A. open calls every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

Talent and modeling agencies like those quoted above are reputable professional sources and perfectly viable for an aspiring model. However, that’s not always the case. The modeling industry is notorious for taking advantage of young, inexperienced talent with promises of success and glamour but little to show for it. Watch out for con artists.

“Bait-and-switch is a common technique used by scam artists,” casting director and Backstage Expert Lana Veenker says. You may be promised one thing from an ad or open call, but when you show up to the proposed talent agency, “no one seems interested in your background or skills (or alternatively, they rave about how amazing you are without knowing much about you). Their true goal, you discover, is to sign you up for expensive ‘talent competitions,’ classes, or photo packages. They use the lure of fame and fortune to cloud your judgment and get you to open your pocketbook.”

It’s a dangerous and sad truth across both the modeling and acting industries that everyone should be prepared to avoid. Below, Veenker breaks down five specific ways to recognize a scam for Backstage.

1. There’s no harm in someone teaching acting classes or selling headshots as long as that’s what he or she is advertising. If you thought you were going to an audition or a meeting to discuss representation but the conversation is all about you buying something, that’s a bait-and-switch!
2. Some casting calls may be “no experience necessary,” but they should be exactly that: a casting call. You come in, fill out some paperwork, get your photo taken, and are perhaps recorded on video. They’ll call if they decide to hire you. No one tries to sell you anything, and there’s no fee to audition.
3. Reputable model and talent agencies are highly selective. If you show up and they’re immediately willing to sign you regardless of your experience or suitability, question their motives—especially if they ask for money.
4. Bona fide agencies don’t require you to take their classes or use their photographer. They may provide a list of recommended coaches or photographers in your area, but they shouldn’t pressure you to use a specific one or try to sell you something in their agency agreement.
5. Legitimate agents make a commission off the gigs they find for you. If they engage in hard-sell techniques for classes, photos, contests, or representation, beware. That’s how they’re making their money, not by finding you work.

What diet and fitness regimen should I adhere to as a model?

The modeling industry comes with a very established set of physical and visual expectations for those who make a living within it. Individuality matters, of course, but we here at Backstage figure a model should be a model of health. Hitting the gym and eating mindfully should aspirationally be a part of everyone’s daily routine. But for models, it’s all but mandatory.

The same mindset should be applied to your time at the gym. It’s not as fun as making faces in the mirror, but hitting the gym and staying in shape is essential for any working model today. Want some quick tips? Mark Fisher of Mark Fisher Fitness recommendsresistance training, mindful amounts of exertion, and plenty of rest. Are you in the mood for working out from home? See what Backstage Expert Erika Shannon has to say here and what PreGame Fit co-creator Dempsey Marks has to offer here.