Over the past few months, our Models 101 column has given you the inside scoop on the modeling world, and a look at the faces that bring our favorite fashion collections to life. We’ve covered everything from the ad campaign faces to watch this spring, to plus size models, and even models that are challenging gender roles.
But the one aspect of modeling we haven’t covered yet is how to become a model – and by the looks of the comments and emails we’ve received, it seems like many of you are curious about entering the modeling world yourselves.
If people have always told you that you should be a model, and you’ve been looking at models in magazines and on billboards, with a voice in your head saying, “That should be me”, you may be wondering… what’s next?
Where do you start and how do you get your foot inside the door of the modeling world?
Here, I’ll lay out a few basic steps that every aspiring model should follow.
Table of Contents
1. Choose a Market
In modeling, there are various different markets, and choosing the one that you are most suitable for will have a major effect on your success.
The main markets are for catwalk, plus-size, commercial, and swimsuit/lingerie models.
Catwalk models are generally at least 5’8″ and, as we all know, quite thin with very few curves.
Plus size models also tend to be about this same height but most wear over a size 10.
Commercial models, on the other hand, can be a little shorter and their body types can be more diverse – imagine the type of models you see in catalogs and television commercials here.
Lastly, swimsuit/lingerie models, often referred to as glamour models, often have larger chests with smaller waists.
Of course, these are just guidelines and there are always exceptions to every rule. So if your body type doesn’t seem to fit that of a catwalk model but you know you have an enviable strut or a unique look, don’t be discouraged!
Your first step should be to seek out an agency to help you look for jobs that will embrace your aesthetic.
2. Create a Portfolio
A model’s portfolio is incredibly important, as it includes pictures and past work, and is the first thing casting agents, brands, or designers will look at, in order to determine if they want to work with you.
Of course, when you’re just starting out modeling, your portfolio, also known as a book, will be sparse. In time and with success, it will expand.
For now, though, ask a friend to take a few snapshots of you to give agencies an idea of your look. Your pictures might not be up to professional standards, but try to use a nice camera and make sure the lighting is flattering.
What the pictures should look like will depend on the market you’re targeting.
No matter what market you want to work in, your portfolio should include a few headshots, just of your face from various angles, but if you’re going for commercial modeling, make sure you include a decent amount of smiling shots, whereas any other type of model should have an equal or larger amount of straight-faced ones.
Then make sure to include some full-length shots; agencies usually like some of these to be swimsuit shots, but again, it depends on the market.
For glamour models, swimwear shots are clearly a must.
Once you have a good set of pictures, put them together in a portfolio and make sure to include a page with your stats in this book, too: this should list your height and all your other measurements, along with your hair color and eye color.
3. Submit to Agencies
With your completed portfolio all set, it’s time to get in touch with some modeling agencies.
First of all, do your research and make sure to find reputable agencies that cater to the market you’re interested in. Then, check out the agencies’ websites to find out how they prefer you to submit your book – some will have you mail it in, while others will let you fill out forms and upload pictures online.
Additionally, many agencies have open casting calls, which are a great opportunity for aspiring models. At an open call, models bring in their portfolios and meet with casting agents. The agents then take a look at the models up close, in order to decide which models are a good fit for the agency.
If given the opportunity, I would always suggest going to a casting call over just submitting a book. In real life, your personality can shine through and instantly enhance your look.
If you do go to one of these castings, be sure to bring a composite card that has your picture on it, along with your name, number and stats.
4. Keep Looking for Exposure and Experience
Finding an agency can be a long process, so if it takes a while for someone to see your true potential, don’t be discouraged. In the meantime, look for other ways to get exposure and experience.
Some colleges, especially those in major cities, have modeling clubs where aspiring models share information about castings they’ve heard of and give each other tips on everything from how to photograph well to what to wear to a go-see.
While a club like this is great, be careful of other scams, though: there are so many “modeling schools” and faux “agencies” out there that promise to make you a star but really just want your money.
In general, if they ask for money up-front, you don’t want to work with them.
So always be skeptical and make sure to fully check out anyone you’re thinking of working with on your way to the top.
Thoughts?
Have you thought about modeling? Have any of you modeled in the past? If you have, do you have any tips to offer other College Fashion readers? Do these seem like the right steps to take? Let us know by leaving a comment!
this was really helpful!
Hi my name is Diamond im 15 yr old i want to become a modle . Im tall and beautiful . i go to school .people ask me every day to be a modle .and i know i can be a model .What should i start out with doing?..
hi…
i am a B.C.A.’s student in Rajkot(Gujrat) and i want be a successfull fashion model…so plzz give me direction how to start My carrier ,so i could be successfull…….
i am a student now and many people of my circle says that why you not trying in modeling ? i am heared only yhose things but now i decided that “i want to be a fashion model”.what i can do for my bright future in this field”. please suggest me.
thanks……………
I am 45 yrs old and modeled many many years ago, between 19-25 and I would have to say that this piece was so informative and very precise. My hope and prayer is that all new models will read this. Bravo! From an Old Ex-Model. Lol! Angela
My doctor, parents, friends, and boyfriends have told me I have an amazing body to show off. They told me that I could be a swim suit modelist/ lingerie modelist, but I’m small chested, thin, and not s whole lot of butt. Can I still get in?
I am a fresh face a modeling agency would love to experience. I want to execute my skills to help me advance further into my professional adulthood. My daughter depends on me!
hello, i’m a 13 year old red headed girl. i have always been told that i should model. all of my friends and family strongly encourage it. they’re always pointing out on how beautiful of a redhead i am. i am 5’6 and 106 pounds. although i have braces they are coming off soon. my parents say they will get me into modeling once they come off. any advice on starting to model? or how to jumpstart a career?
I’m a 12 year old girl, 5’4″ and around 86 pounds. My friends and even my 4th period teach have made remarks about how I should be a model when I’m older. I believe my teachers exact words were “your tall, slim, and in my opinion, beautiful. You should really think about being a model.” Being shy little me, I brushed it off but then I started thinking, when I grow up, the way things are going now I will meet the requirements for print modeling. Any tips to make sure that when I’m that age I will still be up to standards? (Too shy to be a model now so don’t even go there).
Hi, im a 12 girl around 5’5 and weigh around 98-100 pounds. so many people have told I should model since I’m very tall and thin. I would love to model I just don’t know where to start. I personally know two people who model that are around my age but I’m too shy to ask.
honey in most agencies you have to be above 5’9” so good luck but 5’5” isnt tall
Hey, I’m 13 and I always wanted to be a model. All of my friends tell me I should be a model but I don’t know how to begin or who to turn to for advice. I’m around 5’3/5’4 and I’m 107 pounds, my dad has taken pictures of me posing and stuff because he’s also a photographer. Sometimes i practice for fun with my moms heels the catwalk till I get it right. I mainly wanted to get Into the whole modeling career when I’m older. Can you please give me some advice to start.
I am a young female interested in modeling from I was very small I always had it in me every where I go ppl always ask if I modeled or something like that and I would often say no .. All my friends encouraged me to do it but at first I was scared and I didn’t have any guidance now am a bit older I feel like this is the time to try and do something about it being that it’s my dream to become a model but where am living at the moment it’s so hard to even try and do it it’s so difficult but after reading this I was really inspired and I feel like following these guidelines I dnt know if I’ll get recognition any time in the future but nothing beats a person that tries…..I am more of the swimsuit athletic type a person
Hello I’m 18, I’ve been told by my family and friends that I should try modeling but I have had some bumps in the road to where I wasn’t confident in my looks. However I have come to love who I am and want to try modeling because I’ve always wanted to. I would love some help in what steps to take and what agencies to look at.
Hi! I’m 13 and thinking about ehat I am going to do after highschool. Most of my friends have told me that I am very attractive and I should be a model. I am around 5’2/ 5’3, and 97 pounds. I’m aware that I am 13 and 97 pounds, I come from a naturally skinny family and to be honest I wish I was a bit….. Bigger. It probably doesn’t help that I dance. I have been thinking that I should just dance, but to dance cost a lot of money. I have no professional modeling background, but I do like getting my picture taken. I don’t know how to start modeling, I don’t live in a very big town. Do you think I should keep working for a modeling career, or should I stick with dance? I really love both.
i have not modeled before but i would just like to tell you that athletic type careers are very difficult to pursue and unless you are extremely good at what you do (and even if you are very very good) it will be extremely hard to make a full-time career out of anything like that. Hope this helps a little!
I am currently curious about what I want to do with my life after high school. I do not mind if it is somewhere outside of my home town. I am 5’2 and 105 pounds, but I would like to be a catwalk model. Would there be any hope or should I try to go a different way? I have always been told I have a physically attractive body. I play sports so I have muscle in my legs and stomach. I have what other people consider abs which are not bad in considering I’m 15. I do not have a big butt nor big breasts. But curiosity has over come me and I would love to know if I could ever pursue a career in modeling specifically on the catwalk. I have no experience in modeling. I have long arms and legs though. So if anyone can help me that would be great.
Hi I’m 12 and I’m actually starting on modeling when I’m in college or so I’m thinking ahead . I’m 5’1 still short and I weigh 102 but for the past months some friends have told me I have a very pretty smile and a great face and I start to think about modeling. My choice is to become a commercial model but I still am young but I’m planning for my future.?