| I get asked the question "How do I get Started as a | | | | to a Modeling Agency, providing of course she had all |
| Model" so many times and I have to say there's not an | | | | the above requirements. However today, things have |
| easy answer to this.First are you really sure that this is | | | | changed with young model hopefuls posting their |
| what you want! If the answer to this is yes and if you | | | | photos all over the internet and of course many of the |
| are at least 1.7 meters (5ft.7inch) tall, slim and beautiful | | | | model agencies keep a presence on line as well.But I |
| and self confident and between 14 to 18 years of age, | | | | know of a story of a 14 year old girl in London, who at |
| there is just a slim chance that you might make it.But | | | | the time had no idea that she really wanted to be a |
| you need something to be in your favour, in fact it's so | | | | model, but in the summer vacation was doing 'Work |
| important that you stand little or no chance without it | | | | Experience' in the offices of one of the UK Fashion |
| and you might as well give up right now and get back | | | | Magazines when she was 'scouted' by a model |
| to your high school studies.So what is so important that | | | | agency rep.Sometimes you just have to be in the right |
| it will make or brake you, the answer to that is quite | | | | place at the right time, this of course does not prevent |
| simple, it's your Mom. Without her blessing and indeed | | | | you from applying to all the top agencies yourself, |
| her help your going nowhere baby.Lets start with the | | | | getting to see as many as possible and if you are as |
| law, you are a minor until the age of 18 and unable to | | | | good as you say you are and if they are looking for |
| be photographed without your parent's permission and | | | | that special look you might just get lucky. But not |
| unable to attend a shooting session with a | | | | without some hard work and discipline and |
| photographer unless your parent or guardian is present | | | | dedication.For example healthy eating and living, or put |
| at the shoot.Now you can understand the importance | | | | it another way eating correctly and getting to bed |
| of this, as it not only safeguards the Model who is a | | | | early. This healthy lifestyle would also include daily |
| minor, but it also safeguards the photographer as | | | | exercise to keep your body in shape.Unless you |
| well.After the shooting session is over a 'Minor Model | | | | become dedicated, when the time comes and you find |
| Release' form has to be signed on behalf of the minor | | | | that you have put on an extra kilo or two in weight, |
| by the parent or legal guardian. This form is a standard | | | | you've only yourself to blame if you didn't get the |
| document in the profession and it gives the | | | | job.Last August I received an e-mail from a 14 year old |
| photographer and his client permission to use the | | | | girl who wanted to be a model. She had seen my |
| photos for whatever advertising purposes that are | | | | website, read my comments on 'wanna be models' |
| required, in exchange for a modeling fee that has been | | | | and wanted my opinion about her looks. I replayed and |
| previously agreed upon and paid on the completion of | | | | explained that I would run some test shots in return for |
| the shoot.How do you get discovered and believe me | | | | adding a page of these photos to my website.I |
| this is the difficult bit. Years ago when I was a full time | | | | contacted her Mom and we set up a meeting to shoot |
| Advertising/Fashion Photographer, it was sometimes | | | | at my favorite beech location, this page has now |
| just good enough to be found by the photographer | | | | become one of the most popular on the website. I |
| and his opinion would add some weight when the | | | | think you should take a look to.To read more about the |
| model presented some recent photographs of herself | | | | above article go here: Wanna be Models. |