How to Book More Modelling Jobs

How to become a model in Australia

So, you’ve booked a couple of modelling jobs. Congratulations! Now, if you’re like most models, you wouldn’t mind booking a few extra jobs too… but how to you get more modelling jobs?

The harsh truth is that the majority of models will struggle to find full time modelling work, or they’ll have another job that will support them with a stable income. If you’d like to book more jobs as a model, you’ll want to:

Keep your photos up to date.
Models with outdated photos or photos that don’t show them at their most attractive and versatile may find themselves losing out on booking jobs. By keeping your model portfolio updated with new and better photos, you’ll look more professional and be a better candidate to potential clients. Remember that your photos can also be used to set you apart from other models so be creative and unique (in a competitive industry like modelling, this is incredibly important!)

Be open to travelling for work.
Working with agencies in outside cities and states is a great way to increase your chance of castings, especially if you’re outside of the major modelling capitals (for instance, if you’re in Perth you may also want to work with agencies in Sydney and Melbourne). Keep in mind, though, that out of state agencies may ask you to travel on occasion but as a model, this comes with the territory so you should be open to the possibility. Consider this an investment in your career! If you book a big job, it may just pay for itself. And on that note…

 Work with more than one agency (unless you’ve signed and exclusivity contract).
If there is no exclusivity clause in your contract, you are free to work with multiple agencies and naturally, this will increase your castings and jobs. Be sure not to work with any old agency – still take the time to do your research and pick agencies that are well aligned with your needs.

Keep your schedule open and flexible.
In the modelling world, go-sees, castings, fittings and jobs don’t always work on fixed schedules. So, if you have a second job, be sure to keep your schedule open to accommodate any last minute bookings and commitments that can further your career. Many models have found themselves losing modelling jobs because they had prior commitments or their schedules were inflexible (and in last minute jobs, even if a client thinks you’re the right model for the job… if you can’t make it, they’ll simply move on and pick another model).

Network, network, network!
Start now by establishing strong relationships with clients, photographers, bookers, casting agents and other models… it’s not what you know but who you know! You can also network on social media and model sites such as Model Mayhem by contacting photographers and letting them know that you’re a model looking for opportunities. Not all that you contact will reply… but sometimes if you contact the right person and they recognise your potential, it can be the start of a great opportunity. You have nothing to lose by asking!

So, if you’re a model looking for more modelling jobs – you know what you have to do! Modelling is hard work, ambition and hustle so the more you learn and put yourself out there, the better chance of success that you’ll have.

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How to Become a Model in Australia?

How to become a model in Australia

So, you’ve decided that you want to become a model – congratulations! Now, you’re in the right place and it’s time to start researching and taking the first steps towards launching your modelling career.

Famous Australian models that have made it as international superstars include Elle MacPherson, Miranda Kerr, Gemma Ward and Jemma Hawkins, and with the “Aussie look” in high demand in the fashion and beauty industry, now is the perfect time to start your modelling career. There are thousands of models in Australia so there is tough competition and standing out from the crowd is imperative.

For many aspiring models, their burning question is “What do I need to do to get started in the industry and actually become a model?” and while there is no easy, quick fix way to overnight success (as contrary to the popular image, the modelling life isn’t easy and requires a lot of determination!) there are some simple, proactive steps that you can take.

The great thing about modelling is that even though it’s very rare to be discovered and make it big as an overnight success, you can work your way up the ladder and with the right look, a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck on your side, you may find yourself booking great jobs, earning well and meeting lots of interesting people.

What does being a model involve?

As a model, depending on the niche that you enter you can expect to find yourself in runway shows, shooting for print and TV campaigns, promoting products and services and being in editorials.

There are many different niches of modelling that you may wish to enter, including:

… and these are just a few examples!

What training do I need?

The modelling industry in Australia – and indeed globally – is largely unregulated and as such, no formal qualification is required. However, you may want to attend modelling classes or acting classes if you want advance your skills, get better at posing for photographs or if you want to learn how your body moves and how to use this to your advantage in the modelling industry.

Ready to take the plunge?

When you know for sure that you want to become a model, it’s now time to get stuck into the hard work! In the early stages of your modelling career, you’ll need to firstly focus on developing a strong portfolio. Although having expensive photoshoots taken isn’t necessary in the early days, you’ll still want to showcase a diverse variety of looks including editorial, swimsuit, commercial and more.

Next, you must then make the important decision as to whether be freelance (self-represented) or represented by an agency. If you choose to be self-represented, you’ll take on the responsibility of marketing yourself as a model. If you choose to be agency represented, you’ll need to do your research and audition with several agencies in order to find the best agency to represent you. Your agency and booker will be managing your entire modelling career, so it’s important to choose carefully!

In the early stages of your modelling career, your income will likely be sporadic, and you may need to keep a second job to make ends meet. As your career grows, your income may become more stable and you may even book some very high paying jobs!

In Summary

Step One: Make sure you do your research about the industry, what’s expected of you, finding the right agency, how to book jobs and how to pick your niche.

Step Two: Make the appropriate preparations to put yourself out there – put together a portfolio, take some courses to further your skills and start networking!

Step Three: Put yourself out there, either self-represented or by getting signed to an agency. Now you’re ready to start booking jobs!

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Modelling Tips – For Beginners

How to become a model in Australia

There are lots of tips and truths that you’ll learn about the modelling industry as your career progresses, however, if you want to really fast track and become a better model faster, consider these seven top tips to being a better model.

Tip One: Get comfortable with the mirror.
You’re going to be spending a lot of time in front of the camera and a room full of strangers, posing and contorting your body in ways that wouldn’t be natural in any other circumstance – often, what looks good for the camera isn’t a natural pose (but on camera, it appears effortless… that’s the skill of modelling!). Make sure to spend time in front of the mirror perfecting your poses and learning how your body looks in various forms and angles. Then, when shooting, try to imagine your mirror behind the photographers’ camera and visualise how your body shapes may look to the photographer. As a rule of thumb, whatever is closest to the camera will appear the largest. If you lean in close with your face, your head will appear largest, If you tilt your waist backwards on the contrary, your waist will appear smallest… so consider what you hope to magnify, minimise and achieve in each image.

Tip Two: Don’t be a moth.
Notice when you’re starting to creep closer to the light in your photo… this will create dramatic light and shadow effects. Many models are tempted to move towards the light naturally but this can annoy your photographer who is trying to get a very specific spot. Make sure to take direction from your photographer – if they tell you to move your body in a way that doesn’t necessarily feel natural, don’t resist! They’re experienced and they’re seeing the angles that you’re not. It helps to have a basic understanding of how light works, for instance how shadows may be cast across your body and face depending on how you move. If you learn early on how light falls and your key light that makes you look the best, then you can work with this and create some gorgeous shots. Your photographer will also truly appreciate if you understand light!

Tip Three: Don’t squash your body parts.
What we mean by this is to create space between your limbs and body. To illustrate this, imagine a posing in a group photo. You’re at the end of the group and you push your arm into your chest while standing sideways… and when you see the photo, you’ll likely think, “Gosh my arm looks fat!”… but if you instead put your hand on your hip and create space between your arm and body, your arm will look thinner (this is commonly known as “skinny arm”). The same applies for literally any body part. Creating space creates an optical illusion of a slimmer appearance and squashing creates an optical illusion of a bulkier appearance. This small manoeuvre of a few centimetres makes a huge difference!

Tip Four: Don’t rotate your eyes too much.
As a guideline, follow the line of your nose with the direction of your gaze in order to keep your sight line central. When you over-rotate your eyes too much to any side, your eyes can look scary or too large! Similarly, understand how far you can turn your head before your jaw and nose look too prominent. Models will often pose with their heads at an angle (as it looks more coy and approachable, which is considered sexy) so understand the tipping point of this angle.

Tip Five: Fake your curves if you don’t have them naturally.
Even in thin models, a curvy silhouette is still sometimes required in shoots (with the body making an accentuated ‘S’ shape) so if you don’t possess natural curves, learn to move your body (for instance, by popping your hip) in a way that creates the illusion of curves.

Tip Six: Use your props to your advantage.
This includes your clothing! If you’re wearing a flowing garment, play with the movement of the garment and evoke the mood that you feel the garment designer is trying to portray. Similarly, consider the context of your location, as this will impact how you interact with it and how the photos that you get. Also, make sure that your poses are always complementary to what you’re trying to sell (if you’re wearing a form fitting dress, highlight your silhouette… if you’re wearing a flowing dress, interact with its movement).

Tip Seven: Have a kit of modelling basics, and take it with you everywhere.
This kit will be comprised of things like nude and/or black underwear, face wipes, moisturiser, makeup remover, safety pins and bobby pins, a straw for drinks (don’t ruin your lipstick!), water, snacks (like Glucojel Jelly Beans to give you energy), spare pairs of stockings for lingerie shoots, hairspray, a hairbrush, eyelash glue… anything that your hair or MUA might not have on hand. Or, on occasion, if your hair and MUA team have to leave the shoot before your part is done and you need a touch up – you don’t want to be caught short.

Above all, remember – if you’re pursuing the modelling dream, it’s because you love modelling and you want to succeed… so make the most of it! Have fun, be creative and never be afraid to ask for modelling tips and feedback for beginners or ask for help from those around you (especially those who are more experienced).

Be professional, work hard and stay humble and you’ll always be well respected by clients and agents alike!

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Instagram Model

How to become a model in Australia

If you’re wanting to extend your reach as a model, you may want to put yourself out there on social media and start building a following! In the past 5 years, Instagram has become an especially powerful social media platform that is now incredibly useful for not just entertainment but for the business world – reaching out to customers, business development, activism and more. And specifically, modelling agencies now use Instagram to share news, promote their models and (importantly for you), scout for new models.

In Australia, Instagram is one of the most popular social networks and with over 200 million active members worldwide who share 60 million images and 1.6 billion likes per day – it’s not hard to see why models flock to Instagram!

So, if you want to put yourself in front of new potential clients as a model or if you’re looking to be scouted by any of the world’s elite modelling agencies, here’s how to boost your portfolio as a model on Instagram:

Tip One: Have a clear purpose.
Having a distinct focus is so important. Instagram is for sharing photo and video which is perfect for models – share behind the scenes outtakes, portfolio snapshots, live stream yourself on the way to a go see… however you use Instagram, be sure that it aligns with a purpose and this will help you stay motivated. Consider which agencies/clients you want to attract (depending on your niche) and develop your content accordingly).

Tip Two: Promote yourself well.
Remember, everything you share on Instagram is now a part of your greater portfolio… so don’t share anything that you feel doesn’t represent you well or doesn’t align with the greater context in which you present your portfolio! You can also use hashtags to cleverly promote yourself to be scouted by major modelling agencies. Want to be scouted?

Try these hashtags to be scouted by international modelling agencies:

  • #WABDE / Modelwerk
  • #MWcurvesWanted / Modelwerk Curves
  • #wescoutusa / LA Models
  • #lamodelsyouth / LA Models Youth Division
  • #beAMunichModel / Munich Models
  • #Models1scout / Models1
  • #M1CurveScout / Models1 Curve
  • #SPOTTEDBYMETRO / Metropolitan Models Agency#WLYG / IMG Models
  • #TheLookout / IMG Models Men
  • #WILLYSCOUTS / Wilhelmina Models
  • #scoutmetier1mm / Tier1 Model Management
  • #scoutmechadwick / Chadwick Models
  • #makememajor / Major Model Management
  • #LoveEliteMiami / Elite Model Management Miami
  • #nymmscoutingtour / New York Models
  • #3mscoutme / 3mm models
  • #omgscouting / OMG Model Management
  • #Beyondaselfie / Morgan Model Management
  • #PLscout / Peggi Lepage Model Scout
  • #jointhemvmt / The Movement Models
  • #anmscoutme / ANM Management
  • #scoutmiscmodels / ISC Models
  • #scoutmeonyx / ONYX Model Management
  • #21mmscoutme / TwentyOne Millimeters Management
  • #scoutmeignite / Ignite Models
  • #heffnerscoutme / Heffner Management
  • #hunterscout / Hunter Model Management
  • #bestarsystemfamily / Star System
  • #WeAreGold #TheGoldBagSquad / Dulcedo Management
  • #NEWGENERATIONSCOUT / New Generation Model Management
  • #instasuccessboy / Success Models
  • #becomecjmodel / CJ Models
  • #scoutmepanache #panachemodelsearch / Panache Management
  • #citymodels / City Models
  • #newfaze / FAZE Models
  • #be1scoutme / Be1 Scouting
  • #M4SCOUTING / M4 Models
  • #ullascout / Ulla Models
  • #futurefacesmodels / Future Faces Model Management
  • #meetthesupremeteam / Supreme Management
  • #WACR / Creartvt Casting Agency
  • #TeamNemesis / Nemesis Models
  • #becomeidmodel / iD Model Management
  • #touchescout / Touché Model Management
  • #vscouted / Vivien’s Model Management
  • #BeAnotherSpecies / Another Species
  • #unikocasting / Uniko Model Management
  • #beMANGOmodel / Mango Models
  • #PARSme / PARS Management
  • #DirectionsScout / Directions USA Models
  • #dmmscoutme / DMM Models
  • #ntcme / No Ties Model Management
  • #ScoutMeBeth / Beth Model Management
  • #lomoface / Louisa Models
  • #mc2scouting / MC2 Model Management
  • #GirlsClubScouting / Girls Club Management
  • #SCOUTMEIMMORTAL / Immortal Models Management
  • #MSAme / MSA Models
  • #ScoutMeTRUE / TRUE Model Management
  • #scoutmeSTATE / State Management
  • #PickMePlutino / Plutino Models
  • #Catchme / Catch 22 Model Management
  • #makemeelite / Elite Model Management Toronto
  • #scoutmeaddicted / Addicted to Models
  • #BecomeWicked / Wicked Models
  • #ohlssonminisuper / Ohlsson Model&Talent
  • #hook_scout_me / HOOK Model Agency
  • #iscoutstarrs / KStarr Management
  • #Weareonescouting / Weareone Management
  • #JOINSEEDS / SEEDS Management
  • #BECOMEOKM / OKAY Models
  • #ScoutMeMontage / Montage Models
  • #ModelPartnerScout / Model Partner
  • #nologoscoutme / Nologo Mgmt
  • #mirrrsmuse / MIRR/RS
  • #spotmemodelsearch / Spot 6 Management
  • #scoutmefaceparis / The Face Paris
  • #mekamodelmgmt / Meka Model Managment
  • #beascrew / AS Management
  • #scoutmebella / BELLA Management
  • #iamsmg / Seattle Models Guild

Tip Three: Network, follow & comment!
Agencies are increasingly looking not only to your portfolio statistics such as height and weight, but also your social media following – this includes your likes, comments and engagement. There’s no specific threshold of how many followers you need to have but more is always better! For example, Naomi Campbell has 4.8 million followers, Adriana Lima has 11.6 million followers, plus size model Ashley Graham has 6.4 million followers and locally, Jennifer Hawkins has 878,000 followers. Your follower count signifies your ability to market yourself (and this is especially important if you are a freelance model!) and your ability to engage your target market.

However, be aware that social media isn’t the be all and end all – so even as a model on Instagram, you still can’t ignore the importance of being friendly and personable, impressing agencies and clients on casting calls and being an overall professional model.

Supermodels will routinely post their official campaign and runway shots on their Instagram pages, so follow suit and share any work or experience that you may have. Don’t be afraid to get creative – and always be sure to use your Instagram account to network strategically. Ask yourself who you can learn from and who it would benefit you to be associated with.

Tip Four: Clearly understand your audience.
Of course, defining a purpose and doing your research is incredibly important – and after doing so, you should have a good idea of your audience. Now, it’s time to understand that audience!  If your audience is agencies that you hope to pitch yourself to, consider what they’re looking for in your content… likewise if you’re freelance and trying to pitch yourself directly to clients or to photographers.

Tip Five: Have objectives.
Social media goals aren’t just for businesses! As a model – and to fully realise what it means to become an Instagram model – you absolutely need to learn to think like a business and as such, setting goals is crucial. Set yourself objectives in terms of your follower count, who you want to engage with, how many leads you want to obtain through social media and what you’d like your engagement rate to be. Not sure where to start? Look to other models in your niche who are a little bit ahead of where you want to be and see what you can learn from them!

Tip Six: Develop your audience.
Hashtags (as mentioned above) are one way to grow your audience, however there are also other ways to grow your portfolio as an Instagram model. One of the best ways to grow is to give your audience value through great quality content. Include not just photos from your portfolio but general musings about the industry and your experience – this will give agents and clients an insight into your personality! Remember too that everything you say (not just the photos that you share) is part of your greater “unofficial” portfolio, so be careful to what you say!
This is by no means an exhaustive list – however, the above tips will give you a good start as an Instagram model!

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Child Models

How to become a model in Australia

It’s hard enough to make it as a successful model… but what about child models? As the parent of an aspiring child model, you’ll play an integral role in setting the direction of your child’s modelling career and as you can imagine, the safety concerns of child modelling need to be taken very seriously.

If you’re the parent of a child model….

Make sure the agency actually represents children.
Not every agency will represent children and even if they do, their management may not cater specifically for the nuances of finding jobs for child models so it’s important (as with all agencies) to do appropriate research. Look around agency websites thoroughly and learn how you can submit your child for representation – the process is a lot different than for regular models. Child models will not attend go-sees, but instead are submitted by a parent or guardian – this can involve booking an appointment or attending a talent call. Make careful note to pay attention to the age ranges represented… it’s always worth a shot! If your child is a little bit older than the ages represented, don’t simply give up. They may be looking for someone just like your child!

Work out if your child wants to be an actor, a model or both.
Child models are always in great demand and if your child wants to be an actor as well as a model, you should be seeking a talent agency over a modelling agency. A talent agency will help your child book acting and modelling gigs… and as a parent this means one set of commission and agency instead of two. Anything that makes your life simpler is a bonus!

Location, location, location.
First consider applying your child to local agencies rather than jumping the gun and going for the bigger name agencies interstate or far away. Attending auditions (as for adults) is not paid for child models, so the routine of taking your child to auditions (plus accompanying food, travel, accommodation and other expenses) can eat away at your bank account. And, like other models, be prepared for the fact that it may take a while until your child is ‘discovered’!

Starting local will allow you to build a portfolio for your child which ultimately will help them get better jobs in the long run.

Look at agency rosters online.
Many agencies that represent children will have online photo galleries that allow you to view the current talent on their roster… study this carefully and get a feel for which children routinely are selected. If you see lots of kids with a similar look as your child, you may be in with a good chance. If you don’t see other kids with a similar look as your child, don’t be discouraged though… many clients are seeking diversity and your child could be exactly what they’re looking for, so it never hurts to apply.

Don’t be fooled into thinking your child needs expensive portfolio photos.
Agencies and clients looking for child models and child actors understand that children grow exceptionally fast… this means that expensive headshots are often wasted as just as soon as you’ve taken them and added them to your child’s portfolio… the child has grown and looks different! Agencies and clients typically prefer snapshots of child models and child actors so they can get a better understanding of how the child typically looks day to day. Once your child is signed to an agency, they will need professional photos… but this is usually covered by the agency so until that point, don’t waste your hard earned money on something that will have to be redone anyway!

If an agency goes in with hard sales tactics, be careful.
A contract should always be offered to you first before you’re required to pay anything. And, as always, it’s never ever appropriate for an agency to try to coerce you into signing a contract on the spot. You should always take your time to take the contract away, look over it and ask any questions if necessary.

Agencies who say that they can sweep the rug out from under your child if you don’t sign on the spot are usually fishy, so trust your instinct and walk away to find better opportunities!

Many agencies will offer a list of recommended photographers that they’ve worked with in the past, but the final decision should always be yours.
If you have a photographer that you want your child to work with, you should be afforded this opportunity. Children will react in photos depending on their level of comfort with the photographer so it’s important that you and your child both trust and feel comfortable around the photographer that you choose.

Ask lots of questions and trust your gut instinct.
Never take anything at face value – your child’s livelihood, career direction and safety is in your hands and sadly, many individuals may seek to exploit child models and their parents. It’s up to you to do your due diligence, ask lots of questions, get clarification and make sure you’re comfortable with any situation that your child enters.
These are all run-of-the-mill questions agencies are accustomed to addressing so there should be no reason why they should give you a hard time, get defensive or otherwise not provide you with answers. The way an agency interacts with you in the beginning is a great way to get an idea of what moving forward with them would look like once you accept the contract offer.

Child modelling can be incredibly rewarding in both experience and financial earnings… but above all, it should always be FUN for the child. As a parent, make sure that you’re always putting your child’s best interests at heart.

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