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castings that are age-specific.
i'm starting to understand why some models lie about their age. i don't fully understand having rigid age requirements in castings, because everyone ages differently. i seriously just responded to a casting for which i am too old, and said "since everyone thinks i'm 17 i thought i'd go ahead and write..." but that person probably thinks i'm full of shit or something. do you lie about your age? do you respond to castings that are for models that are not in your age range, but in an age range you appear to be? if so, how do you handle it? [i sometimes just don't mention it and hope they don't look at my age listing.] and, since photographers are gonna be all up in here anyway: photographers: why do you post an age range requirement on your castings? or why not? Jul 02 12 12:56 am Link I don't post castings for ages because age is irrelevant outside of legalities. I don't do nudity, anyway, so the only thing left is can this person legally sign the release without a parent signing for them. After that, it's all about how well we get along personally and professionally. When I say personally, I don't mean "let's go out for dinner". I mean ... can/will they carry a conversation? Are they reasonable? Are they comfortable? Age is irrelevant to these things as I've shot some models as young as 19 that I got along great with and some that were as old as 26 or so (I'm still relatively new to this) who I couldn't wait to get away from. Everyone is different. Some are 50 but look 30. Some are 21 but look 42. Jul 02 12 01:11 am Link I am SO glad you asked this question. I saw a previous thread here about models who set their age to 100 or over. The discussion went to age in general and some said they lie to say what they look like. After reading some of it I got confused as to what I should do. I will be 32 this year and always hear that I look younger. Actually I've heard that most of my life. I see castings that I would fit perfectly measurements wise and whatnot. I have passed up many I REALLY wanted to try for. Now that I am older I see most castings that call for age are either teens/twenties or much older. I too would like to hear views on what to do. And what people think about those who say what age they look like instead of what age they really are. Jul 02 12 01:31 am Link I wouldn't mind respoding to castings that I think are in my age range when I'm not acttually in the age range. But I'm also not delusional. I've seen plenty of models who are 35 who think they look as a 27 year old, when they really don't. And they're all like "I hear this all the time", but dudes picking you up in a bar or familymembers kissing your ass really doesn't count...I think that's what pisses people off mostly So I think it's fine as long as you're realistic  Jul 02 12 01:52 am Link I don't lie about my age. Why should I? Yes, i have replied to a casting call that required someone younger than my age and I got that job. I also once got rejected from a casting call of my age with the reason that I looked a bit too young for the look. But nothing wrong or bad about it. He told me he would like to work with me in some other projects. Jul 02 12 02:40 am Link Wynd Mulysa wrote: I feel you. Jul 02 12 02:44 am Link Good question. I certainly don't lie about my age but have occasionally responded to castings that specify an age with a comment noting I am outside the age specified and why I still applied. Got nothing to lose and I have secured several jobs - including 2 tv commercials and runway - by ignoring the age range. But I'd only apply to jobs that are within 5 or so years of my actual age. There are some things that suit younger models and some that suit 40+ or are not age-specific at all. Although, as my experience has found, the idea of what age X looks like is quite fluid. Jul 02 12 03:51 am Link Hmm Shauna, you don't even look 25 in some pics... Fibbing is not an option for anything paid, but as an ex-agent I can tell you there is a lot of fibbing going on at some levels, mainly about existing clients, age, sizes, and versatility, but that only happens because the photographer is dumb enough to take their word for it and not hold a casting. Personally I never lied to get someone a job, but definitely was economical with words sometimes, you're trying to paint the best picture, so paint the best picture. In your case, I think the port speaks for itself, you could change your age to 111, but whether that's going to get you more work here, only other MM models could tell you perhaps. Jul 02 12 03:55 am Link For personal projects I don't care. I want a look, not shoot notes that read a certain way. I'd shoot someone that was any age (nudes aside) as long as the look was what I wanted for the image. However, if a paying client says we want a shoot with a 20-21 year old female, then it's not my call. Perhaps this is what you're running into sometimes? Good luck and much success to you. Jul 02 12 04:02 am Link I tend to photograph younger than I am....but it makes it difficult when I respond to castings.....But my rule is if I feel I am qualified I will submit. The worst that will happen is a no. I have my true age on my profile so there are no surprizes but everyone always tells me I do not look my age. And I never get cast when I apply for 40+ yr old gigs- go figure Jul 02 12 04:30 am Link Actually, many models are rathe delusional about what ages they claim to look. A thirty year old might look twenty in some badly photoshopped pics in an MM portfolio, but in real life, in the studio, usually the truth will show. Jul 02 12 04:47 am Link I really like when a model puts a headshot up in their port with no makeup or photoshop so I can get an idea of their real look. Allot of people look younger than they are and I would have no issue hiring them for a shoot if they were 25 and looked 18. And the other way around applies as well. Sometimes I get specific client criteria that wants a certain age range for the look their going for If I can get someone older that fits the project I will in many cases. Last year I was shooting for Hilton and needed a couple that looked early 30's the male model I hired was 38 and the female model was 26 and the client loved it. Jul 02 12 05:10 am Link I don't lie about my age. People think I lie when I say i'm 20 (i've been told I look younger), but I don't lie. Actually, i'd rather not tell people my age because the conversation tends to get awkward. Middle School kid: "What school to you go to?" Me: "I'm in college" Middle School kid: "really?" *long awkward stare* MS Kid: *goes on and on* Jul 02 12 05:17 am Link When it comes to castings, most people put parameters in there to weed out people that are ridiculously unqualified. Example: if I'm looking for a girl with agency stats, she's at least five foot eight or taller, slim, and so on. If that's what I need then getting replies from countless llamas who are shorter, heavier, or whatever just introduces a lot of work to weed through it all. That of course doesn't stop some llamas from trying anyway. Age is a very different prospect. In my view, if you want to lie about your age and you can get away with it, no one is harmed. If you're 32 and look 24 and apply for a casting and got accepted then that means you had the look they wanted. And after all, that's the whole point - having the look they want. There's only one stipulation I would add. You'd need to have the look they want 'in person' as opposed to a retouched set of portfolio images. So if you can fool them in person, then there's no harm done at all by fudging your age. Jul 02 12 05:37 am Link I apply for modeling assignments that I think I would fit into, those which do not give a certain age range, and I specifically seek and reply to castings that ask for an older model. There is something available for everyone, but I think it is a lot easier for younger models to find work. I'll be 60 in a few weeks, and am very proud to still be modeling for artistic nudes, I would never have any reason to lie about my age. Most people I meet and most of the photographers and artists I have modeled for in the past 25 years do not think I look my age. Jul 02 12 06:17 am Link I'm 30 and I don't lie about my age on my profile. I figure that if a photographer decides to pass me by and use a girl who's 25, looks older than me, and isn't as good of a model, that's their loss. That being said, I don't rely on modeling as my primary source of income, so I don't feel compelled to fit in as much as many older models who actually really need to make money doing this. I would probably change my profile age to reflect what I believe to be something close to my apparent age (maybe 24 or 25) if modeling was my primary job. I don't see any problem with putting your apparent age instead of your actual age as long as you're being realistic about it. Jul 02 12 07:15 am Link MelissaAnn wrote: I agree with this. Jul 02 12 07:21 am Link Age range is a perfectly valid parameter in casting same as hair color/length, look, body type etc. It is not meant to be literal but more how one photographs. If a casting calls for a 22-25 commercial face and an 18 year old model photographs in that age range, fine. Just be realistic. (most are not) Jul 02 12 07:32 am Link Wynd Mulysa wrote: I rarely do since, because I shoot only TF* my shoots are intrinsically collaborative. There is almost never a cast-in-stone concept, more like a general idea that might go in several different directions. Also, I don't really expect models to look like their pictures, at least not enough so to make a firm decision, so every first shoot is essentially an audition. Much easier to know what a model can do and what you can do with him/her after working together once. Jul 02 12 08:12 am Link Kent Art Photography wrote: Really? I see agency models who go against this all the time... Jul 02 12 10:53 am Link I guess this thread shows one reason that being agency makes things easier. I kind of know my age range because I know what they're selling me as and sending me out for (and, what out of those I ever get called back on/ book). How do girls come up with this "realistic" number without representation? I would find it VERY hard to look at myself and guess my own age-- I see myself everyday! Maybe if you're outside of real carding range (30+) and you get carded on a daily basis while your friends are fine... Jul 02 12 10:57 am Link Oh Lets just Stir –up this post… Go ahead and slam me, but this is my honest point of view When I post a Casting, whether here or somewhere else, with an age requirement, it is usually to get a look asked for by my clients. Up to about age 20 is a youthful look, no wrinkles, bags under eyes from drinking, perky body that is natural and not from working out. Fashion types are in this category. I prefer this age as they usually show up on time and have a great attitude. 20 to 23, usually for the young woman look, college look, great for selling product or services and for looking sexy. 23 to 32, professional looking types. I will usually pick the younger ones as there is LESS photoshop on wrinkles required. Great for fitness shots etc… 33 and older, professional shots, real estate advertising and probably the sexiest of all the groups for fitness. For Age castings: If a model shows up to a shoot, Age is Always verified. Those that have not told the truth are just sent home. Jul 02 12 10:59 am Link Wynd Mulysa wrote: I've never listed age ranges for any casting on either of my profiles. Jul 02 12 11:01 am Link you might look 17 to yourself, until you are partnered with an actual 17 year old model, then you will look old in comparison. NO ONE thinks they look their age, they all think they look younger. Age requirements are there for a reason, and it is disrespectful to not only the casting agent but the fellow people on the job to submit yourself if you do not fit the requirements. I have been burned more than once by a model who shows up looking different then their photos (read older, fatter, bad skin) in a shoot, or a series of shoots, and is not appropriate for the shoot. actual 17 year old model  Jul 02 12 11:01 am Link Star wrote: Question- Jul 02 12 11:13 am Link 19 and No photoshop  Same Here  Jul 02 12 11:17 am Link K I C K H A M wrote: part of the problem is skin, ask a make-up artist if the skin of a 24 year old is the same as the skin of an 18 year old. Jul 02 12 11:23 am Link Apply to the casting but be honest about your age. Let the casting agent decide based on your photos as to whether or not you can pull off the look they need. Jul 02 12 11:24 am Link Carl Blum Photography wrote: I can't critique here, but suffice to say that there are many elements to how a girl is presented on film and some of them can make them look older or younger Jul 02 12 11:26 am Link i don't lie about my age. altho i suppose that i could respond for casting asking for a 21 y/o or so, seeing as i'm often mistaken as such. but i would likely add a note stating that while i am aware that i am not that age, that [the photographer] may find that i still look the part he is trying to fill. that way, by adding the note, i won't look like i just ignored the age requirement. edit: as for models always under-guessing their "age look," i have been mistaken for being under 21 by many people...who usually end up flabbergasted when i tell them how old i am (27.) Jul 02 12 11:27 am Link Star wrote: Thanks, that's completely what I was looking for. Jul 02 12 11:31 am Link Carl Blum Photography wrote: I've had bags under my eyes since I was in 3rd grade. It was noticeable in elementary school photos, and when I was about 13, the doctor diagnosed it as resulting from chronic sinus infections as a kid, and severe upper respiratory allergies. As an adult, the bags will dissipate for months at a time, then reappear when I am working a lot, am very tired, or develop ... a sinus infection. Carl Blum Photography wrote: I have noticed that, as my body gets older, I tend to lose more and more "baby fat" off my arms, calves and face, so it's easier to see tone. I had a very round, child-like face, up until I was 27 or so. After that, I actually started to get some visible cheekbones. Other parts of my body were similar. I was a bit overweight in my teens and early 20s though, so I had no tone at all at that time. Jul 02 12 11:33 am Link If a casting says 18+, I won't write to them. Mostly because it may involve something that only a model 18+ is allowed to do (one example was, I applied to a casting that didn't have an age limit, they told me they loved my look but couldn't use me, because the male model would've been in a speedo and didn't want to have a minor in the shot) While most things are acceptable to understand why I can't apply to them because of the pre-planned theme/concept, there are some people who are just rude. I applied for a casting without an age limit and the photographer wrote back, "I'm sorry, I don't work with children". Otherwise, I will apply to anything that interests me, be it swimsuit, lifestyle, commercial or high fashion. I've had people who don't even notice that I'm 17 till the day of the shoot (even though it's obvious on my page). They choose me because I've been doing this five years and have a versatile look. Age isn't everything, which it's good that some people realize that. Age doesn't define a person's work ethic or quality. Jul 02 12 11:33 am Link Star wrote: I had an MUA, last fall, just look at my skin for a few seconds and say, "I can tell you've never smoked." Jul 02 12 11:35 am Link K I C K H A M wrote: What happens if you get carded daily because the person doing the carding thinks you're hot and they want to know where you live? Perhaps you're prettier than your friends so they never get asked. Jul 02 12 11:37 am Link Lovely Day Media wrote: Haha. Maybe. I'm just saying it is harder to find indicators if you don't have someone who is in your best interest-- and not worried about hurting your feelings. Jul 02 12 11:42 am Link If you are responding to a casting for someone's personal project it might not be an issue - however if publication may be involved, *accurate* age and stats are vital to all concerned. For portfolio work, I am concerned about appearance and proportion and not "statistics" - however when it "counts" I do need to know and if in doubt will move on Jul 02 12 11:46 am Link Star wrote: I look even younger in snap shots then I do in professional images. If I get rid of the highlights in my hair I will look that much younger in professional images. I've never drank, never done a drug in my life and don't smoke anything. I think that contributes to not having the same skin issues as others my age. I also don't work out and I eat nothing but junk. That is what will eventually catch up:p Jul 02 12 01:01 pm Link i understand what some of you are saying about being delusional. but today i went and got a tour of the Y and the person giving me the tour said "this is teen hoops," and pointed to a door behind which some teens were playing basketball. "you can just go and join in any time," they said. and i am frustrated by everyone thinking i am younger than i am, because it often leads to me being treated as someone who doesn't know what i'm doing. so where are the pros? like getting hired for jobs i used to get hired for? eek. [it has happened but not as often as it seems for some people..] and most of the images in my portfolio are makeup-less and not photoshopped. i hope people will look at them and learn my look. i guess i am just afraid that possible clients may just read the age at the top of my profile and then close the window without looking further. i am not going to change my age listing, though, i didn't mean to give anyone that idea. edit: also, i do not think i look 17, personally. maybe not 27, but not 17 either. Jul 02 12 02:08 pm Link K I C K H A M wrote:
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