Lee_Photography wrote:
Seek a professional photographer, create some professional images, create a professional tear sheet and head shot
At 5' 8" and your measurements you should be suited for the modeling market

You don't so much as create a tear sheet as you get an assignment/shoot that leads to a tear sheet. I mean you can create a fake magazine magazine page but that is not a tear sheet but rather a fake magazine page.

Back to the issue as stated by the OP, I like your look - great bone structure with a bit of X factor. Now it true, however, that agencies prefer their fashion models 5'9''+ and 16 years old but you should keep trying but remember that rejection is all part of the game.

Paul Tirado Photography wrote:
You don't so much as create a tear sheet as you get an assignment/shoot that leads to a tear sheet. I mean you can create a fake magazine magazine page but that is not a tear sheet but rather a fake magazine page.

Correct change tear to zed card



This would not be an image to include

Paul Tirado Photography wrote:

You don't so much as create a tear sheet as you get an assignment/shoot that leads to a tear sheet. I mean you can create a fake magazine magazine page but that is not a tear sheet but rather a fake magazine page.

Yeah. I think I was kinda hoping they'd put me straight on the main board... I feel like because I haven't signed anything they don't have much faith that I'll get work... I don't know, maybe they wait til they have some work lined up for me before they get me to sign contracts?

Liz M Model wrote:
I never really considered being a model- people sometimes mentioned it to me but I never thought anything of it. Then at 21 I got scouted by Elite Model Management in London, the guy went crazy for me, invited me to their offices, took some snapshots and said he'd be in touch. I then got told that because of my age (21 at the time) I was too old for high fashion and a little short. I actually felt a bit crushed! And since then I've been applying to agencies, I decided after mindlessly applying to stick to the area I live as I'm a student and it would be better for the agency to be local. I heard back from the only agency in my city, they do commercial and fashion models, actors, extras, promotional etc. They are supported by ALBA so I know they're legit but they said to me that they would have to put me in the promotional section because I don't have tear sheets. They said it doesn't mean that I wouldn't get put up for modelling jobs as well. That's fair enough but I haven't actually met them or signed anything and I wonder that they've sort of shoved me in the promo bit cause they don't think I'm good enough. I know it sounds silly and I should be happy but sometimes I just think, maybe I'm just not right for this! What do you guysthink? Do you all have these times?

I think you just need better pictures and find your niche...whether it be runway, print, catalog, video or event modeling.  Figure out exactly what you want to do model wise...and then go after that.  I saw a show recently on TV where identical female twins were models.  One twin had a fierce model attitude, while the second one had a meek subdued disposition.  Guess who they picked? ...you got it,  "the first twin".  If you were in Florida, I'd do your pictures for free.

Ask yourself, how serious "am I" about modeling?  Do you spent a good deal of your time, energy and money in the pursuit of being a better model?  Do you study super-models, model magazines, fashion publications and industry published items to learn your craft?  Do you have a top notch portfolio and good pictures, comp or zen cards, a website and business cards?

Good luck and keep smiling!

Brian Ziff wrote:
fully disagree with the advice being given here.

the reason they were excited about you is because agents are egomaniacal and get off on "discovering" new models more than anything else.

don't start revamping your portfolio, and don't make your own comp/zed cards.  have a friend snap some polaroids, and go back to agencies claiming to have never modeled before in your life.  say you're 19.  try many agencies--large and small.  it's often better to be a big fish in a small pond.  elite has a massive model roster and it's easy to get lost and not book.

once you get signed and they send you out to a few castings, you can start leaking photos back into your portfolio, and they'll applaud your ambition.

+1
I know a few models that have done this and are now working fairly consistently.

Brian Ziff wrote:
fully disagree with the advice being given here.

the reason they were excited about you is because agents are egomaniacal and get off on "discovering" new models more than anything else.

don't start revamping your portfolio, and don't make your own comp/zed cards.  have a friend snap some polaroids, and go back to agencies claiming to have never modeled before in your life.  say you're 19.  try many agencies--large and small.  it's often better to be a big fish in a small pond.  elite has a massive model roster and it's easy to get lost and not book.

once you get signed and they send you out to a few castings, you can start leaking photos back into your portfolio, and they'll applaud your ambition.

Completely agree with this. I'm a London agency model and I can tell you now that EVERYBODY lies about something! Most girls say they're younger, some say they're older, lots say they're taller, and girls like me have to say we're shorter for the commercial clients.

Take some snapshots/polaroids with as little make up as possible - just mascara and a bit of concealer around the eyes. Some people will say wear no make up at all but nobody does this - you'll just look washed out.

In your photos just wear skinny jeans and a vest. Don't in anyway try to look 'glamorous' or anything like that. You need to look as young as possible. Go to the big agency sites like Elite, Storm etc. and look at the polaroids they've taken of their girls. These are the sort of poses you want. And take the photo by a window so it's natural light!

If you really want to make a go of modelling you really need to try London agencies. You just won't get the quantity or quality of work elsewhere. I'd say go and see them rather than emailing pictures, and tell them you're 19 and have NEVER done modelling! They like to think they've discovered something new

If the big agencies say you're too 'commercial' try somewhere like MOT. Commercial doesn't mean restricting yourself to local agencies!

Hope this helps x

Brian Ziff wrote:
fully disagree with the advice being given here.

the reason they were excited about you is because agents are egomaniacal and get off on "discovering" new models more than anything else.

don't start revamping your portfolio, and don't make your own comp/zed cards.  have a friend snap some polaroids, and go back to agencies claiming to have never modeled before in your life.  say you're 19.  try many agencies--large and small.  it's often better to be a big fish in a small pond.  elite has a massive model roster and it's easy to get lost and not book.

once you get signed and they send you out to a few castings, you can start leaking photos back into your portfolio, and they'll applaud your ambition.

Damn,
Couldn't have said it better myself.

Liz M Model wrote:
Wow you guys really think I should lie? I heard that when (if) they sign you up they ask for ID and stuff... is this not true? I do think I have a baby face for my age, or else why would he have scouted me! He really made me think I had an awesome look and then just emailed a few days later saying I have a great personality but its a no lol. At the time I knew nothing about the modelling world and I didn't realise being 21 was such a bad thing- how stupid was I!

Girl the entire fashion industry is based on lies big and small. Don't give it a second thought!

Brian Ziff wrote:
fully disagree with the advice being given here.

the reason they were excited about you is because agents are egomaniacal and get off on "discovering" new models more than anything else.

don't start revamping your portfolio, and don't make your own comp/zed cards.  have a friend snap some polaroids, and go back to agencies claiming to have never modeled before in your life.  say you're 19.  try many agencies--large and small.  it's often better to be a big fish in a small pond.  elite has a massive model roster and it's easy to get lost and not book.

once you get signed and they send you out to a few castings, you can start leaking photos back into your portfolio, and they'll applaud your ambition.

this is all you need! I co-sign this

Liz M Model wrote:
.... commercial .......extras, promotional etc.

Right where you belong....unless you also want to do art nudes or glamour. LOL!

R Michael Walker wrote:

Right where you belong....unless you also want to do art nudes or glamour. LOL!

i don't get what you mean?

Liz M Model wrote:
I never really considered being a model- people sometimes mentioned it to me but I never thought anything of it. Then at 21 I got scouted by Elite Model Management in London, the guy went crazy for me, invited me to their offices, took some snapshots and said he'd be in touch. I then got told that because of my age (21 at the time) I was too old for high fashion and a little short. I actually felt a bit crushed! And since then I've been applying to agencies, I decided after mindlessly applying to stick to the area I live as I'm a student and it would be better for the agency to be local. I heard back from the only agency in my city, they do commercial and fashion models, actors, extras, promotional etc. They are supported by ALBA so I know they're legit but they said to me that they would have to put me in the promotional section because I don't have tear sheets. They said it doesn't mean that I wouldn't get put up for modelling jobs as well. That's fair enough but I haven't actually met them or signed anything and I wonder that they've sort of shoved me in the promo bit cause they don't think I'm good enough. I know it sounds silly and I should be happy but sometimes I just think, maybe I'm just not right for this! What do you guysthink? Do you all have these times?

http://models.com/spotlight/?p=1009
I scouted her a couple of days after she had turned 22 that was almost 3 yrs ago.
She just shot the cover of Marie Clare , Elle , Coach etc. since then ...

Liz M Model wrote:
If anyone's interested, I have put the pics onto my profile so you can let me know if they're suitable. Just me stood from front, side, full length etc. Thanks

Hi Liz, if I were you, I'd redo the portrait photos near a window in natural light. The room lighting there doesnt make for a clear photo of you, and doesnt seem to do you justice. Hmm... The full body one looks compressed or stretched out... something's odd about it.
Check out Megan Black's for an example of some awesome snapshots
https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … st11984574

ESCALANTE wrote:
http://models.com/spotlight/?p=1009
I scouted her a couple of days after she had turned 22 that was almost 3 yrs ago.
She just shot the cover of Marie Clare , Elle , Coach etc. since then ...

Three years ago you scouted her when she was 22.

She is now 23.

I need some of that math as I am getting too old.

OP:  Go to some agencies and tell them, as Ziff said, that you are 19.

Liz M Model wrote:
If anyone's interested, I have put the pics onto my profile so you can let me know if they're suitable. Just me stood from front, side, full length etc. Thanks

They are not suitable.

Go to Vogue_Junkie's MM portfolio.  Get yourself into a two piece swim and shoot similar to V_J's

Digitoxin wrote:

Three years ago you scouted her when she was 22.

She is now 23.

I need some of that math as I am getting too old.

OP:  Go to some agencies and tell them, as Ziff said, that you are 19.

You should know better then to question a women's age in public , dork !

Liz M Model wrote:
OK thanks guys. But suppose they DID take me on, wouldn't they take my ID when they're sorting out all the financial info and then I'd be found out?!?!?!

You would be extremely surprised who many 19 year olds that agencies list are actually 22.  If you look 19, they will pretend not to notice what your birthdate is.  Oh, and your agent will have NO problem telling all the clients that you are 19 either.

Digitoxin wrote:

You would be extremely surprised who many 19 year olds that agencies list are actually 22.  If you look 19, they will pretend not to notice what your birthdate is.  Oh, and your agent will have NO problem telling all the clients that you are 19 either.

OK I'll give it a go... Do you think I stand a chance?

I notice that Agyness Deyn said she was 19 when she was actually 21! If you look at her modelling career profile it says she was scouted in 2004, but yet in 2009 she is stated at 26!!

http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/agyness-deyn/

Interesting...

Digitoxin wrote:
You would be extremely surprised who many 19 year olds that agencies list are actually 22.  If you look 19, they will pretend not to notice what your birthdate is.  Oh, and your agent will have NO problem telling all the clients that you are 19 either.

Liz M Model wrote:
OK I'll give it a go... Do you think I stand a chance?

I notice that Agyness Deyn said she was 19 when she was actually 21! If you look at her modelling career profile it says she was scouted in 2004, but yet in 2009 she is stated at 26!!

http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/agyness-deyn/

Interesting...

It would be unfair of me to tell you that you "have a chance" for the simple reason that I am not a booker.  You have the stats and you have a good look.  You already attracted the attention of one booker (that is good).  The ONLY way you will know if you have a chance is to get yourself out there.  GO to some agencies and see.  At 19, you are a great age!

Good luck.

Digitoxin wrote:

Digitoxin wrote:
You would be extremely surprised who many 19 year olds that agencies list are actually 22.  If you look 19, they will pretend not to notice what your birthdate is.  Oh, and your agent will have NO problem telling all the clients that you are 19 either.

It would be unfair of me to tell you that you "have a chance" for the simple reason that I am not a booker.  You have the stats and you have a good look.  You already attracted the attention of one booker (that is good).  The ONLY way you will know if you have a chance is to get yourself out there.  GO to some agencies and see.  At 19, you are a great age!

Good luck.

Hahaha oh I feel so young! I will do that and will let you all know how it goes. Thanks for the help

I just wish that when I got scouted by Elite I'd known enough about the modelling world to lie about my age! It was so obvious how much he changed his tune when I said I was 21!

Digitoxin wrote:
You would be extremely surprised who many 19 year olds that agencies list are actually 22.  If you look 19, they will pretend not to notice what your birthdate is.  Oh, and your agent will have NO problem telling all the clients that you are 19 either.

Digitoxin wrote:
It would be unfair of me to tell you that you "have a chance" for the simple reason that I am not a booker.  You have the stats and you have a good look.  You already attracted the attention of one booker (that is good).  The ONLY way you will know if you have a chance is to get yourself out there.  GO to some agencies and see.  At 19, you are a great age!

Good luck.

Liz M Model wrote:
Hahaha oh I feel so young! I will do that and will let you all know how it goes. Thanks for the help

I just wish that when I got scouted by Elite I'd known enough about the modelling world to lie about my age! It was so obvious how much he changed his tune when I said I was 21!

Great!

The modeling industry is littered with harmless little white lies.  While it is true that an agency wants to get young girls as new faces (so they have more time to develop them), if you look 19 and you also have a look that is marketable to their clients, your actual age is not especially relevant.   You are a new face and they would love it if you were 17 for real.  If you were more established, it would matter much less.  Just fib a little and see what happens.  Oh, and when you do go to the agency, remember, there is normally a BIG maturity difference between a 19 year old and a 21 year old (college freshman to college senior).  Be TOTALLY professional but every now and then and just for a second, "act" 19.  And, whatever you do, don't ask the booker out for a drink at the pub..... that would be a sure tipoff!   (assuming the drinking age is 21 in the UK).

Digitoxin wrote:

Digitoxin wrote:
You would be extremely surprised who many 19 year olds that agencies list are actually 22.  If you look 19, they will pretend not to notice what your birthdate is.  Oh, and your agent will have NO problem telling all the clients that you are 19 either.

Digitoxin wrote:
It would be unfair of me to tell you that you "have a chance" for the simple reason that I am not a booker.  You have the stats and you have a good look.  You already attracted the attention of one booker (that is good).  The ONLY way you will know if you have a chance is to get yourself out there.  GO to some agencies and see.  At 19, you are a great age!

Good luck.

Great!

The modeling industry is littered with harmless little white lies.  While it is true that an agency wants to get young girls as new faces (so they have more time to develop them), if you look 19 and you also have a look that is marketable to their clients, your actual age is not especially relevant.   You are a new face and they would love it if you were 17 for real.  If you were more established, it would matter much less.  Just fib a little and see what happens.  Oh, and when you do go to the agency, remember, there is normally a BIG maturity difference between a 19 year old and a 21 year old (college freshman to college senior).  Be TOTALLY professional but every now and then and just for a second, "act" 19.  And, whatever you do, don't ask the booker out for a drink at the pub..... that would be a sure tipoff!   (assuming the drinking age is 21 in the UK).

Haha! The drinking at is actually 18... but I wouldn't anyway cos, as a 19 year old, I wouldn't ask someone much older than me to the pub! Lol. I'm not too sure how to act 19... just quite naive? shy (but not in front of the camera)? Lol

Liz M Model wrote:
Haha! The drinking at is actually 18... but I wouldn't anyway cos, as a 19 year old, I wouldn't ask someone much older than me to the pub! Lol. I'm not too sure how to act 19... just quite naive? shy (but not in front of the camera)? Lol

My guess is that there is some "lingo" -- a word or a phrase that "teens" use that a 20-something would not.  If you have a little sister (or a cousin) that is 17-19, listen to the way they phrase things.... that will be a clue.

Don't over-worry this point however.  It is far better to be yourself (and be 19) than to try to be an actor in front of the booker -- he/she will see through it.  DON'T over play it........  Just tell them you are 19 and don't sweat the rest.

Liz M Model wrote:
Does anyone know how long it usually lasts with open call? I know most places hold open call between 10 and 12 on weekdays, but if I'm gonna go up to London I'd like to get as many calls in as I can so I don't have to make too many journeys without knowing if I'm gonna get signed by anyone.

Thanks:)

Most of them are 10 - 12 or 10 -2 or 2 -4.

Use models.com to make a list of agencies and their addresses and times. Some are in East London so I'd say it'll take a minimum of 2 days.

Rosanna - D wrote:

Most of them are 10 - 12 or 10 -2 or 2 -4.

Use models.com to make a list of agencies and their addresses and times. Some are in East London so I'd say it'll take a minimum of 2 days.

Ohhh right ok, so if I go to open call it'll last for the full 2 hours? Do you know what kind of things they do there?