io wrote:
I've always been one of those people who believed that withholding or lying about one's age is ridiculous. I always thought it was far better to be a well-maintained 30something than a somewhat ragged 20something. That said, having just turned 30, I've begun running into some things that make me question whether or not I should (on paper) lie about my age when it comes to modeling jobs.

It started when I was called in for a casting asking for women in their late 20's to early 30's. Upon seeing me in person they did not believe my age (until I showed my ID) and then they said my look was far too young and that I should apply to castings for the under-25 set. I was flattered, but I also lost a great paying job and hours of my time.

Now at a point in my career where I'm relying heavily on modeling for supplemental income, I don't want to miss potential opportunities because people thing I will look older than I actually do. What should I do?

Feel free to look at my portfolio (especially the main profile page with the very recent behind-the-scenes and makeup-free shots), and help me out. Suggestions for or against, or how young I should advertise myself as being able to depict would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Lie, as in attempt to fraudulently represent yourself as something you are not – no.

Lie, as in the same manner that many photographers claim ‘professional’ status, 20 years experience, numerous publication credits (aka exaggerate the truth) – with great caution.

Not tell the full gospel truth about your chronological age, as in saying you’re a “mid 20s-ish model” – yes, provided you are indeed a “mid 20s-ish model” that just happens to be 30-something years old.

K I C K H A M wrote:
Honestly, I think I'll get flamed for this, but yes, lie.

For most girls I'd say "no," because EVERYONE thinks they look younger than they are. But you are an experienced model, and you probably know your age range pretty well. Definitely shoot at the higher end than the lower-- no reason to put yourself up against 20 year olds. If you pass for 23-26 as your age range, I'd say pick 25 or 26. Don't pick an age that makes people question.

The fact is, people will come here and tell you not to lie, but I've done the SAME THING and gone to castings wasting my time, being told, "Honey, you aren't old enough for this job."

And young mom in LA can make BANK, so I'm not really dreading the time that I start fitting in.

+1

K I C K H A M wrote:
For the people saying, "You're so awesome! Your age doesn't matter!"

False. It does.

You get called in for castings and auditions based on your look, which includes your age.

I've been sold as my own age, and I've been sold as younger. Half the time I show up for castings for my own age, I am turned away, because I don't have the "look" they need.

When my agency sells me as younger, I go on castings that are closed off to anyone over 22. So, yes, if they didn't lie about my age, it WOULD matter, and I would waste all my time going for jobs I don't fit the part of.

You can say it doesn't matter all you want, but when a girl comes in and says she is losing work, money, and her livelihood because she's going out for jobs she doesn't fit the description of, it quite clearly does matter.

Oh, and so far as getting found out, most clients don't search the bazillion girls they are calling in on MM, and once you're in the door, THAT's when your age doesn't matter anymore. But getting in the door for a job for a 25 year old when you're 30 is tough, no matter what your photos look like.

+1 100% True. And look of Age is variable from person to person  unlike clothing and shoe sizes.

Nico Simon Princely wrote:
You are only as old as you look and feel and act.

In modeling and acting your age can be a detriment. Which is why actresses and actors often say my age range is X to X i.e.  25-30.

If you can truly pull off 24 I would not say you are 30 as on sites like MM you might just get filtered out of searches.  In person I would say the age range or put it in the bio.

Unfortunately people are judged way too  much on their age and really it means very little. I have met people in their 20s that look in their 30's and people in their late 30's that look in their 20's.

If you a person under 18 you should definitely not lie about that as that could have seriously legal ramifications depending on the type of shoot especially any nudity.

But older over 18 claiming younger when they look it. Not a big deal as long as you state it properly.

+10

The real fact of the matter is, everyone lies about something.  From the government down to your local pastor.  Some for good reasons, some for bad.  No one on this thread should be saying "don't lie", if they have lied before.

Nico Simon Princely wrote:
You are only as old as you look and feel and act.

In modeling and acting your age can be a detriment. Which is why actresses and actors often say my age range is X to X i.e.  25-30.

If you can truly pull off 24 I would not say you are 30 as on sites like MM you might just get filtered out of searches.  In person I would say the age range or put it in the bio.

Unfortunately people are judged way too  much on their age and really it means very little. I have met people in their 20s that look in their 30's and people in their late 30's that look in their 20's.

If you a person under 18 you should definitely not lie about that as that could have seriously legal ramifications depending on the type of shoot especially any nudity.

But older over 18 claiming younger when they look it. Not a big deal as long as you state it properly.

Thank you!!! Exactly, this is mainly for filtered searches, I would state actual age in my bio.

K I C K H A M wrote:
Honestly, I think I'll get flamed for this, but yes, lie.

For most girls I'd say "no," because EVERYONE thinks they look younger than they are. But you are an experienced model, and you probably know your age range pretty well. Definitely shoot at the higher end than the lower-- no reason to put yourself up against 20 year olds. If you pass for 23-26 as your age range, I'd say pick 25 or 26. Don't pick an age that makes people question.

The fact is, people will come here and tell you not to lie, but I've done the SAME THING and gone to castings wasting my time, being told, "Honey, you aren't old enough for this job."

And young mom in LA can make BANK, so I'm not really dreading the time that I start fitting in.

Exactly! Thank you. And yeah, I'd never claim younger than 26, though some have said 25 -- stills makes me edgy.

Small Fruit Pits wrote:
If you really look younger, and want to do it for purposes of folks who enter age into the search, why not?

Keep in mind some folks don't look as young as they'd like to think. In other words, I wouldn't make an ass of myself. 29 seems to be a sticking point with some, when it's obvious to a blind man they're no more 29, than I'm 29. (my offspring are over 29)

One model in particular I worked with many times.....you'd never guess her true age in a million years. For purposes of attracting paid shoots from people who are anal about using age in the search engine, I strongly suggested she list herself as 20-22, when she asked for my opinion.

Frankly, I don't care about age with the exception of a narrow group of people. It's about how I think you look.

You look good.

Thank you for that! For the sake of honestly, I make my age range and real age clear in my bio, but for search purposes I am 26. I would not list being 25 or under. This is strictly so that I'm not filtered, as I can't tell you how much work I've gotten for casting calls on Craigslist and FaceBook which wanted women 24-26 and for which I applied on looks alone (not stating my age).

Sierra McKenzie wrote:
Agency models are told to lie about their age all the time.

If most of the castings in your area are looking for people under 30 I'd feel free to knock it down a few years.

But I'd also respond to castings of a younger age bracket if you look the age. Especially with email castings where age isn't the first thing they look at anyway. I've been hired to play anywhere from a 14 year old (young adult book trailer) to late twenties. So yeah, don't miss out on opportunities just because of your number age.

Wow, though looking at your port, I could definitely buy you as a teen. Alas, I fear the youngest possible I could ever get away with is 22....my bone structure is way too hard otherwise.

io wrote:

Wow, though looking at your port, I could definitely buy you as a teen. Alas, I fear the youngest possible I could ever get away with is 22....my bone structure is way too hard otherwise.

But that is great for most castings!

You MAY even think about trying to do a photo of yourself that DOES look a bit older. And use it as a headshot when replying to commercial castings that are looking for 30+. (Most of my commercial castings are not on mm, and so I attach headshots through email). Many of the castings I see are looking for people that look older and respectable (things like commercials for banks and such). If you can pull off the mature business-woman sort of look for a headshot, you might be able to open up the range you're getting work for even more! If you can get castings from 22-32 year olds, you've got a huge chunk of the work out there!

But yeah I never would have guessed you were 30!

io wrote:

Thank you!!! Exactly, this is mainly for filtered searches, I would state actual age in my bio.

+1. Do this! If someone running a filtered search absolutely needs a particular age range, it is up to them to read your profile in detail before contacting you and for them to state to you in the contact the particular requirements for the shoot.

Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
You can lie all you want . . . but before I can pick up my camera, I'll have to see two  forms of your ID, including a government issued picture ID

What good will it do for you to be known as someone that lies ?

I wouldn't hold it against a model, lying about their age. If their look fits the project I really couldn't care less. I'm 47 and people typically guess my age at least 10 years younger, so I totally understand the situation. It's nice looking young but I know I wouldn't be cast to play a 47 year old business man.

I really would not guess the OP is 30.