Expert: Kitty Kavey - 4/3/2008

Question
Hi Kitty, what would be your best advice for a 15 year old girl interested in commercial modeling? Do you recommend attending any kind of school? What is the best approach for getting an agent? Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated as my 15 year old daughter is interested in exploring this. Thanks!

Answer
For commercial print modeling, I do not recommend any type of schooling.  It is similar to acting, for which I do recommend training, and many talent agencies also have a commercial print division.

A good list of legit talent agencies can be found on the Screen Actors Guild website. (www.SAG.org, under Member Services, Find an Agent) Also the Association of Talent Agents (www.agentassociation.com) lists agencies with a print division, and also has website links.

You'll have to check the website or contact the agency to confirm that they do have a commercial print division, and one that represents models of your daughter's age.  Usually the website will also have submission instructions for new faces.  The agency may ask to see a modeling composite card for consideration, or may consider regular photographs as well.

There are also books written about commercial print modeling that go into much more detail, and have photos and samples as well.  One of those I understand to be quite informative (although I have not read it) is "How to Become a Successful Commercial Model: The Complete Commercial Modeling Handbook" by Aaron R. Marcus.  It's certainly worth a trip to your local library or bookstore (or  site such as Amazon.com) to browse through it.

Good luck to you and your daughter,
~Kitty