Expert: Kitty Kavey - 5/11/2008

Question
Hey Kitty i am 15 years old and i am about 5'7. I saw a few episodes of america's next top model and so i want to try modeling.  My eyebrows are bushy and i was thinkin about gettin them waxed and gettin my hair cut really short and spiking it up w/gel.  What do you think i should do and how will i get discovered by a modeling agency( I live about a half an hour away from Pittsburgh, PA)?  One more question my nose is a little bit crooked so when i do a profile shot it looks weird, should i get a nose job or will that set me apart from the crowd. Thanks sooo much tyler.

Answer
My suggestion is first find a good agent to represent you.  You may have to look for a commercial print agent since you don't meet the height requirement for fashion modeling - but more than likely you are still growing, so fashion modeling may be a possibility later.  If you look young enough, you may also be able to do teen fashion/jrs fashion.

I believe there is a small market in Philadelphia, but NYC is the closest major industry market to you.  One of the modeling agency directories (available in your local library, bookstore or online, or on newsstands in the NYC area) will provide you with the contact info to agents in the NE area.
 
Many agencies nowadays also have websites that provide information on what criteria they have for new faces (height, sizes, age) and what they want to see from you for consideration: Generally that would be whether they have open calls, take appointments, or ask for mailed in, or emailed snapshots or composite cards.)

As to your specific look - each agency or agent may be looking for something different, or something unique.  It may be better to stick with how you look now, and change it only after seeking the advice of your agent.  They will know what their clients are looking for, and are experienced in advising their models on changing or updating their look.

Same thing with the question about your nose - if it is a problem for your agent, and they feel that it hurts your chances of modeling, they will tell you.  But normally "flaws" are either something that makes a person unique and interesting to photographers, or can easily be worked around.  

In your case it sounds like the issue you mention is with profile shots - so, either don't take profile shots, or trust that a professional photographer will not take photos that are bad for the client or themselves.

Ultimately, the thing that most matters in modeling is if the person is photogenic - so if that's true for you, then the rest can become your trademark or style, like a mole, space between the teeth, tattoos, big lips, large eyebrows, etc.  So until you are represented by a good agent who can advise you on the market there and what their clients want to see, what you may perceive as a flaw, may be something unique about you that could be a selling point.

Good luck to you,
~Kitty