Expert: Michelle Renee Krehl - 4/13/2009

Question
i am a teen and i took a modeling class, and I'd like to start working as a model.
i am tall and thin so i think I'd qualify. MY question is is if you know any web-
sites or ligitament agencies. thank you for your time

Answer
Keke,

Working as a model can be a fun and exciting career! You said that you are a teenager, but did not say how old you are, but to do high fashion modeling often you do start in your teens.

If you are over 5'8" and a size 00-4, with measurements that are approximately 34-24-34, you would be in "fashion" range.

Let me state, there are NO WEBSITES that can truly help you in your goal of becoming a professional model. There are some like Model Mayhem or One Model Place that can help find photographers to help you get photos, but there are just as many so called "photographers" out there on the internet that just want to take photos of pretty girls, and cannot really help your career, and I do not recommend that teenage girls join this type of site.

Models.com might be one exception, as agencies do look at the models signed up there, but you might as well submit to those agencies on your own. It costs nothing to attend open calls or send in your photos.

I have no idea where you are located, so it is hard for me to give you very detailed agency info, but if you are interested in being a fashion model, you might as well submit to some of the top agencies. Ford, Click, and Wilhelmina have several locations, including fashion cities like NYC, L.A., and Miami. This is a good place to start. There are many legit agencies all over the country, but there are way too many to suggest without knowing your location. Other cities beside those I just mentioned with opportunities for modeling include: Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, and the D.C. area. Smaller cities have some opportunities, but not that many, and the jobs are generally not fashion, but more commercial in nature.

Good luck in your career, and if you want more specific agency advice, let me know some cities that you would be interest in finding representation.

Thanks for your question,

Michelle