Expert: Kitty Kavey - 7/22/2010

Question
What is the typical process for someone who wants to model, starting from the fist visit with the talent agency up to the point where that person begins modeling, and are there usually any fees and costs that must be paid during it?

Answer
A typical process one might follow - depending on what type of modeling it is one wanted to do - would be to first get either a modeling composite card or snapshots and then submit that along with a cover letter through postal mail to modeling agencies.  There are a number of agencies who also accept online submissions from new faces, and many fashion modeling agencies also have open calls one can attend.

Whether you attend an open call or have an appointment, when one is meeting with the agent they may simply interview you and review any available photos, take a snapshot themselves, and/or ask one to demonstrate a walk.

Usually, if the agency is interested in representing you, a contract will be offered.  A commercial print model may be asked at that time to drop off a number of modeling composite cards for agency use.  A fashion model may be asked to attend one or more test shoots.  Other than supplying your own materials such as a modeling composite card, there are not generally any other fees or costs.  An agency earns money by booking work for their models/talent from which they take a percentage.  That percentage is usually 10-20%.  

Some agencies offer other services, although legally they should not require models or talent to use them as a condition of representation.  Sometimes there is also a clause in the contract that if the agency cannot find work for the model/talent within a certain period of time, the model/talent can be released from the contract upon request.

Sometimes an agency will invest in a new fashion model, paying to have his/her portfolio done, printing out modeling composite cards, and similar - but generally they might ask for those costs to be reimbursed out of the monies the model earns through them.  Commercial print, promotional models, and other types of models usually must supply the agent with their materials at their own cost, and the agency will only look for work for them.  

~Kitty