With COVID-19 still looming, many photo studios remain dark and no one is prowling the catwalks. What is an aspiring model to do?

Stay healthy, eat right, exercise, and educate yourself! Learn everything you can about the business so you are ready to take action once the industry is buzzing again. Expectations of instant gratification will get you nowhere these days. Select the “Modeling” category on my blog and read all the posts (keep arrowing back for more). For bonus points, read all of the Modeling Articles on my site.

Here is a cheat sheet of terms every model needs to know…

Agency – The middle man between the client and the model. They take a percent of what the model makes for each booking (usually 20%). A legitimate agency will not charge anything when they sign you; they only make money if you work.
(Best Modeling Agencies in NYC for Women) (Top Kid Model Agencies in NYC)
(Modeling Agency Appointment: What to Expect and When to Beware)

Book – The more common term for “portfolio.”

Booking – A confirmed modeling job.

Call-Time – The time the model needs to arrive at the job. Never be late. If you hold up a shoot, it can cost a client thousands of dollars (studio rental, crew, equipment rental, the photographer and other models’ time).

Casting – An “audition” for a specific job. Usually a model isn’t requested to do anything beyond show their portfolio, possibly have some digital photos taken, and occasionally try on clothing. If it’s a runway casting, models will walk for the client. For commercials, models will be put on camera, sometimes with dialogue, or they may just slate their name and agency and show their profiles or do a 360-degree turn.
(The Casting Couch: How Big a Role Does It Play in the Modeling World)

Catalog – This term can refer to a job, model, or market. A catalog job is a shoot for a store’s catalog, e.g. JCPenney. A catalog model usually has conventional American-as-apple-pie good looks, unlike the more unusual creatures populating high-fashion magazine spreads and catwalks. A catalog market is a city that has more catalog-type clients than editorial/high-fashion clients. Miami, Dallas, and Munich are examples of catalog markets.

Cattle-Call – A casting characterized by masses of models. Lists can go beyond 200 and involve hours of waiting.

Chart – A model’s work calendar on which an agent types in a model’s upcoming options, bookings, and any days she may have “booked out” for personal reasons or vacation. With the advent of model-agency software, charts became computerized. In the 90s, they used to hang from a circular frame above the bookers’ table and the bookers would spin them around to find the chart they needed.

Comp Card – Common term for composite card. This is a model’s key selling tool—her business card—which usually features a color headshot on the front and several shots on the back. The agency mails out packages of comp cards to clients constantly and the model must always have comps to leave at castings and go-sees.

Digitals – Your agency will periodically take digital photos of you at the agency, which are no-nonsense snapshots of you: headshot, profiles, and non-posey full-lengths so clients can see what you look like, sans makeup and elaborate styling.

Modeling Mentor Model of the Year Alexa Kissling – digital profile shot

Direct Booking – A job in which an out-of-town model is booked by a client who usually pays for the model to come in from another market. The client books the model from a comp card or portfolio, without seeing the model in person (or the client may know him/her from a previous booking).

Editorial – As opposed to catalog, an editorial job is for a magazine and editorial models can be more edgy than pretty. Editorial work pays much less than catalog but is essential to building a strong book of tear sheets and getting the exposure needed to climb the supermodel ladder. Top editorial models usually do the top shows and vice versa; the top editors who book them are sitting in the front rows at the shows. Paris, Milan, and New York are editorial markets.

Go-See – An appointment to go and see a client or photographer. A new model or a model new to a market will do days of pavement-pounding go-sees. Many agents use “go-see” and “casting” interchangeably, but originally a go-see meant a model was making the rounds and seeing the clients so they knew him or her for future reference; a casting was for a specific job.

Mother Agent – Your first agency or the agency that guides your career and places you with agents in different markets. Your mother agent generally retains 10% of your earnings, while the agency where they place you gets the other 10%. So having a mother agents does not affect the model’s net profits, since the total agency cut remains 20%.
(The Ins and Outs of Agency Contracts)

Option – A client has put a hold (“first option”) on a model, and that client will be given first dibs on booking the model should a “second option” or booking come in from another client.

Request Casting – A casting in which the model has been specifically requested by the client.

Tear Sheet – Any page from a magazine or publication that the featured model can “tear” out and put in her book. Tear sheets, especially good ones from top magazines, are like gold. They prove a model is in demand, and, since people are sheep, that leads to more demand. A great tear sheet trumps good catalog cash.

Modeling Mentor Model of the Year Em Marie has built a book of fabulous tear sheets while modeling in Asia over the past two years.

Test – A shoot that is done specifically to build a book—the model’s and/or the photographer’s—not for a job. New models need to test as much as possible. Experienced models will replace test shots with tear sheets, but most models—except the top echelon—will continue to do some testing throughout their careers to keep their books updated.

Voucher – This is the form, provided by your agency in your voucher book, that you and the client fill out at the end of each booking. One copy goes to the client, one to the agency (these days generally you can take a photo and email it to them at the end of the booking), and one for your records.

Blast from the Past: Check out My Favorite Modeling Articles from Tear Sheet magazine

Model of the Year Em Marie Scores Tear Sheets in Japan, Korea, China, Thailand…

A few years ago I spotted a teenager in Maine who radiated the kind of beauty that makes heads swivel, like Vogue casting director type heads. With her china doll skin, dusting of freckles, bold brows, and contagious smile, Em Marie was a girl I didn’t have doubts about. I whisked her straight into an agency in New York where she was signed on the spot.

I made Em my Model of the Month. I knew she’d win Model of the Year. I knew she’d make it. But I couldn’t have predicted the dizzying speed at which she would rack up the most sought after tear sheets in the biz before even hitting the age of 18. She has landed in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar multiple times, in multiple countries.

While she’s at it, Em has immersed herself in the culture of each place she visits and explored every corner of Asia courageously and tirelessly—all the time celebrating the highs and laughing off the lows of the life on the road far from home. If you aren’t reading her blog EmMariexox.com and following her on Instagram, you are missing the best modeling travelogue out there!

Here are just a few of Em’s dozens of tear sheets from Asia, one more dazzling than the next…

The Many Modeling Faces of Em Marie

Em Marie in Vogue Spy

Em Marie, “Gray’s Anatomy,” Vogue Spy

Dreamy Em Marie in Vogue Spy

Em Marie in Thailand

Em Marie modeling for Rosenkrantz

Em Marie for Cartier, Vogue Thailand

Clean beauty

Stay tuned to see which continent Em conquers next!

Want to be the next Modeling Mentor Model of the Year? Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search!

Dear readers, aspiring models and actors, and patient parents,

It has been one crazy year for the Mann Clan* and my actor kids have hijacked my life! If you do not like routine and prefer not to have any idea where you might be in 24 hours, getting your kids into acting is a great way to achieve that!

But now I’m settled out in L.A. where my oldest son, Jamie, is shooting a new Netflix show. Everyone in the cast, crew, and creative team is incredibly nice so I expect to have a lovely writing sojourn out here and get back into action on much neglected Modelingmentor.com!

If you are a Model of the Month winner for 2019, hold tight; Model of the Year will be announced in May. Have your friends and fans “like” your Model of the Month page in the meantime (industry judges determine Model of the Year; likes determine the People’s Choice winner).

*My married name is Mann in case you are confused. My maiden and professional name is Johnson. But as my professional and personal lives have gotten all mixed up together, I’m occasionally adopting the clearer but unmelodious Jill Johnson Mann. Who wants all those “son” and “man’s” in their name?

Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search

Haven’t entered yet? What are you waiting for? It’s easy and free, just visit this link and submit your photos and stats: MODEL SEARCH

“For Life” and “Country Comfort” Shameless Plugs

Tune into the premiere of “For Life” on February 11 on ABC to see my son Cameron Mann as Justin Masry—or better, to see his moms, Mary Stuart Masterson (I’ve been obsessed with her ever since Some Kind of Wonderful and tried not to geek out when chatting with her. She’s just another mom of 4… except so much more) and Indira Varma (riveting), in this new prison/legal show, which is based on a true story.

Katharine McPhee and Eddie Cibrian – “Country Comfort” – Deadline

Keep an eye out for Jamie Martin Mann as Brody in “Country Comfort” with Katharine McPhee, coming to Netflix later this year!

The Kids of “Country Comfort”: Ricardo Hurtado, Jamie Martin Mann, Pyper Braun, Shiloh Verrico and Griffin McIntyre

Stay Tuned for an Update on Em Marie, Model of the Year 2016

I hope you are following her on social media because she is a role model for how to make the most of your modeling adventures! Em Marie’s Instagram

Congrats Model of the Year Winner, Julianne Walker!

Julianne Walker, shot by Emily Scimeca

Height: 5’9″    Age: 18    Size 1-2

Julianne is currently in her freshman year at UVA. Brains and beauty! Keep an eye on my blog to see where her future of juggling books and bookings takes her! 

Julianne Walker, shot by Kayla Simon

Enter the 2019 Modeling Mentor Model Search and get discovered!

Model of the Year Updates

Em Marie, Model of the Year 2016

Em is enjoying supermodel status in Asia, where she has been working in Japan, South Korea, and China. She has landed numerous bookings including editorials in Vogue and two editions of Harper’s Bazaar! Her Toyota commercial is super fun too. Though up before dawn most days and working nonstop, Em has found time to launch a blog. Ride the ups and downs of modeling with her and follow her on adventures across the globe: My Life as Em Marie

Alexa Kissling, Model of the Year 2017

Alexa signed with top agency The Industry Model Management in New York last spring and spent this fall modeling in Tokyo, falling in love with the beauty of Japan. She has a ton of new tears, including Numero, and I can’t wait to see where 2019 takes her!

Congrats to Model of the Month Connor Antico!

September Model of the Month Connor Antico. Shot by Corrine Louie.

Height: 6′
Shoe: 11
Based in New York
Seeking Representation 

It was thanks to a football injury in high school that Connor Antico gave musical theater a try and soon redefined what “awesome play” meant in his life. He has appeared in several movies and just finished a run of A Comedy of Tenors. He loves to play guitar and sing his heart out. And the camera happens to love him. I don’t expect it to take long for a modeling agency to snap him up!

Check out Connor’s Pace University Senior Showcase, which proves this model has a voice!…

I have tons of model search submissions I still need to review, so just because you weren’t featured this month doesn’t mean you won’t be next month …or the month after! Subscribe to my free newsletter to be first to see the winners: Modeling Mentor Newsletter

Enter the 2018 Modeling Mentor Model Search and get discovered!

Model of the Month Updates

One of Em Marie’s many new tear sheets from Tokyo

Em Marie, Model of the Year 2016, is enjoying amazing success in Asia! She spent two months in Tokyo, two months in Seoul, and has just landed in Beijing. Keep an eye on my Facebook and Instagram to see all the stunning tear sheets she is getting there. I knew when I first laid eyes on her that Em had the potential for supermodel stardom, and she is right on track!

Model of the Month Graeme Buffenbarger  (June 2017) just finished filming Season 2 of Stephen King’s TV show Mr. Mercedes! It premiered Aug 22 on Audience channel.

Have news? Email me at comment@modelingmentor.com

Modeling Mentor Winners Land Top Modeling Agents, Fashion Editorial, and Talent Agents!

It’s been a super exciting year at Modelingmentor.com. Our Models of the Month are gaining international recognition from agencies and clients, and I can hardly keep up with all the updates on contracts, bookings, and adventures! Since we are mid-way through 2018, I thought I’d share some updates, which are sure to inspire those of you who dream of pursuing a path as a model or performer.

Em Marie, Model of the Year 2016

Em Marie wearing Chanel, in Ginza magazine, shot by Katsuhide Morimoto, styling by Yuriko E, hair by Taku, m/u by Uda

Em Marie, wearing Chanel, in Ginza magazine

After I scouted Em Marie while she was performing in Maine (she is a dancer and aerialist, in addition to being stunning…and kind and sweet and super disciplined and basically a role model in every way!), she promptly landed an agent. Em, along with her mom, has had an amazing time in Tokyo with Image Models. Stay tuned for a guest post from her on her experiences there. Highlight: A 7-page editorial in Ginza magazine!

Alexa Kissling, Model of the Year 2017

Alexa entered my model search last year, and I was instantly wowed by her email submission! On Zoom, I was smitten with this cutie’s personality (and she was just as gorgeous without a bit of makeup as she was in her photos). The Industry Model Management immediately noticed the 5’10″ lanky beauty. Now Alexa is living in New York and living her dream as a model with The Industry. Compare her Model of the Year photos to these latest shots, and check out the transformation! This girl is such a chameleon. She can do it all!

Alexa Kissling, shot by Sam Gold

Alexa Kissling’s new New York look! With The Industry NY

Alexa Kissling, styling by Theo Banzon

Isabelle Boughner, Model of the Month, October 2015

Isabelle has hit the magic age of 16, when model development really kicks in for women. She is the complete package of adorable, cool, and talented (she is a guitarist, singer, and composer). I’m in love with this test shoot she did in Westport, CT.

Isabelle Boughner, shot by Tomira Wilcox

Isabelle Boughner, by Tomira Wilcox. Jacket by Zoe Mann.

Julianne Walker, Model of the Month, February 2018

I’ve had an eye on Julianne for almost her whole life (she happens to be my husband’s second cousin!). Julianne signed with a mother agent within a couple months of winning Model of the Month. She has begun testing and just graduated from high school. Julianne will attend UVA in the fall and continue to build up her portfolio and pursue modeling opportunities in the summer months.

Julianne Walker, shot by Emily Scimeca

Julianne Walker by Kayla Simon

Ida Nevstad, Model of the Month, May 2018

Ida also has been offered a contract by an agent! She has been testing and finishing her busy junior year. She will be heading to Europe for part of the summer.

Ida Nevstad, by Tomira Wilcox

Cooper Gusick, Model of the Month, November 2015

Cutie Cooper just signed with Innovative Artists, a top talent agency in New York (and L.A.). His face is already known the world over from this Dear Evan Hansen Mash-Up (Minute 1:50). I can’t wait to watch this great kid’s career!

Is it your turn next?… ENTER THE MODELING MENTOR MODEL SEARCH

Rivers Signs with the Brown Agency

January Model of the Month Rivers Reid signed with the Brown Agency in Austin, TX, in April. Congrats Rivers!

Rivers Reid

Em Marie Attends NY Model Camp

Em Marie signed with NY Model Management soon after being featured as Model of the Month last summer. This summer she was one of the select few beauties invited to attend their model camp in CT, where the next generation of supermodels is groomed for stardom! Stay tuned for the photo spread in Seventeen mag in November! Sneak peek…

Shooting in CT with Seventeen mag

Are you a Model of the Month with news to share? Let us know what’s new in your career: bookings, new agencies, new endeavors, wisdom to share!   Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search

Getting Your Child Star Training, Coaching and Representation

Here’s a fun guide I contributed to Westport magazine. It’s great for residents of Fairfield County but also will steer you to my favorite coaches in NYC, so check it out no matter where you live…

LINKS TO ABOVE PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, STUDIOS, COACHES, MANAGERS

Westport

Ballet Etudes

Cynthia Gibb’s  Triple Threat Academy for Performing Artists

Cynthia Gibb – Voice Lessons

DWKing Talent Management

Jill Jaysen‘s Center Stage Theatre Company

Staples Players

Westport Dance Center

NYC

A Class Act NY

Badiene Magaziner (voice)

Kurt Froman (ballet)

New York Model Management

Thommie Retter (tap) & Retter Entertainment

Trapper Felides (acting/singing coach)

Super Model of the Year: Em Marie!

Em Marie, shot by Emily Scimeca (blog post featured image also by Emily Scimeca)

This 14-year-old had me at first glance, last summer in Maine. She is breathtaking in person and ultra photogenic (those two traits don’t always go together). She is lovely, humble, talented, polite, bold, ambitious, incredibly disciplined and destined to be a superstar—whether as a model, dancer, or both. When I took her into my former agency, I had no doubt she would be signed by New York Model Management. It is rare to be that sure about a new discovery. I have never been that sure, in fact. And, yes, they signed her! So I’m not surprised that my panel of industry judges have chosen Em Marie as Model of the Year!

Em Marie, shot by Jordan Matter

Thank you judges: agent and modeling industry guru Page Parkes (read more here: Exclusive Interview with Page Parkes from Scouted); fab photographer Danny Cardozo (read more here: Danny Cardozo Zooms in on Role Modeling, Modeling, and Photography); and counselor and former supermodel Susan Miner (read more here: Supermodel Susan Miner on Modeling, Inner Beauty, and Page Parkes Model Camp).

Em Marie, shot by Gene Schiavone

This is only the beginning, Em. I can’t wait to see where your career takes you!

Congrats, also, to the People’s Choice Winner: Zoe Mann!

Zoe Mann, shot by Ashley Skatoff

Zoe Mann, shot by Ashley Skatoff

Submit Your Entry to the Modeling Mentor Model Search

(If you entered previously, you are eligible to resubmit!)

Model of the Month Em Marie and me at her appointment with NY Model Management (my old agency!)

So you’ve beaten odds that rival winning the lottery and have actually secured an in-person interview at a modeling agency. First of all, you need to know that this never happens. Agents are busy. It’s much easier to browse through photos submitted online and drag them to the trash than actually have a full-on conversation with a model wannabe. If an agent is willing to meet you, they see potential (or they aren’t legit and may be scam artists—more on that in a minute). This is BIG. Especially if you are in a big-time market like New York. Make sure you are prepared and prompt. Follow the agent’s instructions carefully if they ask you to bring photos. Often they will want to see natural snapshots and do not require professional photos (but bring them if you have them).          5 Tips for Taking the Photos Agents Want to See

Plan what you will wear and do not load on the makeup or hairspray. Think natural! How to Dress for an Agency Open Call or Casting.

Em Marie at the airport after signing with NY Model Management. Totally model chic!

What to Expect From the Agent

1. Your meeting will likely take less than a half hour (5 or 10 minutes is more common). There probably will not be a lot of small talk. As I said, these people are busy (which is good; you need to worry if they aren’t). The more time they spend with you, the more likely they are interested. A quick perusal of photos and adios is not out of the question and remain polite if this happens. It’s business. It’s not personal. I have been rejected by an agency that later signed me. They will remember if you dissolve in a puddle on the floor or punch the door. Save it for after you are out the door. Or better yet, go without expectations and with a firm understanding that you should be proud of yourself for just getting in the door. No tears necessary.

2. The agent may take some digital photos of you. If you have a fake looking smile and need to chuckle to make it look real, figure this out beforehand (yep, that would be one of my flaws). The selfie generation should be pretty attuned to their best expressions and angles!

3. They may take measurements. How Modeling Agencies Will Take Your Measurements

4. They may start discussing their business approach and expectations and ask if you have questions. This is a very good sign!

5. They may offer you a contract. Bingo! You’re in!

Beware: Signs an Agent is Not Legit

1. If they ask for a fee to interview you or represent you.

2. They want you to sign a contract on the spot. Take it home. Look it over. Have a lawyer look it over if you want to be extra cautious.

3. They promise you stardom or a big income. Agents can predict you will do well but can’t promise you will.

4. They want you to take any photos or do any shoots, shows etc. that feel sleazy. I recently heard about a woman lured into “lingerie modeling,” which actually turned out to be work for a lewd website.

5. If they contacted you online and asked to see you (reputable agents really don’t have time to scour the Internet for talent; aspiring models flock to them), especially if they have a name which is deceivingly similar to the name of an actual top agency.

Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search and get discovered by top agents!