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Top Ten Tips for Aspiring Models
These savvy modeling friends of mine each spent 10 to 15 years on the international modeling circuit. Their advice is invaluable to anyone considering modeling (or the moms of aspiring models, who need to know what wisdom to impart before sending their precious daughters—or sons—off into the wild world of fashion!)
From Ricky Haas:
1. HAVE A WELL-KNOWN, RESPECTED AGENCY BEHIND YOU!
2. Don’t let an “agent” tell you you need surgery. If you need some kind of surgery, you shouldn’t be modeling! I was told at age 18 by my first booker that I should “consider an eye lift.” My left eyelid is lower then my right and sometimes in pictures you can see it, BUT, PLEASE did I, at 18, need an eye lift…aaaaaahhhhh NO!
(Editor’s note: Ricky and I modeled, lived, and traveled together for years and I never noticed a flawed eyelid! Most faces are asymmetrical. Are Heidi Klum’s eyes identical? No. Is she gorgeous and successful? Yes!)
3. Do not get involved with “seedy” rich men who like to hang around models. They will try to buy you meals and drinks but there is a reason why they are spending their money on you! Ladies…they want you in the sack, end of story. You might be starving in Paris but the meals are not worth it. I did NOT learn the hard way but saw it all the time. This kind of thing occurs in cities like Paris and Milan A LOT!

Ricky and Jill borrowing a Porsche from an older rich man (OK, once in a while you meet a generous gentleman who will loan you things with no strings attached!)
4. Make friends with the right model crowd. Be smart. You don’t do drugs…don’t start hanging out with models who do. You don’t starve yourself or vomit after meals…don’t hang out with those who do. I was the luckiest girl in the world; I found a group of ladies that had great morals, self pride, and were just downright FUN to be with and that is who I stuck with traveling the world. They are, 20 years later, my dearest friends.
5. Don’t take the modeling world too seriously. It is a short-term business—out with the old, in with the new! Make the money you can, be as successful as you can be. Take care of yourself (go to the gym, eat right, take care of your skin, don’t party too much [Editor's Note: If anyone thinks they saw Ricky and me in those bier gartens in Munich, those were two girls who looked like us; we were at home with cucumbers on our eyelids]). This industry can be yours as long as you want it to be (look at Audi Martel, for example) or it can be a short-term business to branch you into something else. It’s a wonderful way to make great money to buy your first house, car, travel the world and see the great sites. Don’t take it too seriously. Enjoy and take it for what it is worth. It won’t last forever.
From Carter Gigandet:
1. If you haven’t made enough money to support yourself by the end of year one, then go to college and get a real job.
Two More From Me:
1. With digital cameras, there’s no excuse, when you’re agency hunting, for submitting anything less than the very best photos you can take. Natural outdoor light is usually best, and it’s most flattering early in the morning or before sunset. Have someone shoot 100 pictures of you, if that’s what it takes. Do a headshot (no sunglasses on, no branches growing out of your head, no eyesores in the background like garbage cans, cars, etc.!) with very minimal makeup (you can wear some but just make it look like you aren’t wearing any). And do a full-length wearing something that shows your figure (but not anything risque!).
2. Eventually you will have to spend money to make money. You’ll need professional photos, which you’ll get by “testing” with photographers (a “test” is a shoot that is specifically for you to build your book; it’s not a job. If the photographer is building his book too, a test may be free, but the best test photographers usually charge and often you get what you pay for. Wait until you have an agency—they’ll set up tests for you. If you pay for photos to help get you an agency just be aware that your plan may not work and then you won’t recoup the money spent. That being said, I met more than a few bookers and scouts who did not have an eye for seeing how a girl with amateur photos might look when shot by a professional (that girl was me. I was rejected by all the New York agents at 17, and then had no problem getting an agency there 7 years later when my age made me less desirable but I had a book of photos and tear sheets from Europe).
Read everything under “Modeling” in “Articles” on my site and you will be well prepared to venture into this exciting career!
Send your questions to  dearjill@modelingmentor.com or post them on my Facebook Page
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My daughter is 5ft 3in very petite and slightly chesty for her size. Very long brunette wavy hair and olive skin and naturally extra long lashes and high cheek bones. She is a waitress part time while attending college full time. many of her customers ask if she considers doing modeling? She responds yes but doesn’t know the first thing especially for someone her short stature. Do you have any advice for her? And secondly her boyfriend of 3+yrs has done some in store modeling for A.F. (where he worked for a short time) he is a college grad and his desire for modeling is strong but doesn’t know how to get started. An agency in DC has required him to pay money up front? No jobs from that yet. They are close to the Delaware line in MD. Is there an agency you could recommend?
5’3″ is a stretch (excuse the pun!) for modeling, but she could do commercials. Unfortunately there’s not a lot going on in the D.C. area. Click is a great agency in Philadelphia (her boyfriend could contact them; I don’t think they would consider someone who is 5’3″). Definitely watch out for any “agency” that asks for a fee up front. That’s a scam. See my post last week. Best of luck! Jill
Thanks Jill. Much appreciated. I will pass on the message. (He probably has a better chance he is 6’1″) slim build and broad shoulders and jaw line. Thanks for the quick response.
I am so happy to see you recommend not doing everything an agency tells you to do.
It frightens me how many models do almost anything an agency asks them to do.
I could tell you stories you would not believe.
Thanks for the great post!
Bring on the stories, JC!
I’m trying to get my daughter into modeling. She’s 6 yrs old, and very beautiful. I know that because people stop me everywhere to compliment her. We’re in Colorado, not much going on here. I don’t know where to begin, I’ve received letters to enter her into little miss completions, but I was told they’re scams. Another agency wanted $500, another scam. This is exhausting yet I don’t want to give up.
Thanks!
You should read all the relevant posts on Child Modeling on my blog! Here is the link (scroll back and start with the older posts): https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/category/child-models/
Then call the major dept stores in Denver, that might still be doing some of their print work and I’m sure some fashion shows locally, and ask which agencies they use to book models. Then set up appts/submit photos to those agencies and try to avoid expensive modeling classes (though most will try to sell them to you, as agencies in small markets have a tough time surviving on job commissions only).
Also, enter her in my model search! https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/how-to-enter-the-modeling-mentor-model-search/
And subscribe to my free newsletter: http://modelingmentor.us5.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=9ac8c2abbe1af96e0b38238cb&id=2742c18b6e
Best of luck!
Jill
Hi Jill
Thanks for this information it very helpful.
I would like to ask you If you can tell me what’s the ideal time to Travel If an agency ask you ?
3 moths 6 moths ???
Thanks !!
It’s best to keep your options open really. But a 1-way or a changeable airline ticket. If you work well in a new market, you won’t want to leave. If you don’t, you want to be able to move on easily. It also depends where. If you’re going to Zurich or Vienna, you don’t need more than a month to see all the clients and get a feel for how they respond to you. Then you would head back to a bigger market, eg. Munich, and only go back to those smaller markets for direct bookings. If you are going to a major market, like Milan, you could end up there a few years—or you may be dying to go home after a month! If you are going to Asia, often you will have a set contract and you will know exactly how long you will be there (often in the 2-month range) and how much you will make. If you are heading to a warmer market for the winter months—Australia, Miami (slower than it used to be), South Africa, South America—expect work to dwindle once the “season” is over. It’s so hard to tell, but every place you go is an adventure and an opportunity to learn about a different culture. Don’t let it be only about modeling. Good luck!
Ok thanks for the advices were verry helpful
Jil I have another question for you hehe.
I’ve made a new Book 2 months ago, and I have soo much negative responses from the agencies and I dot understand why thease happen.
Can I sent you my Book and have your professional advice or opinion please
Thanks again Jill
Yes, I’m happy to take a look at your book. Can you send a link to it?
Hu Jill
Here you have. There are my Old Book + New Book
https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/6a42146722c15e41deab2f7e740a15c520150106165314/9cc0d9
Thanks !
It’s saved in an application I can’t open. .rar —not sure what that is?…
i’m 16-17 years old, and aspiring to be a model. But i’m in a very small space, I have strict parents who would never allow it. But I was thinking of pursuing modeling at 18 or something, but i’m 5-6, 5-7, would it work?, and lets say i’m not the best looking girl.
Hi Jennifer,
Well, it is a superficial business. Models are either good looking or interesting looking. Women also tend to be 5’9″ and above. Commercial modeling and acting have broader parameters. You should read posts in this section on my blog: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/category/commercial-modeling/
Best of luck!
Jill
I’m sixteen years old and really want to model. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while but the timing was never right. Now that I have the opportunity I was if I would even have a shot? I’m 5’8 and my measurements are 34-26-36 which makes me nervous because I know most models measure 34-24-34. I have dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, and am very pale, another worry of mine. Do you think I’d even have a shot in the industry?
Hi Chloe, I wouldn’t get too obsessive over an inch or two, and pale is fine! Why don’t you enter my model search: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/how-to-enter-the-modeling-mentor-model-search/
Also, subscribe to my free newsletter to stay in the loop on model search winners and modeling tips and news: http://modelingmentor.us5.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=9ac8c2abbe1af96e0b38238cb&id=2742c18b6e
Best of luck!
Jill
I’ve always wanted to model but had been a stretch for me living in a non big city I’m not too far from Philadelphia so I summitted my photos to Wilhelmina Philadelphia and was going to be scammed if I went with that agency they still call me to ask if I’m interested they wanted me to go to trainings and pay over $2,000….to get me started some of the models there are pictured in NYFW so I thought it was real but many models I see they have dont go anywhere but college fashion shows and little small things that are most of the time unpaid! They are not associated with the New York Location but said they had strings there.
Yes, it is easier to get scammed in smaller markets as “agencies” in those cities often need modeling schools to survive. Read this post: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/tuesday-tip-modeling-schools-and-scouting-conventions-scams-or-not/
And this one: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/tuesday-tip-5-warning-signs-you-are-being-scammed-by-an-agency/
Thanks for posting!
I love all of these tips for aspiring models! My daughter has always wanted to be a model and I think this post would help her out a ton. I really liked what Carter Gigandet said about making sure you are with a legit agency. It would be terrible to sign with someone only to find out it was a scam.
My friend and I love modeling and would like to walk on runway but we need an agent and I don’t know how to get one
Any advice for us?
Entering my model search is a good place to start, as winners are showcased to agents: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/how-to-enter-the-modeling-mentor-model-search/
It also depends where you live… Check out these posts and read as much as you can on my blog to learn more!
https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/?s=agency+open+call&x=11&y=1
Good luck!
Jill
Hi Jill!
I’m 5’7″ and almost 24. I’m looking to try to get back into modeling..
unfortunately I was scammed by an “agency” when I was younger and it kind of discouraged me for a while.
I’m close to NYC and I’m debating going to a few casting calls.
I’ve met a few photographers doing different promo events, would it be wise of me to do a test shoot prior to going to a casting; or just use my camera at home? I did receive a call back after attending an open call at New York Model Management but I also had the professional pictures in my book from the scam…
Any other advice you may have would be great too!
Thanks