How to join a modelling agency by Neon Models

Modelling agencies get hundreds of applications from aspiring models, so how can you make sure you give yourself the best chance of being noticed and signed?

Choose your agency carefully

These days there are many different types of modelling and many different types of modelling agencies to meet all those requirements. The largest agencies will cater for everything from fashion shows to catalogues to TV commercials on an international basis, but smaller agencies will specialise and may be a better bet, especially if you don’t have classic model looks, aren’t so tall or are looking for alternative or body part modelling.

Read the guidelines

You might be surprised how many people don’t read the modelling agencies’ guidelines. This is just a silly mistake that can be easily avoided, and if you’re careful to make sure you follow their guidelines you can save yourself a lot of wasted effort and rejection. Most modelling agencies will specify if they work with males and females and what ages. Also, if they have minimum requirements such as height. Ignore their guidelines at your peril!

Use decent quality photos to apply

All genuine modelling agencies will ask you to send a snapshot that they can assess to see if they want to meet you for an interview to see if they’d like to sign you to their books. While you don’t have to spend a fortune on these pictures, if you send in something in bad light taken on your mobile phone, they’re likely to throw them out without looking properly. So, try to get access to a decent camera (and someone who knows how to use it), and make sure the pictures are taken in good light (preferably natural light) and show you clearly and looking relaxed.

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What’s in a Modelling Personality

Being a successful model is as much about personality as looks. You need to meet both the mental and physical requirements if you’re going to make it in this highly competitive business. So what do we mean when we talk about ‘modelling personality’? Well, it’s about being resilient and flexible and being consummate professional.
Resilience
It’s a tough business. Fashion has a glamorous image and lots of people want to be a part of it. That means that rejection is an unfortunate but common part of being a model. Almost all models will get rejected at first, from agencies or directly from clients if they’re going freelance. And even if you do start to get paid work, there are always far more models invited to castings than are needed for jobs, so being selected for all of them is essentially an impossibility.
Flexibility
The fashion industry moves fast and the people that work in it have to move fast as well. Castings may come up and be filled and booked within a few hours, so models that answer their phone on the first ring, drop everything and turn up within half an hour are more likely to get more modelling jobs than those who don’t get round to answering their phone until its too late. Also requirements may change at the last minite and model may be required to wear their own accessories or do their own make-up if supporting staff or items aren’t available.
Professionalism
Modelling is a job, and you can’t lark around in a job, because someone is paying for your time, experience and skills. They expect to get their money’s worth. With modelling that means turning up on time, and being responsive to the needs to the photographer. It means arriving prepared and in the right ‘format’ with our without makeup and outfits as briefed, not dragging your heels and responding helpfully. Models who go that extra to give their clients what they need are that much more likely to get called back for repeat jobs.

If you want to break into modelling with Neon Models, then visit our website and register today!

Mother Modelling Agencies explained by Neon models

A mother modelling agency is not an agency for mothers! Though their models may well be mothers…

So what is a mother modelling agency?

You may be surprised to hear that there are many different kinds of modelling agencies, and Neon Models is familiar with all of them.
No, a mother modelling agency is basically a middle-man, that acts like an agent for a model to get a contract with a modelling agency. So, if you want to join a modelling agency, you may first try to join a mother modelling agency.

Although it’s not their main role, mother modelling agencies may help a model find work while they are seeking a contract with a regular agency. This will help build up the model’s portfolio, experience and skills, which will make them more attractive to the agents.

If you go through a mother modelling agency you will have a much better chance of getting your foot in the door than if you try to go directly.

That’s because the mother modelling agency will assess you for suitability and then approach their contacts in a range of agencies to see if they might be interested in signing you. They will work hard to promote you, including creating marketing materials and schmoozing their long standing contacts.

A mother modelling agency may help you get non-exclusive contracts with a number of agencies, that may cover different countries, regions or even types (such as body part, fashion show or catalogue).

They might even help train new models, teaching them what to expect from the industry and from modelling agencies and familiarising them with contracts, their rights and how to stay safe.

If you want to learn more about the insider secrets of modelling agencies, then visit the Neon Models website.

How to walk the catwalk – a guide by Neon Models

If you want to be a fashion model, you need to know how to strut your stuff on the catwalk – without falling over!

Neon Models has written this guide which explains how professional models walk the catwalk.

The first thing to do is get your posture right. That means standing up straight with your head held high and looking straight ahead. Your face should be pointing forward and not to either side. Your expression should be neutral, no big grins or moody scowls!

Your shoulders should be relaxed and slightly back, but don’t stick your chest out too much. There should be no slouching or hunching of the shoulders.

When you begin to walk, your arms should swing naturally as you move, but you don’t need to swing them back and forth too much. If the outfit has pockets you may want to put your hands in them, but don’t tense your arms when you do so.

As you move, try to keep your body as still as possible and not move from side to side or bob up and down. Lead slightly with your hips rather than your chest, but don’t sashay dramatically.

Your feet is where you will want to focus most of your attention, as this is the most different from normal walking. When you walk the catwalk, imagine there is a line down the middle and you have to place your feet exactly on the line, not to either side of it. If you want a slightly more dramatic look, you may place your feet on the other side of the line, so they cross over each other. Be careful not to trip over your own ankles though!

Once you reach the end of the catwalk, it’s customary to strike a pose – now you can be as dramatic as you like. Jut your hips out to one side and then the other, placing your hands on your hips. If you’re wearing a jacket, you may want to slip it off and swing it over one shoulder for full effect.

Great, now you’re ready for the Milan or Pairs fashion shows!

If you’d like to find out how Neon Models can help you become a catwalk model, then register on our site.

Neon Models Guide to Becoming a Model

Lots of people want to become a model, but some are more successful than others. Neon Models explains the right steps to take to give yourself the best chance of finding success as a model.

Step One – Decide if you really want to be a model

Think about the reasons for wanting to become a model, and though it might be hard, try to assess yourself realistically for model potential. Are you taller than average, do you have exceptionally clear skin and are you photogenic?

Step Two – do some research

Read up on the industry, what’s expected from you and what you can expect. Find out about the major modelling agencies, how they work, where they’re based and what their guidelines are like. You can also contact a modelling support company such as Neon Models, who can give you an independent assessment for modelling potential and help you put together an action plan.

Step Three – Make sure you have support

If you’re under eighteen, then you can’t be a model without your parent’s consent, so you need to discuss it with them, and make sure they’re on side. The chances are they’ll probably get as excited about the idea as you, and will help you on your way.

Step Four – Submit your photos to an agency

Read their guidelines carefully and make sure you follow them to the letter and don’t forget anything. Then you’ll have to wait to see what they say. It’s fine to submit to a few agencies at once, but only do as many as you’ll be able to take rejections. Rejection is part of life for a model, and no reason to give up too soon.

Step Five – Be professional

If you’re lucky enough to get invited in for an interview, then try to stay calm and just be yourself. If you’re under eighteen your guardian will need to go with you. Answer all the interviewers questions honestly, and try not to babble. If they offer you a contract then check it our carefully and read the small print. 

Love fashion and modelling? Visit our main site and Neon Models.

Teen Modelling

There is always a lot of demand for new teen models as the current ones get older and move into the adult brackets. The teen model bracket is usually considered to be between the ages of 12 and 17 years.

Teen modelling work is available across all kinds of formats from glossy magazines to billboards to TV adverts to catalogues and these days even stock photography for websites.

The teen  market is a very major section which companies are keen to target, and each ‘type’ of teen needs to be represented. That means that as well as the standard modelling work for attractive, fresh faced, tall models there will be work for petite models, plus-size models and alternative models, who may have tattoos or be more unusual looking.

Many child models follow a natural progression into teen models, but also lots of teenagers decide they’d like to try modelling and take their first steps in the industry at this time.

Teenagers who are considering trying to become a model need to make sure they have the right attitude and realistic expectations.

The Right Attitude

Not all teenagers fit the stereotype of being grumpy and stroppy, but there is definitely no space for that kind of attitude when it comes to modelling. Modelling is a professional and requires a professional attitude. Paying clients are not going to be willing to waste their time with temper tantrums.

Realistic expectations

The modelling industry is tough and very competitive and those who think they can just fall into it and make pots of money have got disappointment waiting down the line. Aspiring models need to be willing to invest time and energy in getting their foot in the door, and they have to be thicked skinned to deal with the inevitable early rejections.

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Neon Models #5 Tips for a successful photoshoot

Here is the Neon Models guide to a make the most out of a photoshoot – follow these simple rules to great some great pictures from your portfolio!

Try not to be Tense

A lot of people instinctively hold their breath as soon as a camera looks at them, but this is a bad idea, because it makes you look stiff! Try to breathe naturally – it gets easier once you get over the initial nerves.

Don’t be afraid to Be Experimental

Your photographer will probably give you some guidance about where she wants you to stand, which way to face, how to hold yourself and that kind of thing, but it’s a good idea to have some kind of creative input. At Neon Models, we aren’t afraid to experiment with having your hands in different positions, with different expressions and looking at the camera from different angles.

Try using different Props

Props are a great way to add interest to a photo, and you should try interacting with your props in different ways. If it’s a teddy bear you can cuddle up to it or lift it up to the light, flowers could be smelled, held in the teeth or even tucked behind your ear. The more different things you try, the more likely you are to get that perfect, unique shot.

Listen to the Photographer’s advice and guidance

Chances are, the photographer has done this loads of times before, especially at Neon Models, so you should listen to her advice and instruction carefully and do your best to follow them.

Really try to relax and have fun!

The best advice of all if to try to relax and have fun! If you’re enjoying yourself and smiling and laughing naturally, it will come across in the images. You might want to try some techniques to help yourself relax, such as shaking out your body to get rid of tension, taking a few deep breaths and looking at things that make you laugh. Neon Models are experts at helping you relax and stay calm during a shoot. You could even try the old classic technique of imagining everyone around you naked!
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