welcome to my blog of blogs!
How to Become a Model
How do I become a model?…That’s the big question!
I will be sharing step by step the different methods and ways to finally begin
your modeling journey along, with the “do’s” and “don’ts” in becoming a model in the industry.
If you made it to reading my bio on the About Me page, then you know I’ve been modeling since I was about 10 years old! Now that I’m 24, I can say that I’ve learned the ins and outs of the modeling industry for about 5 years! Taking a first step into the modeling industry is one thing, but it’s another thing to be a successful model, which takes a lot of practice, work ethic, and now what you want for yourself.
“The secret to modeling is not being perfect. What one needs is a face that people can identify in a second. You have to be given what’s needed by nature, and what’s needed is to bring something new.”
~ Karl Lagerfeld
1. Know What Category of Modeling is Best for You
There are countless of different types of modeling to work into and choose from:
- Runway Modeling
- Editorial
- Commercial Work
- Fitness Modeling
- Hand Modeling
- Lip Modeling
- Petite Modeling
- Catalog Modeling
- Plus-Size Modeling
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “alien” or that you have to look like one in order to be considered a true model. This is NOT entirely true! Yes, there are levels to how the shape of your overall face, eyes, teeth, lips, etc., can look like to be considered “alien-like” in which agencies love peculiar looks. However, it’s also mainly about personality and owning the look you’re born with. I’m just about 5’9 and I grew up with long legs so runway was an option but clients loved that I have naturally full lips so I always did commercial work for big brand lip products like M.A.C. See photos above.
For example: Runway usually requires women to be at least 5’9 to be considered. However, if you’re 5’5, freckles, a big smile, and hair full of volume you can try commercial work for skin care campaigns like Clinique or a H&M clothing ad.
Modeling has room for everyone as long as YOU know where you fit best. Use downtime to do research on different agencies and pay attention to the models they are signed with on their site!
2. Time to Take Your Digitals!
What are “digitals” you may ask? Digitals are a set of very natural photos you can use to eventually submit to an agency. You also take them once you’re signed to an agency by your agent so that they can send it to clients for different job bookings as well. Little to no makeup is needed. Agencies want to see your most NATURAL you!
You need about 4-5 different types of bodily and facial angle photos for your digitals:
- Profile (front of your face from shoulders up and/or full body)
- Side Profile (usually from your hips up and/or full body)
- For women, you have the option of bikini shots
- For men, you have the option of shirtless shots
- Full body (you can do a soft pose to show personality)
- Smile (smiling is usually not necessary for digitals but you can do a soft grin for a shot)
Digital template is down below for reference:
What do I wear for a digital? Where can I get my digitals taken? Digitals are probably the simplest photos you can ever take. Here a just a few of the things you need to take a great digital:
- Wear neutral colors that compliment your skin (black, white, nude, etc.)
- You can wear a tank top like the photo above. However, if you don’t want to feel too exposed, a shape-wear long sleeve or T-shirt can work too.
- Black pants or jeans.
- No makeup or “no makeup-makeup” (natural makeup look if you want to cover any dark spots, blemishes, etc.)
- No jewelry – Agencies want to see your bare skin with no pops of color or too much accessory.
- Clean hair – If your hair can go back, make sure you do so, your face needs to be seen. If you have natural hair whether it’s 4C, 3B, etc. you can leave it out and style it to your liking as well.
- Have your poses ready!
Digitals can be taken by a professional photographer or one you know personally too. They can also be taken right in the comfort of your home! Make sure you find a room with natural lighting firstly. Natural sun lighting has a unique camera ready affect that you can’t receive from lights you purchase for shoots. Having a white or plain background is super important to really see your silhouette clearly.
If you’re taking your shots at home, you can just use your phone if it’s nice and clear! If your shots or being taken by someone with a professional camera, it is important that there is a level of positive and informative communication between you and the photographer on the types of photos you need too.
Here’s mine with a professional camera!!! @photo_tatianakatkova
3. How to Start Your Agency Search: Mother Agency vs. Agency
Finding an agency can be fun but also very difficult because there are soooo many unique faces! Not impossible however!
Sometimes an agency can find you! Which is called being “scouted”. This can be from walking past an agent at a grocery store on a random Tuesday or finding you from an Instagram post you posted like a month ago. This can even happen from a photo someone takes of you on the street like famous Supermodel Anok Yai who’s photo went viral from a photo taken by a photographer at a festival back in 2017! See viral photo of Anok Yai and read how the model came to be!
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Now, not everyone will super lucky and become scouted just like that. You still have to put in the work. Finding an agency can be tricky. Not only are you looking at who will give you an opportunity but also, if the agent can really represent you to the best of their ability, along with what you can offer to their services and make an image for yourself!
Remember when I mentioned earlier to look into different agency websites and see their signed models and how they look versus you? That’s just one way to figure out if an agency is a good fit.
What is a Mother Agency? A mother agency is agency that will help develop your upbringing by updating your portfolio and creating connections for you to eventually get signed to a top agency. You can then eventually work with both and be signed to more than one with the help of your Mother Agency also known as “MA”. Most models start here but not required. Almost like a mom raising you haha! It’s in the name! You can learn about the difference on contracts too in “Modeling Contracts to Know”
What is a Basic Agency? Basic agencies help push you to book in top markets with the help of a mother agency but many models start without a mother agency and can become just as successful!
How to Submit? Most agency websites have a section called “Get scouted”, “become a model”, or many other titles that you click and start your submission! Some agencies also have the option to DM them your digitals and measurements through social platforms like Instagram. You can also send a direct email which agencies will have more info on in their page bios.
Down below is an example from the Ford Models site:
Now, you did research on an a Mother Agency or Agency to submit for, you took your digitals, and now you finally submitted! Here comes the hard part…..
4. Don't Relax! Keep the Drive Even Higher!
Now that you’ve submitted or were potentially scouted by an agency, the next step is wait for their response or….no response at all…
What do you Mean no Response at All?? Agencies receive thousands of applicants a week alone by individuals from all over the world. If an agency is really interested in what you have to offer or if they feel at though they’re a good fit to represent you, they can get back to you very quickly or at least within 1-2 weeks! Unfortunately, you can send multiple digitals to agencies, and if they see you’re not a good fit, you will not receive anything back from them. You would have to assume they don’t think you’re what their looking for at this time. I know…even more nerve wracking. But not to worry!
REMEMBER!…
Agencies are looking to see if their a good fit FOR YOU! so don’t take it personal if it doesn’t work out at that time. The best part is you can always reapply later. Agencies are still a place of work with an entire team, big or small, so they are always adding new members to the agency while people come and go. This also gives you time to update your look In the meantime!
What do I do if An Agency Gets Back to me? If an agency finally reaches out to you, they will sometimes ask to see your full portfolio or more work from you to really see if you’re a good fit! This is when you can finally pull the tricks out of your sleeve and show them your work. However, if you’re a brand new model and don’t have work, that’s totally okay! You may be asked for more angles from your digitals or even ask you to come into their main office directly.
Once you get far enough after submissions, you will be invited into their main office and finally meet you in person! From there, the rest is history!
5. Time to Work!
You’ve made it to the last step!
Once you officially get signed to the agency, the world is yours! You will learn all that you can from the agency, the brands you book, the individuals you will meet is the business, and more. Some things will be pretty and some, not so much.
We’re now in 2025. Which means there are so many possibilities to be discovered in this industry nowadays. Just always remember to do what’s most natural to you and STAY YOU!
It’s very easy to lose yourself in this industry when you meet the wrong people or how you were treated during one shoot, but even some of the biggest models have their stories. In the end, stay true to YOU!
