Want to have the best chance at getting signed from your modeling agency submissions? Below I talk about things you can do before you submit to increase your chances!
When applying for modeling agency submissions, it can be hard knowing what an agency is looking for when you have no experience.
You have to start somewhere when you begin modeling, but you don’t have to start from scratch. By the end of this post, you should feel confident when you finally decide to do your modeling agency submissions.
This post is all about how to best prepare for your modeling agency submissions.
Modeling Agency Submissions
1. Practice Posing
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!! Modeling is like a sport in the sense you acquire muscle memory over time.
The more you practice your poses in the mirror, the more your body will naturally flow from pose to pose on set when you don’t have a mirror!
2. Digitals
Mostly every single modeling agency you look at is going to want digitals from you when you submit. Digitals can be taken on your phone or they can be taken professionally.
If you don’t know what digitals are, what to wear or how to take them, I highly, highly suggest reading my blog post, ‘How To Take Modeling Digitals‘!!!!
3. Updated Hair
When submitting to a modeling agency, not only will they want to see clean hair. They will want to see that your hair is the same as your pictures in terms of color and length.
If you’ve changed your hair or your roots are showing, before you submit, you should either get new digitals/photos showing your new hair or switch back to the hair shown in your most recent portfolio photos.
4. Skincare Routine
As I mentioned in my blog post, ‘How to Get Supermodel Skin‘, you don’t have to have perfect skin to be a model, but keeping up a good skincare routine is super important!
Despite living in the era of photoshop, brands try to avoid paying thousands of dollars for professional retouching AND agencies want you to look exactly like your picture, in person!!
5. Make a List
I highly encourage all aspiring models to make a list of qualities and things they are looking for in an agency. So often, people get caught up in feeling so grateful to even be signed to an agency, they forget – modeling agencies need YOU as much as you need them!
With that said, not every modeling agency is going to align with your goals or even your beliefs.
For example, some agencies might specialize in a specific category. So if you want to do runway, you might not want to be signed to a commercial agency because they are least likely to get runway work. Some agencies want you on a strict diet and aren’t as body positive and might ask you to lose weight. Some agencies might be restrictive on what you post on social media so if you’re a content creator too, that could affect work. And so on…
Make a list of things that YOU want out of your future agency!
6. Practice Your Walk
This one mostly applies to the aspiring plus size models that want to do runway. However, some agencies will have you do a walk in person at a casting/audition so it doesn’t hurt to practice a good walk.
I recommend either using a full length mirror so you can see yourself or film on your phone so you can watch back the footage and take notes!
7. Test Shoot or Portfolio
Having a test shoot isn’t essential however it vastly improves your chances of being seen and signed with a modeling agency.
Having a test shoot or portfolio ready for an agency shows that you’re serious and most importantly, showcases where you’re at in terms of posing, facial expressions, range, and comfortably on camera.
A great or even a good portfolio or test shoot can get you far!! For more portfolio inspiration, check out the blog post, ‘5 Must-Have Photos in Your Plus Size Modeling Portfolio That Will Get You Booked‘!
8. Social Media Cleanse
When becoming a model, it’s important to think about how you want to use social media.
For example, if you’re going to use your instagram as a portfolio, I would suggest not posting a large amount of personal photos so agencies can see your work without having to scroll endlessly.
Or another example, if you love posting about your family and friends specifically on your main feed often, maybe consider starting a personal or private social media account OR starting a social media account specifically to show off your modeling work.
Nowadays, a lot of agencies are looking at social media to either find models or see their past work so before you submit to an agency, think about if you need a social media cleanse.
9. Walk in Heels
Although you want always need to be able to walk in heels, you never know when you will and you don’t want to be unprepared.
Even just knowing how to stand in heels is important. If you don’t know how to walk in them, at least know how to pose in them!
Years ago, I had an audition in New York where they asked me to pose in 5 inch skinny stiletto heels for an audition and I tried my hardest, but it was awkward and I vowed to never let that happen again.
Not to mention, if you get a meeting or an audition from your submission, an agency will most likely want you to come in wearing a pair of black heels.
I highly recommended checking out my blog post, ‘27 Great High Heel Shoes for Modeling‘. On that blog post I have heel recommendations for every level whether you’re new and beginning in heels or you’re an advanced pro!
This post was all about preparation for modeling agency submissions!!
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