Introduction-
Hello and welcome to your Modeling Guide. Thank you very much for subscribing and I
hope that this guide will be useful to you as you embark on a journey in the modeling
industry.
This guide is not meant to be a comprehensive all-inclusive publication. The scope of
this guide is only essential information needed to get started in the modeling career.
Feel free to drop me a message with your suggestions for topics that you’d like to see
covered in greater detail in future publications.
I would like to thank my modeling agents for always believing in me, all photographers
and stylists I got to work with, my family and my husband for unconditional support.
Photography credits: Josh Williams, Joseph D. Tran, Lo Garcia.
Image cover design: Serge Stuart (IG: @serge_photog)
__________
Disclaimer: This guide contains several Amazon affiliate links to products that I use or
recommend. A lot of work went into compiling and curating this guide and I would love it
if you use the links to purchase any products mentioned here. The little commission I
get on these links will help me to continue to bring great content to you.
[Link]/contact
Instagram: @[Link]
TikTok: @katyagribanova
2
Table of Contents-
Introduction 2
I. Things you need to know 7
1. Types of Modeling 7
2. Different types of agencies 8
Modeling and Talent Agencies 8
Mother Agency 9
Casting Agency 10
3. Modeling Polaroids/Digitals 11
How to take your digitals? 11
4. Modeling Portfolio 12
How to build a modeling portfolio? 12
Model Testing 12
Collaborations 12
Modeling Portfolio Book 13
5. Composite Card (Comp Card) 14
II. How to get started? 15
How to get signed to a modeling agency? 15
Submitting to a modeling agency online 15
Attending a modeling agency open call 17
Your appearance 17
Bring 18
Attitude 18
Getting scouted on Social Media 19
Instagram 19
TikTok 19
III. Working Tips 20
1. Model bag 20
What’s in my Model bag? 20
Modeling wardrobe 21
2. Castings/Auditions 22
Common Terms 22
Go-see 22
Callback 22
3
Self-tape audition 22
What to wear to a casting? 23
What to bring to a casting? 23
3. Bookings 24
Common terms 24
Book out dates 24
Direct booking 24
Full buyout 24
Model release form 24
Getting ready for a photoshoot 25
How to book jobs without a representation? 26
Casting Websites 26
Apps 27
4. More tips 28
Posing tips 28
Runway tips 29
General tips 30
IV. Good Luck! 31
Attachment #1: Modeling agencies (USA) 32
ARIZONA 32
Phoenix 32
Tucson 32
CALIFORNIA 32
Los Angeles 32
San Francisco 33
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 33
Washington D.C. 33
FLORIDA 33
Hernando 33
Miami 33
Miami Beach 34
GEORGIA 34
Atlanta 34
ILLINOIS 34
Chicago 34
MINNESOTA 35
4
Minneapolis 35
MISSOURI 35
St. Louis 35
NEVADA 35
Las Vegas 35
NEW JERSEY 35
Hoboken 35
NEW YORK 36
New York City 36
NORTH CAROLINA 37
Greensboro 37
OHIO 37
Cleveland 37
OREGON 37
Medford 37
Portland 37
PENNSYLVANIA 38
Philadelphia 38
Pittsburgh 38
TENNESSEE 38
Nashville 38
TEXAS 38
Austin 38
Dallas 38
Houston 39
UTAH 39
Salt Lake City 39
VIRGINIA 39
Richmond 39
WASHINGTON 39
Seattle 39
Attachment #2: Modeling agencies (Europe) 40
FRANCE 40
Paris 40
Montreuil 40
ITALY 41
Milan 41
5
United Kingdom 42
Glasgow 42
London 42
Manchester 43
References 44
6
I. Things you need to know-
1. Types of Modeling
Different types of modeling have different model requirements. Make sure to do your
research.
7
2. Different types of agencies
Modeling and Talent Agencies
Modeling agency is a company that represents models, manages their careers, submit
for jobs and negotiates bookings and contracts.
Fees
● typically, 20% commission (agency applies it to all bookings),
● annual website/comp cards fee (depends on an agency).
You should never pay any fees to join an agency. Modeling agencies don’t take money
upfront. They simply deduct it from your paycheck.
Talent agency usually represents different types of models. Talent agencies don't have
strict height and size requirements, they usually have more commercial clients.
See Attachment #1 for USA modeling agencies list and Attachment #2 for European
agencies.
8
Mother Agency
Normally, the first agency a model begins working with.
Mother agent:
● helps models to build their portfolios,
● provides coaching and guidance,
● places models with other agencies in different markets.
Some mother agencies don’t have clients on it’s own. So they only get paid when you
do.
Fees
● typically 10% commission (from the agencies they got you signed with)
9
Casting Agency
Casting agencies help production companies find models for their projects. Casting
agencies don’t represent models. If a casting agency needs to cast models, they
contact modeling agencies. Then modeling agents send models’ portfolios that fit the
role to a casting agency. The casting director selects models they want to invite for a
casting/audition. The final decision is made by a client.
There are casting websites that allow you to submit for projects on your own. See “How
to book jobs without a representation?”.
Fees
● monthly membership fee (on average, $20/month)
10
3. Modeling Polaroids/Digitals
Modeling polaroids/digitals are unedited photos used in a modeling industry to show
your current look to the agencies and clients. Great digitals showcase the model in the
most natural way. They used to be taken with a Polaroid camera. So you would hear the
term “polaroids” as often.
How to take your digitals?
You don’t need a professional camera to take digitals. Cell phone works great. Ask your
friend or a family member to help you and follow the guides below.
General guidelines
Polaroids examples
11
4. Modeling Portfolio
Portfolio is a model’s resume. It consists of the model's strongest photos and tear
sheets. Great portfolio has a variety of different looks, expressions and movement to
showcase a model's potential. Remember, less is more. Only include your strongest
images and don’t add more than 20 photos.
Tear sheet
An actual page torn from a magazine or a digital publication.
How to build a modeling portfolio?
Model Testing
Model test shoots are unpaid photoshoots. The main purpose of the shoot is to produce
images for the model's portfolio. As a beginner model you will be doing a lot of test
shoots to build your book. Your agency will provide you with a list of photographers they
trust.
Sometimes models pay for test shoots.
Collaborations
If you don’t have an agency yet a great way to build your modeling portfolio is by doing
collaborations. We live in a great era of the Internet. You can look for photographers on
Instagram simply by using hashtags (for example, #nycphotographer, #nyphotographer
- if you live in NYC). Reach out to a photographer you like and ask if he/she would be
interested to do a test shoot with you. Be professional. Sending an email is a good idea.
12
Modeling Portfolio Book
Book - hard copy of model’s resume.
Standard modeling portfolio book:
● size: 9" x 12"
● holds 8" x 12" prints
● includes back pocket for comp cards
Where to buy a Modeling Portfolio Book?
The Model Shop Portfolio Book (20 Pages for 40 Views) (Black Scuba, 9" x 12")
Where to print photos 8 x 12?
[Link]
13
5. Composite Card (Comp Card)
Comp card serves as a model business card. It usually has a headshot on a front side
and 4 images on the back along with your name, stats and agency contact information.
Comp cards are printed on both sides of a card stock. Standard size: 5.5" x 8.5".
See an example below.
FRONT BACK
Comp cards examples
14
II. How to get started?-
How to get signed to a modeling agency?
Finding the right modeling agency for you is crucial. Make sure to do your research.
Check out modeling agencies websites, see what kind of models they represent. Be
realistic. If you are petite don’t waste your time by submitting photos to an agency that
only represents high fashion models. They simply don’t have clients for you. So you
won’t be able to book jobs with them.
Submitting to a modeling agency online
Some agencies may also require walking and personality videos.
15
Important!
● There is no cost to submit your photos to a modeling agency and you should
never pay any fees to join an agency. It’s a huge red flag.
● Modeling agencies usually don’t reply to online submissions if they aren’t
interested. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back from an agency. You
might not be the right look for that specific agency, or it’s just not the right time.
Feel free to re-apply in 6 months with the new set of digitals. In the meantime
make sure to work on your portfolio, improve your posing skills, etc.
16
Attending a modeling agency open call
Some agencies have open calls to meet new talent. That means that you can just
walk-in to an agency without an appointment. Modeling agencies hold open calls during
work hours. Whether you are attending an open call or have an appointment with an
agency you should follow this guideline.
Your appearance
Agents want to see a real you without any makeup or fancy clothes. Consider yourself a
canvas.
Make sure you come prepared.
17
Bring
Attitude
18
Getting scouted on Social Media
A great way to get discovered in 2020 is by using social platforms.
Instagram
Agency Official Scouting Account Hashtag
Ford Models @fordmodelsscout #fordmodelsscout
IMG Models @weloveyourgenes #wlyg
LA Models @wescoutusa #wescoutusa
Major Model Management NYC @majorscouts #makemeamajormodel
New York Models @wescoutusa #wescoutusa
Wilhelmina Models @wilhelminamodels #willyscouts
TikTok
Agency Official Scouting Account Hashtag
IMG Models @weloveyourgenes #wlyg
Make sure your profile is public.
19
III. Working Tips-
1. Model bag
What’s in my Model bag?
These are the basics you should have in your model bag. Professional models have a
model bag always packed so they can attend a last-minute casting or even jump on a
booking (in case another model becomes unavailable to work or client decides to add
one more model). Believe me, it happens all the time.
Below you can find basic modeling wardrobe and shoes recommendations. Sometimes
clients ask you to bring your own clothes to a shoot.
20
Modeling wardrobe
21
2. Castings/Auditions
Casting is a process of choosing models for jobs. Castings are a big part of a model’s
life. The more castings you attend the more opportunities for jobs you have. It’s
basically a numbers game.
When it comes to communicating with your agency there are a few terms you need to
know.
Common Terms
Go-see
When a model meets a client for the first time. Usually the client looks at the model's
book, takes some photos and maybe asks a model to try on some clothes.
Callback
A second casting. That means that you made the first cut, and the client would like to
see one more time before making the final decision.
Self-tape audition
It’s an audition that is recorded by a model herself. Self-tapes are becoming more
popular these days. Good lighting is very important when it comes to filming a self-tape.
I found it pretty handy to have your own tripod and ring light. See links below for
equipment I use.
Light Panel
Tripod with phone holder
22
What to wear to a casting?
What to bring to a casting?
23
3. Bookings
Common terms
Book out dates
Dates when a model is unavailable to work. Always let your agent know ahead of time.
Direct booking
Booking without a go-see or a casting. Client selects a model based on her book and/or
comp card. You might be asked to take some snapshots of yourself or record a
self-tape.
Full buyout
One-time fee paid in addition to a model’s rate for a shoot. It gives a client the right to
use those images in any future advertisement without paying any residuals.
Model release form
A legal document granting image rights to the clients. Never sign anything that your
agent hasn’t reviewed.
24
Getting ready for a photoshoot
These are a few things I learnt through experience.
25
How to book jobs without a representation?
There are a few websites and apps you can use to submit for projects on your own
either if you have no representation yet or your modeling contract allows you to do so.
Casting Websites
Actors Access is an important tool for maintaining
actors profiles by uploading and maintaining headshots,
updating their résumé, adding new skills and attributes,
managing performance videos, and more, all online.
Actors Access Example Resume
Since 1960, Backstage has served as the #1 resource
for actors and performers to find high-quality roles to
match their interests and career goals. Unlimited
submissions, best-in-class casting tools, and more
performance roles than any other casting service.
Casting Networks, LLC is the leading provider of
casting and audition management software to the
casting industry. Casting directors and agents worldwide
use Casting Networks to source and manage talent
across film, television, digital and commercials projects
facilitating over a million auditions per year.
Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York,
London and Sydney.
Casting Networks Example Resume
DragonukConnects is an Entertainment Industry
Network covering the Mid-Atlantic USA including
Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and
surrounding areas.
Taylor Royall | Betsy Royall Casting, C.S.A. is a
full-service talent casting agency for on-camera actors,
print models and voice over artists. Servicing the
Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia region for over
40 years. Taylor Royall Example Resume
26
Apps
Newbook is empowering models to seamlessly manage their own
careers. Get discovered by top brands, book jobs directly, apply to
castings, and get paid all in one beautiful, easy-to-use app.
Newbook Example Resume
AGENT, the fastest growing professional modeling platform in the world
— available in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego and Seattle. AGENT empowers
models to be more successful by allowing them to showcase their
portfolios, set their rates and apply for jobs.
27
4. More tips
Posing tips
You have to learn your angles, what works for your body type.
General guidance
Book recommendation
Study of Pose: 1,000 Poses by Coco Rocha
28
Runway tips
29
General tips
30
IV. Good Luck!-
Remember, things take time to happen. I personally don’t believe in overnight success.
Hard work, consistency and patience will take you places. Don’t forget to enjoy!
I would like to hear about your journey, please share your story.
[Link]/contact
Instagram: @[Link]
TikTok: @katyagribanova
31
Attachment #1: Modeling agencies (USA)-
ARIZONA
Phoenix
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
THE AGENCY ARIZONA
Tucson
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
ARIZONA MODEL MANAGEMENT
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles
Premium listings: Modeling Agencies
DT MODEL MANAGEMENT STORM MANAGEMENT
IMG LOS ANGELES THE LIONS
LA MODEL MANAGEMENT TWO MANAGEMENT
NEXT LA VISION LOS ANGELES
PHOTOGENICS LA
STATE MANAGEMENT
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
ELITE LA SCOUT MODEL AGENCY
FORD MODELS LA SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT LA
FREEDOM MODELS SOCIAL NEW YORK
MERAKI MODELS THE INDUSTRY LA
NO TIES MANAGEMENT WILHELMINA LOS ANGELES
NOMAD MANAGEMENT
NOUS MODEL MANAGEMENT
Management Companies & Scouts
CAA
32
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
BIG PICTURE ARTISTS MARGAUX MODELS
ERIC STERN NTA MODEL MANAGEMENT
GENETIC MODELS MANAGEMENT WILLOW MODEL MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT ROTHSCHILD WRENN MANAGEMENT
San Francisco
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
SCOUT MODEL AGENCY
STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
LOOK MODEL AGENCY
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington D.C.
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
THE ARTIST AGENCY
KINGSLEY MODEL + TALENT MANAGEMENT
FLORIDA
Hernando
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
NEW VERSION MODEL MANAGEMENT
Miami
Premium listings: Modeling Agencies
FRONT MANAGEMENT
NEXT MIAMI
NOMAD MANAGEMENT
33
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
ELITE MIAMI
SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT MIAMI
THE INDUSTRY MIAMI
ZOMBIE MODEL MANAGEMENT
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
THE SOURCE MODELS
THE SYNDICAL
Miami Beach
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
WILHELMINA MIAMI
GEORGIA
Atlanta
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT ATLANTA
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
GOOD TALENT MANAGEMENT
[Link] MANAGEMENT
ILLINOIS
Chicago
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
FORD MODELS CHICAGO SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT CHICAGO
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
BMG MODELS CHICAGO
34
MINNESOTA
Minneapolis
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
IGNITE MODELS
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
ARQUETTE AGENCY
MISSOURI
St. Louis
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
MOTHER MANAGEMENT
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
WEST MODEL MANAGEMENT
NEVADA
Las Vegas
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
TNG MODELS
NEW JERSEY
Hoboken
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
VIE MODEL & TALENT AGENCY
35
NEW YORK
New York City
Premium listings: Modeling Agencies
APM MODEL MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL MODEL MANAGEMENT
CAA ONE MANAGEMENT
CLICK Q MODEL MANAGEMENT NY
DNA MODELS RED MODEL MANAGEMENT
ELITE NEW YORK CITY SOUL ARTIST MANAGEMENT
FENTON MODEL MANAGEMENT STATE MANAGEMENT
FORD MODELS SUPREME MANAGEMENT
FUSION MODELS THE INDUSTRY
HEROES MODEL MANAGEMENT THE LIONS
IDENTITY THE SOCIETY MANAGEMENT
IMG VNY MODELS
MAJOR MODEL MANAGEMENT WILHELMINA NEW YORK
MARILYN AGENCY WOMEN / 360
MUSE MANAGEMENT WOMEN MANAGEMENT
NEW YORK MODEL MANAGEMENT
NEXT NEW YORK
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
ANTHM NEW ICON NEW YORK
BMG NEW YORK NEW SCOUTING & MANAGEMENT
CANVAS MANAGEMENT SKORPION MGMT
CRAWFORD MODELS SOCIAL NEW YORK
D1 MODEL MANAGEMENT THE MODEL COOP
EMG MODELS WE SPEAK
ICONICFOCUS MODELS
JAG MODELS
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
28 MODELS REMM
CALIBER MODELS SAM WORLDWIDE
ETHOS MODEL MANAGEMENT SCOUTS HONOUR
KOLLEKTIV MGMT TRUE MODEL MANAGEMENT
NO AGENCY NEW YORK UNITE UNITE
NOVA MANAGEMENT WILSON MODEL MANAGEMENT
PARTS MODELS
36
NORTH CAROLINA
Greensboro
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
DIRECTIONS USA
OHIO
Cleveland
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
DOCHERTY MODEL & TALENT AGENCY
OREGON
Medford
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
IMD
Portland
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
OPTION
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
Q6 MODEL & ARTIST
37
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
REINHARD MODEL AND TALENT AGENCY
JOY TALENT AGENCY
CLICK MODELS PHILADELPHIA
Pittsburgh
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
DOCHERTY MODEL & TALENT AGENCY
TENNESSEE
Nashville
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
AMAX TALENT
TEXAS
Austin
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
JONES MODEL MANAGEMENT
Dallas
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
THE CAMPBELL AGENCY THE DRAGONFLY AGENCY
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
KIM DAWSON AGENCY WALLFLOWER MANAGEMENT
38
Houston
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
PAGE PARKES
UTAH
Salt Lake City
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
NIYA MANAGEMENT
VIRGINIA
Richmond
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
MODELOGIC
Basic listings: Mother Agencies
KIM ALLEY MODELS
WASHINGTON
Seattle
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
HEFFNER MANAGEMENT
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
SMG
TCM MODELS & TALENT
39
Attachment #2: Modeling agencies (Europe)-
FRANCE
Paris
Premium listings: Modeling Agencies
16 & 16MEN OUI MANAGEMENT
BANANAS MODELS PREMIUM MODELS
ELITE PARIS ROCK MEN
FORD MODELS PARIS SAFE MGMT
IMG PARIS SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT PARIS
KARIN MODELS SUCCESS MODELS
MARILYN AGENCY SUPREME MANAGEMENT
METROPOLITAN / M MANAGEMENT / VIVA PARIS
MAKERS WOMEN MANAGEMENT PARIS
NEW MADISON
NEXT PARIS
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
CITY MODELS THE FACE
COVER TITANIUM MANAGEMENT
MAXENCE ORARD WOMEN 360 PARIS
SILENT
SILVER
THE CLAW
Management Companies & Scouts
ZZO
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
BOLT TALENT MANAGEMENT LE BUREAU BOOKING
CLOSE UP MANAGEMENT MADEMOISELLE AGENCY
FL MODELS MANAGEMENT AND SCOUTING STUDIO PARIS
GIRL
Montreuil
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
SCOUTING ONE
40
ITALY
Milan
Premium listings: Modeling Agencies
BRAVE MODEL MANAGEMENT INDEPENDENT MODEL MANAGEMENT
CREW MODEL MANAGEMENT MONSTER MANAGEMENT
D'MANAGEMENT GROUP NEXT MILAN
ELITE MILAN SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT MILANO
FABBRICA MILANO MANAGEMENT WHY NOT MODEL MANAGEMENT
FASHION MODEL MANAGEMENT WOMEN MANAGEMENT MILAN
I LOVE MODELS MANAGEMENT
IMG MILANO
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
BOOM MODELS AGENCY URBN MODELS
E2 MODEL MANAGEMENT WAVE MANAGEMENT / THE WALL
MAJOR MODELS MILAN WOMEN DIRECT
NOLOGO MGMT WONDERWALL MANAGEMENT
POWER MODELS MANAGEMENT
SPECIAL MANAGEMENT
THE LAB MODELS
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
#SPECIALBEAUTIES
VEGA MODELS
WB MANAGEMENT
41
United Kingdom
Glasgow
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
COLOURS AGENCY
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
MODEL TEAM
London
Premium listings: Modeling Agencies
3MMODELS NEXT LONDON
AMCK MODELS PREMIER MODEL MANAGEMENT
D1 MODEL MANAGEMENT SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT LONDON
ELITE LONDON STORM MANAGEMENT
ESTABLISHED MODELS SUPA MODEL MANAGEMENT
IMG LONDON TESS MANAGEMENT
KULT LONDON THE SQUAD
M + P MODELS VIVA LONDON
MILK MANAGEMENT WILHELMINA LONDON
MODELS 1
NEVS
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
BODY LONDON PRESENT MODEL MANAGEMENT
BROTHER MODELS PRM AGENCY
FIRST MODEL MANAGEMENT THE HIVE MANAGEMENT
KMA TITANIUM MANAGEMENT
LENI'S MODEL MANAGEMENT UNSIGNED GROUP
LINDEN STAUB WILD MANAGEMENT
NAMED MODELS
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
ANTI AGENCY
FOMO MODELS
THE SCOUTING FIRM
42
Manchester
Standard listings: Modeling Agencies
BOSS MODELS UK
Basic listings: Modeling Agencies
NEMESIS MODELS
43
References-
1. [Link], Inc 2000-2020. Modeling Agencies. Retrieved from
[Link]
2. 2020 Casting Networks, LLC. About Casting Networks. Retrieved from
[Link]
3. 2020 Backstage. Home page. Retrieved from [Link]
etrieved from
4. Taylor Royall | Betsy Royall Casting and Photography. About. R
[Link]
etrieved from
5. 2020 Dragonuk Connects. Welcome to DragonukConnects. R
[Link]
6. 2020 Breakdown Services, Ltd., Our Family of Companies. Retrieved from
[Link]
7. 2020 Apple Inc., Newbook, Retrieved from
[Link]
8. 2020 Apple Inc., AGENT Models, Retrieved from
[Link]
44
