5 answers
ESTHER
Student
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
1
Question
Asked
2620 views
how do i become a model with no sponsorship
Will i get the chance to become a model with no connections
5 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Esther !
Although there really isn't "sponsorship" per se for Modeling, it's true that Modeling requires enormous amounts of contacts and interaction with a great amount of people, so no, a Modeling career cannot be made with no contacts as well as it will not be acquired if one tries to do it online.
The contact sources for Modeling would be Modeling Schools, Photographers, Fashion House Staff, Corporate Advertising Agents, Fashion Designers and sometimes even other Models. You only get a Modeling Agent and sign on for work through an agency if the Modeling Agent chooses you, so it takes a lot of go-sees and is based on how you look. This is NOT DONE ONLINE regardless of what you may hear. You have to be out there meeting an enormous amount of contacts after you are fully trained and know a lot about the industry. And it is not only for clothing fashion, there's a lot more to it.
Many times, an actual active modeling agency will have a website and there will be photos of the models that the agency represents. This is for hiring people to look through and choose people to see, not hire. If the go-see shows that a model is what they are looking for, then the person hiring might choose that model.
The first thing that someone who is interested in Modeling needs to do is to read about this field of work. It is complex, requires lots of training and is based on whether or not the model is chosen by the employer. Someone suited for this profession will have polished social and life skills, excellent presentational skills and modeling experience.
Your first step is to enroll in Modeling School in your country. Your Modeling instructors will teach you everything you'd need to know. This will be the initial way you could tell if Modeling is truly for you, by actually learning and doing it. Keep in mind that not every model that applies to Modeling School gets accepted. They will evaluate your look for marketability potential. So, there's a lot to learn about this industry and it's more than seeing pictures of models and thinking it's fun. A lot of work and collaboration goes into each project and finished product that you see.
It is best to start seeking work once you are fully professionally trained and you should also be prepared to work in television, film, print, commercials, on site projects and any other work that may be offered to you. It is not recommended to submit your photos or portfolio before you are confident with how the industry is run. This will save you a lot of disappointment and wonder.
So find the modeling schools in your area and begin training if you want a Modeling career. Like I said, though, read about what it's like to be a Model in the professional realm and see if it sounds like something you'd want to make a commitment to. It's not something to just jump right into.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best in your journey of learning about the Modeling industry !
Although there really isn't "sponsorship" per se for Modeling, it's true that Modeling requires enormous amounts of contacts and interaction with a great amount of people, so no, a Modeling career cannot be made with no contacts as well as it will not be acquired if one tries to do it online.
The contact sources for Modeling would be Modeling Schools, Photographers, Fashion House Staff, Corporate Advertising Agents, Fashion Designers and sometimes even other Models. You only get a Modeling Agent and sign on for work through an agency if the Modeling Agent chooses you, so it takes a lot of go-sees and is based on how you look. This is NOT DONE ONLINE regardless of what you may hear. You have to be out there meeting an enormous amount of contacts after you are fully trained and know a lot about the industry. And it is not only for clothing fashion, there's a lot more to it.
Many times, an actual active modeling agency will have a website and there will be photos of the models that the agency represents. This is for hiring people to look through and choose people to see, not hire. If the go-see shows that a model is what they are looking for, then the person hiring might choose that model.
The first thing that someone who is interested in Modeling needs to do is to read about this field of work. It is complex, requires lots of training and is based on whether or not the model is chosen by the employer. Someone suited for this profession will have polished social and life skills, excellent presentational skills and modeling experience.
Your first step is to enroll in Modeling School in your country. Your Modeling instructors will teach you everything you'd need to know. This will be the initial way you could tell if Modeling is truly for you, by actually learning and doing it. Keep in mind that not every model that applies to Modeling School gets accepted. They will evaluate your look for marketability potential. So, there's a lot to learn about this industry and it's more than seeing pictures of models and thinking it's fun. A lot of work and collaboration goes into each project and finished product that you see.
It is best to start seeking work once you are fully professionally trained and you should also be prepared to work in television, film, print, commercials, on site projects and any other work that may be offered to you. It is not recommended to submit your photos or portfolio before you are confident with how the industry is run. This will save you a lot of disappointment and wonder.
So find the modeling schools in your area and begin training if you want a Modeling career. Like I said, though, read about what it's like to be a Model in the professional realm and see if it sounds like something you'd want to make a commitment to. It's not something to just jump right into.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best in your journey of learning about the Modeling industry !
Luis Herrera
Photographer
1
Answer
Mission Viejo, California
Updated
Luis’s Answer
First I would say social media is great and reach out to photographers who match the look you are interested in. Also there are a few website that people can represent themselves, one really great one is www.newbookmodels.com. Give that a try, goodluck!
Laura Lucas
13
Answers
Munster, Indiana
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hi Esther,
I can just give you advise based on my experience. I worked for clothing/fashion designers based in New York. When they came to my market, Chicago, I would individually hire models, or work with the in house fashion office, if the stores I called on (meaning they carried the designer's clothing line) had one. At that time, that included, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales . I would call my contact at my preferred agency, Elite, to have a model call. The candidates would come to the store and "interview" for the fashion show. They would be evaluated on how the samples fit and how they walked. I did also learn through that course, that each modeling agency would have an open call, meaning that there was a certain day/time that the agency would evaluate new candidates based on if that agency could use that candidate as a new face. Many candidates brought professional photos, if you have a portfolio of such. If not, you can certainly still attend. I wasn't familiar with any of the models I got to know over time that had a sponsorship. I hope that helps. If you have any further questions, based on the above, please feel free to contact me.
Best wishes in your journey,
Laura
I can just give you advise based on my experience. I worked for clothing/fashion designers based in New York. When they came to my market, Chicago, I would individually hire models, or work with the in house fashion office, if the stores I called on (meaning they carried the designer's clothing line) had one. At that time, that included, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales . I would call my contact at my preferred agency, Elite, to have a model call. The candidates would come to the store and "interview" for the fashion show. They would be evaluated on how the samples fit and how they walked. I did also learn through that course, that each modeling agency would have an open call, meaning that there was a certain day/time that the agency would evaluate new candidates based on if that agency could use that candidate as a new face. Many candidates brought professional photos, if you have a portfolio of such. If not, you can certainly still attend. I wasn't familiar with any of the models I got to know over time that had a sponsorship. I hope that helps. If you have any further questions, based on the above, please feel free to contact me.
Best wishes in your journey,
Laura
Kevin Thomas
Personal Stylist, Fashion Designer, Graphic Designer, Music Artist
3
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Well an unorthodox well that could work pretty well is utilizing Social Media. I would recommend if you don’t already create an Instagram or create an instagram specifically for your modeling career and start taking fit pics and head shots and take pictures in different locations to show versatility and create a portfolio for yourself. You can take pictures yourself with your phone by buying a tripod and setting a timer to take pictures or buy a camera and do the same thing with a tripod.
Another suggestion I would recommend is creating content on Tik-tok and you can basically sort of the same thing as you would on instagram but maybe do like behind the scenes of you taking picture or create “Outfit of the day” videos to show your personality and have nice music playing in the background and maybe even the most popular song at the moment to help with you being seen in the algorithm.
I hope these suggestions help and please feel free to ask me anymore questions!
Another suggestion I would recommend is creating content on Tik-tok and you can basically sort of the same thing as you would on instagram but maybe do like behind the scenes of you taking picture or create “Outfit of the day” videos to show your personality and have nice music playing in the background and maybe even the most popular song at the moment to help with you being seen in the algorithm.
I hope these suggestions help and please feel free to ask me anymore questions!
Michael J
IT Business Analyst
15
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Years ago I heard of modelmayhem. I would look into that. I would be very careful about who you meet and where. There a lot of people who won't have the best intentions. I personally would look into local modeling agencies that have good ratings/reviews. You might also find some model chat boards on reddit that might give you some good tips.
Most modeling agencies will have a standard contract where they get a specific %age of your earnings and they will book/pay for your travel and room/board and it gets taken out of your pay. So I would look into how other models handle those contracts and if there are other ways of managing it e.g. you book your own travel? They confirm with you on the cost before booking over a certain dollar amount, etc. the most important thing is to see this as a business. That everyone is looking to make money and some, to seek their own pleasures. Not to make friends. If you keep this in mind and have good boundaries, you can do well.
Best of luck.
Most modeling agencies will have a standard contract where they get a specific %age of your earnings and they will book/pay for your travel and room/board and it gets taken out of your pay. So I would look into how other models handle those contracts and if there are other ways of managing it e.g. you book your own travel? They confirm with you on the cost before booking over a certain dollar amount, etc. the most important thing is to see this as a business. That everyone is looking to make money and some, to seek their own pleasures. Not to make friends. If you keep this in mind and have good boundaries, you can do well.
Best of luck.
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