Model Industry Statement

The modeling industry is a very competitive field. There are millions of men and women attempting to gain access to this industry every day. Many of these people give up the dream because of the fierce competition and as a result compromise themselves and go into areas that may be considered offshoots of the industry.

First of all, the modeling industry is comprised of the following:

1. Fitting Model - Model works for a fashion designer on new fashions in their design division. Usually the lowest pay within the industry.
   
   
2. Showroom Model - Model shows off outfits in private boutiques for upscale clients. Pay is very moderate for the model.
   
   
3. Runway Model - Usually Model is at least 5'8" in height and shows off outfits in major fashion shows. Pay is more than one or two.
   
   
4. Fashion or Commercial Print Model - Pay can be substantial depending on advertising campaign, where advertisements will be placed (i.e. major magazines, brochures, direct mail, POP at tradeshows, posters, etc.), and often ads will be placed and how many people will see them. Usage and residual fees come into play here and the moneys involved may be in the six or seven figure range. A model involved in paper product retail sales (i.e. Posters, Postcards, Greeting Cards, and Calendars) can be substantial too if a major paper product manufacturer and distributor is involved. Many models usually think of the Fashion Model Agencies, but working in the Commercial Print area may actually be bigger. Ads for Coca Cola, McDonalds, Car Manufacturers, and so on may propel a commercial print model faster. There is a considerable bigger opportunity to work in the commercial area than the fashion area.
   
   
5. Television and Film - Obviously, exposure in this area is great and may also be financially lucrative to the model. When the model speaks, technically, the model may be becoming an actor/actress. As a result of this, there may be a requirement to join many of the acting unions such as SAG (Screen Actors Guild) or AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).
   
   

What is required of a Model to become successful in the Industry?

First of all, a professional model or someone destined to work in the real industry understands that to make it knows that they must align themselves with people who understand and work in the industry. These models understand that they must pay their dues (i.e. work with working photographers on test shoots, work in fashion shows for experience, etc.). Other behaviors necessary to work in the industry are the following:

1. Able to take direction and not have an attitude or ego problem. Models who have an attitude problem may find themselves removed from an agency, eliminated from a photo shoot and a host of other responses. In this age of digital photography or computer programs, it is easy to just erase the model from the image. In fact, this has happened to me in the past and I have seen models that have a self centered opinion of themselves that go nowhere. Models that have this negative attitude are usually the models that are scammed, bamboozled, and cheated easily as they do not see the signs of a con job. For example, modeling established that are set up in a run down retail location who request money from them frequently fork over the funds to make it big in modeling.
   
   
2. Show up on time for appointments.
   
   
3. Understand that there are certain costs involved to get into the business. Such costs as paying for composite (ZED) cards, portfolio enlargements, pictured business cards are examples.
   
   
4. Understand that they must seek people who have the influence in the Industry to get them where they are looking to go. For example, models need to be photographed by photographers that are actually published (as in magazines, books, brochures, newspapers, etc.). Models should be personally managed by people who are not their parents, but by people who are actually in the business. These people should have actual agency materials such as the agency books, comp cards, head sheets, and business cards. The people acting as the model's personal manager should have up to date directory materials of the Industry such as monthly Ross Reports, Back Stage Magazine, the Hollywood Report on Film Production, Henderson's Casting Directors Guide, USA Talent Directory, Agency File 2005, KLIK book of professional photographers, The Back Stage Handbook for Performing Artists, Photographer's Market, The NY Agent Book, The LA Agent Book, and then the Le Book 2005 which includes Art Direction, Magazines, Music, Advertising, Fashion, Hair-Make Up-Stylists, Model Agencies, Photo Production, Location Services, Photo Labs, Retouchers, Stock Agencies, Rentals, Events, Luxury Hotels, Photographers ( a NYC Photographer that is not in this book is not part of the industry at all), Illustration. If someone is acting as a Personal Manager for a model or actor and does not have at least this information, then how can they really be any good for the talent.
   
   

Models on the Internet

Models on the internet are not professional models. Models photographed by amateur photographers (photographers who have not been published) are not professional models. I have met models, some of which for one time only, have a need to be an internet model rather than a professional model. One model, who is on One Model Place, has only one tear sheet (published work) on her site. That published work was done by me and I expressed a need to represent her. Her father who represents her daughter connects her with amateur photographers who pay her a mere $200. This is sad, since in the real professional print world, the money to be earned is more substantial. I have personally sold work in the five figure range. I have personally found most models off the internet as the most unprofessional. I would rather discover models off the street or through referral in the business community.

Types of Models I Look For

I look for models that fit in the following categories:

1. Obviously I look for models that have a special look. I also look for models of all cultures, ages and both sexes.
   
   
2. I look for models that understand business and understand the need to align themselves with other people who have influence in the Industry.
   
   
3. Models that are humble and do not have an attitude problem. Obviously, people in the business talk amongst themselves. There is somewhat of a BLACK list in the Industry. Professional photographers, directors, agency directors, and other people in the industry are members of Trade Organizations and other business groups and meet on a regular basis. Word of mouth can be an affective way in promoting oneself or in destroying ones reputation.
   
   
4. Models that respect people around them and are courteous to others around them.
   
   
5. Models that are not talked into negative behavior such as porn sites, paid sites, etc.
   
   
6. Models that are goal driven to succeed. The models pictured on this page are those that I have met in the past that have touched me with respect to their goal driven behavior. I look for people like this on a regular basis. On this page you will see Susan Gallagher who was with the Ford Agency. As you can see, she is 5"3" in height. One of her most famous assignments was the Car music video. By the way, being tall is not a requirement to be in music videos. Anna Rahmberg from Pauline's, Lucy Thatcher from Elite, Kristin Kahkonen from Pauline's, and the Next Management Holiday Card.
   
   

Written by Marc Gagnon, President of Marc Gagnon Inc., Photographic Artist