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Tags: Be A Model | Modeling Agencies | Modeling Agents  Modeling agencies get paid by getting work for models. The agency earns a commission based on the amount of money the model makes. Modeling agencies have clients who hire the models and pay the fees – that's where the money comes from. Modeling agencies may also perform other functions like billing, bookkeeping, advertising and career development, but getting paying jobs for models is their sole business purpose.
What an agency calls itself is not really important as not all modeling agencies call themselves agencies, and not all businesses that call themselves agencies really are. Even companies that contain the word agency in their title are not always real modeling agencies. Real modeling agencies get models jobs and if a company or business does not perform that one essential function – they are not an actual agency. If the company earns its money from sources other than model's commissions – like classes or up front fees – they are not a model agency. Likewise, a company that does not call itself an agency might actually be one. Some management companies make their money by booking modeling work. By definition they are modeling agencies. It is extremely important to know where the company actually makes its money. If you don't know – ask – otherwise your modeling agency might not be one at all.Real modeling agencies have offices with published street addresses and real people answering real phones during normal business hours. Modeling schools are not modeling agencies even if they have an agency attached to them or perform some agency duties. If they make most of their money on the fees from classes and other training instead of commissions on bookings, they are not a true agency. Companies that run model searches and modeling conventions are not modeling agencies. The search and convention companies don't claim to be modeling agencies and they don't earn their money from model commissions. They charge up-front fees to attend searches and conventions where aspiring models get a chance to be seen by real agencies. There are numerous Internet-based businesses that host model photos and information. They are sometimes used by agencies to locate models, but they are not actual agencies themselves because they do not have clients who book models. Casting web sites with legitimate casting call lists may or may not charge up-front fees, but they are not modeling agencies and cannot replace the need for real modeling agencies. |
Anyone serious about a career in modeling should be serious about obtaining the services of a professional modeling agent. Exactly what does a modeling agent do? They find models work. Modeling agents negotiate job contracts and serve as employment agents, connecting models with paying clients that represent companies and products. Typical clients a modeling agent might have would be clothing companies, make-up manufacturers, retail stores and catalog companies.