A Guide for applying to Agencies.

Agencies can range in their abilities and professionalism based entirely on how they operate, who they attract and who is behind them.

For instance, you may find that a top agency can get it’s models a great deal of work but have a poor working relationship with their models - thus making for a poor working scenario. Again you may find that some agencies may charge a high percentage per job for representation but do a good job of marketing you and are linked in to regular work or provide you with the abilities to find it yourself.

However if the work is not coming in for you and you are paying to be involved then you will be out of pocket and this is where reality kicks in and agencies can generate a bad name for themselves all because the model didn't think things through before signing.

1. How do I get involved with an agency?

Well the first question you need to ask yourself is “Is it the right time for me to be considering representation?”. The right agencies are a great way of getting yourself a good amount of exposure but are you really at a point where you can seriously take on a professional contract to work as a model? More importantly, are you at a point in your ability where these agencies will take your application seriously?

MG are well known for developing models as part of our commitment and this is a limited and exclusive offer which is why we are extremely cautious about who we add to the books, mainly because it is our investment in the model that makes it expensive for us to make poor choices. We do offer a similar service for a charge to models that are not signed to our Development Agency.

An agency can provide the model with a base of operations in regards to work and promotion as some models can struggle in this area when representing themselves, however, you still need to work out what you want from an agency before you go applying to them as their services may not meet your needs.

The main area that applicants fall down is in their initial contact with the agency when they are applying or using the contact tab on the website. Some people will send in very little information, no pictures and a vague level of experience.

These type of applicants will always end up in the “Rejected Folder” and have very little chance of anyone even coming back to them. Treat every application like an application for a dream job! Have all of your important details, list why you are ideal for the company (without being arrogant) and send some imagery to back up your claims.

Ideally pictures need to be very simple with a good headshot, profile shot and a candid image (one laughing or showing an emotion is best!). These images can be captured by yourself or you can have them done by a very good professional photographer as simple can be very hard to master. MG PRO-TOGRAPHERS are highly skilled in this area as part of their final qualification.

2. Should I send my pictures to the magazines?

A lot of models make the mistake of sending their pictures off to publications with the hope of getting a shoot with them, this almost never happens as most of the shoots in the more prestigious magazines are booked months in advance via their agency who are marketing and managing their interests.

More commonly in recent times, magazines purchase the imagery of models directly from the photographers or syndication specialists who act on behalf of the copyright owner to get the work in print. This has led to photographers offering syndication shoots to models where a profit share is agreed upon sale of the imagery.

MG also offer a Syndication Package for established models who are not signed to us but it allows to still work with them to gain the benefits of shooting with each other. You can find out more HERE on how professional models can take advantage of this.

Another option is self management and this could be the best move possible for models who know contacts at all of the publications and will have worked closely with freelance photographers who work for these magazines off and on.

The real answer is hold on to your images and find someone who can represent you with the magazines. Weekly mens mags are always looking for new girls to put in their publications and on their websites but unfortunately the careers of the ‘weekly’ models are usually as short-lived as that week’s magazine. Its important to ensure that you have the permission of the photographer to send your images off to magazines as unless you have specifically purchased the rights to their images then it may be an infringement of their copyright and could have legal ramifications.

3. How much should I expect to pay to join an agency?

You shouldn’t!!! Real agencies do not charge you to join their books because they know that if you are good enough to be represented then you are good enough to be an investment. Some agencies may insist on a test shoot first to test your range and this is normal, but make sure that you understand the next part of the process as well as what happens with your images if they do not select you as the photographer/agency owns the Copyright to any pictures, it is essential that you are aware of their plans to use your pictures and how. In addition, test shoots should ALWAYS be FREE.

This is different from if you are looking to purchase a package from a photographer where the costs could exceed £1000 as the pictures are for your use either professionally or personally and they should not be used to ascertain whether or not you could join an agency. MG offer several MG PRO-TOGRAPHY packages and these are for both Models and Non-Models (people who just want some nice pictures taken).

Be realistic, are you a future model or just someone who wants nice pictures?

4 An agency told me that they want me, I just need to get an admin fee together, is this ok?

Well that depends on your definition of okay? Admin fees are costs created by agencies to make extra money out of you, the same goes for website fees and resigning fees. There is nothing wrong with an agency making money via the commission gained by getting you work because this was it works to benefit both parties! Charging you to cover what is essentially costs created by themselves is a little much to ask, what if the worlds best model applied and they would loose her or him if they didn't want to pay? Bye bye commission.

Our advice is not to pay any admin fee’s, website fees, resigning fees or any other fees created with the aim of taking money out of your pocket and putting it into theirs. If asked to do so then get the agency to break down exactly how the charge works and how they have been calculated, then get some one who knows to have a look at it!

Another thing to look out for is just how many clients does the agency represent and how do they promote their Models? If they have 200 Models on their books it is unlikely that they are going to be able to do anything with yet another one and if they just stick you on a page based on the alphabet then you better hope someone is looking for you and your name is "Aaliyah Abbott" because it is unlikely that anyone is going to find you otherwise, let alone try to hire you and especially if you have just started out!

5. The Agency said they want me, it’s free but they said I need a shoot with a photographer, what do I do?

Okay so you have an agency that you wants to work with and vice versa, good. Clarify with them if you need a shoot with their photographers or if you have to find one yourself. If it is with them how much is it going to cost you to do the shoot? Remember you should not be paying for a shoot once signed to an agency but you still need to factor in travel and expenditures (refreshments etc) as they are also costs that raise the expense to you (its highly unlikely an agency will cover travel costs for unsigned models).

Some agencies will represent you for free but will try to charge you a lot of money for shoots, if this is so you really need to walk away.

If you would still like to be involved with them you can see if you can use your own photographer for the images as it may be cheaper to find a local talent who could do your shoots on the agreement that it useable on the agency website, just don't go with anyone, find a reputable professional photographer who's work impresses you.

MG shoots are FREE to all our models and they only pay for their OWN studio time (usually no more then £30 when shared with others) and any prints that they want (which are also at a reduced price). Models are not made to buy ANY prints and also receive MG PRO Selected images that have been optimized for online use. This allow’s them to view and use them online as long as they have completed their MG2A/MG2B (or variant) Representation/Model Release contract.

We also provide shoots at a competitive cost for portfolio development for use by non-MG Models, you can find out more about these HERE in our MG PRO-TOGRAPHY section.

6. What is a good contract and a fair commission rate?

Well again that is comparable to what services they offer. In addition before you agree to anything, read the terms and conditions as there can be some nasty surprises in the small print. We have seen contracts that state:

"Models are prevented from giving their telephone number out to clients, friends or family members while on a shoot and if such an event occurs then it is considered breach of contract and the Model will be fined 50% of their income for 30 days"

That means if you signed that, you could never tell anyone your phone number while shooting because you would be liable to lose income, it seems unrealistic but this really happens! Check through the contract, if necessary get a friend/family member to read it initially and if there are any concerns take it to a solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau in order to see where the loopholes are. Some agencies have unrealistic aims in their contracts so it is wise to really understand them before signing. Also try and have a friend witness it if you do sign it, particularly when with the agency and have them break down what it is you are signing, paragraph by paragraph.

As far as commission rates go again that is down to their services. The industry standard is 20% but what you need to remember that they will have to help you find work in order to collect it. Never sign a contract that states you will pay 20% for work you have found yourself, whats the point of paying them if you have done all the legwork and they sit back an collect a cheque?

Find out what the length of their contract is for management in particular. NEVER agree to a contract that lasts for more then 12 months or an ongoing contract that you cannot walk away from within 31 days or it will only be you that ends up paying in the long run.

MG provide their Models with a 31 day ‘Walk Away’ contract, which means they can leave when they want and will not be charged for anything other then any billed costs that have been transparently noted as time goes on (studio time, prints etc) and they are only committed to jobs that they have been given that appear within the 31 days notice period (some may extend outside of the end of contract).

7. Any other advice about Agencies?

Yes. There are a lot of "sham" agencies out there only designed to add you to a list that will go nowhere but costs you a bomb. With any agency, you need to work out what your costs are going to be and see what they do for you if you are paying them money. its for this reason that MG do not charge joining fees at all or charge commission for the first year of joining as we know that it can be unrealistic for undeveloped models to gain work within the first 12 months. We do it this way because if we think if a model is good enough to join our books then we don’t see why they should have to pay for anything other then their studio time and their prints, and we don’t even tell them they have to shoot or buy prints, its up to them to decide!

8. What should I be careful about?

Don’t make the mistake of putting yourself across loads of agencies with the hope that one may "hit" for you. Over-saturation is a rookie mistake and common amongst new models that seem to think that by putting their image everywhere it is somehow going to get them some exposure or even work. This approach rarely works and most of the time doing so will only hurt your chances as people will get sick of seeing your images and this can be worse then not being seen at all! Speak to other models and see what has worked for them, alternatively drop us a line to find out how we can help you.

Remember when they ask you have you applied anywhere else you will need to be honest and if you have applied to everyone then the chances are you will seem too desperate and they will wonder why you have not been snapped up by others if you are so great! Another rookie mistake is to claim that a large agency like "Models 1" were interested in you but you turned it down. Seriously, who would do that?!

DISCLAIMER!

The information in this page is strictly for guidance only. There is no ‘fast track to modeling’ and there is no guaranteed way to stardom. We always advise our Models to take modeling as a career strand not a career. This is a great mentality to have when you are new to it and especially a safe one to save you from financial disappointment if the dream never happens.

Statistically you have more chance of playing a professional sport than being a professional model but that does not mean that you should not do it, quite the opposite. But if you expect to make millions, then the chances are very very slim so be realistic and keep your eyes open!!!

The MG Team.