Finding the Right Teen Modeling Agency
There are many modeling agencies which accept teen models, the problem is that many so called “teen modeling agencies” are not totally legitimate. There are reasons why these modeling agencies are not widely accepted by the modeling and the fashion industry. Often these agencies call teen girls or send out fliers to try and get the teens to attend a ‘free’ screening or audition.
These questionable agencies then try to sell the teens parents and the teen photo portfolios and modeling classes etc. This is just one of the many reasons why these agencies are considered questionable by modeling professionals.
If a representative from an agency wants a teen to model for them, the reputable agencies will not charge the teen or his or her parents a dime. Reputable modeling agencies know that any money spent on photos or portfolios will be made back in the fees charged to the companies needing the models. A modeling agency’s job is to find work for models. Reputable agencies want to gain models who are going to be able to work and make money for the agency. The agency wants to have models that it is going to be able to get work for.
Some of the questionable agencies are in the business mostly of selling photo portfolios and classes. Most of the models who are photographed, sold portfolios and sold these classes by these fly by night modeling agencies are not really going to ever be a model. These agencies feel they can make more money by charging for classes and photo layouts, photographers and portfolios. Some of these questionable agencies do get one or two models who do make it, but, that is not how a majority of these questionable modeling agencies make most of their money. These agencies many times state in their ads that “we cannot guarantee that you will be a successful model or actress.”
While no modeling agency can guarantee what the fashion industry will want next season, if they are a reputable agency and believe they can get work for a model, they will pay for all photo shoots and all portfolios and additional training for the teen model, as well as adult models. Since the modeling agency knows it will receive any money put into a model back, when the agency gets paid for the model’s jobs. This applies weather it is a runway model or an in-store model or a magazine model or a television model or an acting position. Reputable agencies know which type of models do well and which do not. If an agency representative tells the proposed model that he or she is just right for modeling, the first question which should be asked by the teen or his or her parents is: “How much money is this going to cost?” If the answer is “not a dime,” This is probably a reputable agency, and the agency believes it can get modeling jobs for this model.
Different agencies have different benefits and usually, each has ups and downs. If a teen signs with a particular agency, the agency should never ask for air fare or portfolio charges up front, before the teen is working. Most reputable agencies will instead take anything that is initially charged for out of paychecks a little at a time while a teen works. Most agencies do not charge for these things at all. If an agency is small that may be the only legitimate reason for a company to charge for minimal things.
A second question might be, “do I have to pay for anything once beginning to work?” This may be a reason to work for a more established agency, after all, more established agencies have been in the business of getting jobs for models for many years and will be able to get more work for a model, than a newer agency. Be sure to check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in the town or city where an agency is located. This may be able to give some sort of clue if an agency is legitimate or a ‘fly by night agency.’
Some of the known legitimate agencies which get teens real work which may lead to an adult modeling career are listed as follows:
Elite Model Management - One of the top agencies in modeling industry today.
Ford Models - Holds many model searches.
Model One - Most popular agency in Europe.
Trump Models - Miss USA girls and owned by Donald Trump.
Supreme Models - Promotes ‘intelligent beauty.’
W Model Management - Offices all over US, only agency in Utah.
APM Models - Strong personal relationships with it’s models.
These agencies are not the only legitimate agencies, but just a few of the top agencies for teen models.