Modeling Agency Red Flags

I get brutally honest about the modeling industry and why the agency side can be confusing, expensive, and sometimes predatory. I share what legit representation looks like, how to vet agencies and agents, and how content creation can expand your modeling career even if you stay independent. 
• difference between a modeling agency and a modeling school 
• why paying an agency upfront is a major red flag 
• how legit agencies evaluate portfolios and social media 
• handling rejection and finding the right fit for your look 
• exclusivity contracts and what to watch for 
• researching agencies by location and real booking activity 
• DMing current talent to learn the truth 
• mother agents versus promoters and why the work differs 
• the up and down pay cycle and staying available 
• using UGC and content creation to get booked more often 

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Transcript

hy The Glamour Story Is Incomplete

SPEAKER_00 0:06

Hi, and welcome back to another episode of That's the V where we talk about fashion, fashion people, and opportunities in the creative industry. Today's topic is very personal, and I just want to be very transparent about the modeling industry in their not so glamorous side of things. And be completely honest from my experience, but also from experiences of other models I've worked with. And I just really got into thinking after my last episode with my friend Angelina, um, which I uploaded last Friday. Uh, she's a model, actress, content creator, and how we really like dived deep into some industry things and uh like the reality of things and how not everything is like fun and glamorous and uh like I don't know, like what people make the fashion industry to be. I mean, I love it, I'm obsessed with it, I've been doing it for a really long time in regards to modeling, but also being involved in also curating shows and events and just very like little different things involved in the fashion industry, photography, um, but modeling side of things, there's I feel like so many experiences that models don't talk about, and I really just want to create awareness with this episode because a lot of the people that I know that are younger and want kind of like advice to you know go into New York, Fashion Week, or just the modeling industry itself. I hope this episode helps, gives some insight and like how great it can be, but also how tough it can be. And I want to start with agencies. I know there's a lot of debate in um like modeling agencies and how some of them can be scams or some of them are better than others, and I mean there's definitely better agencies than than others, like that's a fact, and being you know, in LA or New York or even Texas, New Mexico itself, there's a few, uh, but specifically uh I want to talk about my experience. I mean, I started in an agency that I thought was an agency, and I think a lot of people think it is an agency too, but as I the older I grew and the more invested I was in the fashion industry, I started to realize that what this so-called agency was or is um it's more like a like a modeling school. And I think I got so much experience from them, and I learned so so many things, and I think it's definitely worth paying for I mean, walking classes, runway walking, a post class, or just like a modeling school more than anything that includes all of these things, but an actual agency will be in charge of getting you jobs rather than kind of like you paying up front to get these classes and then maybe some jobs. That's not how it should work. Like, reality of things is that a legit agency will look into your portfolio, look into your social media. Now that's the thing, and even I mean, your experience, and if you don't have enough experience for a certain role, a certain job, they might recommend modeling classes, uh, like photo shoots, or like they might ask you to do a couple few different things before signing you, just so you get that experience, or you can have what you need in your portfolio for them to get you booked. And some agencies will have classes that they offer that they may, I mean, give to you so you become a better model and they can book book you more, but they will deduct to those classes from your paycheck, for example, because a legit agency is in charge of uh, or agent is in charge of getting you those jobs because when you get paid, they get paid, and that's how it works, that's how it goes around, and that's how it should be. Um, what a lot of people get scammed about is these so-called agencies asking for money up front, um, and then like maybe promising that you're gonna get jobs and kind of like get your investment back with all the jobs you're gonna get. And that's just not okay. Like, honestly, this episode is very much like creating awareness for people who want to get into modeling but don't really know how it works, like just don't get scammed. I think like um like you shouldn't pay for an agency, that's not a thing that is not a real thing. If you're paying specifically for classes, okay, cool, amazing. Like, if you know you have zero experience and like you really want to learn, I think it's great. I think you should invest in you know what what I said, like a runway class, posting class, acting classes, if it includes all that, perfect. But if an agency is like doing that, but also promising you jobs on top of that, that's just I I really it really bothers me when people get scammed like that because like if they know you might not be getting these jobs, but they still are promising a job to you, that's just not okay. I'm just being like as transparent as possible and like being realistic on how it all works because you know, not everybody's gonna have the look um like an agent or an agency is looking for, but there's so many agencies out there that might not have your specific look, and you just have to look for it. Like maybe an agency already has your look, maybe you're tall, brunette, and uh they already have like we already have like 10 girls that look like that. Like we we need like more like blonde models, or we're looking more for more like ginger models. So keep that in mind. Like agencies will book their models or will sign you as a model to add to their portfolio for their clients, so so their models are working because that's how it should be. So don't get discouraged when an agency says no to you, or or if you apply to an agency and they decline you. I know with Angelina in my last episode, we talked about how a no doesn't close the door, and that's a hundred percent true. Like you just need to keep knocking on all those doors until you find the right one. You want to find the right agency, the right agent, you want to feel comfortable, confident, and have that genuine connection with that person that's gonna help you as a model basically succeed in terms of getting jobs, being busy, being booked. So, like if there's an agency that's just kind of accepting everybody and you have to pay for classes no matter what, that's giving red flag. So just like really pay attention to that. Um if an agency is like if you're not paying for an agency and they're getting you some jobs, I think that's fair, but make sure they're not exclusive because I mean a lot of agencies will have exclusive contact contracts, but if an agency is not giving you jobs as they should, then they definitely should not have as exclusivity over you. I know there's so many other bigger agencies like Ford Models, Wilomina, that you know, like have that name recognition that everyone wants to be part of, but bigger name doesn't always mean more jobs, or it just kind of means that they have a brand out of their name, and you want to look into agencies that can actually help you book these jobs and get to where you want to get to. And I would just really do my research. Do your research on first of all, where is this agency located? Can they help you get jobs where you are located? How easy is it for you to travel to where these jobs are booked? So if it's LA, if it's even like Austin, Dallas, Denver, I know um there's the Wilomina Rocky Mountains. They're doing a lot of jobs in Colorado. So find like the agency that matches best to you for you in the location that works. You know, if it's gonna be too crazy to be traveling back and forth, you may want to think that twice. And I know it's really hard to find a good agent or agency when you're not in a bigger fashion-forward city like LA or New York, but it's possible. And if you're really committed to something, especially in this industry, make the move. Like, even if it's right outside of LA, even if it's right outside of New York City, I think that's like the smartest thing to do. I know there's some good agencies popping up in New Mexico and I mean Colorado, as I said. So that's closer to you. Look into those. And it's easy to like Google them or find them on social media, but once you do find them, look into their models, see who they already are working with. I think the best way you can find out how good of an agency they are is simply actually contacting any other current talent, like find if they're tagged or see if they're following them, or vice versa. And they might not answer, but give it a shot and message them and be like, hey, like I saw you uh posted on this agency's page. I really want to be part of it, and I would just like to have some more information on how are they really like, do you like them? Do they keep you busy or whatnot? I think that's like the most genuine response you're going to get if you really want to learn the truth about the agency or an agent. I know there's like mother agents out there who are they don't necessarily have an agency, but they are booking models for different marketing clients. So those people are great too, and they're all over social media. And I mean, you can look into like hashtag model agent, Google search it, or just Instagram search it, and you'll find all these people, and it's just a matter of seeing who you connect with the best, messaging them, seeing their portfolio, seeing their actual work. Because some there's like some people claiming to be agents, but they're really like um promoters, um, which is I mean, if you want to do like that kind of work, sure. And there's nothing wrong with it. I think it's really fun to a certain point. Like if you're getting like free stuff, free drinks, free food, restaurants, and it's just basically these promoter agents wanna fill events with good-looking people. So, I mean, I think that's also a good option, but it's not gonna really give you like modeling experience or like um so much like fashion show commercial work. It's more of like the appearance of things. So, I mean, throughout over 10 years, it's been a lot of like realization and a lot of connecting with the right people and kind of just seeing how it all works throughout the years, like a lot of things change or have been changing. There's a B outside my window. Sorry, I got so distracted, but anyway, that's basically how it works in the agency side of things. Um, and for that reason, I also started doing model workshops because I wanted to really keep doing what I love in terms of teaching uh in the fashion industry, in terms of like the walks and the posts. And I I mean I do really love modeling, um, but I just felt like I found so many other opportunities doing like photography and social media marketing, and I am still like being booked as a model for like independent things that I will apply to. I personally never found an agent that I connect it with, so sometimes you have to be your own agent, and that's okay. I think that's like being an independent model nowadays, I think you can do so much. But I mean, I'm still on the lookout. I feel like I can still maybe one of these days really connect with an agent that will keep keep me busy or in the modeling world, but that's the thing. Like, if you're working with an agency, they are also very much into like they're gonna call you, and you better be open and available because that's basically your job. And if you're taking it serious, you know, if you're in New York and that's just or like Paris, Milan, that's just how it works in the terms of like you'll have weeks without work, but then you'll have like a month where you're like every single week, twice a day, or I don't know, like I've had friends who are like, Oh yeah, I'm free tomorrow. Oh, just kidding, I just got booked for like a 10-day commercial shoot or something like that. So it's just very like curvy and very up and down when you are in an agency as well. So that's what I mean when I say like find the agent or agency that works for you. But if you're really taking it seriously, know that they're gonna need your time and you're gonna have to be available. And there's gonna be good and bad days, and there's gonna be like thousand-dollar days, but then there's also gonna be days with nothing, so it's a very like um not reliable industry, but it also can be like very good in terms of like I know some shoots will pay like, oh, I could pay like$25,000 for this one commercial for this huge brand. Like, that is a thing as well, so it's almost like investing. I just started kind of digging my toes or whatever, dipping my toes in the water, whatever that's saying is, into like investing, because my boyfriend does a little bit of that, and I'm like, just take my money and do it because I don't get it, but it's like if you know investing, then that's how I compare it to. It's very much like sometimes there's gonna be a lot of ups in the market, a lot of jobs in the modeling and modeling industry, and sometimes it's just gonna be nothing, no growth, no anything. So it's a lot of up and downs, but doing not just modeling work and being able to do UGC content or having like an actual growth in your page will really benefit you as a model, in my opinion, because I know a lot of agencies are looking into that as well. So if you can do content and also do like fashion modeling or commercial modeling, you just get more benefits or more points to your favor on their portfolio. Where if a business, a brand is looking for um content creators for a specific campaign and not just models, then you can get booked for both. So think about that. If you don't already do some sort of content or have some sort of social media presence, I think now more than ever, it's a thing. You should jump on that train. And that's the V. That's my two cents of information for you today. Um, and I just really want to create awareness in that sector of the agents and agencies, because there's a lot of talk about that. Um, I mean, if you have any questions or are doubting yourself to sign or not to a specific agent or agency, you can definitely message me and I'll give you the best advice I can give. Um, and not just from my experience, but from other model friends of mine who may or may not be part of that agent or agency that you're trying to get in. So, I mean, I've said this before the fashion industry isn't as big as it seems. I mean, I know there's like tons of models and like designers and brands out there, but like high-end brands and things like that, there's only so many and so many casting directors looking into that. So there's definitely like connect a company. Conversation on who works with who, but I'll get into that in another episode because that's just another whole different conversation. But anyway, other than that, thanks for watching and listening. And if you found this episode informative, please, please, please share, like, give it some love. Uh, it would really help grow my page and hopefully get you some more interesting guests that I can interview. Or if you have anyone that you want me to interview, or anything you want to learn more about in the fashion industry, I hope I can be that girl for you. So send me those messages over on That's the V podcast Instagram page. Slide into my DMs, let me know, and I'll see you next time. Bye. Thank you for tuning in. Make sure to follow at That's the V Podcast on all platforms for more fashion content. And a big thank you to our sponsor, Jag Premiere Advertising Agency. If you're looking to get on platforms like Hulu or Netflix, check out the link in the description.