Answering a Reader Question #33

Anonymous Wrote:

Heyy, Dania. First of all, I hope you have much success ahead of you! =] Well, I was actually wondering if you could help me out with a question I have. I also have stretch marks all over my butt and I have tried all the products but nothing works. Have the stretch marks ever been a set back to getting agencies, such as Ford, or do they get in the way of obtaining a job?

Thanks so much! =]

Hello, and thanks for the kind words! On the topic of stretch marks, I personally have never experienced a set back with agencies or clients. In terms of modeling in general, stretch marks can be worked around. If you wanted to become a pro swimsuit model then maybe there would be some concern but for booking general swimsuit work it won't be a huge deal.

When looking for modeling work (if you freelance) clients usually will ask for models with clear skin or will specifically ask for models without stretch marks...those are the ones you probably won't be able to book. However, if they make no mention of it then you should definitely apply. It can be a case by case basis.

The new photo I put as my header for my blog had a fair share of stretch marks visible, which is why I turned to my trusty ole Photoshop program lol.

Answering a Reader Question #32

Sky Wrote:

Heyyyyy,
My name Sky is I want to be a model. I am 19 and 6'2. My measurement is 32-27-34. Do you think I have a chance to become an Elite or Ford model. I really do want to become a VS model.

Hi, Sky! To answer your question, unfortunately, you've got two things working against you if you hope to become a fashion model/VS model: your height and your waist measurement.

There is such a thing as being too tall for modeling. Even men have difficulty in this area. While being naturally tall is great for fashion and runway modeling, 6'2" exceeds the ideal height requirement for female models. Some agencies will take a chance at signing a 6'0" female model and that's if she has a really great look. Unfortunately, I think you being 6'2" will work against you in your search for an agency. Does that mean you'll never get signed? Not necessarily but the odds will be against you, so be prepared for that.

As far as your measurements, your bust and hip measurements are perfect but your waist should be 24 inches, according to industry standards. Agencies will allow you to be one inch larger than the ideal 34-24-34 but no more than that. So you would have to slim down to at least 25 inches around the waist in order to be seriously considered by a good agency like Ford and Elite.

Parting Ways with Ford

Yep, you read right. I won't be renewing my contract with Ford Models in San Francisco. Before I get into details, let me answer some of the more obvious questions I know you'll ask:

1) Are you crazy?! No. LOL.

2) Are you mad/upset/sad/depressed/scared? No.

3) Aren't you worried about your career now? Not at all.

4) Any regrets? Nope!

Now that I've gotten that out of the way (haha), let me start off by saying that while Ford was good to me and treated me well, it was a mutual decision. Trust me, breaking away from a big name agency isn't going to be career suicide for me. It'd be different if I was a newbie or had no idea how the industry works or operates. I stayed with my contract as long as I could and during that time they did not book me any work, unfortunately. The shoots and gigs that I did get and posted about on here were through my own efforts as a freelance model. It is because of my efforts that I am not worried at all about leaving Ford. They are a big name but it doesn't matter how large or reputable the agency is if they aren't able to find a model work. It happens and I'm not upset in the slightest.

Additionally, under Ford I was stuck with an exclusive contract, which meant that I was not able to sign with any other agencies anywhere or receive work from other agencies interested in me. My one piece of advice regarding this topic is to stay away from exclusive contracts...the only exception to this is if the agency is able to get you a lot of work. Other than that, non exclusive contracts will let you sign with more than one agency, increasing your odds of booking consistent work. Make sure to read the fine print in the non exclusive contract, however, and note which areas you are allowed to have multiple representation in.

I am actually super excited to be free from my contract because now I can search for a new agency that will give me a non exclusive contract and hopefully take me in a new direction in my career. I've already started making my list of agencies to contact and I'll be tapping into the LA market as well as the SF market. I don't plan to move to LA and instead will travel to bookings as needed, should I find an agency in the LA area that is interested in me.

I am anything but sad or upset. Not being with Ford isn't going to harm my career. I've been in this industry for a long time so I know that until I find another agency, I'll continue to find work on my own. It's what I've been doing this entire time anyway. I'm definitely grateful to Ford for putting me on their model roster and being associated with them has helped me a lot but now it's time to move on and just in time for yet another upcoming new year. =)

Answering a Reader Question #31

Anonymous Wrote:

Hey, Dania
So I've got the usual story of "I've always dreamed of being a model" but only recently have I given it some serious thought. I'm 20 years old and am thinking of trying out for ANTM and giving the dream a shot. However I'm worried about two things before pursuing this, I am just shy of 5'7'', the requirement on the application (I'm 5'6'' and some). I also am curvy, and whereas I know my chest won't work against me, I was wondering if my hips would. What's the usual hip size for models? And do you think I should still go ahead and apply, even though I am a little under 5'7'' (Eva was 5'7'' wasn't she?) Do you have any other tips/advice for applying to ANTM? Thanks!

Hello and thanks for your questions. Ah, ANTM...let's see...yes, Eva was 5'7" but even though you are a bit shy of that height, you will be surprised by how much they will discriminate against that difference in height. I doubt they would let you move on to the actual show, however, you never know unless you try. I like to practice what I preach so I will not tell you that you cannot or should not apply. I want you to apply because it is something you want to do and even if it doesn't work out, I want you to have that experience and to at least be able to say at the end that you tried. Just be prepared for them to possibly use your height against you to justify you not being on the show.

As far as hip sizes for fashion/runway models, the ideal measurement is 34", 35" at most. If you are larger than that, it will count against you, especially in the modeling industry. The best chances for you to have curves and hips is if you were a plus size model, and even those types of models have strict requirements to meet when it comes to measurements. So if you're not plus sized but have curves, you may run into some problems if you want to pursue a modeling career in fashion and runway, ANTM or not. This is the strictest field to meet requirements for so know that going in.

I don't have any other tips or advice for applying to ANTM except read all the fine print and understand what information you are providing and how the process works. Applicants for the show have to submit a 3 minute video of themselves showing their personality and doing the runway walk so get to practicing! Then cross your fingers and hope for the best!

PS: You are the ideal height for commercial/print, which is always in demand for models and generally lead longer careers than fashion and runway models so while it isn't as hyped up as fashion and runway on ANTM, don't count it out!

Answering a Reader Question #30

Antoinette Wrote:

24 year old Tx girl,
I always wanted to be a victoria secret model. I have a little experience and I just got a one year contact with DMG Model Management in Dallas,Tx. After it expires what can I do to try out by me being 5'5 in height?

Hi, Antoinette! Congrats on getting signed to an agent! You are where many, many aspiring models hope to be so pat yourself on the back for a job well done. =)

Unfortunately, I'm going to give it to you straight: Victoria's Secret recruits its models from high fashion modeling agencies and prefer their models to be 5'8" or taller. The ideal VS model is 5'10". At your height, you wouldn't be able to get signed to a high fashion modeling agency in order to be considered for a spot as a VS model. You are the ideal height for commercial/print so stick to that and you will still find a successful career in that field since commercial/print models are always in demand.

I wish you much luck in your career with DMG!

Answering a Reader Question #29

Heather Gross Wrote:

Hi my name is Heather Gross I am 18 and i am trying to get into modeling. Hollywood North Entertainment cating agency contacted me and wanted me to give them a call. So I did and they ask me to send 4-6 photos to them. Iagreed and sent the photos and they offered me a contract. The contract is simple and i read it throughly. The only thing that is stopping me is the "Cost is $288.75 on visa or master card for the prints." Any advice?

Hello, Heather, and thanks for your question. You said you were interested in modeling. That being said, are you aware that the Hollywood North Entertainment Casting Agency specializes in reality TV shows? They are responsible for placing talent on all sorts of reality TV shows from America's Got Talent to The Apprentice. From what I know, they do not represent models or find modeling work in any of the fields (fashion/runway/commercial/print). If modeling is your goal, I suggest not turning to a reality TV casting agency. That will be a dead end for you.

There are a lot of websites that list HNE as a scam of sorts and are only interested in making money off of its talent.

That alone tells me that you should probably move on and find a legit and actual agency that only works with models and not anything related to television, especially reality TV. If this is not the same company you are talking about, then I was not able to find any information on a company of the same name that is a modeling agency. This is the website I came across in my research. Is this the same one you went to: http://www.hollywoodnorthentertainment.com.

Hope that helps and feel free to contact me at my email address should you have any more questions or concerns.

Modeling Scam Alert

The great thing about being in the modeling industry for so long is that I can usually spot a scam a mile away. But the scammers are slowly starting to learn from their mistakes. So I just wanted to tell you about a recent scam I avoided and am hoping to exploit. This particular scam has actually been around for a while but it's been some time since I've seen it, which means it must be back in season or something haha. While I can spot the signs, sadly, not all people can or will and I really want to save as many people as I can from falling prey.

As you may well know, I'm pretty easy to find on the Internet. I have profiles on a lot of online modeling community sites in order to expand my exposure as well as my networking opportunities. This has led to clients finding my photos and information and offering opportunities for me to work with them. While this works out most of the time, there are those that will try to scam me.

I recently received a message via one of my online modeling profiles from a lady claiming to work for a freelance modeling agency. One of their major clients, Men's Health Magazine, was looking for cover models for their Canadian edition and after coming across my profile, they were interested in booking me for this gig. Obviously Men's Health Magazine is a well known publication, both in print and online, so I knew that the client was legit, but I wasn't so sure about this "freelance modeling agent." The beautiful thing about online networking communities is that you are able to see who you are in contact with. I sent a message stating my interest and for them to send me more details. I wanted to see where this would lead. I then went to the person's profile on the site and found a couple of things that screamed "SCAM."

1) The person who sent me the message used a woman's name but the photo on the person's profile was an Asian male. Hmmm...

2) The basic information they filled out didn't make any sense. If it is a male, then most of the fields for female measurements would have been left blank. Instead, this person stated that their chest size was a 25 and a size E cup. So if this person is indeed a female, why put a picture of a man up there (no other pictures are on this person's profile). Hmmm...

3) Because of the site's "updates" feature, I was able to see who else this person had made contact with. It was a newly created profile so it hadn't been up for long. This person contacted 10 other models on the site, all with the exact same message/offer they sent me that day. Hmmm...

All of this led me to believe that this person was not working with Men's Health Magazine as a client and that the offer was more than likely bogus. They did email me back with a generic email saying that I got the gig and that they would choose a photographer, studio, makeup artist and hair stylist in the city that I lived in. The message also stated that I would be mailed a money order for $500, which I would take my cut from and then SEND THE REST OF THE MONEY TO A STUDIO MANAGER TO PAY THE STUDIO FEE. WTF?

Obviously, my scammer radar starts shooting off fireworks. A model's role is to be hired by the client, show up to the shoot, work, and then receive payment afterwards. Nowhere in this process is the model involved with paying fees for a shoot they were HIRED to work for, and are not supposed to deal with making arrangements with anyone about what facilities should be used. Give me a break! I was so mad when I read that message.

On top of that, the person writing these emails had very poor grammar and a weak grasp of the English language, which showed in the message. Now, I'm not just bagging on this person about their writing skills because I'm a journalist. I can tell you right now that oftentimes, poor grammar and usage in a message from a so-called "professional" in the industry is a huge red flag. Image is everything so I am highly skeptical of anyone in the industry who claims to be so-and-so and work with so-and-so, but can't even write me an email message that makes sense. Hello, there's a thing call spell check or even having someone else reread the message to make sure it makes sense. You wouldn't send an email to a huge modeling agency filled with grammatical errors and typos would you? Well, you should expect nothing less from people that want to work with you, either.

That being said, I sent a message to the editor of Men's Health Magazine, along with the correspondence between myself and this wanna-be freelance modeling agency. I told them that I believed this person was falsely claiming to be working with their publication in order to recruit unsuspecting models so that they could get money from them. I hope the editor gets back to me soon and that they will contact the proper authorities to investigate. Additionally, I tried to look up the agency's name and came up with nothing. I hardly think that someone who has Men's Health Magazine as one of their clients, should be hard to find on the Internet. Just too many red flags for me.

This is a common scam that usually begins with someone claiming to work with a huge agency, recruiting models to appear on covers of magazines and other print work. They claim they'll send you half of the money through the mail, but that you have to deduct a percentage of it and send it to one of their people in your city, who is supposed to use this money to pay for the studio fee. This is not how the modeling industry operates and if anyone wants to send you money for a shoot before even meeting you or inviting you to meet with the client or casting person, 9 times out of 10 that means it's a scam.

Please be mindful of these types of offers that seem too good to be true. I think the same person must be operating all these scams because in most of the ones I come across that use this method, it seems that it is someone who has English as their second language because the wording of the messages all have similar typos and grammatical errors.

Do your research, find names, and don't be afraid to let them know that you think they are scamming you. I will be emailing this person back to let them know that I will be politely declining their offer because I am aware of how the industry does and does not work. If I hear back from Men's Health and they confirm my hunch that they do not know this person, then I will be sure to include that in my email to them as well. It's all about being proactive but still remaining professional. I will not be cussing this person out or berating them...there is a way to get the point across without being nasty.