Should A Model Sign With Agency

When a model first starts off in the industry, they are usually working alone. Very few beginning models are accepted into agencies right away. What does an agency do anyway? And what is the difference working with one and not?



Free Model

A Free Model is a model who does not work in an agency, they work for themselves alone. Most models start off as free models, as you need to apply and be accepted into agencies; something that an inexperienced model cannot do. There are perks, as well as downs, to being a free model.

The perks for being a free model are various. For one, a model can switch genres at will. Usually a model has a genre or two they stick with, but as a free model they can change and begin modeling for a different genre whenever they choose. Another perk is that a free model works when she wants to, as much as she wants to. If she wants to do a few shoots a week she can network herself out there and set them up. Likewise if she only wants to shoot once a month, she can make that happen as well.

There are downs to being a free model as well. For one, a free model gets paid or not depending on what she can get for herself. Along with that, if she cannot network herself well enough and book her own shoots, then she doesn't shoot.




Agency Model

An agency model is a model who works under an agency. For the most part a model needs to apply and be accepted by an agency in order to work with them. Because of this, the decision to work with an agency or not usually happens after a good amount of skill and experience are gained. Like free modeling, agency modeling has perks and downs.

One perk of modeling under an agency is that the agency will help a model find work and book shoots for her. This usually promises a steady stream of work and, for the most part, pay. Another perk of agency modeling is that the model now belongs to that agency, which means she has her very own network. This network will often put time and money into training her and creating a better portfolio.

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There are downs to agency modeling just as there are perks. For one, a model must apply to work under an agency; which means she might not get accepted. Another down is that for the most part a model must stay in the genre and work the shoots given to them by the agency, which means they do not have much freedom in choosing for themselves. Another down is that agencies take a portion of what the model makes from each shoot.

Agency or no Agency? The decision to work with an agency rests completely with the model. However it is important to keep in mind that one must apply, so it is usually a decision best saved after a good amount of experience and skill is gained. There are perks and downs to both working as a free model and an agency model, many more than are mentioned here. When a model wants to make this decision it is important for her to research not only free modeling and agency modeling; but each modeling agency as well. Some are far better than others.

And that's it. Hopefully this guide has provided enough information for a hopeful model to get started on her dreams.