Getting a modeling job starts with building a strong portfolio, finding legitimate representation, and putting yourself in front of the right people. The path looks different depending on whether you want to do high fashion editorial, commercial print, or catalog work, but the core steps are the same: prepare professional images, submit to agencies or casting calls, and treat the search like a job in itself.
Build a Starter Portfolio
Your portfolio is your resume. Before you approach any agency or apply to any casting, you need a collection of 10 to 20 of your best images that show range without repetition. Organize your shots into categories that match the type of work you want: fashion, beauty, commercial, lifestyle, or a specific niche like fitness or jewelry. A client scrolling through your book should be able to immediately picture you in their campaign.
If you’re brand new, you won’t have tear sheets (published work) yet. That’s normal. What you need instead are two things: professional test shots and digitals. Test shots are polished, styled photos taken by a photographer, ideally someone with experience shooting models. Digitals (sometimes called polaroids) are the opposite: simple, unretouched photos with minimal makeup, taken against a plain background. Agencies want to see your natural features, bone structure, and proportions without heavy editing. A standard set of digitals includes a close-up of your face, a waist-up shot, a three-quarter-length shot, and a full-length shot.
You don’t need to spend thousands on a portfolio. Many newer photographers looking to build their own books will do “TFP” (time for prints) shoots, where neither of you pays and both get to use the images. Just make sure the photographer’s existing work matches the quality and style you’re going for.
Submit to Modeling Agencies
Most working models are signed with an agency that connects them to jobs, negotiates rates, and manages their bookings. Getting agency representation is the single biggest step toward consistent work. Nearly every major agency accepts online submissions through their website, and the process is straightforward: you fill out a form with your basic information and upload your photos.
Expect to provide your name, date of birth, height, bust, waist, and hip measurements, shoe size, hair and eye color, and your social media handles. You’ll typically need to upload a close-up face shot, a waist-up image, a full-length image, and sometimes a short video (around one minute) that shows your personality and how you move on camera. Agencies reviewing submissions want to see your natural look, so avoid heavy filters or retouching.
Submit to multiple agencies, but be strategic. Research each one first. Look at the models on their roster. If their talent matches your look and the type of work you want, it’s a good fit. If every model on their site is six feet tall and you’re five-foot-four, you might be better suited for a commercial or petite division elsewhere. Some agencies hold open calls, which are in-person events where you can walk in, meet agents, and be evaluated on the spot. These are worth attending when available, since a face-to-face impression can be more powerful than a digital submission.
Use Social Media as a Scouting Tool
Agencies actively scout on Instagram and TikTok. IMG Models, one of the largest agencies in the world, estimates that roughly a quarter of its recruitment has come through social media. The agency has dedicated scouts who browse platforms looking for fresh faces, and when they find someone promising, they reach out via direct message from a verified account.
TikTok has become especially valuable for scouting because video reveals things a static photo can’t: how you move, your expressions, your personality, your comfort on camera. Agents have noted that TikTok content tends to feel more genuine and less curated than Instagram, which makes it easier to spot real potential. You don’t need hundreds of thousands of followers to get noticed. What matters more is that your content shows your face clearly, in good lighting, and gives a sense of who you are.
Keep your profiles public, include your measurements or a link to your portfolio in your bio, and post consistently. Even simple outfit-of-the-day videos, get-ready-with-me content, or short clips of you walking can catch a scout’s eye. Think of your social media as a living portfolio that agencies can browse at any time.
Apply Directly to Casting Calls
You don’t have to wait for an agency to start working. Casting calls for commercial, print, and editorial jobs are posted regularly on platforms like Backstage, Model Mayhem, and Casting Networks. Some are open to freelance (unrepresented) models. Major publications occasionally run open casting calls as well, with Vogue’s open casting being one high-profile example that considers applicants for editorial shoots, paid brand partnerships, and mentorship opportunities.
When applying to castings, follow the instructions exactly. If they ask for specific image types and measurements, provide them. If they want a video, keep it concise and natural. Casting directors review hundreds or thousands of submissions, so anything that doesn’t match what they asked for gets skipped. Being professional, punctual, and easy to work with matters just as much as your look. The modeling industry is smaller than it seems, and your reputation travels fast.
Know the Different Types of Modeling
The type of modeling you pursue affects everything: the agencies you target, the portfolio you build, and the income you can expect.
- Fashion/editorial modeling is what most people picture: runway shows, magazine spreads, designer campaigns. Height requirements are typically strict, around 5’9″ and above for women and 6’0″ and above for men, though there are exceptions.
- Commercial modeling is the broadest category. It covers ads for everyday products, from toothpaste to insurance to clothing retailers. There’s far less emphasis on specific measurements, and the demand for diverse ages, body types, and looks is high.
- Parts modeling focuses on hands, feet, or other specific body parts for product ads and is a legitimate niche that many people overlook.
- Plus-size modeling has expanded significantly, with most major agencies now maintaining dedicated divisions.
- Fitness modeling requires a toned physique and is common in activewear, supplement, and sports brand campaigns.
If you don’t fit the narrow requirements of high fashion, commercial modeling offers far more opportunities and often pays well, especially for national ad campaigns.
How Agencies Make Money
Legitimate modeling agencies work on commission. They take a percentage of your earnings after you book a job, typically between 10% and 20%. They do not charge you upfront. This is the single most important thing to understand about the business, because the most common modeling scams revolve around getting money out of you before you’ve earned a cent.
The Federal Trade Commission warns that real agencies will never ask you to pay for a test shoot, pay for your photographs, or pay to “secure your spot” for a job. If an agency requires you to use their in-house photographer or makeup artist as a condition of representation, that’s a red flag. If they guarantee you’ll get work or promise a specific salary, walk away. Modeling assignments are irregular even for successful models, and no legitimate agent would promise otherwise.
Other warning signs: an agency that rushes you to sign a contract before you’ve had time to research them, an agency that can’t show you a track record of placing models with real clients, or any company that asks for payment in cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Before signing with anyone, ask for a list of their current models and recent clients. Search for reviews online. If the agency is not new and has no visible track record, that tells you everything you need to know.
What to Expect Starting Out
Most new models don’t book paying jobs immediately. The early months are about building relationships, testing with photographers, attending castings, and getting comfortable in front of the camera. Even after signing with an agency, you may go to dozens of castings before landing your first booking. Rejection is constant and rarely personal. Clients are looking for a very specific look for each project, and not being selected usually has nothing to do with your potential.
When you do start booking, pay varies enormously. A small local catalog shoot might pay a few hundred dollars. A national commercial campaign can pay thousands. Editorial work for prestigious magazines sometimes pays very little in cash but builds your portfolio and credibility, which leads to better-paying commercial work later. Many working models, especially early in their careers, keep a side job or freelance income to stay financially stable between bookings.
If you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian involved in every step, from agency submissions to contract signing to being present on set. Most agencies that scout minors through social media will contact parents directly before moving forward. Check your state’s labor laws regarding permits and working hours for minors in entertainment.