This is an area that discusses what one should know about how to get into modeling as a career.  I've spent countless hours on this subject with women and men who want to get into the image industry, and there's no secret to getting yourself noticed by legit agencies and people in the business.  But what you don't know, can and will hurt you- and that my friends is what the predators, scam artists and deceitful businesses out there are counting on to take advantage of you and trick you out of your money. Below is a long list of FAQ's that I get all the time, and gladly explain to new-comers in the industry.  Before you talk to anyone, or spend a dime toward anything in this business, you need to know this information. 1. Q: What kind of photos do I need to get into modeling?     A: If you are submitting to an agency for consideration to be represented as a model, your photos should be generally simple in nature.  You only need about 3 shots or so, and they should show the agency what you look like without a ton of makeup on.  It's ok to send in shots of other work that you've done if any, and it's good to demonstrate your ability to actually model if you can.  One of the top agencies in the world, Bleu in Los Angeles only requires three photos to be emailed in. One smiling shot, one profile and one full body shot along with your height and basic body measurements, plus contact info.  Your photos can be done relatively inexpensively, depending on how much work goes into making them and what you want the final product to be. 2.  Q:  Are the photos I send out to agencies the same photos I use to get work?       A: Eventually, if you get into an agency, they are going to need professional photos of you for your test shots, assignment / promo shots and comp (composite) card shots so that they can promote you and get you booked (hired) for jobs with real clients.  That's where I come in.  I provide that level of specialized photography for agencies and models.  Sometimes though, it pays to get some less expensive, professional test shots done to send to agencies.  If you've ever thought that you don't look good in photos, get someone that does make you look good at their starting-level price (maybe a couple of hundred bucks), and go from there.  But only if you think it will help your chances of getting picked 3.  Q:  Do I need a "Portfolio"  to get into modeling?          No.  A Portfolio is a collection of the work you have been booked for already as a model, usually in the form of "tear sheets" which are literally sheets torn from magazines that feature you in the photo.  A portfolio can also be prints from modeling work you have done for photographers.  It doesn't matter if it was paid work or work for TFP ("Time For Prints" which means you traded your time doing the photo shoot for free prints), a portfolio is just a collection of prints showing your ability to model.  It doesn't hurt to have one to show agencies, but a real portfolio comes after you are already a model.  Just get some "Test Shots" done and you can email them to agencies, or make a "Comp Card" (Compilation Card) and send them out as well.  For more information on comp cards, see the 'Services' section of our website. 4.  Q: A local agency said that they would sign me up.  They wanted me to pay them for a photo shoot for my comp card, and they also wanted me to pay them more money to be on their website.  Is this normal?       A: Does the owner of this "agency" drive an expensive car?  If so, they are paying for it with the money that they are ripping off from you and everyone else who falls for that lie.  No LEGIT agency will ever charge you money for photos, classes or anything other than booking you work as a model.  That's it.  And no legit agency will take more than 15% of what the job actually pays.  A good, legit agency makes their money from booking you lots of work, not by selling you anything- that's a business that makes it's money off scamming hopeful models.  Leave immediately and report them to the Better Business Bureau. 5.  Q: An agency told me that they would only allow me to get my photos done by one certain photographer that they use, why can't I choose whom I want to shoot my promo shots?  A: Because a common scam is that an "agency" will cut a deal with a photographer where the agent sends the photographer business (hopeful models), then photographer charges the model a bunch of money and then pays the agency a cut of the photo shoot fee.  The "agency" makes money, the photographer makes money, and model never hears from either of them again.  Plus the photos sucked.  A legit agency has a roster of many photographers that they can recommend to you, but you are free to choose whomever you like.  It would of course, be in your best interest to hire a photographer who knows how to shoot fashion and has experience doing assignment photography for agencies. 6.  Q:  An agency wanted to sign me as soon as I walked in, and they kept telling me about all the magazines, fashion shows, movies and big celebrity parties that they've gotten their models in.  They kept dropping all kinds of big names and told me how much money I would make with them.  It sounded great, but is this for real?      A: A scam artist is eager to put "stars in your eyes" and get you to believe anything they say about how cool they are.  This is a primer for getting you to trust them so you will loosen up your checkbook.  A legit, industry-known agency doesn't have to hype themselves up to you, their name and reputation is already known for it's success.  A consultation with a real agency representative is more like a job interview, they want to see if you are professional-minded, or if you are a clueless waist of time.  You must sell yourself to them, not the other way around.  Beware of scam agencies, they will flat out lie to you about how great they are to get you to give them money. 7.  Q:  How do I know if an agency is telling the truth about what they promise they can or will do for me?      You don't.  You have to check any agencies' reputation with the actors and models that they represent- not the girl at the front desk.  See if the talent that are with the agency are working a lot and are happy, and whether or not they had to pay the agency for anything (meaning they got scammed).  If you are talking to an agency that is not a well-known, legit and professional agency with actual successful models or actors represented by them, then you have to just go on your own gut instinct on whether or not you think they are going to work hard for you.  Be a good judge of character with people who are promising you things. 8.  Q:  I don't know a lot about modeling, will my agent help to train me in the profession?       Yes.  It's in your agencies' best interest to make you a pro.  A legit, professional agency have the contacts and resources to get you into the classes and in front of the photographers who will train you how to be a professional model.  If you work hard at it, and listen to what they teach you, you will become an expert at modeling.  You may have to pay for the classes yourself though, it just depends. 9.  Q:  How much do I have to pay my agency for the work they get me?      15% of what the job pays is all you should ever pay a legit agency.  It's an industry standard.  If an agency makes you pay more for any reason then they are probably ripping you off.  They make their money by getting you booked by as many clients as they can, not by taking a large percentage of what you get paid.  Know what the job pays when you get to the job, don't just believe your agent if they tell you it pays $100.  It might really pay $400, but if you don't ask the client, your agent might be pocketing what's yours. 10.  Q:  My mom and all my friends tell me I'm pretty and I should be a model.  Should I be a fashion model then?      Get a clue.  "Pretty" and "Model" are two very different things.  "Pretty" is something you look like, "Model" is a skill and a developed ability.  Pro models don't just look good, they learn how to represent the products they are wearing, and how to convey a mood on camera.  There are many types of modeling out there, and a successful model knows how to master their look for different jobs.  It takes practice and dedication, not just pretty looks. That's the very basics to help you get some insight on how to get started and not get ripped off.  At the end of the day, if you are happy with what any photos you have done regardless of what you paid, then you're in good shape.  There are tons of photographers out there, and many do a decent job of taking photos for models to use in their profession.  Just watch out for those who don't have a legitimate cliental base or who's work can't get you noticed as a professional model.  And always read what you sign!  Cheers, -Matt