So, I was looking at getting into modelling. I don't have much experience in this area and neither does anybody I know so I'm looking for help from you guys.

I'm not sure how to go about it. I think I should register with an agency, but there are so many and how do I know which one is good? My friend (who is top model material) registered with one and all she did was hand out flyers in the mall for $15/hr. The portfolio alone (which was average, IMHO) cost her $400. Now she doesn't do anything with it and I don't have parents who will pay for my whims!

I was approached the other day by a fashion student who asked me to be the model for her show, and I've done hair modelling for my hairdresser but I'm not sure I want to just wait around to be 'discovered'. I don't want to get to 60 and kick myself for what I could have done in my youth!

Does anybody have any advice? Tips? Has anyone here modelled before, unsuccessfully or with great success? Once a woman in a lift looked up and just said "You should be on the catwalk" and it took all my strength not to grab her shoulders and shake her yelling "HOW?! WHO DO I CALL?!! WHERE DO I GO?!?!".

Thanks loves!

So, I was looking at getting into modelling. I don't have much experience in this area and neither does anybody I know so I'm looking for help from you guys.

I'm not sure how to go about it. I think I should register with an agency, but there are so many and how do I know which one is good? My friend (who is top model material) registered with one and all she did was hand out flyers in the mall for $15/hr. The portfolio alone (which was average, IMHO) cost her $400. Now she doesn't do anything with it and I don't have parents who will pay for my whims!

I was approached the other day by a fashion student who asked me to be the model for her show, and I've done hair modelling for my hairdresser but I'm not sure I want to just wait around to be 'discovered'. I don't want to get to 60 and kick myself for what I could have done in my youth!

Does anybody have any advice? Tips? Has anyone here modelled before, unsuccessfully or with great success? Once a woman in a lift looked up and just said "You should be on the catwalk" and it took all my strength not to grab her shoulders and shake her yelling "HOW?! WHO DO I CALL?!! WHERE DO I GO?!?!".

Thanks loves!

Hi Toastie! I modelled for 4 or 5 years when I was younger and was with Cameron's and Viviens, which are two of the top modelling agencies. The best thing to do is just take some photos that have been taken of you in normal circumstances (i.e. birthdays, get togethers etc), nothing where you're posing or trying to look like a model. Call the top agencies in your capital city and find out when they have their open days, this is generally once a week. They'll look at your photos and if they think you have potential they'll get you to do a shoot with a professional photographer. You have to pay for this yourself. Then if they like the shots they'll sign you up.

The first time I did the rounds no-one accepted me, then about 9 months later I did it again after getting a great hair cut and the first place I went to (Cameron's) asked me to do a test shoot.

Word of warning - modelling is not all it's cracked up to be. When I got my shots back they were the most beautiful shots I had ever seen of myself and to this day I still think they were some of the best I've ever had taken. The head booker at the agency looked at the photos with a loop (a magnifying glass) and then proceeded to tell me I needed to get my teeth fixed and I needed to learn how to smile. Silly me, here I was at 19 thinking I knew how to smile!

Throughout my experience of modelling (and I did TV commercials, David Jones parades, catalogs, etc) I got way more negative feedback than positive feedback. When you go to castings and go sees you are surround by the most beautiful girls in the city. It's really hard not to compare yourself with other people and you start to get really critical of yourself (she's got better skin, that other one has a better nose, my god look at her legs! etc, etc, etc).

The people you're casting for and your own agency are just as bad. They don't give you positive feedback they just look at you with a critical eye. At castings you generally get no feedback they look you up and down, make you walk, sometimes you have to try something on, they flick through your book, thank you and it's over. With your agency my experience was that they critqued and critiqued but didn't help me. My agency was always telling me my makeup didn't look right and I needed to learn to apply makeup better, but didn't help me in any way. Unless you are one of their top earner's there is a tendency for some bookers to be a bit "fake" and "catty". Others can be lovely.

I'm not trying to put you off I just want you to realise that it's not glamorous. My self-esteem took a dive and I finally decided to give up modelling because it was effecting my self-esteem so much. Mind you I had recurring acne so that didn't help either. I'd go on roaccuatane and look great for 6-12 months and then my acne would come back and I couldn't model. I was too insecure to discuss this openly with my agent (given how "fake" and rude they could be sometimes) so I'm sure my lack of communication when I was feeling ugly didn't help my relationship with my agent either.

Anyway darling, best of luck, and keep us posted on how you go. :hugs:

Toastie are you in Sydney?

Toastie are you in Sydney?

Nah, she's a Canberra gal. We rule.

I have never been. It is on my get to list this year. My boy goes every year for that Nats thing. I dont think he loves the Nats but I think he goes just for a boys weekend.

Oh honey, avoid 'Berra at all costs during that time of year!

Come down and hang out with me!

I know I have heard horror stories

So what is the shopping like?? :chuckle:

It's orright. New Canberra Centre development gave us MECCA, L'Occitane, Aesop, Mollini, Midas, Kookai, Seduce,Witchery etc...so not bad!

Also, I'm here. And as I said, I rule.

Sorry Toastie, back to you!

Sounds good!!

Sorry toastie!!