Modeling

Before pursuing a modeling career, consumers should understand the differences between modeling schools, modeling agencies and modeling managers, as well as the types of modeling jobs available.

  • Modeling schools teach modeling skills solely, and do not assist in job placements. Schools in New York State (NYS) where courses cost more than $300 per calendar year require licensing by the NYS Department of Education. The school contract must contain a refund policy.
  • Modeling agencies place models with clients. The NYS Department of Labor must license them. Under NYS law, modeling agencies and managers are entitled to receive a fixed commission of not more than 10 percent only after the job has been completed and the model paid for the work.
  • Modeling managers give advice on personal appearance, development of a portfolio and the general direction of a model's career. In addition, modeling managers may also obtain bookings for a model. Modeling managers are not required to be licensed as an employment agency unless the thrust of their work involves job placement.

There are four types of modeling available to anyone interested in the field:

Fashion: These high-profile models walk the runways in designers' shows and appear in fashion magazines but account for a small percentage of the total model population.

Commercial: The biggest modeling category, commercial models appear in ads, packaging, billboards, and magazine articles for everything from medicine to insurance, from workout equipment to office equipment. Most successful commercial models look like everyday people.

Promotional: Promotional modeling may include handing out free product samples or staffing trade show booths in large convention halls. This category rarely involves being photographed and is very much about your personality and ability to interact with people.

Glamour: For those who are comfortable with their appearance and of legal age, glamour modeling may include calendar pin-ups, swimwear catalogs and photographs for adult-oriented publications.

Most children and teen models are hired for commercial or catalog modeling, and parents should be aware of the laws in place for their children's safety. In New York State, contact the Attorney General's office for a complete list of applicable laws governing children in the modeling field.

Before committing to a school or agency, do some research. Although there are exceptions to the rule, be wary of warning signs that a company may not be legitimate, including:

  1. Non-specific ads in help-wanted sections of newspapers such as: "Wanted: Male/Female with no experience."
  2. Pictures of famous models on company business cards or office walls that deceptively suggest the company represents or has ties to those models.
  3. Excessive guarantees. Modeling agencies are not employers; they represent clients and try to get them work, but they should not claim to guarantee placement.
  4. Advance or registration fees. If an agency has to charge a fee upfront, be wary: there may not be enough money to support the business.
  5. Pressure to leave a deposit or sign a contract immediately. Legitimate companies should have no problem allowing a potential client to take the contract home to think about it.
  6. High-pressure sales tactics for photographs. Non-reputable managers may try to pressure clients into having photographs taken immediately through a specific photographer who may require payment in full before the work is completed. Though eventually all models must create a portfolio, remember that reputable firms are trained to recognize potential models and will likely accept photographs taken at home while a model is getting started.

If you find an agency you would like to work with, remember to:

  •  Ask questions.
  •  Check credentials, including licensing.
  •  Check the company's reliability report with the Better Business Bureau.

For more information, contact:

Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org

New York State Attorney General
(800) 771-7755
www.oag.state.ny.us

New York State Department of Labor
State Office Building Campus, Room 500
Albany, NY 12240-0003
(518) 457-9000
www.labor.state.ny.us

New York State Department of Education
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-3852
www.nysed.gov

New York State Consumer Protection Board
(800) 697-1220
www.consumer.state.ny.us

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
(877) 382-4357
www.ftc.gov

This report is general in nature and is not intended as a reliability report on any company, service or product.