There are a lot of young women around the world who want to become teen models. Starting in the business as a teenager isn’t uncommon. In fact, some of the most successful supermodels began this way. This means that, with enough patience, the right attitude, focus, persistence, and confidence, you have shot at becoming the next Tyra Banks. To get you started, you first have to create a checklist of the most important things you need to launch your modeling career; three of them are listed below:

1. Your Parents’ Approval

Getting your parents’ permission to become a model is probably the most important thing you must deal with before you begin your journey in the modeling business. This is because agencies need parental written consent and approval if you’re starting in this line of work as a minor.

Also, having your parents support you throughout your journey can ease some of the stress and pressure you are bound to experience as a young model. They can also give you sound advice on how to balance your career, studies, and life in general.

On top of that, they can help you fund expenses related to your endeavor. This includes fees for modeling classes and professional photo shoots for your portfolio, among others.

How to Get It:

Most parents believe that their children must put their education first and foremost, which is why many are hesitant to let teens start working as models before they reach legal age.

With this in mind, you have to assure them that you will still prioritize your studies even after you start your career. This, and your explanation on how important becoming a model is to you, should be enough to get them to support you in reaching for your dreams.

2. Standout Portfolio

If you’ve been doing some research about how to become a model, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across the term “portfolio.” By definition, a portfolio is a book containing a collection of photographs that serves as a visual resume for applicants.

Following this premise, it is safe to say that you need a portfolio before you can even apply for your first job or seek representation from an agency.

How to Get It:

Preparing a modeling portfolio is quite straightforward – you only need to gather pictures of yourself and compile them into a book. Of course, choosing the right photographs will determine the effectiveness and value of a portfolio in helping you stand out among the applicants. To make sure that you’re assembling it right, here are some tips you can try in creating a standout portfolio:

• Make sure it contains the three most crucial types of portfolio images: a headshot, body shot, and personality shot.
• For headshots, you must have a photograph showing different angles of your face. Make sure to also include ones showing you with a straight face as well as some smiling shots.
• Body shots must show the entire length of your body in fitted clothing. This will help the agencies and prospective clients assess whether you’re a good fit for a project.
• When taking full-length body shots, you should include a variety of pictures showcasing what you look like wearing different attire. You should also add some featuring you with a more natural look with little to no makeup.
• Include a page indicating basic descriptions of yourself (e.g., your eye and hair color, weight, height, and other pertinent body measurements).

3. Reputable Modeling Agency

Modeling agencies serve as a talent’s link to a variety of clients. This means signing up for the right firm can make or break your career as they will help you land jobs as a model.

How to Get It:

When choosing the right talent and model agency to represent you, you should always do some research first to determine their background, clientele, and the quality of their relationships with their models. It is also important that you meet with the booker – the person responsible for managing a specific model’s career – to see if you feel comfortable working with him or her and how well you two get along.

Also, remember to ask the right questions, starting with the number of models an agency has handled in the same age group as you. This will give you a ballpark figure of how saturated their company is when it comes to models of your age range. This will also help you gauge how well the firm handles your peers, and whether or not they have been able to successfully launch their careers.

How to Start Your Modeling Career Right

Successfully starting your career as a model requires confidence, support from your parents, and a sound attitude. Aside from these, you also need to be wise in building a portfolio and choosing a modeling agency to represent you.

How you handle these crucial factors will help determine whether or not you can achieve the success you hope to have in the modeling industry.

AUTHOR BIO

Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, the longest running agency specialising in babies, children and teen talent in Australia. Bubblegum Casting works with some of Australia's biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles.