About once or twice a month I get a phone call from a young lady needing new photos for their modeling portfolio. After asking a few questions it always comes back to what happened:

They fell for John Casablancas. If you have heard this name, they have been around since about 1987 and yes, they are still in business. This is a modeling school that you are asked to pay thousands of dollars for classes on makeup, hair, modeling, clothes, and other aspects of this industry. And you also have to use their photographer, and each time I hear how terrible the pictures came out.  Either they don’t like how they look, or the photographer was mean, the lighting was bad, and “the camera looked professional, but the photos don’t look like they are”.

A little history first, John Casablanca founded Elite Modeling Agency back in 1971, however by going to this school, doesn’t get you into Elite.

Sometimes they set up in the malls, on college campuses, or do cold calls for interviews. They show you photos, videos, testimonials and how successful some of their past students have been. Then they ask you to sign up with a credit card for classes. And if you don’t do it at the very moment, you’ll lose your chances of getting into the industry.

However, before you do anything, do your research, here these are just a few articles:

Consumer Affairs

Pissed Consumer

Yelp

Work From Home Watchdog- John Casablancas, Scam Or Misinterpretation?

Time and time again I hear how these women paid for the classes, and then they were send to auditions or agencies. Only to be told that their portfolios were not what they were told it should be or that the auditions were never a sure thing. Too much makeup, the photographs were over done, or terrible, the list goes on and on.

I always tell these ladies this:

1. A real agency never asks you for money. Instead they invest in you because YOU will make money for them. If and when you get represented, come back to me with what your agency wants for your portfolio.

2. Acting and modeling is hard work. If an agency tells you about their success by testimonials, pictures and doing a hard sell, walk away…fast!

3. If anyone wants an answer right away, once again…walk away….FAST! Don’t sign anything!

If you think that I’m turning clients away, then perhaps you’re right. But I don’t see it that way at all either. Instead, I’m trying to help them out because, they have already been “taken in”. I don’t want to photograph their modeling portfolio for agencies unless they are signed and I know what they are looking for. They want to see how you look clean, natural, as you are, think of yourself as a canvas, ready to be painted on. Because that’s what will be happening if you’re signed on 🙂

Here is another thing these modeling schools may not tell you. Height requirements for certain types of work.

High Fashion: This is for the runways and fashion houses. Height starts at 5”8 to 5”11 with a dress size of 4-6, bust starting around 34. For guys, 5”11 to 6”2, in really good shape, chest size 37” to 42”.

Editorial Print: These are the magazines, think of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, etc. The size requirements are the same.

Commercial Print: A big market that can fit almost anyone, but the height starts around 5″8 usually, but I believe depending on what the client is looking for they will take on any range in height.

Cataloge: Same as above.

Plus Size: Height requirements start at 5”8 and between the sizes of 12-16.

Glamour/Lingerie: Some women who are very curvy and don’t fit the high fashion/editorial requirements. Think Victoria’s Secrets and swimwear.

Body Parts: To use your hair, eyes, lips, hands, legs and feet for print, tv, or film. This is to help advertise products like lipstick, shampoo, or shoes as examples.

TV Commercials: This area is dependant on what the producers and directors are looking for, so it’s wide open.

Real Life People Models for TV/Film Extras: This area is dependant on what the producers and directors are looking for, so it’s wide open.

Petite Models: There are some agencies that do take on women that are under 5″5(that’s what petite starts at).

Latitude Talent

MSA Models Petite Section (put the curser over each image to see the model’s measurements)

Now, if you need a headshot for acting, this includes children, teens, and adults. That I can do, because you need those for when you go out on auditions along with a resume, and for your online site.

Please don’t fall for this same old song and dance, and this goes out to the parents of children as well.  If anyone is interested in modeling for me, contact me here, in between my clients I’m always looking for ways to further test my creativity.

I hope that these tips help you or someone you know. And don’t let any of this discourage you from your dreams! If you truly want something, work hard, make yourself unique, special and THE person that agencies and reps MUST have!