How to become a model?

Basically, young models should fulfill certain criteria in three categories: Appearance & Figure, Skills and Personality. Depending on the type of the model you want to become, you also have to meet additional requirements within these categories. For example, these are stricter for fashion models in the appearance & figure category than for commercial models.

For fashion models, the age limit is between 14 and 25 years. Their minimum height starts at 1.75 m for female models and 1.84 m for male models. However, the demand for skinny models is decreasing significantly and size is no longer as relevant as it once was.

Both women and men tend to have androgynous, specific facial features. High cheekbones can be advantageous, but a well-groomed appearance is important in any case.

Commercial models work in advertising. They are seen by a wide range of people. In order to appeal to as many people as possible and thus boost sales figures, commercial models are usually typical beauties who fit the prevailing ideal of beauty. However, age, height and weight are rather irrelevant, as every job requires a different type.

With the current social changes, a rethink is also taking place in the modeling industry. Large parts of the modeling world are increasingly moving away from the beauty clichés that have prevailed to date. Models with charming flaws, such as a gap in their teeth, a birthmark or protruding ears, are in demand. Being different is beautiful! Aspiring models should always keep this in mind and confidently use their flaws to their advantage, perhaps even declaring them as their own trademark - à la Cara Delevingne with her striking eyebrows.

As a new face model in particular, you should position yourself well and be clear about your qualities. Because only those who can stand out or differentiate themselves from the others will leave a lasting impression on agents, scouts, designers and corporate clients. If you also radiate from within and are authentic, your chances of getting a future job increase. This means that even amateurs (people) with little or no modeling experience can be booked for engagements. They convince with their impressive personality and individual style.

When it comes to skills, it is important for young models that they enjoy presenting themselves to an audience and are prepared to slip into different roles and change their appearance. Acting skills do not necessarily have to be perfect, as acting courses can help or you can automatically learn from job to job and become more experienced. However, good body awareness is a prerequisite for moving naturally in front of the camera or on the catwalk.

In addition to certain skills, prospective models should also have special character traits. As beginners do not yet have the experience and professionalism of advanced models, discipline and ambition are basic prerequisites for continuous development. Being open to criticism makes the situation much easier. However, you should have a healthy self-confidence so that you don't buckle under all the pressure and become insecure. Young talents should also be open-minded and enjoy traveling. If you are working in another country, foreign language skills are still an advantage.

If you don't know exactly whether you have a real chance as a model, you can ask model agents or scouts for an assessment at open castings. You can find out more about this in "What do I have to do to be accepted by a model agency?".

Models are not born overnight. It takes a lot of training to appear confidently in front of clients and audiences, to move naturally in front of the camera and to strike the perfect pose at the right time.

There are many private modeling schools and coaching courses throughout Germany that teach models in various areas. These courses are usually extra-occupational and are not compulsory, but many girls and boys take advantage of them voluntarily.

Initially, these types of courses are useful for teaching the basics. As soon as a candidate has been accepted into an agency's model file, for example, they are sent to catwalk training and test shoots. The model also learns how to behave at castings and what to bear in mind when dealing with future clients.

If, in the course of your career, you feel that you would like to optimize your skills in a particular discipline or develop in a certain direction, for example in acting, experienced model coaches can help you in advanced courses.

If you are looking for suitable modeling schools or coaching courses on your own that are not offered in cooperation with your own agency, caution is advised. It is essential to check in advance whether the course is professionally structured and whether the instructor has relevant experience.

These are the most common course contents for aspiring models:

• Nutrition

• fitness

• make-up

• Posing (posture, facial expressions and gestures)

• Appearance

• casting

• photo shoot

• Fashion

• Contract components (serious vs. fraudulent)

As a rule, admission to a model agency takes place via open castings, which are offered especially for beginners. These take place on certain days at certain times without having to make a personal appointment beforehand. You simply go there and join the queue. Find out well in advance when and where you should be!

However, before you show up at agency castings, you should have already taken a few snapshots of yourself to present to the agent. It's best to have several copies of each of these motifs with you so that you can leave one of them directly with the agent.

Preferred motifs for first snapshots:

• Laughing vs. not laughing

• Face and body, both left and right in profile

• A full body shot from the front and back

• Women: Body-hugging and simple clothing: e.g. tight jeans/leggings, top or T-shirt, possibly in a bikini or swimsuit

• Men: Short swimming trunks, boxer shorts or jeans and shirtless, as it must be possible to assess physical fitness based on the pictures

Not sure if you have what it takes to be a model? Then these types of castings can give you clarity. Because before you invest a lot of time and money in yourself and your career, you can have yourself assessed on site by experienced model agents or scouts or ask them for their opinion. They can also help you to define your target market. Markets can be categorized geographically (e.g. New York, Paris, Tokyo, etc.) or by personal style (high fashion, advertising, plus-size, fitness, etc.).

If you are not represented by an agency or booked by clients in Berlin or London, for example, this does not mean that you cannot be successful in other markets such as Asia. It is therefore important to know your market, especially at the beginning, in order to make a name for yourself there and possibly become interesting for other markets later on.

Beware of model agents or scouts who act as partners of modeling schools or photo studios. They might want to sell you something. Their courses or shoots may not be bad, but you should always ask yourself the question: What motivation do they have to give you positive feedback? Can you trust what they say?

When interviewing with agencies, try to keep the following things in mind:

1. Show up early for auditions! Preferably when the doors open, because at the beginning the agents are still fresh and motivated. Later on, things may look different and their bad mood and tiredness could affect your application.

2. Have photo and/or video material (e.g. model portfolio/sedcard, if already available) ready!

3. Pay attention to the right appearance! A well-groomed appearance and simple, figure-hugging clothing, possibly underwear or swimwear; especially women: no make-up or light daytime make-up.

4. Introduce yourself to as many agencies as possible and stay on the ball! Be prepared for the fact that it will take a few attempts before an agency accepts you. Not every agency will be able to represent you, as you may not fit into their file or profile (e.g. focus on high fashion, children). However, always remember that if an agency is not interested today, their opinion may be completely different tomorrow.

Note: In order to be able to present yourself to as many model agencies and scouts as possible, you need to attend many personal auditions at castings, and you can also enhance your applications with your own websites or public profiles on job portals. This is because many people can view these at the same time.

Your agency sends you to the casting with all the information you need: name of the client, location and time. You will be asked to introduce yourself in person. To present yourself to the client in the best light, we have summarized three important tips for you.

3 tips for your perfect appearance:

• Make sure you have a well-groomed appearance!

The same rules apply as for agency castings (see What do I have to do to be accepted by a model agency?)

• Be on time!

1. arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment; if you arrive earlier, wait in the lobby or outside the building.

2. time is money! Latecomers are unreliable, annoying and disrupt the schedule. A reason not to want to work with them.

3 Sometimes, however, delays cannot be avoided: Call your agency or inform the client directly and let them know your estimated time of arrival.

• Be organized and well prepared!

1. bring a clean and up-to-date book with professional model photos of yourself. This should only contain the best pictures. No scribbles, business cards or other personal notes in the book, because customers will flip through to the last pages.

2. make sure that the measurements of chest, waist and hips are correct. This saves the customer a lot of stress and more effort afterwards, as well as you having to explain embarrassingly.

3. have a notebook, cell phone or tablet to hand so that you can quickly jot down a few important things. Be respectful of your potential client's time.

TIP: To avoid finding yourself in an unpleasant situation later on, we recommend only accepting job offers and bookings from reputable agencies or trustworthy job portals.