[Krusyos]

Any insiders on the industry? Any experiences in the modeling field?

I'm looking to perhaps start a whole new modeling agency from the ground up. Instant status with models, good money, travel, be able to make good connections, and I'll also have a pipeline of model pussy so I can do some club promotion on the side.

If I do choose to pursue this, it won't be for another 5 years at least. While in college, I will develop a network of hot girls who I can use to jump start the agency. There are no shortage of self-worshiping dimepiece whores who would love to model.

[AntiTrace]

there was a guy on here who did it small time. JOFsuperman I think? I remember a small data sheet on it somewhere.

I was also thinking of this just for fun. Hire a photography student for $50-$100 a day, theyll work for cheap. You might even be able to get them for free. Then get models for TFP (time for print) or a cheap hourly rate. Essentially work as the middle man between them, be at all the shoots dressed fly as fuck.

I doubt theres any money in it. But it would be fun. I tooled around with some photography game a bit back and its a blast. Easiest opener ever in a nightclub is to walk up to a girl and just look at her for a bit, right before she asks what your doing, you comment on her facial symmetry and bone structure, then go into the modeling pitch.

[rishboy77]

My dream if I get into some real money is to move to Kiev and open a modeling agency. Best way to get the young hot 8 & 9's. You can a hire a well educated English speaking personal assistant for $1,000US a month.

[sammybiker]

You're going to see a lot more value in learning to shoot yourself, building your portfolio and really branding yourself. No need for model agency fluff...be hands on, build your craft, reap the rewards and best yet...you can start today. You'd be surprised how far a 10 year old DSLR with a good lens or two will go.

I went a similar path as AntiTrace a few years back...I started as a club shooter whenever Tiesto, Armin, Kaskade, etc came into town...easiest opener ever. Huge social circle value. And as your skill increases, you'll find yourself being opened on a nightly basis for 1 on 1 shoots.

Huge value.

[AntiTrace]

sammy you wanna break down your club photography game hustle? How do you get the gig, did you just ask the manager? Did you get paid or do it for free? Were the pictures your property or the clubs property? basic equipment you used? etc.

[sammybiker]

@antitrace - I've been a huge fan of house/trance/electro for years and when I was shooting, it was 2009-2011, so just before "EDM" really blew up in the States. Thus, I will admit, it was easier to get gigs back then. That said...

I contacted the promotion company, sent them a sample of my portfolio and received my first unpaid gig shooting ATB. That went well so I was brought on for additional gigs afterwards. I was never paid (nor did I ask for pay) but received VIP access at every gig. Sometimes, you can't even pay your way into the DJ booth...and that's how I looked at it. And it was a party, man...great time.

The photos were of the DJs & club goers. I never had much talent and used a pre-owned 2006 Nikon D200 w/SB600 flash and a variety of Nikon glass to shoot.

[AntiTrace]

Interesting. Maybe I'll bust my camera back out and contact a couple of the smaller local clubs to build a night life portfolio.

[Cr33pin]

I bought a nice DSLR camera (Nikon D5200, I love it) and made a modeling gmail and facebook page (which currently is bland and basically says under construction) An then I had Vista print make me 500 nice business cards for around $20 bucks. An I just hand them out like candy to cute girls. Then they come to my place for a photo shoot and I spit game. Its easy as 1,2,3.

I have a whole story made up to cover all the flaws in my modeling agency

I'm not in it to make money, my money comes from else where...Obviously it would be ideal to make some money with this as well but its not happening at the moment and I'm cool with it.

[jamaicabound]

I guess it depends on what you want to do. Without any real contacts your probably going to be limited to booking "models" for promotioanl gigs like handing out redbulls at events and things like that. Nothing wrong with that but don't think your going to open up and be booking Victorias Secret models tomorrow it doesn't work like that. As far as status, honestly there's a million guys on craigslist trying to either run model game or start little modeling agencies so the status only comes if you actually have a legit agency booking real gigs, otherwise it comes off as creepy and wanna beish.

I actually worked for a modeling agency in Chicago for a year during college. Our agency was reputable and actually booked decent gigs. We had offices in CHicago, LA, New York, Houson and maybe a few others and even we were seen as a small fish or even kind of looked down upon by the bigger more serious agencies in Chicago.

Typically the stuff we booked was extras and very small movie parts, some print work like Paypal ads and some phone company and phone manufacturer ads, tv commercials, though even we did a lot of booking for promotional gigs handing out redbulls by union station and stuff like that.

Your somewhat right about status. I was making shit money at the time with the hours I worked it probably boiled down to about minimum wage so I was far from balling if you looked at my pocketbook but perceived status was anotehr thing. I got invites to all the best events at clubs, invited to yaght parties on lake michigan with models, and wound up going to a lot of industry type evens small invite only concerts and stuff like that. The money wasn't great but the job was really cool.

I was basically the office bitch so basically heading women around at casting calls, being a photoraphers assistant, steaming garmants for shoots last minute, pretty much little bs jobs but I was cool with my boss who was like hte office manager so he gave me keys to the office I could crash there whenever I wanted, bring girls back there, etc. Most of the day was lounging around the office, sleeping, watching tv geting ready for castings calls or shoots later in the aftrnoon/evening. Later my job was basically "model scout" I guess if you could call it that, sounds more glamorous than it actually was, bascially if we were looking for asians for a motorolla ad I would wander around Michigan avenue looking for asians and bring them back to the office for the casting people to look at. That part of the job was cool as it was basically just approaching girls in the street telling them they look good, I work for so and so, we're having a casting for such and such gig later at 8 if she wants to come by.

We started off as a legit agency but it's a tough business and things wound up going downhill and getting shady pretty quickly. What started out as a legit agency where we paid for the models shots if they worked with us or signed with us it turned into something where any decent looking person on the street they wanted me to bring them in hte office to sell them on a package of headshots and getting a portfolio made and then they would pay more to get on this online database we had where other casting agents and photographers could view them and other models to find people to hire for gigs. I wound up leaving shortly after that as what started out as fun and a legit business turned into basically preying on young girls dreams and stealing their money.

I guess it depends on where you want to go with this. If you're going into it just wanting to be in a "cool" industry don't do it because there's so many fakers out there unless you really are doing big things everyone looks at you as another wannabe and maybe creepy.

Also don't think your going to be the next Ford or Wilhemlia or whatever. When you start off I'd stick to booking promotional gigs and maybe try to get some small local gigs for shoots for a local businesses print ad or commercial. Typically these aren't going to be dealing with hot glamorous women but your average housewife or businessman. once you get established and get some contacts with photographers and stuff you can try to start doing bigger stuff.

Not trying to dash any dreams butjust trying to give a reality check from the limited experience I have in that industry. Feel free to post or pm me if you have any questions in terms of how do they run things or get gigs or whatever.

If you are either into photogrpahy or looking to get into it and actually like photography honestly there's better money in wedding photograpy than this model stuff for the vast majority of people however if you're more wanting to be in the industry or status or whatever you probably wanna go the modeling agency route.

[jamaicabound]

(10-20-2014 08:23 AM)AntiTrace Wrote:  

there was a guy on here who did it small time. JOFsuperman I think? I remember a small data sheet on it somewhere.

I was also thinking of this just for fun. Hire a photography student for $50-$100 a day, theyll work for cheap. You might even be able to get them for free. Then get models for TFP (time for print) or a cheap hourly rate. Essentially work as the middle man between them, be at all the shoots dressed fly as fuck.

I doubt theres any money in it. But it would be fun. I tooled around with some photography game a bit back and its a blast. Easiest opener ever in a nightclub is to walk up to a girl and just look at her for a bit, right before she asks what your doing, you comment on her facial symmetry and bone structure, then go into the modeling pitch.

This is a nice little hustle to maybe make a few hundred bucks a month. I kinda did this in college when I was working for an agency. Basically like you said just middlemanning something that people could get for free.

TFP like you mentioned for thsoe who don't know is time for prints, basically a photographer needs a model, a model needs shots so they agree photogrpaher can use the shots in his portfolio and in return he provides the model with a portfolio of hers for free which would otherwise maybe cost a few hundred bucks. You can middle man these deals and either pocket all the money or split with the photographer.

Most girls wanna be models are not educated and don't researc this but for those who do rule number one of modeling is don't pay for shots, if someone actually wants you for serious work they will pay for that for you or have their photographer do it so smart girls probably wont' go for this but the vast majority probably will.

[monster]

Online modeling exchange platforms like onemodelplace and modelmayhem kind of destroyed the small modeling agency.

[OnlyMarryInTajikistan]

It's too much work if you're doing it just for women. The majority of girls modelling attracts are delusional young 7s who believe they are 9s.

If you are aiming to get a 9, the best way to do it is not like this. Go to Russia, set up shop for 6 months, and approach one 9 per day. Within a two months maximum you should be dating one.

[Low Status Beta]

Getting Money
#1. Buy shirts from an aspiring fashion designer.

#2. Shoot photos w/ your Models sporting the shirts. Most of these designers simply have silouhettes/mannequins so having high quality photos of actual people wearing them will greatly help.

#3. Lay out a deal where you agree to shoot material for the designer's entire catalog for a large fee ($1,000). Pay photographer $200, Model $200, yourself $200 and use the remaining $400 to re-invest/use for expenses.

Recruiting/Hiring Models
#1. Use the $400 from above to buy an iPad. Go to events with the model you used above, and whenever you meet people you can impress them the photos. Instant credibility, since the model in the pictures is standing right next to you.

#2. Whenever you get more money, hire a video guy to shoot a "Behind The Scenes" style vid @ a photoshoot.

#3. Upload to YouTube. Whenever people google your agency, this vid will pop up. Eventually aspiring models will begin to contact you and you will not have to rely on #1 much.

Things to keep in mind
#1. Alot of aspiring designers design clothes for the male demographic, so contracting male models should be as much of a priority as females. Plus it makes you look legit when you have both genders for your agency's portfolio anyways.

#2. To be taken seriously, you will need an Office Downtown that is atleast 200 Sq Feet and has windows. In Major Markets like NYC/MIA/LA this will run you $500/mo at the least. Furnishing will probably run you $1k-$2k. Besides Desk/Chairs, it would be good to have a huge photo framed on the wall. Also would be good to have an area for test photos/make up station.

#3. If you plan to actually do this as a full-time career, you would want to keep in mind the models with the most potential are going to be teenagers (like age 12-15). If someone is still an aspiring model @ age 20 chances are they won't make it.

#4. Instead of scamming the subpar applicants who don't truly have what it takes, use them for Social Proof/free labor. If they can't be in the business themselves, they'll be happy being around it.

[Kitsune]

I guess the key question would be "What does your business offer anyone that they can't get elsewhere?"

I don't know, but I imagine the world is full of guys who've had this idea and get a camera to try and get with hot girls. I can't imagine "Hey baby, I'll make you a star!" is going to work.

[Low Status Beta]

Some more thoughts:
#1. Every city has about 100 Professional Make Up Artists. And probably 1,000 part timers. Odds are, even the hobbyists have practiced make up on 20 girls or more. Bottom line, much easier to leverage other peoples networks than devoting a disproportionate amount of time to Cold Approac.

#2. When building your agency's portfolio, it'll probably be a good idea to contract girls you don't necessarily find attractive. I think what seperates the guys who actually earn a living from this, is that they are willing to set aside their personal preferences.

#3. You should put together an "Agency Book" about 30-40 pages in length. You would go to Kinkos/OfficeDepot and ask them to print it in a brochure format. It would contains a profile of each Model - A Big Photo that takes up half the page, and beside it an information box w/ their physical attributes.

When at Parties/Social Fuinctions when people ask what you do, you can tell them about the agency you recently started, and hand them your booklet. Surely, they will not toss it the way they would a business card, this is probably the most intriguing/interesting thing they've been given all year. When they go home that night, they'll probably thumb through it. Even if they work in a completely unrelated industry (Finance/Banking), they may roughly know of someone in the ENT biz in some capacity (6 degrees of seperation concept) who can help.

[samsamsam]

(11-26-2014 02:15 AM)Low Status Beta Wrote:  

Getting Money
#1. Buy shirts from an aspiring fashion designer.

#2. Shoot photos w/ your Models sporting the shirts. Most of these designers simply have silouhettes/mannequins so having high quality photos of actual people wearing them will greatly help.

#3. Lay out a deal where you agree to shoot material for the designer's entire catalog for a large fee ($1,000). Pay photographer $200, Model $200, yourself $200 and use the remaining $400 to re-invest/use for expenses.

Well, LSB got banned.

But wondering if anyone knew where to find small clothing firms who might be willing to get some shots of their clothes done for a small fee or trade.

[The Beast1]

(06-13-2015 10:26 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(11-26-2014 02:15 AM)Low Status Beta Wrote:  

Getting Money
#1. Buy shirts from an aspiring fashion designer.

#2. Shoot photos w/ your Models sporting the shirts. Most of these designers simply have silouhettes/mannequins so having high quality photos of actual people wearing them will greatly help.

#3. Lay out a deal where you agree to shoot material for the designer's entire catalog for a large fee ($1,000). Pay photographer $200, Model $200, yourself $200 and use the remaining $400 to re-invest/use for expenses.

Well, LSB got banned.

But wondering if anyone knew where to find small clothing firms who might be willing to get some shots of their clothes done for a small fee or trade.

Stick to New York or LA. Find one of those "Fashion Colleges" you know one of those for profit diploma mills where aspiring people who want to work in fashion go. You'll probably be able to find someone who has some work finished.

[jamaicabound]

I see you got banned so not sure if you'll see this post but honestly this is a dream not a serious idea if your thinking of starting it in 5 years and think your going to recruit your models in college, who knows if they are married or have careers or whatever else in 5 years.

Modeling is not some busines you just jump into, unless your just going to be trying to sell BS model portfolios for $1500 and run that game/scam. The other way you can startup is basically by finding models for local commercials, promotional models for events, etc but your not going to be booking models for magazine shoots anytime soon right after starting.

Not to kill your dreams you can make some good money selling modeling portfolios and booking girls to handout redbulls at bars and events but thats a whole different thing than like Ford modeling agency.

One otherthing, if you truly want a modeling agency you'll quickly learn modeling isn't just about finding hot girls. Most "models" modeling agencies hire quite honestly aren't even girls I'd want to bang, its not about being hot its about being tall, having a certain body type and a symetrical face. Many models I lookat I can say I see why your a model, I'd pick you out as a model but I don't find you attractive nor would I bang.

If were talking runway modeling I'd probably bang only like 5% of them, just not my type. Also of these hot college girls probably 5% would actually have the height and body type to be models. Passing out beers or promotional items sure but models no.

If anyone is serious about getting into the modeling industry feel free to shoot me a PM and I can tell you what it's really like. I worked in the industry for quite a while. Part of the time for a legit agency, part for a casting company and part for a scam selling photo shoots and putting chicks on a website that was supposedly viewed by casting directors and model scouts.

The vast majority of people who want to get into this industry just want to get in for the image and to be around hot chicks. Thats fine and dandy but you gotta put food on the table and a roof over your head. Also most who are trying to get in are not really to be taken seriously, I'll be honest I was one of them at times but my hustles were basically finding photographers on craigslist who would work for free or TFP and then charging girls a couple hundred bucks to get a modeling portfolio put together. I have a space that can be used as a studio so had a place to shoot and could provide girls so the photographers would work for free just because I had a studio and could provide girls. Like someone else commented about makeup artists, you could run the same thing with them and get them to work for free by hvaing the photographer give them rights to the photographs along with the model. Basically everyone is just working to build a portfolio or get something they need and I'd pocket a couple hundred bucks basically for having a space and bringing everyone together but thats hardly a legit business or a modeling agnecy.