How to Find the Best of the Modelling Agencies in Brisbane
Are you the parent of a child or teenager who’s expressed an interest in modelling? Are you an adult looking to break into the business yourself?
If so, you understandably want to partner with the best agency in the city. After all, the job might be filled with glamorous and exciting opportunities, but it’s far from easy and you’ll need a reputable agent by your side as you navigate this new terrain.
While you could seek out individual gigs on your own, the reality is that it’s much easier, smarter and profitable to team with professionals who know their way around this business and can help you succeed.
As you research all the modelling agencies Brisbane has to offer, you might find yourself overwhelmed. With so many options, how can you separate the best from the rest?
That’s why we’re here. Today, we’re sharing a few ways to seek out and begin this exciting journey with the right agency for your needs.
Read on for the tips you need!
Make Sure You’re Ready
You could sign a contract with the best Brisbane modelling agency in town, but unless you or your child are truly ready to take on the responsibilities of the job, the next steps could be a major challenge.
For one, does your child appear to genuinely love being in front of a camera? As their parent, it’s easy to believe that he or she is adorable and naturally photogenic, but unless that passion is there, the long photo shoots and gruelling hours can quickly take their toll.
Stress levels can be especially high if your child is shy or uncomfortable in this role. Posing for their family is one thing, but are they equally comfortable in front of a professional photographer or high-end client? Assuming that the answer is “yes” when it’s really “no” could mean investing money, time and energy into an endeavour that winds up being the opposite of fulfilling.
This is why it’s critical to take an honest look at what you’re bringing to the table. Before you can begin your search and start talking to potential agencies, be realistic with your child about what the job entails. It’s more than playing dress-up and taking home a paycheck.
At the same time, this might also mean having a truthful conversation with yourself.
If you’re interested in becoming an adult model, are you aware of the demands that the career will place on your personal time? Moreover, even if you’re ready to commit, do you possess the physical characteristics of a fashion or commercial model?
Resist the urge to sugarcoat or gloss over this initial consideration. You want to make sure you’re ready for the next steps once you start to take them. When you take the time to truly understand yourself or your child, you can have more successful and fruitful conversations with any agency you contact.
Do Your Initial Research
Once you’re sure that you’re ready to take this leap, you can begin the exciting part! It’s time to find modelling agencies that match your needs and goals.
Start by simply hopping online and searching “Modelling agencies in Brisbane.” When you do, you’ll find that there are many that might appear to meet your needs. However, only a few will actually do so.
Why?
You’ll quickly find that not all agencies advertised will offer the service and support that you need. For instance, you might be looking for baby acting or kids acting, in addition to youth modelling services. In this case, you can weed out any agencies that don’t offer acting connections.
Or, you might seek an adult modelling agency that allows you to fulfil your dream apart from your children. In this case, you can skip past any child-only agencies.
In addition to saving you time, this is one way you can quickly narrow your bevy of options into a short list of viable prospects.
Before you go any further in this process or sign on any dotted lines, make sure that the agencies you’re researching offer the opportunities that you’re trying to find. Once you have the names of the ones that made the cut, you can dig a little deeper to make sure they’re legitimate.
Ensure Against Scams
As much as we’d like to think that all modelling agencies are authentic, this simply isn’t the case.
In fact, there’s an entire industry full of faux agencies that promote themselves as valid businesses, only to take your money and run when you sign a contract. This brief from the United States government explains the trademark moves that most shady agencies employ.
Not sure if you’re dealing with a fake? Here are some of the telltale signs that the agency you’re communicating with might be a fraudulent one:
- Your initial meeting feels more like a sales pitch than an introductory conversation.
- The agency promises exorbitant payouts that sound too good to be true.
- The agency guarantees you work.
- The agency only accepts cash as a form of payment.
Above all, the agency should be up-front and honest with you about its pricing structure so you know exactly what to expect. At Bubblegum Casting, our minimum charge-out rate is $85. The only exception is extras work, for which we’ll seek permission before proceeding.
Ask About Past Experience
Now that we’ve covered a few ways you can identify an illegitimate modelling agency, how can you discern which ones are reputable and worth your attention?
The quickest and most effective way to do so is to check the agency’s background.
On their website, you should be able to quickly find a list of the brands and companies that the agency has partnered with in the past. If you can’t find that information online, that’s not necessarily a red flag. However, inquire about this client list in person when you have your initial chat.
We’ve made this step easy for you with the “Our Work” page on our website. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive list of our past clients, including those we’ve worked with in the following capacities:
- Television commercials
- Production and drama
- Musical theatre
There shouldn’t be any secrecy about past experience. You deserve to partner with a modelling agency that’s proud of its past work!
Another way to learn more about an agency’s local reputation is to research its online reviews and client feedback. In some cases, you might also be able to get in touch with models who have worked with the agency in the past and inquire about their experience.
Get Your Portfolio Ready
Once you’ve gone through the above steps, you should have shortened your list of prospective modelling agencies down to a select few. Now, it’s time to take the next step and apply to join the agency.
Before you do so, you’ll need to prepare a portfolio.
If you’re just starting out as an adult model, or if this is your child’s first foray into the business, you might only have a photograph or two, and that’s OK! Go ahead and send those in with your application.
If things go well and you wind up signing with them, many (like ours) will arrange for an in-house photoshoot, where you’ll get plenty of shots that you can use to help build your portfolio!
On the other hand, if you have a more elaborate portfolio already prepared, you can use that too! In addition to the photographs themselves, also include all pertinent details about your past experience, including:
- Clients you’ve worked with
- The types of modelling you’ve done
- The dates of your work
Keep in mind that it’s smart to prepare these materials, even if the agency you’re considering doesn’t request them. This way, you have a complete, chronological record of your work moving forward.
One rule of thumb? Keep it simple, but polished. You don’t have to run out and spend thousands of dollars on a professional photoshoot just to have material for your portfolio. In fact, that’s never a recommended approach! An agency is only interested in how personable and photogenic you or your child are.
So, let that personality shine! You don’t need to edit or add a filter to any of your images, either. Authenticity beats perfection, any day.
Attend an In-Person Meeting
Once you’ve sent in your application form and portfolio materials, the waiting game begins.
A quality modelling agency will let you know a general timeline of when you should expect to hear back, so you aren’t left twiddling your thumbs and racking your brain. The turnaround time could be as soon as a few business days or as long as a few weeks.
Keep up with how long it’s been since you sent in the application and after the notification window has passed, you can politely follow up with the agency using their preferred form of contact. Instead of being pushy or nagging, simply remind them of your application and explain that you’re checking on its status.
In most cases, a trustworthy agency won’t intentionally make you wait longer than expected. If your response does take longer than you expected, this is likely because the office is busy with work — which will be a good thing if you sign on with the team!
When you do hear back, you’ll learn whether or not you (or your child) have made it to the next stage, which is often an in-person meeting.
This is your time to show the agency firsthand why your applicant is a great pick to join their team. As such, use this opportunity and make the most of it! While it’s common to be a little anxious or apprehensive about a first-time meeting, try to act as natural as possible. If it’s your child who’s applying, pass that same advice along.
When you present yourself authentically, you could open yourself up to new opportunities within the agency that you might have missed by pretending to be something or someone else!
Other advice for this initial meeting? Show up on time, dress professionally, and listen respectfully.
Find an Agency That “Clicks”
One of the most important considerations to keep in mind as you search out the best modelling agencies in Brisbane? Ultimately, you want to sign a contract with a team that makes you feel comfortable, valued and important.
A particular agency might check every box on paper, but you can learn a ton at your in-person meeting. If you begin to feel uncomfortable or disrespected at any point, it’s time to continue your search elsewhere. The same applies if you get the impression that you’re just another number!
Along those same lines, it’s imperative to make sure that your or your child’s goals and expectations align with the agency’s work model. For instance, if you want to stay local and never travel outside of the city, you might not be an ideal match for an agency that has a widespread, global reach.
Or, your child might prefer to have weekends and afternoons free, which could become an issue if the agency frequently needs him or her during those times. Use the time during your meeting to ask about scheduling, travel, timelines and other logistics that could make or break your next steps.
Apply to One of the Best Modelling Agencies Brisbane Has to Offer
We’ve discussed precautions to take and questions to ask when you’re searching for the best modelling agencies Brisbane can provide.
Instead of draining your resources (and sanity!) trying to navigate through all of the options, why not cut straight to the top agency in the city?
Bubblegum Casting is one of Brisbane’s premier modelling agencies for babies, children, and teens. We also specialize in helping your tykes find acting jobs that are suited to their appearance and personality. A trusted industry name for nearly 40 years, our reputation precedes us in the very best way.
Looking to further your own career? Look no further than our sister agency, Hunter Talent. Designed exclusively for models 18 and older, it’s the go-to place for adults ready to make their mark in the business.
When you’re ready, you can access our online application for Bubblegum Casting. To pursue adult modelling opportunities, apply to Hunter Talent. Let’s connect today!
