Tips and Tricks for Choosing the Best Model Agency, Sydney
Does your baby love to smile for the camera? Is your kid or teen cute, spunky, and driven? Are you looking to advance your own career in modelling?
Most of us see the glamorous and fun aftermath of a modelling shoot. The pictures are great, the advertisements are everywhere, and it seems like a dream job. Some people might even think it’s easy!
The truth is, modelling is serious work, and it can be hard to land the gigs you want and keep the payments coming. Without an agent, you’ll be searching for shoots and marketing yourself or your kids all on your own. Why put yourself through all that trouble when you could work with an agency?
Before you sign any contracts, we want to talk about some tips and tricks for finding a model agency that will suit your needs and get you more work. Read on to find out more about how to find out more about choosing the best model agency Sydney has to offer!
Know What You’re Bringing to theTable
When you’re searching for a model agency in Sydney (or anywhere else), be honest with yourself about what you or your kids have to offer.
If you’re hoping to get your baby or kid into acting, make sure that they’re comfortable around strangers before you invest too much time or money into their career. Just because they love to pose for you doesn’t mean they won’t shy away from a photographer or client.
If you’re looking for an adult model agency for yourself, consider your physical qualities and what you see from other models. It’s no secret that fashion models tend to have a different look from commercial models. Both are incredibly valuable in this industry, so don’t knock yourself if you fit into one category better than the other!
Finally, think about other possible avenues you may want to pursue. It’s not uncommon for models of all ages to get offered acting gigs in addition to modelling gigs. In fact, tons of actors, from Ashton Kutcher to Jennifer Lawrence, started out as young models!
Knowing what you’re bringing to the table will help you to put your best foot forward with a model agency. It will show them that you know your strengths and your weaknesses, which will make them more confident in working with you.
Weed Out Model Agencies That Don’t Suit Your Needs
Did you come across a listing for a top model agency in Sydney that looks promising? Do they only provide some of the services you’re looking for? Skip it!
It can be difficult to find agencies that have everything you’re looking for but don’t give up too easily. For example, a lot of model agencies don’t focus on baby acting or kid acting, but we can think of at least one place that does, and that’s us!
We understand that when you’re looking for an agent to start modelling, you’re eager and excited. However, you should still do thorough research to make sure that you’re not wasting your time or the agency’s time. Nothing is worse than signing a contract just to find out you’re needs aren’t covered.
Don’t Get Stuck in a Scam
Unfortunately, it’s entirely possible that self-proclaimed model agencies are actually scammers or con artists. In fact, it’s such a problem around the globe that the United States government even issued a warning about these fake modelling agencies.
How do you know that you’re dealing with a scam? There are a few tell-tale signs, and we’ll go over a few of them here.
First of all, fake modelling agencies may make you outlandish promises. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Keep in mind that child models make around $70 per hour or less on a photoshoot. Baby models make anywhere from $25 to $75 per hour on a photoshoot. If an agency is telling you that you will get paid thousands of dollars an hour on their first shoot, they’re probably luring you in to scam you.
Fake modelling agencies may also only accept cash. They’re guaranteeing that they have your money whether they do any work for you or not and that you can’t get it back.
One way to make sure a Sydney modelling agency is real is to find out what it has accomplished. Oftentimes, information about their previous work will be available on their website. You may also be able to get in touch with other clients and find out more about their reputation.
Don’t give away your money or your time to anyone who isn’t reputable and can’t back up their claims!
Prepare Your Materials
Once you’ve found an agency or two that you’re interested in, prepare any materials you may need.
For beginner models, you may only need a photo or two that you can send to the agency. This will give them a chance to see you or your kid and decide if they’re interested in finding out more.
If there’s any previous work experience you want to showcase, go ahead and put together a portfolio! This should include pictures from the shoots as well as dates and the names of your previous clients. Even if your modelling agency doesn’t ask to see a portfolio, it’s a good idea to start one from the beginning so you can keep track of everything over the years.
Don’t Go Overboard Right Away
When you’re gathering these materials, don’t feel like you need to spend a lot of money for a polished look. Professional-style headshots can’t hurt, but you don’t need to hire the best photographer you can find for these. Ultimately, agencies just want to see what you or your kid looks like and how you photograph.
Having said that, don’t edit or doctor your submission photos. Even if some photographers will perform light touch-ups in professional shoots, your agency wants to see the real you!
Kids and babies especially don’t need to have their photos edited. Don’t worry about birthmarks, missing baby teeth, or anything else that you think will be viewed as an imperfection. Your kid’s unique qualities make them special, and a good agency will appreciate that.
Follow Up
When you send in an application to a Sydney modelling agency, you will probably get a response telling you how long it will take them to respond. This may be two business days or two weeks. Either way, keep track of how much time has passed after you’ve sent in the application.
If the agency said two days and it’s been five, or two weeks and it’s been three, it’s time to follow up. See if you can find out their preferred method of contact. Some agencies will list this information on their site.
When you make the follow-up phone call or send in an email, don’t be pushy or aggressive. Chances are, they’re not trying to delay the process or ignore you. Sometimes things get a little hectic and agents can get backed up on their correspondence.
All you need to do is remind them of who you are and when you sent your application. Tell them that you’re still interested in working with them and inquire about the status of your application. Not only could this speed up the process but it also shows that you’re serious about working in the modelling industry!
Encourage New Models (Including Yourself) to Act Natural
When it’s time to speak with or meet with your modelling agency for the first time, it can be a little intimidating. This especially goes for children and teens who may be used to speaking less around adults they don’t know.
It’s important to let your personality shine through! Let all your silliness and your quirks out and don’t model your behavior off of someone else in the business. Model agencies will know where to place you, and showing them who you really are can actually inspire them to suggest you for gigs they may have otherwise overlooked.
Of course, you want to maintain a professional demeanor, but this doesn’t have to take a toll on your personality. Showing up to casting calls on time and listening to the photographer’s instructions will show that you’re a professional. Being fun to work with is a bonus for your agency, not a sign that you’re not ready for the industry!
Manage Expectations and Priorities
Modelling is a great way to make some money or gain exposure, and big cities like Sydney offer tons of opportunities to do it.
However, it can be a little slow starting out and you may encounter periods of time where little work comes your way. That doesn’t mean that you’re not a good model! It simply means that clients aren’t looking for your skillset at the moment.
Managing expectations is very important in the modelling industry, especially for kids and teens. Finding an agency that specializes in kids and teens is important because you want to work with people who know how to talk to kids. Sometimes kids are more sensitive than adults and have a harder time accepting that something is out of their hands and not a reflection of their value.
Priorities are important when it comes to kids and teens, too. Make sure your kids and teens have a healthy work-life balance and are still focused on school. Check in with them and make sure that they’re still enjoying the work and that they also have time to see their friends complete their schoolwork.
Work With People You Like
Finally, work with a model agency made up of people you like. Your agents don’t have to be your best friends but it helps if you get along and see eye to eye!
One thing that can make or break a relationship between a model and an agency are the goals they both have. If you want to travel the world and your agency only focuses on local commercial shoots, that relationship isn’t going to last. Similarly, if you or your kid want something part time and relaxed and your agency wants you working every weekend, there’s going to be a problem!
If you start out with an agency and feel like you’re being neglected, getting sent to shoots that don’t suit you, or you can’t seem to get along with the agents, find a new one. Modelling is tough work and there’s no need to stick around with an agency that doesn’t make you feel good about yourself.
For that reason, you should always make sure you understand the contract before you sign it. Is it hard to get out of? Are you legally allowed to work with someone else?
Don’t sign anything until you know that you have the right to walk away if you see fit. Contracts for babies, kids, and teens should always allow flexibility. Even contracts for adults shouldn’t be so rigid that you’re stuck for good.
Apply to the Best Model Agency Sydney Has to Offer
If you’re looking for the best model agency Sydney has to offer for your kid or even yourself, look no further.
Bubblegum Casting is one of Sydney’s best model agencies for babies, kids, and teens. Our agents will also help your kid find acting jobs, as well, if that’s something you’re interested in. Bubblegum Casting has been in business for over four decades, and we’re dedicated to creating a fun, comfortable work environment for all kids!
As Bubblegum Casting grew, more adults began asking for our help. So what did we do? We opened up our sister agency, Hunter Talent, dedicated to models and actors aged 18 or older.
If you’re interested in baby, kid, or teen modelling, apply to Bubblegum Casting today. If you’re an adult looking for a model agency, apply to Hunter Talent. We look forward to working with you!
