Model Agency? Do I need one?! – Why chose to be a Freelance Model
Freelance Modeling... so what is it? a type of model who represents themselves through social media platforms, networking, and runs modeling as their own business without the help of a modeling agency. The model receives 100% of the payment from all jobs. They can sign up on freelance websites to promote themselves for better business or join casting call/audition lists selecting the jobs they want to try out for.
Please note some countries such as Japan have freelance agencies which are exactly like a modeling agency but will accept just about any kind of person they can get a hold of. In Japan, they take about 50% of the model’s wage but models can also find work by themselves too. The freelance agencies are not picky about age, size, or looks so a model will have more of a free range on their overall style. The downside is that every model is competing with a wide range of models and work may be very difficult to get with so many people auditioning. Also, the percentage a "freelance agency" takes is unethical in modeling, but hasn't been spoken for nor changed.
Things to be cautious about
Without an agent, things can get complicated real quick. Is the photographer safe? Why are there so many people looking for free models only? Why can’t I find any decent work?!
These are just a few of the problems I’ve run into while being a freelance model. Having an agent, they are able to filter through all the flakes and bring you only the professional while being a freelancer means you have to do all the filtering yourself which takes time, a lot of research, and building a solid foothold on social media. Being a freelance model can be dangerous if you meet with strangers and are unprepared so keep reading to learn a few things about safety as a freelance model especially when working in a foreign country.
How to find safe photographers to work with
Living in Japan has been an eye opener to how many people claim to be professional photographers when in reality they only want to take erotic photos of you for free for their personal websites and who knows what else. Offering to do shoots in hotels or in-house studios are a no go for me. In-house studios can be acceptable if you either know the photographer very well or have contacted MANY of the previous models to see if the photographer is safe. Even then it may not be. Public spaces are always my favorite spaces to work in! If you want to ensure a safe working place do what I did. Say no to all nudity, lingerie, and swim wear and always charge a fair price for your work. DO NOT WORK FOR FREE! This drives down the demand for paid work for all models in the long run including yourself. Unless the shoot will benefit you as a model and strengthen your portfolio in a unique way and the photographer is professional don’t work for free. Some free work is ok! I usually take on free work once in a while if the photographers are offering a professional portfolio in advance or can pitch new fresh ideas that may boost my experience and exposure through networking. Perhaps you are interested in artistic nudity as your genre of modeling which is fine so read on for more to keep yourself well protected and safe.
Nudes, lingerie/boudoir, and swimwear: Know your limits and the future damage it can do
As a model set your limits on what kinds of modeling you do. I never cross the line to nudity or overly sensualized lingerie boudoir shoots because it will affect my day job and future work. It’s easy for others to find you on social media, and if your job requires you to be professional, or a role model of some kind, showing off these kinds of pictures may not benefit you. Keep in mind the kind of work you want to do in the future and protect yourself from losing your job because of it. Know what you are willing to do and not do and set that firm limit from the start when photographers contact you. Look at their portfolio and you can easily tell the difference between beauty nudes and cheesy porn styled poses and costumes. Being a woman model, if indeed I ever work in a boudoir shoot, it will always be with a woman photographer to guarantee my safety or get permission to bring some one with. Having a photographer/model release contract will save you from the horror of having your photos released publicly without your consent on what’s posted. Nudity can be beautifully expressed but it’s a risk to take the photos with an untrusting photographer, so do your research! If the photographer pressures you in any way before or during the shoot, walk away as fast as you can. They are not professional. If you feel uncomfortable during the shoot or with the pose they ask you to do, say your thoughts openly to protect yourself or just leave without a word when you feel it's dangerous. Your safety is number one. Modeling is a professional business even in nudity. If you are posing with swimwear, lingerie, or nude ask the photographer's intentions for what the photos are being used for. In an instant of my own experiences, what seemed like an innocent job for modeling a company’s swimwear, after doing my research, I found out they were using the photos for a racy sexual swimsuit competition to win a lot more money than the measly $100 they offered to pay me. Your body, your rules. Know where and how the photos are being used.
For more in-depth information on how to remain safe while working take a look my other article. "Safety on Social Media and on the Job as a Model"
Make a photographer/ model release contract
Cover all the aspects and legal options of the job you take, especially the free ones, by making your own photographer/ model release contract. Decide how you want the photos to be used or what you don’t want to be shown (For example I don’t do nudes, but I don’t mind exposing the center of my chest since nothing is there!) Make things clear in your contract and be willing to adjust them as necessary to meet the photographer’s needs as well. Each country has a different culture in the modeling industry, so pay close attention to the different rules of each one. For example, in Japan many photographers during the shoot ask the model to pose with a product such as Coca Cola or other well known brand items. It may seem fun and harmless, but if another large company sees those photos they may not want you to represent their brand even if the other photos are fake advertising. Never model brands unless you are being paid by the company who owns the brand. This will save you from losing any major jobs in the future.
A few key things to state in a model/photographer contract:
Your limitations on nudity and photo release rights
Banning live streaming if you don’t feel comfortable
Not endorsing any products or brand names unless it’s a job from the actual company
Receiving and giving credit on all social media for the photos
Having the right to request a photo not be used, photo approval before they are used (in case of accidental body exposure)
Equipment and wardrobe damages not paid by model
No watermarks on the photos
No rights for the photographer to sell the photos (such as on Stockphotos, etc.) unless it's a paid shoot
How to Freelance
Once you’ve decided to be a freelance model it’s going to take a while to research and establish yourself and network on the internet. Be prepared for hard work and preparation and a very slow career start-up. Here are some basics to get you started.
Freelance sites and networking
Search for well-known and not so well-known Freelance websites. NEVER pay for their subscriptions because honestly, it doesn’t get you more jobs or anything extra. Publish your best photos and add all the models, photographers, make-up and hair artists, pretty much anyone connected to the fashion industry to your account from your local area and the surrounding cities. If you have even more spare time reach out to them for test shoot with the photographers you like or you think would be a benefit to your portfolio. Don’t ask them for money unless the offer comes to shoot with you first and then you can state your model fees. Not until you’ve established a really professional base then you can present an offer of your services. Even if the freelance sites catch you no work, at least your name is out there. To save you time and effort, put a link to a single account they can contact you by and set up your email for automatic alerts. Next is to link all social media platforms together. Use a professional name (usually your model name) and start posting the work you do frequently to draw attention. Don’t be afraid to add, follow, and “stalk” all sorts of people to make connections. Check to see how other freelance models are marketing and copy their styles and model platforms. Networking is the key to your success and getting noticed.
Some major freelance sites and social media I use are: Model Mayhem (be careful, there are many unprofessional people on this one, but there are also good ones too) Instagram Facebook and Facebook Page A wix site or website
I have a few more not worth mentioning because I don’t get jobs from them, but by enrolling in them my presence online has greatly expanded and it’s like creating one long chain of my work and name.
Audition/ Casting Call lists
I’m not going to lie. I haven’t been able to find authentic audition sites for Japan, but I know they exist in America! Go USA! There are sites which post castings and auditions you can attend. Some will do direct booking while others will have a long line of models trying out for the job. These can be helpful in filling in those extra blank hours or when you need to boost your experience in how to attend auditions and present yourself. The more you do it, the better prepared you will be. So what’s the difference between getting auditions from an agency or as a freelance model? Absolutely nothing. It’s the same audition for both types it’s just sometimes working for an agency you will get direct hires and you can skip the auditions which is nice.
Modeling is not about being defined as most beautiful or to become famous because you’ll be disappointed in the end. Do modeling because you want to do it and have a love for the industry. Think this way and surely, you'll be successful and enjoy every job you get. Now that you’ve read the basics it’s time to decide which way you want to go either model agency or freelance. I recommend first establishing your social media as the first step. From there, submit to model agencies as they can get you higher paying jobs and in the meantime start freelancing until your business grows.
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