Now let’s look at heroes, those individuals who stood up to social injustice and had the courage to die for what they believed in.  I can think of many – JESUS ( the hero above all heroes), Martin Luther (Reformation) Dr. King (Civil Rights Leader), Cesar Chavez (Civil Rights Leader) , Paul the Apostle (wrote many books in the New Testatment), Lady Jane (a Christian martyr), EVERY Christian Martyr, and those who stand for TRUTH and JUSTICE!!!  Heroes can shape and define a generation.  History books are written about them.  They did things to change an entire society.  Look at Martin Luther for example.  He stood up the tyranny of the Holy Roman Catholic Church of the Renaissance!!!!  That took courage!  It’s because of him that the Protestant movement came about!!  His posting of the 95 thesis on the church of Wittenberg was the catalyst of the slow decline of the Catholic church.  Luther stood up for what he believed in.

 ”Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.”

Then I think about those young Chicano students that stood up to the “farce and hyprocrisy”  in East Los Angeles.  My parents were those kids.  They were tired of being mistreated because they were Hispanic, especially in school.  They did what was necessary to change their lives for the better.  I wish more kids today would stand up for what is right and true.  Just like the song by Skillet states –
 

Who’s gonna fight for what’s right?
Who’s gonna help us survive?
We’re in the fight of our lives
And we’re not ready to die

Who’s gonna fight for the weak?
Who’s gonna make ‘em believe?
I’ve got a hero, I’ve got a hero
Living in me

I’m gonna fight for what’s right
Today I’m speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight
I will be ready to die

A hero’s not afraid to give his life
A hero’s gonna save me just in time

I pray that as a mother, daughter, sister, neighbor, and teacher, that I would be a good role model and maybe even a hero to some.

Everyone Loves Birthday parties! Put on a runway show with kids in thisfree video on hosting parties. Throw a modeling themed birthday party today! Expert: Renee Melanson Contact: www.kidscompanydance.com Bio: Renee Melanson is owner of Kids Company, an innovative entertainment establishment for children. Filmmaker: Bob Hunt
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VISIT ALL CASTING CALLS TO FIND MODELING AND ACTING JOBS JOBS:
To start finding modeling and acting jobs on All Casting Calls, visit the website:  http://www.allcastingcalls.com

SEARCH FOR MODELING AND ACTING JOBS ON ALL CASTING CALLS:
Once you are on All Casting Calls (http://www.allcastingcalls.com)  click on the link that says “VIEW CASTING CALLS” 

VIEW CASTING CALLS ON ALL CASTING CALLS:
Can you view all the casting calls on the website or you can also do a search for casting calls by modeling job type and/or local state you live in.  To do a search, click on the “SEARCH FORM” button and enter your modeling job search criteria.

APPLY FOR MODLELING AND ACTING JOBS ON ALL CASTING CALLS:
To apply for modeling jobs listed on All Casting Calls, follow the directions of the client and be sure to include everything that the client is asking for.  (Be sure to research a client first before providing personal information.)

How much does it take to be financially free? The answer is of course personal to your own circumstances, which of course change from year to. Children, marriage, work, etc these will all affect your personal wealth and impact on your lifestyle.

The great thing about working towards this goal is that you have total control over everything you do and your decisions are entirely yours to make. Imagine working 1 hour at home for yourself. It’s the equivalent of working 8 hours for your boss! That’s how it feels to me.

My own goals are pretty modest in the scheme of things…..I want to be a property millionaire within 5 years.

That is to say I want equity within my portfolio to exceed £1M. As for monthly cash flow, I figured that for every property I buy I can cash in £150 per month net profit from the rent. Now if I own 100 properties, that’s an income of £15,000 per month. Of course I will have to keep an eye on my investments and I may sell some from time to time, but I will have full control over all my investments.

I’ve always tried to do things by following a simple model: for every additional expense I have, whether a car loan or house move, I motivate myself to off set that extra debt with new investments. It helps me focus and keeps a consistent balance of cash flow and investments.

My advice to you is to ask yourself what you want personally.

Maybe you want to build a portfolio; maybe you just want one or two properties to leave to the kids. Whatever you want, write it down. Open up Excel and start by putting down all your outgoings. If that’s the figure you need to live the lifestyle you want, and then work out how many investments you need to get there. Last of all put a timescale on it….before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to financial freedom.

PS: One last thought, most people fail to realise their goals or ambitions because of one thing…they fail to take action. Those people that do overcome the hurdle of inaction mostly tend to succeed.

Close-up of the California Tropic models at Soak City Knotts, June 2010. You too can be a Hollywood Babe super model! Call California Tropic at 1-877-998-7674 for information on how to enter our International Finals — The ONLY place where you can compete for a Hollywood Babe Royalty Title! www.HollywoodBabeTV.com www.CaliforniaTropic.com
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The baby bottle warmer is often only used for three to six months after baby is born. Many babies simply prefer cold or room temperature milk after a certain amount of time, but not all. Some babies want it warmed for longer. Most moms find a moment when they offer a cold bottle in a hurry, and baby readily accepts it, making life a bit easier all the way around. However, this is not something that happens early on, so a bottle warmer is often a must, at least for a little while. Forget the microwave, these are not safe for feeding a baby, as they leave hot spots that burn babies in the mouth.

In fact, microwaves are not safe for any reason, even if you are in a huge hurry to warm a bottle. This is where a good baby bottle warmer comes into play. These may not warm the milk up as fast as as a microwave, but they are much faster than putting the bottle into warm water to allow it to heat up slowly. Typically it takes a minute or two and the bottle has been warmed, depending on how cold the milk was to start and how much is in the bottle in question. These can also be used to warm baby food, so you may want to keep them around.

There are a few things you should know when you use a baby bottle warmer. If you use anything other than filtered water, you may have a build up in your warmer that can shorten its useful life. Wipe them out at least once a day. You may see a gray or brown substance that appears. If that happens, replace your bottle warmer with a new model and figure out where it came from. It could be rust from within or mineral deposits that are part of your water. Always use a lid over your nipple when warming the bottle so nothing sprays up and gets into the milk. Almost all bottles come with these, so use them.

What is really great about a baby bottle warmer is that they are often very inexpensive. If you have to replace one, it is not going to hurt that much. In fact, you may want to get two if you find one that you like, or if you are buying one for someone as a gift. Once you are done warming bottles, remember to hang on to them, as you may want to use the bottle warmer again in the future to help warm up baby foods. As long as there aren’t any deposits and as long as the cords are still in good shape, you can use it for as long as you need.

Once model train hobbyists refer to large-scale model trains, part of the scales grouped into the large-scale trains is the G scale.  Compaired to other types of model trains, its size is considerably largeror.  In reality it is the biggest of the common scales that model train hobbyists deal with.  G scale model trains are customarily 1:22 to the authentic size.  That resources that G scale model trains are one twenty-second of the size of the real train prototype. Other types of model trains occur in decrease ratios.  The O magnitude which is also considered part of the larger-scale trains is simply 1:48 to the genuine size which is roughly partially the size of the G scale model trains.  The G scale model train has a span if about 26.7 inches and a height of around 6.0 inches in comparison to the O scale model trains which bear a length of almost 16.1 inches and a height of almost 3.6 inches.  The G scale model train was pioneered by Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk, a German company often referred to as Lehmann Gross Bahn (LGB) or “Lehmann Big Train” in English.  The company was founded in 1881 and had a USA side of the company called LGB of America. 

G scale model trains are larger and are also commonly referred to as Garden Railroading hence the mutual exploitation of phrase G Scale.  The letter “G” is moreover brief for the German word gro which factually means “big” which coincides with its German history.  Solely like other large-scale trains, G scale model trains want run on No. 1 gauge track.  The No. 1 gauge track is 45 mm sandwiched between either rail.

It is their durability with the purpose of makes them the ideal array to be used in the garden or the outdoors.  G scale tracks are as a rule made of brass.  They require almost no maintenance from the possessor.  The single affair that these large train lovers need to do is to present the track a single wipe of clean cloth and its set for operations as soon as again.  The G scale model trains may possibly be used for indoor purposed as well depending on the generate up of the model train.

The most excellent G scale manufacturers in the United States are Aristocraft and Bachmann.

Public adore the benefits of a G scale model train for the reason that of its durability.  Parents can feel confident that their kids will be able to play with it and bear a toy like this that will keep on for many years to happen.  G Scale model trains are a splendid hobby for parents and children to take pleasure in collectively as well.  Parents can feel sure that their children can operate these trains although tiny children possibly will lack the tenderness it takes to hold train scales of a smaller size like the N scale which is no more than more or less 4.8 inches in length and roughly speaking 1.1 inches in height.  

With the amount of period that model trains bear been around, train makers bear given us different size trains for each purpose.  This includes the G scale model trains.

 Jonah V. Zennith is a model train collector and expert writer. For more information on successful model train building and collecting visit http://www.modeltrainpros.com

Everyone Loves Birthday parties! Apply blush and lipstick in thisfree video on hosting parties. Throw a modeling themed birthday party today! Expert: Renee Melanson Contact: www.kidscompanydance.com Bio: Renee Melanson is owner of Kids Company, an innovative entertainment establishment for children. Filmmaker: Bob Hunt
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There is no lack of opportunity when it comes to engaging in this endeavor. By getting involved in a baby contest, your baby will be eligible to win cash prizes (perhaps as much as 25k!), modeling work, movie and/or tv roles, and even advertising spots on billboards or magazines. Your baby can become an overnight sensation, and perhaps even the biggest earner in your household!

These kinds of awards can literally change a family’s destiny, covering living expenses, travel, and even your baby’s college education. Additionally, if your child decides that a career in the spotlight is right for him or her, that experience will prove to have been well worth you taking this initiative now

Of course, the issue of morality inevitably arises in regard to this specific topic. Is it an immoral move, making such a big decision for your child before he or she has a say in it? The answer to this question depends on you. How do you plan to handle this situation? Are you going to push your child to go in a direction that is harmful are purely self-serving? Nearly all parents who are open and loving with their kids never run into any ethics problems.

Ready to begin?

We have way more opportunities to participate in this type of program than we’ve ever had in human history. With the mighty power of the world wide web at your fingertips, you won’t even need to step foot outside your house to enter your baby into a photo competition.

Participating via your home computer is extremely simple, quick, and inexpensive to enter. All you need is twenty bucks and a really cute picture, although you can submit as many baby pics as you want (each can be submitted for an additional entry fee).

Typically, these competitions occur each month. You’re welcome to enter the competition any time of the month, and judging will begin on the first day of the following month. Depending upon the organization and number of entries, judging can take around a week to commence, with winners being notified immediately.

If you would like to prove to the world once and for all that yours is the cutest baby the planet has ever seen, this could be a fantastic opportunity for you to do just that. It’s super easy to get started, and the rewards can be truly life-changing.

Testing out the new camera Having her first modeling experience, my niece Isabella is less than a year old. Personally I think shes beautiful and with the help of the new camera, I was able to truly capture her beauty! It was on the spot, I didnt have any lighting system set up or anything… just two lights in my living room. The camera was set to AV, automatic focus (which is kinda funky, I usually dont use it but I wanted to test it out), Aperture Value mode, AutoFocus was in Live Mode, 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, ISO 3200, Aperture 1.8, White Balance Mode was on flash I believe This was the raw file, I’m going to test out how much the file quality will decrease after rendering it… so check back soon if your curious or interested in seeing the results.

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The Infantino baby carrier is based on ergonomic engineering that allows for even weight distribution that is ideal for both parent and child.  The special padded straps can be adjusted using just one hand, and the design is such that when a child gets older, it can accommodate him or her at a “facing outward” position so as to explore the world around.

Unlike many other baby carriers, the Infantino baby carrier comes with a front pocket that is useful for storing smaller items such as things that the baby may need, or even a mobile phone, and other essentials for mom and dad.  The materials are easy to maintain, machine washable, as well as easy to wipe clean with just soap and water.

For those who want their money to go a longer way, there is also the Infantino baby carrier that has six in one features.  This type of carrier is adjustable in any which way you would like to be able to carry your baby.  This features backpack option, front carrier option, face in or out, side hip carrier option, use in a car seat or a chair as this provides the necessary padding and support, a shopping cart, and the straps are removable for easy handling.

For smaller infants, there is also a special Infantino baby carrier called a sling carrier which basically wraps the baby up on a sling that is similar to an arm sling, and provides that close connection between parent and child whether the baby is awake or asleep.

Infantino baby carriers have available adjustments to make the front seater carriers into side seater carriers, to add more comfort for the parents who want their kids to ride straddled at the hip.  This type of hip carrier version is good for older babies who are heavier and a little harder to carry situated at the front part of your body, as they usually come with extra foam padding for added comfort during long term use.  The foam straps are adjustable and provide more support for the one shoulder strap weight.   The buckling system makes it easy to clip the child in place securely without any hassle or fuss.

Any Infantino baby carrier model boasts of stylish designs for the fashion conscious souls, as well as durable material for easy use and maintenance.  The designs are made to be adjustable to fit baby as he or she grows, and also made to adjust to each parent, whether it be mom or dad who will be carrying the baby around.

Getting Started

How does one get started in modeling? There is no one way for a person to get started. Different models have reached success through different routes. If one wants to become a doctor there is a set course of schooling, experience and testing, but for modeling there is no clear path. We do know of some of the ways models have gotten started in the past. This is by no means an exhaustive list but it might help in your efforts to launch a career in modeling.

Front Door – Go to the Source
The bulk of the work in modeling is booked through Modeling Agencies. So literally go to the front door of the modeling agency. This is the number one way for a wannabe to start. You have to do some research to find where the modeling agency door is, locally or other big city, and that they are no SCAM AGENCY. You can approach a modeling agency through their open call, schedule an interview or by submitting a cover letter and photographs. Give them a call or email them and ask how they want new talent to contact them. There is no reason to try another way of getting started until you have been turned down at the front door.

Know Someone
Some models get started because they have an in. You hear stories of someone who has a friend who models and goes to a photo shoot with them and is then discovered by the photographer. Some might have an aunt who modeled or runs an agency and helps to get them started. Others might work in a related field and one day finds them not working beside the camera but in front of it. In smaller markets child models are most often used because they are an art director’s, buyer’s, or photographer’s kid. Knowing someone in the business can help a lot in getting a career in modeling started.

The Fates
Modeling agencies are in fact constantly looking for new talent. This is very true in fashion modeling. This segment of modeling is composed mostly of young models. By the time a model is thirty their career is over. There is always a need to find the next generation of models. Because of this need for new talent, folks involved with modeling agencies are looking for new talent. This can be modeling agencies’ personnel (owner, booker), photographers, art directors, and of course the “model scouts.” Some agencies are in fact large enough to employ an individual who is just out looking for that next generation of new talent or to fill new needs of a client. Unfortunately, the term “model scout” is being used more often by rip off organizations, web space salesmen and scoundrels, so one is correct in being suspicious of anyone calling them selves a model scout. But there are numerous stories of models being discovered at the mall, on the beach, or other public place. So if you hope to start your career in modeling by waiting for the fates to smile on you, plan on spending a lot of time hanging in out in public places.

Hard work
Some models do work their way into modeling (I have also heard from models that modeling is hard work and all models work their way into the business). These models track down tests shoots and put together their comp cards and portfolios. They study and practice being a model by working on their expressions, posing, runway walking, hair styling, make up, working in front of a camera, and how the business works. These models may work freelance or have nonexclusive contracts with a number of modeling agencies. In smaller regional markets, where agencies do not have the resources to develop new talent, an agency might not work with a model until they have developed their skills and marketing materials. If you enjoy the process of modeling and doing good work, then all of the time and expense that go into this process can be its own reward. If you have to make a living at modeling, you should be sure you meet the basic physical and aptitude requirement of the type of modeling you want to become before you invest your time and money into this process. If you want to be a high fashion model and do not have the size or a look, no amount of hard work will make you a career model.

Try to Buy Success
There is a whole industry built around this approach to getting started in modeling. Very few models actually come from this avenue of trying to start a career. This area includes many of the modeling school, modeling camps, model searches, Internet listing services, modeling contest, modeling conventions, and pageants. This is not to say that these activities can’t be interesting, educational and fun. Most of these organizations will take on and take money from almost anyone who wants to be a model. This leads to a very low percentage of career models who actually come from these activities. Most of these organizations survive by playing on people’s dreams, ignorance, and pocket books and not by finding and developing top modeling talent. But in spite of this sometimes someone does make it and this is what these organizations feature in their sales pitches and videos.

What are the height and size requirements for a high fashion model?
This does seem to be the burning question. The general guidelines for women are; 5’6″ to 6′, around a size 3, 34B-24-34, and between 14-21 years of age. For men around 6′ (a couple of inches over or under,) size 40R. Are there exceptions to this? You bet. Is it fair? No. Are there petite sizes and plus sizes? Yes. Do commercial, glamour, acting, or smaller markets care anything about these sizes? Not much. Only if you want to work high fashion in the major markets, like New York, are these numbers important.

Are there jobs for models who specialize in just parts of the body?
Yes. Hand models are often hard to find especially when you need one. It has been my experience that many models will have photogenic faces and good bodies but their hands and feet can be just horrid. Often times you will use one person for the face and have a hand model reaching into the picture to provide the hands. Of course the photographer makes it look like one person but in fact there are two. With jewelry photography we look for good hands, nice neck, and ears. A good ear is very hard to find as they have to be shaped just right, the skin has to be very smooth, and you want them pierced for only one earring not 25. Unfortunately, paying jobs for jewelry modeling seldom come along. It is best to find other industries that need good-looking body parts. Parts models follow similar career paths as regular models. So if you are interested in this type of modeling read through the Modeling Advice section of this site.

How much do models make?
What you hear about is the fabulous big bucks that super models make. Out of all the models in the world, only a handful of them make this top dollar. Their yearly income can be in the millions. But for most models it will be far less, assuming you get any work at all. As a general rule for markets outside of New York, modeling fees will be in the range of photographer’s fees. For a market like Portland, Oregon, the last I check modeling agencies were asking 0 an hour. As you move to larger markets fees for photographers and models will go up (I saw one agency in New York asking 0 per hour) This may not bring you the big bucks of a super model but it will give you a good living if you can find steady work. And that is a big “if”.

Can a modeling agency tell just from a snap shot if I have what it takes to be a model?
Yes and No. One of the normal screening practices for modeling agencies is to have you send a couple of snap shots of yourself, usually a head and shoulder shot and a full-length body shot in a bathing suit or tight clothes. From these snap shots some say they can tell if you have what it takes for modeling. They say, “Don’t spend money on getting photos taken, a Polaroid by your friend is just fine”.

To respond to the “yes” part of this question requires that you send to the modeling agency good, clear, properly exposed, properly composed and with you properly positioned photographs. They can use these photos as a screening tool. This means that if they have an opening for someone with your look, they will be interested in meeting with you in person to see if, in fact, you look like your picture. This does not necessarily mean you have or do not have what it takes to be a model. It just gets you an interview and maybe on to a test shoot.

To respond to the “no” part of the question means most people send bad pictures, or they may look great but you don’t meet the agency’s needs at that moment or the agent guessed wrong. When they talk about sending a simple snap shot, they are actually looking for at least an advance amateur level of photography or a wannabe professional photographer level. Having taught photography for a number of years, I can say that most beginners have problems with exposure, focus, and composition, let alone knowing how to position you to look your best. You may not want to trust your career to your best friend’s ability as a photographer unless they know something about photography.

Normally you will want to try several modeling agencies to see if they are interested in you. One agency may be full of blue eyed blondes while another may have none and need someone. Some of this is just being in the right place at the right time.

Also, we all have our war stories of getting it wrong. One agency or photographer may say someone does not have what it takes and then they go to another agency and become a star. I remember photographing a young 14-year-old, Jody, who I thought just didn’t have the classic beauty look and told her I doubted if she would accomplish much in this field. Fortunately, she did not listen to me. She started working out, kept up her modeling and beauty work, switched over to the pageant side of things and became Miss Oregon. I was way off on that call. I think the initial snap shot, interview, and test shot are just screening processes to find those who would have an easier time in modeling. Some special few may still find some measure of success in modeling by hard work and developing special talents. They won’t become superstars but they can find enjoyment and financial rewards pursuing a modeling career.

Are modeling conventions and searches a good place to start a modeling career or are they a total rip-off?
I do not know. I have never personally been to one of these events (nor are any of them asking me to come and check them out) and I have not seen any 60 Minutes type investigation on them. I have looked over their web sites and I have seen endless chat rooms where they are called the biggest rip-offs out there. I do not know of any top models (all though I do know of one TV actress discovered at IMTA) that have come from conventions and searches and you would think with how many are put on that all models would come from them. I do know for what some of these organizations charge, you could fly to New York, stay for week and do open calls at every top agency. Personally, I think they are not a very good investment and there are better ways to get discovered, but that is strictly my opinion.

Why is everyone giving different advice on modeling?
Remember the story of the three blind men describing an elephant. One man felt the trunk, another the tail and the third the leg. Each had a different description of what the elephant was like. The modeling industry is the same way. The modeling industry is big with many specialties. What I have experienced is quite different from what fashion photographer Richard Avidon experienced. And what he has experienced is quite different from what glamour photographer Jeff Dumes has. And what we all have experienced is quite different from what the modeling agencies are going to tell you.

Another part that leads to different views on the industry is that we are all small business people – each one running their own business in their own way, and hopefully better than the competition. This leads to a lot of different ideas of how things work and how things should be done. It can also lead to confusion and present opportunities for con-artists. There is a set way to become a doctor, there is, however, no set way to become a model. This leaves the door open for the “expert” to “guarantee” to make you a top model for only a small, non-refundable fee. Watch out and try to educate yourself on the many parts of the modeling industry.

The Agency
You hear that all the top models have great agencies, and you think, “If I can only sign with a modeling agency I will be set.” But what exactly is a modeling agency and what does it do? This is not an easy question to answer. Modeling agencies operate as small independent business with no two agencies working the same. A lot depends on the market in which an agency operates and the owner(s) and agency’s personnel. The other problem with describing a modeling agency is that there are a lot of rip-off and scam agencies out there. Because most wannabe models know little about how the modeling business works, they are easy prey for these vultures. We can look at what an agency might be at its best and worst and what they can do for your career as a model.

A modeling agency’s number one purpose is to find the model work. They work as the model’s representative or agent. As an agent they seek and negotiate contracts of employment for the model or talent who is an independent business. For finding the model work, they take a percent of what the model makes (10% to 33%). In some states they are considered private employment agencies and must be licensed by the state. That sounds fairly simple and straightforward, but it is amazing how it can vary.

New York
New York City is the number one city for models. It is the heart of the fashion and advertising industries in the United States, which leads to a high demand for all types of models. The modeling agencies in New York compete to fill that demand with the finest talent in the nation. When an agency sees someone who has potential or someone who satisfies the demand, they will invest in that individual to get him/her ready for the market. They don’t do this to be nice people – they do it because they feel they can make money from that person. They know the market and they will invest in you (a loan against future earnings) to prepare you for that market. If they guess wrong and you do not become marketable and profitable, they will cut their losses and drop you. The top agencies are working with big-budget ad agencies and fashion designers so there is money available to develop new talent. These top agencies will help train you (more like on the job training), get you test shoots, layout your portfolio, and put together comp cards and other printed materials you need. They take care of finding you work, booking the jobs, bill for the jobs and eventually cut a check for the work you do. Once you are in an agency like this all you have to worry about is following instructions and modeling.

Elsewhere
Within a secondary market, the modeling agencies are not working with big budget clients like New York. In some cities there may be enough work that an agency can be a full time operation – perhaps even supporting a few people on staff but there is not enough work to pay for the development of new talent. For this type of agency you must provide the marketing tools and training. The agency may help you with where to go to get photos, composites and training, but they can’t afford to pay for it or loan you money. There just isn’t enough budget for them to guess wrong even once. So it is up to you to foot the bill. This is fine if the agency is really out there looking for work for its models and there is enough of a market to make a living. The problem I have found with some of these agencies is that they have no idea what they are doing. They are having a great time playing at being a modeling agency, but you could do better marketing yourself.

What if you do find a good agency, what will they do for you? A good agency will help manage your career and find you work. In big cities this can be split into two parts, managers and bookers. The manager will help you develop your “look”, your modeling skills, and develop your natural talents. They will help in preparing your marketing materials for the market in which they think you will be most successful. They should have knowledge of the market place and will honestly evaluate your potential for that market. They should have contacts so they can send you to photographers, graphic designers and printers to prepare your marketing materials. They should have the means to prepare you to be a model. The booking side is where the agency tracks down who uses models. The agency has a phone that is manned and an office that a client can visit. They make the rounds to keep in touch with those who use models and provide them with composites and head sheets of their talent. They advertise, do lunches, do cold calls and turn over stones to find who is hiring models. They book time for models to work, give direction to get there and make sure models show up. They handle billing, collections, and complaints. A good agency finds you work and earns every cent of their commission (usually 15% to 33%). But, in smaller markets, they are a rarity.
Further on down the ladder you find agencies in markets that are too small to support a full time modeling agency. In these markets the modeling school is usually the full time moneymaker and the agency is just a hook. If you finish the school you get to be in the agency. This can be fine if you like to play at modeling and have the money to do so. In most cases if your city has a population of less then a million it will not be able to support a full time agency. Even in a city of a million you may be better off marketing yourself than working with a so-so agency. When you get to a city with a population of a couple million or more there may be just too much ground to cover and an agency can be very helpful.

How do you find a modeling agency?
I have links to sites that have lists of modeling agencies on my Modeling Agencies links page. Since Modeling Agencies want to be easy-to-find, you should also be able to locate them in your local yellow pages. If you find one in your area, you will want to contact them to see what their new model screening process is. Some may have you send a couple of snap shots to them. Others might have an open call where they have all new wannabes show up at once to be evaluated. Others might schedule an interview time for you. All work differently, so call to find out first. Also, be sure to check out the agencies you find with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any complaints against them. And don’t be pressured into signing anything right away. If they offer a contract or want you to sign up for a class, ask if you can take the contract with you and you will get back to them in a few days. Be sure to read over the Modeling Scams information and watch for any of the warning signs.

This same process of finding a modeling agency also applies if you are looking for one in a major market like New York. Check the link page for links to sites with directories of modeling agencies. Many of the top New York modeling agencies have web sites and some are listed on the link page. Some even allow you to email photos and your vital stats to them.

Checking out a Modeling Agency
A certain mystery surrounds the modeling industry. How does one become a top model? There is no clear-cut answer to that question. Because of this mystery and uncertainty, a great deal of room exists in which a scam artist can work. Since a modeling agency is often the key to becoming a successful model, this is where many scams take place. How do you find a legitimate modeling agency? There is no easy answer.

First, there is no rating service for modeling agencies; there is no governmental authority; there is no licensing organization to tell you which agency is legitimate and which is not. Most agencies are small, independent businesses working in a very competitive market place. These seem to be in constant flux with new ones starting, old ones merging, and some closing up shop. This makes it a real challenge to find just a legitimate agency, let alone a good agency.

The following are some ideas on how to find and then check out a modeling agency in your area:

1) To find the modeling agencies in your area you can check the yellow pages of the phone book under Modeling Agencies. Remember that a modeling agency wants to be easy to find so a phone listing is a must. From the agencies’ listings you may find they are often, also, modeling schools. If there are no agencies listed for your area, you may have to check with the closest large city. If some one approaches you and says they are a scout for some agency and you can’t find them in the phone book, be very skeptical. Also, check out some of the model agency directories listed on the Modeling Agencies Links page to see what is in your area.

2) Check with the Better Business Bureau. They may have information on the modeling agencies you are interested in or complaints against them. Usually an agency has to be pretty bad for the BBB to have anything. Businesses that are bad businesses, or new scams, won’t show up. When I checked on modeling businesses in the Portland area, I found that all of the modeling schools were members of BBB, the legitimate agencies were not, and the one known scam agency did not show any complaints. The BBB is not a perfect source for information, but it is a place to start. You will find many regional BBBs have web sites on which you can find information.

3) One thing I like to do to check out agencies is to call them after business hours. I can find out fast which agencies are trying to be legitimate businesses. The idea behind this is that modeling is a very competitive, fast moving business and things don’t just happen 9 to 5. If, I, as a photographer, have an emergency come up after business hours (a cancellation, a client who has to shoot tomorrow and will pay anything to do it) I need to be able to contact someone now or I am down the road to another agency. A good agency knows this and you will find, when you call them after hours, they will have an answering machine or service that will give you an emergency number to call (a cell phone or pager). If you find the machine just tells you to call back during business hours or they have no after hour answering service at all, look for another agency.

4) The best way, which takes the most work, to find a good agency in your area is by studying and researching your market. If you follow the local news media (newspaper, TV), there is a good chance information on local agencies will show up. This past year the Portland newspaper had articles on a local girl who was discovered and went off to Europe to model (the article gave the name of the local agency that signed her) and a new face modeling contest the paper put on (the judges were from three local modeling agencies and the article gave the name of the agency and the contact at the agency). One of the local TV news stations did a story on a rip-off modeling agency and interviewed people from some of the legitimate agencies. In one year of just following the news (which you should be doing anyway to be an informed voter), I was able to find three legitimate agencies and one scam agency.

5) Another method of researching the local market takes even more work – follow the local fashion print advertising. When you start to see which stores use local models regularly, you can start making phone calls. Call the store and find out who handles the advertising. You can hope that the person at the store who does this can direct you to their advertising agency, their photographer, or may even direct you to the modeling agency they use. Basically, you are making phone calls to trace your way to a modeling agency supplying the models for the store ads. This will lead you to an agency with working models. I hate making cold calls like this myself, but this can be an effective way to find a modeling agency. Then again, if you can make cold calls like this, you may want to forget the modeling and become a photography rep!

NOTE: due to post limitations, this has to be broken up in parts, please follow on parts 2,3,4

Video Rating: 4 / 5

Related Modeling For Kids Articles

Make-up is an art. I took my make-up classes from a lady who assisted on the movie Little Big Man. In that movie they took Dustin Hoffman from being a young teenager to a 100-year-old man. What she could do with make-up was amazing. If a shoot has a budget for a make-up artist and a good one is available then we just sit back and let him do his magic. But on a shoot without a budget for a make-up artist or in some smaller towns where one is not available, it may well fall upon the model to do her own make-up. Even when you have a make-up artist it is necessary that you know of any corrective make-up you may need.

For learning make-up there are some great books available. You may also find theatrical make-up classes taught at some community college. The cosmetologist at the local department store may be fine giving some pointers for your street make-up, but make-up for photography can be quite different. This is especially true for B&W photos. A big part of learning make-up is just trying it in front of a mirror. Study something in a book or magazine then try it in front of a mirror. Eventually, you have to get in front of the camera with your make up on and see how it looks.
Make-up for black and white photography gets weird. Color no longer matters. It is only the lightness and darkness that matters. I guess it is a kind of a gothic thing. It takes some getting used to. You must ignore the color and only see the make-up in terms of black, white and grays.

Hair Styling

Being able to do things with your hair can be a great help when photographing. Of course it is great when you have a professional hair stylist who can do some fabulous looks and keep every hair in place, but there may not be a budget for a hair stylist. So again it may fall to the model to be able to do her own hair. I have always thought shoulder length hair was the most versatile. You can put it up, pull it back, comb it to one side, fluff it, curl it, or just leave it natural. Short hair locks you into one look, end of story. Long hair can be fun to work with but not quite as flexible. Being able to restyle your hair can be very helpful on a shoot. You can check various magazines to see what they are doing and practice in a mirror. For most modeling purposes you don’t need to be incredibly creative with your hair – just so you can redo it to offer several different looks.

Wardrobe

In a secondary market, on a lower budget shoot, for your own composite and portfolio you will need a basic working wardrobe. When I was starting in photography the modeling books would list the basic wardrobe a model should have. This, of course, was where the simple black dress came from. I am not sure what should be in one’s closet today, but a range of basics would be good. You must have a business suit for interviews, cold calls, and modeling. I am always grateful when a model has a formal dress. The formal is best for the super dress-up shot. You may have to wait till you get going and call on a few photographers to see what you might want in a basic wardrobe.
As part of wardrobe and clothing I would also encourage learning about fashion. Thirty years ago most women had some experience in sewing. From that experience they had an understanding of what different fabrics were like, what standard cuts of skirts were, different types of collars, different types of pockets, and many more variations that could make up a garment. All of this is still important today when modeling clothes. It helps to know how a fabric will drape or move when you are modeling it. It helps to know if a pocket is deep cut or shallow cut so you can show that. It is very important to know what the lines are of a garment so you can accentuate them and not break the line of movement. Fashion history and how the fashion industry works may be fun to learn, also, but I think it is more important to understand the garment itself.

Scams, Rip Offs and Bad Business

These days there seems to be a whole industry that has developed to take advantage of those who would like to become models. They are far removed from the world of actual professional modeling. This modeling scam and rip-off industry makes its money by alluding to or promising great careers in modeling, but first you have to pay them up front. Of course your modeling career never comes about and your money is long gone. These enterprises pray upon an individual’s desire to be a star and their lack of knowledge of how the modeling industry really works. And this leach industry seems to be getting bigger everyday.

I view these enterprises as falling into three categories: the scam, the rip-off, and just bad business. All cost a wannabe model and give little or nothing in return.

The scam is a fraudulent and illegal activity. This type of enterprise has no intention of delivering on what it promises – and it usually makes big promises and guarantees. It normally asks for a substantial sum of money up front and vanishes in the night with it.

A rip-off is not illegal. It tends to make vague promises or have one or two out of thousands that actual do get careers. It tends to work with anyone who has the money to pay up front no matter whether they have talent or not. Of course, it tells everyone they have some type of talent. This is a big category. It can include modeling agencies that charge up front for signing fees; photo shoots, or require you take their class before they will work with you. These can include some of the modeling conventions, searches, and competitions. There are lots of virtual modeling sites that are springing up all over the web. It seems there are new rip-off enterprises starting every day.

In the case of bad businesses, these enterprises may be trying but they just don’t know what they are doing. They are trying to be legitimate businesses but do not have the knowledge of the industry they need or they are located in the wrong place. This might be someone who sets up a modeling agency in a market that is too small to handle one, a photographer offering to shoot a professional modeling portfolio but does not have the skill level to carry it off, or a modeling school that should be called a finishing school (that offers classes in image enhancements or is using teaching materials that are 30 years old). I think these businesses mean well but still cost the model money for classes or photos that are useless.

If your goal is to become a professional model, then all of the scams, rip-offs, and bad businesses that promise to take you to that goal, in fact, stand as barriers to it.

Warning Signs

Warning signs of a scam or a less then legitimate or poorly run modeling agency. If you see any of these warning signs it does not mean the business is for sure a scam operations but be sure to ask lots of questions, be sure the agency has lots of good answers and always check references. New York City of course is the exception to many of these warning signs.

1) Newspaper classified ad or display ad looking for any kind of model or talent other than nude glamour modeling (models for the adult entertainment industry). Modeling agencies have plenty of wannabe’s coming to them so they don’t have to advertise for models. If they are short of talent they will send their scouts out to public places to look for potential talent.

2) Pictures of famous New York supermodels on the walls or their comp cards on a wall rack. I don’t think Cindy Crawford needs a modeling agency in small town USA. Get real people!

3) Any up front fees. This might be signing fees, new account fees, evaluation fees, etc. If an agency has to charge money at the front end it means that there is not enough money at the back end. This means the agency does not have enough modeling work for the agency to survive on commissions and not enough work for a model to survive.

4) “We are interested in you but you need to test shoot with our photographer and it’s going to cost you”. Legitimate agencies will provide you with a list of photographers that you may go to. Many will have a place by the front door for photographer’s business cards that you can take on your way out. You should be free to go to any photographer you want to. If the agency tells you that you must use their photographer, watch out. A new twist on this same theme is where the agency does not charge for the photo session but you have to pay a high fee (an example 0) for a “professional make up artist.” You will need photos at some point but you should be free to shop around and find you own photographer and make up artist.

5) “We are interested in you but you need to go through our classes first and it is going to cost you”. Again money at the front end = not enough modeling work at the back end. Combination School/Modeling agency has a conflict of interest and SAG (Screen Actors Guild) member agencies can not offer both.

6) “We guarantee you work”. Modeling agencies are not employers. They represent you to try and get you work. Most of the time they don’t know for sure what type of jobs will come in or what look may be needed, thus there is no way a legitimate agency can guarantee you work. The best they can do is give you an idea of their track record on placements. But, just like a warning with mutual funds, past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

7) “As it said in our ad in our local small town newspaper we guarantee you work, just like the famous models on our walls, just as soon as you go through our modeling classes, shoot with our photographer, and pay our agency fees”. RUN do not walk to the nearest exit.

A Modeling Scam

This past week we had a newscast on a modeling scam. It was a Los Angeles operation that was targeting small towns in Oregon. They ran ads in the local newspaper saying they were looking for models for TV commercials. You were to send in some info on yourself and a couple of snap shots. After you sent in your info they would contact you and tell you that you had the look they needed. They then signed you up for a commercial paying the big bucks. They did need to do a test shoot before the actual commercial, but all of it was paid for except the makeup artist. They sent contracts, airline vouchers, and lots of official looking paper work. The catch was that the model had to pay for her own make-up artist and that they needed 0 up front. The small town wannabes, not knowing how the industry worked and having a contract in hand, sent in the 0. Of course once the check was cashed the scam artist vanished and the commercial, contracts, airline vouchers and the guarantees were all bogus. It is easy to con someone when they are not educated in an industry and, as the song says, “The lure of easy money has a very strong appeal.”

Classic Rip-off

The following was emailed to Modeling Advice. She agreed to let me share this with others. This is not uncommon and shows what can happen if one gets caught up in one’s hope for a career and is not ready for shysters that are out there. This young lady ran into one of the classic rip-off agencies. It began with a newspaper ad, and then having to pay for photos. They promised immediate work without even photo testing or much of an interview. This is not an illegal operation, just a rip-off.

She writes:
Hello. I read your section on modeling scams. I know this e-mail may be long, but please hear me out. I really need your advice on this one. I feel really stupid now. I went to a modeling/talent agency so that I could get my singing career started. I found this agency in the newspaper (one thing you wrote about). I didn’t even go there for modeling I went there for the agent to listen to a demo tape I had done. He told me he could not do much for me in that field, but asked if I would consider modeling or doing commercials, etc. He told me I would have to take pictures and gave me a chart to look at. Three pictures cost 5.00. I had taken a friend with me who advised me to do it, because through this I could always meet people and start my singing career. There were many other people in the office – for example, teenagers and babies. He asked me how I would feel about doing a fashion show this weekend and also said he got called for a video. Now, anyone who has met me knows that I am a bit shy and have low self-esteem, so why would you want me for this job? He even told my friend that I had to break out of that and be more aggressive.

Of course it was after I paid him that these questions ran through my head. I had never done anything so stupid and rash in my whole life. I think it was the rush of thinking I might finally go out there and sing. He didn’t tell me that I needed to change anything about myself, which I personally thought was odd. He had the secretary come in and take one of the photos I brought in to FedEx it to the people making the video. Personally I think it was all a big act. He also said it was good that I lived in a particular area. He took pictures of me (I don’t even know if there was film in the camera) and said I could come back in another day to take the other pictures. I was going back today, but got stuck on the highway and did not make it on time. I called and said I would be there in 10 minutes and the secretary told me that I would have to reschedule because the agent was going to a meeting, so I rescheduled for Thursday. When I had called to cancel the initial appointment she jumped down my throat saying that they are a professional agency and that she didn’t think I was serious about this. But this time she most easily rescheduled, after they got my money. The contract he gave me said that they would get 10% of what I make. I paid with a credit card and called the company and froze my account, but it will probably go through anyway. I’m not sure if they are for real or not, because I just did this on Saturday, 4/1/00. I probably won’t be able to do anything about it now, but I still want people to know about this and to be more aware. What can I do as far as that goes? Maybe you can let the people know since you have a web site. What can I do to protect myself as far as this matter goes? I was also thinking about the fact that if he is not legitimate and he does have pictures of me would he use them for other purposes? I also called the Better Business Bureau and they said that this company has been around since 1993 and they have had 14 complaints in the last 36 months and they had responded to all of these complaints. Please e-mail me and let me know how much of a scam this sounds like if it is. I appreciate your time. Thank you.

Other Site with Info on Scams

Modelnews.com provides a scam watch page for reporting modeling scams.
Modeling Scams – This site contains assorted information about scams, rip offs and bad business practices.
BadBusinessBureau.com/Rip-off Report.com – You can check to see what folks are reporting about different business. Reports on modeling agencies and modeling schools.

Please be aware that some of the material on these sites is from proper news organization and has a degree of credibility. Please also be aware that there is a lot of material that is people blowing off steam, stating there opinions or personal views and unidentified (questionable) sources. To be an informed consumer please research both sides of an issues.

KRON a Bay Area Station’s report on Options Talent

Also check out Options Talent website or Trans Continental Talent and see what they have to say. Also find out more at http://www.transconscam.com/. As with all aspects of modeling try to learn as much as possible before investing your time or money. If you are looking for online paid hosting of your model portfolio there are hundreds of sites offering this service. Do a search at google.com to find them. One site that is a paid and free site that seems to be popular with models and photographers is One Model Place . Two of the oldest paid sites are Models.com and Model Net Work.com. For free Internet model listing sites check out the Free Model Listing page

Still have a Question?

If you have read through Modeling Advice site and are confused on some point or just can’t find the answer to your question, you can email. I don’t have all of the answers but I am happy to pass on what info I do have. I love intelligent, well thought out questions so please think before emailing. Questions@ModelingAdvice.com

Learn the secrets of to become a successful model.

Deciding to become a fashion model is the same as deciding to be a writer or a singer. Either you have the talent or you do not. But, talent is not the only attribute you will need to go after your dream career. Besides, talent, you will need plenty of luck, and more!
First, you must figure out if you have the standards of the industry. If you are a woman, are you at least sixty-eight inches tall? (Men should be at least seventy-one inches tall.) Is your hair healthy and shiny, and kept in one of the latest styles? Are your teeth straight and white? Is your body toned and attractive? The next step is to measure and write down your height, weight, chest size, waist size, hip size, dress size, shoe size, hair color, and eye color. You will need to have an attractive figure in order to be a model.

Now that you have the physical attributes out of the way, it is time to take a look at your personality as well as your personal care habits. Are you outgoing? Are you a self-starter? Are you a goal setter? Are you energetic? Modeling usually requires a grueling schedule. You can expect to be on your feet for several hours at a time until the shoot is done. Do you eat right and exercise regularly? Eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep is imperative to having and keeping a healthy body. Can you handle rejection? Modeling is like writing or singing in that you can expect to get your share of rejections. Every model cannot be right for every photo, so start yourself off right by expecting to hear the word “No” many times.
The next step is to either hire a professional photographer or, save lots of money and ask a talented friend to take several shots of you in a bathing suit, shorts and a top, or other suitable apparel. The finished pictures should be at least eight by ten. Pick out the best half dozen or so shots and place them in a portfolio. If you want to send more than one portfolio around, then you will need extra sets. Now, check the telephone book for modeling agencies. If there are none listed in the town where you live, then check in the bigger cities around you. Write down a list of the ones that look appealing to you. Next, you will have to call each one and find out if they are looking for models right now. Tell them that you have a portfolio and that you would like to set-up an interview. If they are not receptive to you, you might want to go ahead and send or drop off a portfolio of you and then check back in a week or so to see what they think. Remember–a picture speaks a thousand words, especially in modeling.

Keep showing your portfolio and talking to as many people as you can that are in the business. During this time, keep a look out for modeling contests that you can enter. Be persistent and don’t give up!

NOTE: all material provided on the segments (How do I get started in Modeling?) has been contributed by my dear friends in the business: Madeline Cole, Jessica Marie Jones

Find More Baby Modeling Articles

There are so many styles to choose from that it’s easy to find the right upholstered kids chair for the little ones in your family. When making your selection there are a few fundamental questions you need to keep in mind. The first and most important thing to think about is to make sure you are purchasing the right size for your child.

Many people see chairs online or in a catalog and fall in love with the design but they forget to look at the dimensions. If it’s only 24 inches high, that is likely the total height of the chair and thus more appropriate for a pre-schooler than a 3rd grader. Another important thing to keep in mind is what room the chair will be placed in. If it’s going in the living room you might want to make it a more subtle fabric so that it matches the family décor. If fun is more important to you, than pick a fabric that fits your child’s personality.

There are so many styles and companies to choose from. For example, if you are looking for a kids upholstered foam folding chair Fun Furnishings is the perfect company for you. They make several different models of foam chair in a variety of fabrics. The kids upholstered folding chair is the most popular kids foam chair on the market. Their Chenille fabric is beautiful and so soft to the touch that children love to curl up and get comfy. The fold out feature allows kids to lie down and relax while they watch TV or read a book. It can even be used to take a nap. Fun also make a folding sofa for an extra comfortable place for kids to rest.

Fun Furnishings also makes larger kids chairs for older kids. The Cloud Chair and Ottoman is great for kids ages 7 – 10. It comes in denim or pink chenille. They also make a Folding Teen Chair which is good for kids 8 – adult. It is comfortable and oh so stylish. Whether you are looking for furnish your pre-teens room or the new dorm room the teen chair will provide a great place to kick back and relax. Fun Furnishings also has the added bonus that all products are made in America. They can even personalize the pillows on the folding sofa for an extra special touch.

If you really want to get a kids chair that looks just like Mom and Dad’s chair invest in a child size recliner by Dozydotes. These adorable recliners are covered with durable fabric so messy kids are easy to clean up after. There are a variety of styles including a 4 button tufted kids recliner chair, a straight back recliner, and even a whole selection of recliners with built in cup holders. This unique feature provides a sturdy place for kids to put their drinks while they relax back in their own comfy chair. These types of kids furniture pieces are the perfect place to read a book, watch TV, or play their favorite video game.

Although it’s easy to spend other peoples money, it’s important to understand that the reason some kids size chairs are much more expensive than some of the items you can find at the big box stores is because of the quality of fabric, workmanship, and unique designs that can’t be found at every mall and cornerstone store. Kids like to be unique and finding them an item that their buds don’t have is a feather in their cap. Besides, when your friends come over, they oh and ah at your excellent design decisions.

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