Teen Modeling Jobs

Many teenagers dream about becoming a model and walking the runway, but it is very difficult to get started in the industry. It takes hard work, determination and a bit of luck.

Like any career, it is always a good idea to take classes to help you perform better. There are many modeling schools throughout the country. Some of the more famous ones include Barbizon and John Casablancas. At these schools, you can also learn about makeup and etiquette. Although it is not necessary to attend a modeling school, it will help you understand the business side of the industry. And both of these schools have agencies, so they might be able to help you find work.

A casting is an audition for models. Usually it will only take a couple of minutes. All you do is meet the client and show them some photos from your portfolio, and they might ask you to do your walk for them if it is for a fashion show. It is very important to attend every casting you are given, and to be on time for them. You must dress properly and have clean hair and minimal makeup---the client needs to see what you actually look like.

A portfolio, or "book," is basically a model's resume. It show clients all of the previous and recent work a model has done. Ideally, it should have very different styles of photos and looks to demonstrate a model's versatility.

When you are booked for a shoot or a show, it is very important that you are professional. You cannot arrive dirty or tired. Your nails must be natural, clean and short. Do not wear makeup. There is usually a makeup artist at the shoot.

Editorials are fashion shoots for monthly magazines. They show the latest trends in makeup and fashion. Runway shows are where designers present their collections to the public. This can also be known as the catwalk. Often, teenagers can find runway work in local malls or stores.

It is important to consider modeling as a potentially lucrative business. You must retain all contacts and clients for future use. It is important to understand the business and know that an agency will receive a percentage of your earnings. An agency usually takes 10 to 20 percent of a model's earnings.

Many teenage models get duped into spending a lot of money to join an agency. Make sure to research any company you may potentially work with. It should not take much money to get started. The only expenses are for your comp cards (a model's business card, which has a head shot on it) and travel to and from castings. If an agency wants you to pay for joining, this should be an alert that something is not right. As with any business, do your due diligence before signing any contracts. If you're younger than 18, have a parent or guardian with you when you sign anything.