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Posted by: Robin (209.137.226.148) on August 22, 2003 at 09:30:44

Location: Bozeman, MT

In Reply to: Re: Advice needed from photogs/ agents posted by Roger on August 22, 2003 at 08:17:43:

Thanks so much for your great answer!

I apologize, I had intended to include my location, as I realize that it is a significant factor. As you figured out, I am in Montana.

: ... To survive as a business they have to do one or both of two things: be a modeling-school-and-agency (with the great predominance of emphasis on "school" because that's where the money is) ...

She mentioned that she is planning to open a school this fall (teaching "runway" was the word she used). I guess there is some small demand for this type of modeling here, I've seen girls doing a small town version of runway work at expos at the University and the mall. But my impression of "schools" is that they are mostly scams, or at least mostly intersted in selling the girls a pipe dream instead of something of real value. I definately don't want to be part of anything that takes advantage of innocent girls. But in my conversation with both the model and the owner seemed to indicate that they are at least seriously trying to be a legitimate agency. That's a decision I'll have to make after I meet them.

: The purpose of a "modeling school" is to give the impression that they are creating "models". The purpose of "modeling school pictures" is to create the impression that the "model" has "model pictures". That done, everyone is happy.

: It is rare indeed for anyone to come to a "modeling school" looking to be a "commercial" or "character" model. They all want to be a "real model" - which translates to "fashion model". So if you take pictures which are distinctively different from "portraits", and show the person "modeling" (that is, using all the poses and expressions the school has taught them) everyone will be happy. You will have a satisfied school and pleased parents. I know, that sounds harsh and cynical too, but it's the reality of the situation.

That also answers what I said above, even if the school's intentions are good, the reality is that the best fashion job the graduates are likely to get here is modeling wedding dresses at the Bridal Fair, which they probably don't need to take classes to do (although I am sure there are things they could teach them). On the other hand, I have photographed a couple girls that said they wanted to be models, but what they really wanted was to be able to tell their friends that they were models, they weren't interested in working particularly hard to be a model. Once they had some photographs that looked sort of "modelish" to show off, they were happy and that was about the end of it. I guess if everyone is happy than that what matters, but I still would prefer to be doing legitimate work. Of course if I was serious about being a model photgrapher I would be in New York or LA, not here. Sorry, I'm rambling a bit, but I'm just trying to figure this out. The bottom line is I won't be part of something that takes advantage of people.

: Item two only applies to girls that have real, major market agency potential. You might run across three of these in a good year in Montana. They will be 5'9" tall or more, dress size 4 or less, have long legs and a beautiful face. Anybody else is back to item one.

I know of one girl from Bozeman who hit the big time fashion world (New York, Paris, Italy, etc.) and she was discovered in a coffee shop by someone from New York who was here on vacation, not through any local agency (she had never had anything to do with modeling). (Sierra Siefers, on the off chance anyone here has heard of her).

I very much appreciate your time in replying to this, I knew I could find the answers I was looking for here.

Thanks again,
Robin

Follow Ups:

• Modeling agencies and schools - Roger 10:07:49 08/22/03 (0)

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Comments:
: Thanks so much for your great answer!

: I apologize, I had intended to include my location, as I realize that it is a significant factor.  As you figured out, I am in Montana. 

: 
: : ...  To survive as a business they have to do one or both of two things:  be a modeling-school-and-agency (with the great predominance of emphasis on "school" because that's where the money is) ...

: She mentioned that she is planning to open a school this fall (teaching "runway" was the word she used).  I guess there is some small demand for this type of modeling here, I've seen girls doing a small town version of runway work at expos at the University and the mall. But my impression of "schools" is that they are mostly scams, or at least mostly intersted in selling the girls a pipe dream instead of something of real value. I definately don't want to be part of anything that takes advantage of innocent girls.  But in my conversation with both the model and the owner seemed to indicate that they are at least seriously trying to be a legitimate agency.  That's a decision I'll have to make after I meet them.


: : The purpose of a "modeling school" is to give the impression that they are creating "models".  The purpose of "modeling school pictures" is to create the impression that the "model" has "model pictures".  That done, everyone is happy.

: : It is rare indeed for anyone to come to a "modeling school" looking to be a "commercial" or "character" model.  They all want to be a "real model" - which translates to "fashion model".  So if you take pictures which are distinctively different from "portraits", and show the person "modeling" (that is, using all the poses and expressions the school has taught them) everyone will be happy.  You will have a satisfied school and pleased parents.  I know, that sounds harsh and cynical too, but it's the reality of the situation.

: That also answers what I said above, even if the school's intentions are good, the reality is that the best fashion job the graduates are likely to get here is modeling wedding dresses at the Bridal Fair, which they probably don't need to take classes to do (although I am sure there are things they could teach them). On the other hand, I have photographed a couple girls that said they wanted to be models, but what they really wanted was to be able to tell their friends that they were models, they weren't interested in working particularly hard to be a model.  Once they had some photographs that looked sort of "modelish" to show off, they were happy and that was about the end of it.  I guess if everyone is happy than that what matters, but I still would prefer to be doing legitimate work. Of course if I was serious about being a model photgrapher I would be in New York or LA, not here.  Sorry, I'm rambling a bit, but I'm just trying to figure this out.  The bottom line is I won't be part of something that takes advantage of people.


: : Item two only applies to girls that have real, major market agency potential.  You might run across three of these in a good year in Montana.  They will be 5'9" tall or more, dress size 4 or less, have long legs and a beautiful face.  Anybody else is back to item one.

: I know of one girl from Bozeman who hit the big time fashion world (New York, Paris, Italy, etc.) and she was discovered in a coffee shop by someone from New York who was here on vacation, not through any local agency (she had never had anything to do with modeling). (Sierra <sp?> Siefers, on the off chance anyone here has heard of her).

: 
: I very much appreciate your time in replying to this, I knew I could find the answers I was looking for here.

: Thanks again,
: Robin


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