Ten questions to ask before you sign with a model agency

The ten questions

1. What commission do you take, and on what? Around 20 per cent of your fee is common in fashion. Ask whether it applies to every kind of work, including work you find yourself.
2. Is this exclusive? Find out which markets and which kinds of work the agreement covers.
3. How long does it last? Check the term, whether it renews automatically, and how much notice you must give to leave.
4. What costs can be charged to me? Test shoots, comp cards and travel are typical. Ask for a list, and ask that nothing is spent in your name without your agreement.
5. When do I get paid? Usually after the client pays the agency. Ask how long that normally takes and what statements you will receive.
6. Where is client money held? Money owed to models should be kept apart from the agency's own.
7. Can I turn work down? You should be able to say no to any job. If there are things you will not do, have them written in.
8. Who controls my images? Usage is agreed job by job. Ask how the agency itself may use your pictures, and what happens to them when you leave.
9. What happens when we part ways? Ask about bookings already in the diary and money still owed to you.
10. May I take this away and get advice? A good agency says yes without hesitation. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian signs as well.

Words you will meet

• Exclusive. You work only through this agency, in the places and kinds of work the contract names.
• Territory. The countries or cities the agreement covers.
• Term. How long the agreement runs.
• Usage. Where and for how long a client may use the pictures from a job. Wider usage should mean a higher fee.
• Option. A client asking to hold a date before confirming a booking.
• Statement. The record of what you earned, what was deducted and what you were paid.

Clauses to question

• A long term that renews automatically unless you cancel in a short window.
• Fees you owe whether or not you work.
• Penalties for leaving.
• No right to see statements of your earnings.

Good signs

Answers come in writing. Nobody rushes you. No money is asked for up front. The people you meet can explain every clause in plain words. If any of that is missing, read how to spot a modelling scam before going further.

This article is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure about anything in a contract, ask a solicitor or someone with experience of the industry to read it before you sign.

Quick answers

What is a normal commission for a model agency?

Around 20 per cent of the model's fee is common in fashion. Rates vary by market and by type of work, so ask and get it in writing.

Are model agency contracts exclusive?

Often, at least for one market. Exclusivity is not a bad sign in itself. What matters is that you know its limits and how to end it.

Can I leave a model agency?

Yes, on the terms in your contract. Check the notice period and what happens to work already booked.