1. Someone looks at your photos
A booker or scout goes through new applications and asks one question: could we get this person work with the clients we know? It is quick, and it is why clear photos matter more than anything you write. A promising applicant with blurred or filtered photos often cannot be judged at all.
2. A first conversation
If the agency is interested, it gets in touch, usually by email, and arranges a call or a meeting. Expect to be asked for fresh digitals or a short video, and for your measurements. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian should be part of this conversation.
3. Tests and development
New faces rarely arrive with usable pictures. Agencies arrange test shoots with photographers to build a book, and a good one will also help you learn how to move in front of a camera. This stage can take weeks or months, and that is normal.
4. Terms in writing
Before you work, you should have a written agreement that covers commission, how long it lasts, what costs can be charged to you and how to leave. Take it away and read it. Our list of questions to ask before you sign is a good place to start.
5. Castings and first jobs
Then the agency starts putting you forward. You will go to castings, and most of them will not turn into bookings. That is true for every model at every level. Our first casting guide covers what to expect.
Questions worth asking on the first call
- Which kinds of work do you see me doing?
- What would the first three months look like?
- Will I need test shoots, and who pays for them?
- What commission do you take, and is the agreement exclusive?
- Who would be my day-to-day contact?
If you do not hear back
Silence usually means not right now, not never. Agencies look for what their clients are booking, and that changes. Improve your photos, apply to other agencies whose models look like you, and try again later with new pictures.
How to use the wait
Retake your digitals until they are as clear as they can be. Our guide to taking digitals on your phone shows how. Stay away from paid courses and portfolio packages while you wait. They do not move an application forward.
How it works at Star
You get a reference number the moment you send the form. A person reviews every application. If we see a fit for representation or for an introduction to a brand, we email you to arrange a conversation. You do not need to do anything else in the meantime. We do not publish a fixed response time.
Quick answers
- How long do model agencies take to reply?
- It varies from a few days to several weeks, and many agencies only reply to the people they want to meet.
- Can I apply to more than one agency at once?
- Yes. It is normal, and agencies expect it.
- Should I follow up on my application?
- One polite message after a few weeks is fine. With Star, quote the reference number you were given.
