There are many misconceptions that spread about the work of modeling and that of the agencies. Let’s us find out more about the business of modeling.

Scouters are hunting any face on the street regardless of whether the person they pick is good looking.

Some common comments go along the lines of, “I can’t believe the Scouter is approaching such an ugly person, they must desperately want to get more models.”

A common misconception about modeling is that you need to be pretty, with flawless skin, perfect Jawline, and flat abs. That is one of the most untrue claims that serve as a psychological barrier for many potential models to join this field. Not all clients and projects require pretty faces and many actually need models of marketable looks, that can range from different sizes, ethnicities, and overall body features. Size is also not a concern, as there are many plus-sized models in demand today. Someone has to market the bigger sized clothing and a product that appeal to people in that category, and definitely plus sized is becoming more relevant in the modeling fields of today.

If a credible modeling agency is sending a scouter to the street to recruit new models, it is also sending someone to be the face that represents the agency in the process; it is not going to do so blindly. Much training and knowledge of the modeling and fashion industry are taught to these scouters before they are sent out on the street. They know the different types of looks that the agency wants and that can appeal to a client before they actually approach you and give you an offer. Of course, you also have a part to play and determine the credibility of the agency through proper research online.

Everyone is so busy, who has time for modeling? It’s too much work.

Modeling doesn’t require commitment on the scale of a full-time job nor are you bound to be involved in work that doesn’t fit into your schedule. It can fit in easily into your schedule if you consider that you will be on average receiving one job offer a week with some project commitments going to even three hours or so. Of course, there are longer projects which may take a few days of shoots to finish depending on their requirements. However, the best part is you get to pick up and drop the projects that don’t suit you. In other words, you have full flexibility in your work. However, a word of caution, if you are just starting out in modeling, do not get too picky, and focus on building your portfolio and reputation as a model first.

Nowadays there are so many comments and reviews everywhere, how do I differentiate the good and bad agencies?

This may pose a big concern especially in the age of the internet, where there are many false rumors floating around, and truth tends to get buried in the comments section. It may be hard to distinguish truth from the lies, and usually one only knows the true nature of the work and the modeling process once they sign up for it. One good way is to read reviews from credible sources and websites, and not believe wholesale what you read on forums and blogs which are contentment unregulated. Google and Facebook reviews are one such way where spam and imposter comments are unpublished or removed, and only honest feedback is considered.

Another good way is to find out the models involved in the agency. Are there a good number of models? Are there models who somewhat have a similar look to you? Do they take good effort and care to have a well set-up website? Any model agency has a need to have a good website because it is often the first go-to platform for clients and models. An illegitimate or bad agency can most often be spotted from their bad website maintenance.

Modeling isn’t for me, either I am born as a model or I’m not. There is no in-between.

False! Whether you know this or not modeling takes a lot of hard work, patience and confidence. Someone with the looks of Gisele Bundchen or Adriana Lima, but without their confidence can never make it very far as a model and isn’t someone who will get through a regular casting call. No matter how you look, your personality, dress sense and the way you express your energy and this confidence means a large deal more. This impresses clients and lands you the best job opportunities.

The biggest misconception of all may be that modeling agencies are not essential and they are just out to scam. If you flip your daily newspaper or browse through your regular online catalog to shop, or any other advertisement or billboard, they are not people who are randomly picked or someone who is from that company or brand of that advertisement. In short, they are models, who most likely come from modeling agencies, and clients pick them out of many other potential models.