FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Should I call in about a submission, either before or after I mail it?

A - No.  NO PHONE CALLS ABOUT SUBMISSIONS.  Mail your materials in, and if we are interested, we will call you.  Remember, DON'T call us, we'll call you!

Q - Why do I need to send a photo first?

A - This is the first step to determine if you are photogenic. This is a primary medium for our business.  Photos must be MAILED in.

Q - Does Modern Models Inc accept all applicants?

A - No, we do not accept all applicants. We are looking for specific looks, sizes, personality, etc.  We like to hand pick our talent and love referrals from our current models.  We are looking for healthy, athletic models/actors and not anorexic, rail thin (with ribs or clavicles showing) or heroin-chic types.  Also, we DISLIKE tattoos and piercings - we need a "clean slate" to sell you.  You are not Angelia Jolie, tattoos and piercings HURT our ability to sell you.  We are striving for classy, not "edgy"!  Also, we prefer ONE of four hair colors - blonde, brown, black or red.

Q - What do you look for in a new model or actor?

A - Modern Models Inc looks for outgoing personality and animation.  Height/weight proportionate is a MUST.  If people tell you everyday you should be a model/actor, contact us.  If we hand you a card, we like your look.  Another fallacy is that agencies are overloaded with submissions.  WE ARE, but not from people we necessarily want to represent!  Sending in an email that says "I know I gots what you need" is NOT going to help your cause.

Q -  Should I call up the agency to just ask any old question that pops into my head?

A - NO.  Our job is to find you work and acquire new talent.  Think of it this way - any question you call to ask - would you ask the owner of Elite, Ford or Click that question?  Do your research, almost every answer is right here on this site!  We are not giving you a ride to the airport, or watching your cat, or letting your out of town agent use our expensive Buckhead office since they don't have one in Atlanta (ACTUAL questions from current and former talent!).

Q - What expenses might one expect to incur?

A - Of course, you will need materials to submit to clients. This would include photography, comp cards, headshots, or whatever is deemed appropriate for marketing purposes.  If you do not already have suitable marketing materials, and are not ready to invest to get them, you are wasting your time and our time.  You cannot play baseball without a helmet, uniform, glove, cleats, socks, belt, underwear, batting gloves, ball & bat and you CANNOT model WITHOUT PICTURES!

Q- If you like my look, why won't you pay for my pictures?

A - This is a huge fallacy in this business.  A few of the multi-million dollar agencies in NYC will float the next Cindy Crawford a free photo shoot.  I am sorry to tell you - this is not NYC and you are NOT Cindy Crawford.  Pictures do cost money (photographers have studios and fancy equipment to pay for), but you get to keep them, and they are used to get you jobs and in a worst case scenario are a great keepsake for you to look back on when you are older.

Q - Can you guarantee me work?

A - There are NO guarantees in any business. The clients are the ones who select the talent. We try to select talent we feel will be marketable. We work very hard to help you succeed in this arena. We will submit all talent according to the specifics of the client’s guidelines.

Q - Do we have to use the agency’s photographers?

A - No. All agencies have in-house photographers, of course, but most agencies will let you use another photographer, although the material has to be suitable for their marketing materials. Modeling photos are shot to fulfill specific needs of the agencies. The agency must have the strongest materials to compete with other agencies in the marketplace.  GWC pictures are not going to cut it in this competitive market.  Does YOUR photographer have their own website?  And when you Google their first and last name, does the word photography or photographer come up next? - if not, you probably wasted your money.

Q - When do most bookings take place?

A - Most bookings are during the week. The studios have the same work week most of us have, Monday through Friday.  It is rare to have a booking on a weekend, but it does happen occasionally.

Q - Are you an exclusive agency?

A - No.  No contracts, no upfront fees and most of all, no B.S.!

Q - Can I turn down bookings?

A - Yes you can, but do keep in mind; the more bookings you turn down the less likely it will be for the client to request you. Also the agent might question submitting talent because of the lack of interest. Availability is very important in this business.

Q - How far in advance will we be called for a booking or casting?

A - Generally, the agent will have at least 24 hours notice. Although there can be an emergency booking which might be the same day.