Before You Go In:
Make sure you have been able to maintain healthy skin, have excellent posture, are in excellent shape physically and mentally, and dress the part. Go easy on the makeup!!! Really. Moisturizer, concealer, foundation, mascara and lip gloss. Make sure the foundation you use is the best match for your skin and that you blend it well. If you are not good at doing makeup, don't wear any! I'm serious!
What NOT to do:
Do not change your hair. You will want to be a clean slate for the agent to transform into whatever type of model they see you as. No drastic hair cuts or hair color.
Do not get your eyebrows waxed. Perhaps just clean them up a little in between the brows to make sure you don't have a unibrow, but over-tweezing can change your face in a bad way.
No fake nails. Again, a clean slate is best! Perhaps get a manicure but in a nude or clear polish. You want to show off who you naturally are.
No crazy high heels. A 3 inch heel is probably best. No sky-high Louboutins for this!! Practice walking in the shoes you will wear to an open call because you will be asked to do a runway walk in them.
Do not buy an expensive outfit to wear! You are not going to impress an agent with your wardrobe. You should wear a simple, fitted black tank top and skinny jeans or leggings. Maybe a skirt instead of jeans but keep it all very simple. No logos on your shirt... you are selling YOU -- your beautiful face and sexy body and elegant posture!
Do NOT pay a photographer to take pictures of you. All you need are some snap shots that your MOM can take for free!! An agent will have connections with the photographers that will help shape your portfolio and create the right look for the clients they will present you to. You might have to eventually pay a photographer for a test shoot, but that is only when the agency sets it up for you. Not beforehand!!
You might be wondering... What Snapshots Do I Need?
Do all of these smiling and not smiling. Hair up and hair down.
Wear a bikini in a solid color against a solid background. (i.e. a black bikini in front of a white wall.) No posing. Stand straight and look into the camera. Then take a photo from each side profile and from the back. Do these again from the waist up and also just head shots.
But, Amanda, Where Do I Go?
Here are a few Open Calls:
APM New York
Open Call Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm - 1pm
6 West 37TH ST. 6TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10018
New York Model Management
Open Call Thursdays 10:30am - 11:30am
596 Broadway
7th Floor
New York, NY 10012
Major Model Management
Open Call FIRST Wednesday of every month 3pm - 4pm
419 Park Avenue South
Suite 1201
New York, NY 10016
L.A. Models
Open Call Monday & Tuesday 3 - 4:30pm
7700 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Bring in snap shots. They do not need to be professional.
Women: ages 13-24 years old, 5'8 - 6'0. Men: ages 15-30 years old, 5'11 to 6'3.
FORD Models has open calls Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami:
CHICAGO
Open Call for Men & Women
- Monday - Friday 2pm - 4pm
311 W. Superior St, Suite 444
Chicago, Illinois 60654
- Age 13 and Up
- Women 5'8 - 5'11"
- Men 6' - 6'2"
If you are unable to attend our Open Call, you can submit online at fordmodels.com or you may submit by mail. -
LOS ANGELESOpen Call for WomenThursdays 4-5pm
9200 Sunset Blvd. Suite 805
West Hollywood, California 90069Age 13 and UpHeight 5'8 - 5'11Open Call for Men:Wednesdays 4-5pmAge 13 and UpHeight 6'0 - 6'3Bring snapshots with you. Professional pictures not necessary. If you are unable to attend our Open Call, you can submit online at fordmodels.com or you may submit by mail.
- MIAMIOpen Call for Men & Women:Monday - Thursday 3-4pm
1665 Washington Ave. 3rd Floor
Miami Beach, Florida 33139Age 13 and UpWomen 5'9 - 5'11"Men 6' - 6'2"Bring snapshots with you. Professional pictures not necessary. If you are unable to attend our Open Call, you can submit online at fordmodels.com or you may submit by mail.BREAK A LEG!!Peace, love and fashion,Amanda