New York Modeling Agencies – The Complete Guide

New York Modeling Agencies – The Complete Guide

How do I know which modeling agency is for me?

Imagine yourself a high paid fashion model. Your day-to-day consists of working with the world’s best fashion photographers in exotic locales. Do you like to travel? Great! Your booked to shoot for Sports Illustrated in Fiji next week. Do you like designer clothes? Perfect. You just booked a gig with Versace where you will play the face of their next ad campaign. This all sounds great, but you will need the help of a New York Modeling Agency and you may have a few questions:

1. How do I land a New York Modeling Agency?

2. What would I say to one?

3. How do I dress for the open call?

4. What are the best New York Modeling Agencies?

5. How do I know if I chose the right agency?

6. When is the best time to look for an agent?

7. Should I lie about my age?

8. What do I do if I am rejected?

9. Am I tall enough to be a model?

10. What are the modeling agencies looking for?

Lots of questions and I have written “How To Become A Successful Fashion Model” to aid you in your quest. As a fashion photographer I get hundreds of emails from would be models hoping to thrive in this industry. Here I have answered your questions and provided a ton of free resources for you. Topics include: How to become a Victoria’s Secret model, how to get a fashion model body, how to become a supermodel, how to get the right modeling agency and much, much, more.

Cheers to your success!

Fashion photography by Voltaire

Posted by: Fashion Photography Blog

How To Become A Sports Illustrated Model – Fashion model advice.

Imagine yourself in Tahiti with superstar photographers shooting you for the coveted SI Swimsuit edition. Makeup artists cater to you. The SI editor thinks she has found a new rising star. It’s you!

“Sports Illustrated looks for models with the perfect combination of beauty, athleticism and personality for the swimsuit issue,” says SI editor Diane Smith.

Being a Sports Illustrated model is the dream of millions of women. Becoming one is not easy. Each year a handful of girls are flown to exotic locales worldwide to shoot for the prestigious magazine. The outcome, for some, can lead to fame and fortune. For others, steady modeling work for years to come. To become a Sports Illustrated model you have to start at the beginning.

Here are a few strategies:

1. Go to an open call at a New York City modeling agency. Make sure it is a relevant agency like IMG, Elite or Ford. Modeling agencies set aside times to see prospective models. If those agencies turn you down try the smaller ones.

2. Move to a major market. Most of the casting for Sports Illustrated happens in New York. You need to be with a powerful agency there. If New York is too much for you start in a smaller market like Los Angeles, Chicago or Miami.

3. Get a snapshot taken in natural light. When you first approach agencies they prefer it if you bring them snapshots.

4. Get professional pictures taken by the best fashion photographers you can find. The industry is extremely competetive. You need unforgettable images in your portfolio.

5. Be thin and don’t gain weight. The ideal measurements for a Sports Illustrated model is 34-24-34. The model should be approx 5’9″ tall (barefoot) and weigh between 110 and 120 pounds. Join the gym. Workout. Stop eating fast food. If necessary hire the services of a nutritionist and personal trainer.

6. Be photogenic. As looks go in and out of style it is impossible to tell what Diane Smith is looking for. Usually it is an all-American type with a beautiful smile and fantastic body.

7. Don’t be a party monster. Its fun to go out but not on the night before a shoot. Don’t show up four hours late to the photographer’s studio, wasted. Your reputation is at stake.

8. Follow your dream but be realistic. A couple years ago a model came to me crying and in tears because she was dropped from her agency after being measured and weighed. “All I want to do is be in Sports Illustrated,” she said. She left Los Angeles and went home to the midwest to regroup before moving to New York. Shortly after she became a Sports Illustrated model. Keep in mind you can shrink but you can’t grow. Be realistic. There are plenty of other exciting careers out there where you can make a ton of money. Try acting. They take all types!

For super secret tactics and insider advice on how to become a successful fashion model keep reading. There is a wealth of information here. Read about how to become a supermodel and how to become a Victoria’s Secret model.

And don’t forget to visit my personal website at:

Robert Voltaire Photography

How to become a model

Posted by: Fashion Photography Blog

How to become a successful fashion model.

I know what you want. You want to be a successful fashion model. You want to be the star of a fashion magazine. You see yourself walking the catwalks of Paris and being invited to the yachts of famous designers in Monte Carlo. You want to have the best clothes stuffed in your Parisian closets and to ride in the back of limos to Hollywood premiers. Who wouldn’t want to date Leonardo DiCaprio and live the life of the rich and famous. Sounds wonderful doesn’t it. It does. But 99% of the time it isn’t like that. So, wake up, smell the coffee and let’s talk about what it really takes to become a successful fashion model.

I know a couple guys and girls who have pulled off some serious stunts (I am talking about guerilla warfare techniques) to sneak into the backdoor of this business and I know models who have showed up at model agencies with no photographs at all and who are making a killing in this business. I want to share with you general information about modeling and also the tactics my friends have shared with me on the way up.

Keep in mind there are no guarantees in this business and anyone who promises to make you a star probably is trying to con you. There are surefire tips that you can harness to greatly increase your marketability in this industry.

I am very excited to start this fashion model discussion and teach you how to become a fashion model. Whether you want to be a Los Angeles model or be a part of a Los Angeles model agency, a New York model or become a part of a New York model agency, this valuable information can help you to make money modeling.

If you haven’t already, subscribe to my blog on my main page so you don’t miss out on these techniques. Happy reading!

Fashion photographer Robert Voltaire

Posted by: Fashion Photography Blog