Glossary

Agent: a person in an agency who finds people who have the potential to be successful models , signs a contract to represent them, markets them to clients (including magazines, advertisers, and fashion designers), and guides their careers.

Body Shot: a picture of a model in a bathing suit that shows her body from head to toe.

Booking: Any job a model is hired to do. When a model is hired for a job, whether it be to pose for a magazine or advertisement or to appear in a runway show, she is said to be “booked” for the job.

Camera Ready: When a model is asked to show up to a job or casting “camera ready”, this generally means with a little heavier foundation and make up than the typical “make up ready”.   I would suggest showing up with a matte foundation, light blush, a little heavier eye, lip gloss and mascara.  Camera ready does not mean show up looking like a drag queen.

Clean Face: When a model is asked to show up “clean face”, this means the model is to arrive with no makeup on, and a clean moisturized face (oil free face moisturizer, and don’t forget to put some eye cream on!)

Client: On a magazine shoot, the client is the fashion editor. On a catalog shoot, it’s the representative or art director from the catalog company. On an advertising shoot, it’s the corporate client.

Commercial Models: Models who work primarily in catalogs and advertisements.

Confirmed: If the client definitely wants to book you, you are said to be confirmed.

Cover try: A photo shoot that is done with the purpose of getting a picture good enough to appear on a magazine cover. The photo itself must be striking, and the model must look her best.

Digitals: These are the photos your agent takes of you with a digital camera to send to potential clients or agencies overseas.  These photos should depict how a model looks with little to no makeup on, and how the model moves in front of the camera. Digitals are very important when you are a new face.

Day Rate: The amount of money a model earns for a full day of work. A model’s experience, popularity, and the caliber of the client all have an effect on her day rate.

Editorial: Refers to any work that will appear in a magazine’s editorial (as opposed to advertising) pages. It includes stories about the latest fashion and beauty trends, as well as lifestyle (sex, relationships, job, and money) pieces.

Editorial Models: Also known as high-fashion models, editorial models work in the fashion capitals where they appear in magazine stories, designer fashion shows, and high-end advertisements.

Featured Model: The first and/or the last model to appear in a runway show. At the end of the show, she walks down the runway on the arm of the designer. She may be the designer’s favorite model or a famous supermodel.

Fit Models: Models who work in a designer’s studio trying on the unfinished clothes; the designer then makes any adjustments in the garment so that it fits perfectly.

Development Models: Models who are still relatively new (with typically three to five years experience in the business) but are building toward supermodel status.

In-store modeling: Also called informal or promo modeling. Models are dressed in clothes from the store; they walk around and let the customers see the clothes up close as they shop.

Look Books: Photo albums put together by clothing companies so consumers can look at all of the season’s styles in one place. Look books can be in-store photo albums or printed brochures that are mailed out to customers.

Makeup Ready: When a model is asked to show up to a job “makeup ready”, this means show up to the job wearing a tinted moisturizer or light foundation, light blush, cover up if you need it, a light eye if you typically wear eye makeup, and a tinted lip moisturizer (no lip gloss).  This does not mean pile a ton of make up on your face.  It is also a good idea to bring your own makeup that matches your skin tone for touch ups.

Model Editor: This person books all the models featured in a magazine,  including those used in fashion stories, beauty pieces, and all the other features in the magazine (pieces about jobs, relationships, advice, money, for example).

Mother Agency: The agency that discovers you, marketed you, and developed your career. If you’ve changed agencies in the course of your career, your mother agency is your base agency, located in the city you call home.

Portfolio: Your booker arranges the photos and job tears they think represent you in the best possible way in an agency portfolio book for you to take with you to castings.  You should not leave your portfolio book in the sun or a hot car; the photos will get damaged if you do this and it is extremely annoying to your booker.

Profile shot: A shot of the side of your face or body.

Real-people models: Represent a type, such as a mom, a cute kid, a kindly granddad, a balding regular Joe, or a businesswoman. They appear mainly in ads and TV commercials.

Spec Shoot (editorial): This is an editorial photo shoot that is produced with the intention of submitting the ending result to magazines for possible publication.  Spec Shoots do not pay generally, and are great ways for both parties involved (model and photographer) to build their books!

Straight-on shot: A photo in which your head and/or body are facing the camera.

Talent: The word used to refer to the models, actors, or other performers working at a still photo shoot, on a TV Commercial or movie set, or at a live performance.

Tent: Short for tentative. If the client likes you but isn’t quite ready to commit to booking you, she puts a hold or a tent on you.

Test Shoot: This is a photo shoot where the model is taking pictures with a photographer to build the model’s book and/or update the model’s portfolio with recent pictures.  A model’s first photo shoot is also called their “test shoot”.

Testing photographers: Photographers who do test shoots with aspiring models are often assistants of major working photographers and are usually aspiring to become working photographers in their own right.

General Rules to Follow

1. You must not be late for any bookings. However, if you are running late, you must contact your bookers immediately so that the client can be notified.   This also applies for bookings out of town and castings.
2. Never sign any documents such as releases or contracts while on the set of a booking or casting. Your booker will always do this on your behalf and it is the agent’s responsibility to protect your interests as a model.
3. Never give out your phone number to any clients or photographers. Refer them to the agency at all times.  This is to protect your privacy.
4. Always let your bookers know immediately or well in advance when you are not available. (i.e.….Vacations, Last Minute Trips, Emergencies, School Schedules, Vehicle Breakdowns etc…) It is your duty to avoid scheduling conflicts as this will greatly affect your ability to work.
5. Always be reachable.  Castings and bookings often happen at the last minute.  It is very advantageous to have a working cell phone or pager.  If this is not possible, then you must check your answering machine regularly.
6. Inform your bookers of all commercial bookings “avails,” and option dates thru other agencies.  Again, this is important to avoid scheduling conflicts.
7. Request Castings are very important.  The client has specifically chosen to see you at a set time. When given this type of casting, always confirm with your bookers in advance that you can or cannot attend, so that they may reschedule you.
8. General castings and Go-Sees are important too.  These types of castings will usually have frames in which you can attend according to your schedule. (i.e. 10am-1pm) or (3pm-5pm).
9. Always keep your personal portfolio with you at all times.  Never leave it at castings or bookings.  If a clients asks you to leave your portfolio, call the agency and we will send a copy of your book to the client by messenger.

Always keep multiple outfits and shoes in your car. (I.e. dress clothes, casual, sporty, swimsuit, etc.) This is to avoid having to run home between castings or  showing up at castings without proper attire

If you are less than 18 years old, keep your work permit updated and with you at all times. Models under the age of 18 are not allowed to work in the State  of California without a valid permit.