Tag: agency models

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7 Reasons You Weren’t Hired for the Model Casting.

Why wasn’t I picked for the casting? We all know how disappointing it is to not get picked for a job you were hoping to book! Rest assured, “it’s not you.” Or it probably wasn’t you.

7 reasons you weren’t hired for the model casting.

  1.  You just don’t have the right look. It’s simply that. The client has a veryy specific look they are hiring for, and you didn’t fit. Even if you’re blonde and they’re looking for blondes… Are you really the closest model to the vision they had in mind? Maybe. Probably not. This is the case more often than not.
  2. Your hair is just an inch too short. If you’re at a hair casting: first of all, they are very hard to book unless you are open to complete transformations. I’m a professional hair model, among other things. I almost booked a really great hair job once, but my hair was slightly too short. I had the right look, but they needed very specific hair.
  3. They found their model before you even came to the casting. I know this is especially common with hair castings. They found the perfect model already, but the client is still pretty much obligated to execute the rest of the casting. This is why it’s usually a great idea to come at the start of a casting, rather than the middle or at the end, if you can help it.
  4. They SOUNDED like they wanted to hire you, why didn’t you get the callback? I know this is disappointing, and it could be any number of reasons. Most commonly, they just found another model that for better. Maybe it was budget, maybe it was personality. Regardless, you can’t stress yourself over it. Nothing is ever a “YES” until you are actually ON SET.
  5. Your agency. Yes, sometimes your agency really doesn’t have your best interests in mind. They have models to take care of other than you! I’ve had screw-ups with jobs in fashion week before, where I’ve booked one job and was put on hold for another and ended up not doing either one because of something that happened on the back end of things.
  6. Personality. Sometimes you might not have booked a job, because it was you. Maybe you were tired and didn’t have energy and they were looking for bubbly personalities. Either way, just be you and this probably won’t be a problem. Unless “you” means being unprofessional and rubbing off on people wrong.
  7. Not wearing the right clothes, or looking too “fresh” to the industry. If are, or you look, inexperienced, it may be a turn off to the client. The only way to not look new is to get out there, build your portfolio, build your wardrobe, and gain experience.

There are a million reasons why you weren’t picked for a job. The only thing that matters is: you weren’t picked. That’s it. No need to overthink it. It rarely has anything to do with something you did or didn’t do.

As a rule, I personally say: expect the worst, but always hope for the best. It takes a lot of tries to get hired for a modeling job. Just keep at it, and the right one(s) will come along!

Be Fierce!!

Briauna Mariah (:

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A Model’s Unfiltered Thoughts on Agencies

Photo by Annika Forslund

I’ve been quarreling with myself on this topic for months now. I have provided you with plenty of info on modeling agencies in the past. However, I feel there is a missing element. Bias. Today I will impart my bias in regards to the topic of agencies. Today I will open up.

While I have not had a horrendous experience with agencies, like some, it has not been particularly pleasant either. Often, agencies have felt very intimidating, even bully-like.

A model is hardly ever allowed to be herself. She is scrutinized in detail. She is never good enough, always expected to fill in this role of the unattainable. As a society, our beauty standards are warped. They are unrealistic. Yet, young girls are expected to conform. This is what it feels like to be a model. Moldable.

At age 15, I was told I had too much baby fat. My legs have been called doughy. Some people have told me I can’t “make it” due to my size. That I have to conform. I have been pressured and harassed about my skin, urged to see a dermatologist I couldn’t afford, for a problem that was occurring because of my genes, and because I was unhealthy. Being with an agency has always been a stressful experience for me. I was always pressured one way or another, bullied strategically, bossed around, and strung along waiting for my paychecks.

This is my bias. And the experience is not too different from those girls around me.

Girls. We are women, young women. Yet, why do I keep calling all models girls? It is because even I feel diminished as a model sometimes. We are girls. Young. To be manipulated. Some never grow up. Some never learn. Some girls grow up learning from this industry and are left wondering what is wrong.

Agencies not paying their models has become a norm. Clients paying months after a job. Sexual harassment on jobs, and bullying. How can they get away with this?

For one, the industry remains wildly unregulated. On the other hand: we let them. A year ago, I decided I no longer wanted to be taken advantage of by a shady company with only their own interests in mind.

Unfortunately, a model can’t advance her career much without an agency.

To be fair, I have had a lot of exciting moments with my agencies. I have been in Mercedes-Benz fashion week. I have booked huge, lucrative photo shoots. I have been given the chance to book career-changing campaigns. I have been in Anna Wintour’s office building. There are always the plus sides. I often found myself in exciting jobs and opportunities I wouldn’t have gotten without an agency.

Without having been with the agencies I have been with, I wouldn’t be where I am as a model today. My portfolio is strong. My experience is strong. From the platform of being signed with an agency, I have been given the opportunity to expand and grow, not only as a model, but as a woman.

Here’s the thing. We can change this. Together. The fashion industry doesn’t have to be a harsh reality, but a positive environment.

My experiences in the fashion industry have pushed me to create a revolution. I want to promote positive change and health. Poor, low quality living is generally secretly applauded by many industry peers. Young girls loosing too much weight is celebrated! This helps perpetuate and encourage eating disorders among young girls across the globe.

So I need your help. Soon, I will be launching a crowd-funding campaign for We Speak, the agency of the future. I’m creating a healthy branding system for retail and fashion brands to use to encourage healthy living, and healthy women.

If you help fund and promote this mission, you are contributing your piece of a huge undertaking and fashion revolution. The industry has made small movements to a more positive industry, yet the experiences detailed above are still very much alive. Are you ready to roar?

www.facebook.com/wespeakny

Be Fierce!!

Briauna Mariah (:
Founder of We Speak
(917) 274-7324

P.S. We are on the lookout for experienced, healthy models in NYC! Email briaunamariah@gmail.com for submissions (our email system and site is currently undergoing construction!)

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Agency Qualities to Look For

When you are seeking representation and meeting with modeling agencies, you should get to know the people at the agency and get a feel for the place. I won’t get into too many specifics on how to become a model, as it has been previously discussed, but I will say that choosing an agency that will best fit your needs, if you do choose not to freelance, is very important. You do not want to get signed, and then get buried in the agency’s “New Faces” department. This could easily happen with any big agency.

You want to look for a very “quality over quantity” vibe. However, even if they are really excited about your look, there are no guarantees of a successful relationship. An agency that pays attention, with an open line of communication, are generally good signs. Continue reading “Agency Qualities to Look For”

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10 Qualities a Model Looks For in Photographers

NOTE: This post is informational for photographers nearly as much as it is for young models.

It is universal knowledge that a model needs photos of herself in her portfolio; the only way to go about this is to collaborate with different photographers. How she goes about building a model portfolio depends on a few different factors and is up to her (and her agency) to decide.

A model will mainly begin building her portfolio either by hiring a photographer or collaborating on a (free) trade shoot or test shoot. As she begins shooting and building up her reputation, she has the position to be more choosy with who she shoots with. Only then, when she has a reputable portfolio, may she ask the photographers for compensation when she is requested for a shoot. However, there are some collaborations even an experienced model won’t want to pass up.

You can automatically assume any work with a designer needs to be paid, since they are advertising an actual product. With photographers, however, it gets tricky.

Here are 10 qualities an experienced model looks for in a photographer when testing for free Continue reading “10 Qualities a Model Looks For in Photographers”

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Model Mayhem 101: Adapting

This Model Mayhem 101 post is for slightly more experienced Model Mayhem users. You should understand how to adapt your profile with your experience as you progress.

Let’s say you’ve had a handful of solid photoshoots with great photos for your portfolio and the responses have been positive. However, you’re still mostly working for free and you haven’t changed your profile much, nor have you taken a serious look at your portfolio. These are the steps I would suggest taking.

Portfolio
As you shoot with more and more people, you will accumulate a lot of photos. Personally, I like to keep them very organized in folders by photographer (or event) and I make sure to obtain high resolution images so I have the option to print them.

It doesn’t matter if you’re represented by IMG and have amazing agency-type photos, MM might not buy it. If you’re going to be successful on the website, you have to gear your portfolio to what Model Mayhem likes. And try to accumulate comments by posting on the announcement board. Continue reading “Model Mayhem 101: Adapting”

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Portland Fashions

I was in downtown Portland for a casting today (yeah, I nailed it) and I’ve been passing a LOT of really great boutiques over there.

I’ve also modeled for a few awesome boutiques. You may have already seen my photos up on www.letrainbleu.com. She has so many great designs in her boutique! I loved modeling them, especially the coats!

I had the pleasure of working with Neon Threads recently, as well. They carry a lot of vintage items, like dresses and coats from the 80s. If you want to reminisce in the good times, if you like the styles from those time periods, if you’re looking for a good Halloween piece, or whatever your reason, it’s a great place to check out! www.neonthreadsclothing.com. There were even a lot of great pieces (like the one I’m wearing below) that would make great clothing for a cool editorial spread *hint* *hint*

In town, there are a lot of athletic boutiques. Portland is all about being fit & biking! I love the mixture of fashion and athletic wear going on. It makes me want to go buy a whole new wardrobe just to go out for a run! Continue reading “Portland Fashions”

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Biking in Portland, OR

Did you know that Amsterdam is the bicycle capital of the world? 40% of the traffic flow there is from bikes. You know what’s even cooler? Portland, Oregon is the second bicycle capital of the world. Seattle doesn’t even make it on the top 10.

So, what a great exercise and method of getting around, right?! I went outside today and got my bike ready. Okay, yeah, maybe not so much! One thing Seattle and Portland do have in common is the climate: RAIN! Ever since I’ve been here, it has rained every time I decided to step outside.

I have been biking to town several times (5 miles each way), for fun and for the exercise and I went to the store once (2 miles each way). I attempted a trip to the store today, got a few blocks, and got soaked. This has been the only time I am truly disliking the rain. I never got to bike much in Seattle, so the rain was never too much of a bother. In fact, most of the time I kind of enjoy the rain. Continue reading “Biking in Portland, OR”

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Meal Planning: One Cucumber Per Week

I’m sitting here, wondering what is in store for me when I leave for Portland on Friday. I’m extremely excited to work and connect with people in Portland.

What originally inspired me to make this trip is the fact that I’m getting so many emails from my agency, Ryan Artists, and I haven’t been able to make it to more than 3 castings. I almost feel as if there is more going on down in Portland in terms of the fashion industry and modeling, than there is in Seattle.

There are more reasons to justify this trip, too. One reason is that, recently out of high school, I haven’t had the chance to live out on my own yet. Living a month “on my own” in Portland will be a great learning experience.

And I’m already learning some things. Like, say, how DIFFICULT IT IS TO MEAL PLAN! My family never really meal planned before, but we’ve been doing it for at least the past year now and it SAVES a lot of money and it’s easier to EAT HEALTHY. Continue reading “Meal Planning: One Cucumber Per Week”

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Identity Crisis? Nah, This I Just Who I Am

I am Briauna Mariah Graeber.

That is who I am.

I will change, I will grow, but I will never be different.

I am that little girl walking to middle school who still practices multiplication and thinks about fairy stories and about the next time I get to do a sleep over. I am that shy Sophomore girl who wants a new start going to a new rigorous school program. I am that girl who wants to do really well in school. I am that girl who compares herself to those that she thinks do better than her. I am that girl that knows she can do better. I am that girl who falls hard for for that one, really great, crazy awesome guy that will never return the feelings. I am that girl studying bathymetry of Possession Sound with my classmates, who writes poems, who loves, who wonders. I am that girl who speculates about the fashion industry and thinks its “cool.”

I am like you. I am human. We change, we grow. Continue reading “Identity Crisis? Nah, This I Just Who I Am”

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Getting Naked in the Desert

I am no comedian, but I like to try to be funny sometimes. So here is me… well, I wouldn’t call it making fun of myself exactly… maybe I’m just “making fun.” Let me have my fun rant here for a minute, okay? Men, boys, guys, whatever you like to be called, you might enjoy this one the most.

First off, don’t go telling me being a fashion model is a piece of cake!! People think its about being pretty. Its not. It’s about being ugly. Seriously. Its about pushing the limits, its about being uncomfortable. It is pain and absurdity. It is Lady Gaga. It is amazing.

It has taken me time to get where I am as a model in terms of my confidence, comfort zone, and skill.

We should all know by now that my confidence and skill are superb.  Let’s talk about comfort zone for a bit, now, shall we? Continue reading “Getting Naked in the Desert”