Taking your first step as a model can be daunting. Here we answer a few of the most common questions asked by novice male models.

What do I need to know about the modelling industry?

There’s lots of information about modelling out there, some of it confusing, misleading or downright wrong. Some scam agencies will take your money with no intention of helping you find work. Legally, showcase agencies cannot find you work: only modelling employment agencies (like Models Direct) can. Read more here…

Why should I choose Models Direct?

There are so many reasons! Here are the most important ones:

• We’ve been bringing models and clients together since 1990.
• Our approach is sincere, professional, qualified and committed. We want you to succeed.
• We’ve created what we believe is the most effective and professional platform from which to launch a modelling career.
• We represent men, women, teens, children and babies to clients all over the world.
• We’re not just a faceless internet company – we’re real people, and you can meet us here or visit our offices if you want. (We’ll even pay half your travel costs from anywhere in the UK.)

How does Models Direct work?

First, you apply to become a model and submit your pictures. Then, if you’re selected, you pay a small fee to cover the costs of our representing you to clients and you go onto our database. Every day, clients send us their specific requests for male models and we search the database to find models we can put forward. The client says yes, we agree a fee with the model and the booking takes place. It’s that simple!

How does the process of getting an assignment work?

When clients ask us to provide a model (or models), we carefully search our database and make a selection of our models’ pictures online for the client to access, using a limited access security code.

For your safety and peace of mind, there is no way that clients can obtain your contact information by viewing our database.

Once the client makes their selection, we agree availability, the type of booking and an acceptable fee for you. Then we confirm all the details with you (time, place and fee).

We collect the assignment fee from the client, retain one-third as our agency fee and give you the rest.

What types of clients do you deal with?

Basically, we deal with any business who needs people for paid modelling and promotional work. These can include photographers, advertising agencies, film and television production companies, fashion houses and any other business. You can view our client list here.

How hard is it to get assignments?

We won’t lie to you: modelling is an extremely competitive industry. There are no guarantees of work and the choice of model rests with our client.

However, we have a full-time team of professional co-ordinators on duty every day, working exclusively on behalf of all our models and our worldwide clients. We want you to get work; we succeed when you succeed. Our reputation rests on our ability to provide the perfect model for every requirement.

Can I work for other model agencies?

Yes, of course. The whole point of modelling is to work whenever and wherever you can. Be seen as much as possible in the hope that more people notice your look. In fact, it benefits us if our models find work elsewhere, since they gain confidence and experience that makes them more valuable to our own clients.

What do your models earn?

The short answer is, ‘it depends!’ Fees range from £10 per hour to hundreds of pounds a day depending on the client, how long you’ll be working and where the images or footage will be used. Have a look at some of the success stories on the site to get a feel for what you could earn as a model.

Since we retain a proportion of your fee, it’s in our interests to get the best possible deal, so rest assured we’re always negotiating on your behalf. We want you to do well.

What else will I get from modelling apart from money?

Appearing on screen in an advert, TV programme or film can be a huge buzz. Many models also enjoy the whole experience of being the absolute centre of attention as they are photographed or filmed.

Modelling can build confidence and self-esteem, while promotional work involving meeting people gives you the chance to get paid just for being outgoing, cheerful and sociable.

Career-wise, many famous figures in film and entertainment started out in modelling. And even if you don’t get a big break, you’ll always have the satisfaction of having gone in front of the camera and delivered just the look that the client wanted.

Finally, modelling is fun! All our models report that the experience of travelling to a location, doing their shoot and meeting everybody is a great experience.

Will I have to travel?

You may need to travel to your assignment. Sometimes, our clients opt for models living relatively close to them, so they don’t have to pay travel costs. At other times, it’s vital that they get the right look regardless of location, so they’ll ask us for a national search. But you won’t have to pay for your own travel, and we’ll agree all the details with you up front.

Am I the right shape, size and look to be a model?

Yes. Our clients ask us for a huge variety of different sizes, shapes and looks every day. Increasingly, we’re finding that many clients want a ‘real’ model, while some prefer the traditional fashion model look.

Every application we receive is carefully checked by our model co-ordinators and compared with our existing male models before being submitted to our National Selection Panel for a decision on whether we will represent you.

What is 'Model of the Month'?

Every month our National Selection Panel selects winning models from each of our categories and age groups to be our latest ‘Model of the Month’. The prize is worth £95 and rockets the winner to ‘Superstar’ status on our website.

Is it going to cost me anything?

There’s no charge for applying to be a model with us. If your application is approved and we make you an offer of representation, there is a small charge that equates to less than £43 a year. This covers the cost of your being featured in our work seeking publication.

Look at it this way: for less than £1 a week, you’re in with the opportunity to find fun, exciting and rewarding modelling work and starting a career in modelling. For our part, we promise to put you forward whenever your look is called for. The rest is up to you!