* Be careful of wanna-be managers and aggressive agents that want to manage you, or even worse an unexperienced friend trying to help that does not know how to manage, conduct business, read contracts nor has any idea how much a model should get paid or residually compensated. They can cause more harm then good. There are a lot of photographers that are very controlling and feel you need their approval before you shoot with anyone.

*Remember it’s QUALITY NOT QUANTITY. It does not matter how many pictures you have, it’s how, with just a few strong pictures you still make a good impression.

*Beware of aggressive agencies, and agencies who don’t answer all your questions.

*REMEMBER! professional models get paid! No model has ever gotten rich by doing TFP. TFP helps but, only with the RIGHT photographer. If you want to make modeling a career, treat it like a business – manage yourself and be professional and think about getting paid work. If you’re on your own or just starting, its a must!

*Even if you are with an agency, you still have to hustle and don’t depend on your agency to do all the work for you.

*Also be careful of lazy agencies, that don’t call you about work or auditions. Its important for you to find out what’s up and maybe change to an agency that will get you work!

*Be careful of photographers that will shoot you for free (TFP) and sell the pictures for profit. Draw up a release and read his/her model release form saying you are ONLY TFP for portfolio use or for submission to magazines (you can even include list of magagizes that are not acceptable). For any money being made by both parties involved, the model should get some compensation. Don’t be shy of creating an agreement for your share in potential profit that will arise if your photos sell. Look at it this way. If the model took the photographers pictures and made profit off the pictures that the photographer took he/she would scream “compensation.” If you are with an agency they won’t let you sign any release to relinquish your rights to your images, especially for TFP. So, why do it voluntarily? Agencies are very weary of who you shoot with and won’t allow you to shoot with just anyone. So be careful if you are on your own. Many models shoot and shoot and repeatedly shoot (doing TFP) – they think and act like they’re a professional model not knowing their image may be used for profit, advertising etc, but without the models permission. Even worst, being exploited.

*If you are shooting stuff on location or studio and the photographer is running really late and has not showed up yet and you are there, waiting, make the right judgment call. The right call may be to leave. Unless of course you are getting paid. But, if it’s TFP, leave. Some photographers with big egos show up when they feel like it. Don’t put up with it.

*Beware of agents who wants to dub you as an escort! It’s very sad…it happens sometimes. Please don’t fall victim!

*Do full research on agencies, agents, managers, photographers on the web. Ask a lot of questions!

*Don’t let anyone disrespect you! You are as important as you think you are!

Adapted from Source:

http://www.istudio.com/1303252