Your comp card is your passport to the world of modeling. Your comp card (aka zed card) is not only your 'mini-modeling portfolio' it is also your passport to the world of modeling - and it needs to be as up-to-date and professional looking as possible as casting directors will usually make up his or her mind whether to put your card in the 'good' pile instead of the 'reject' pile in two seconds or less.
Think you don't need professional comp cards? A great looking comp card makes you stand out. A great comp card says, "I am a professional, I am to be taken seriously, I will be on time, I am good at this and I am worth $2000 a day (or more)" while amateur looking photos and comp cards say just the opposite.
Think you don't need professional comp cards? A great looking comp card makes you stand out. A great comp card says, "I am a professional, I am to be taken seriously, I will be on time, I am good at this and I am worth $2000 a day (or more)" while amateur looking photos and comp cards say just the opposite.
Comp card and modeling portfolio photographs of Jamie above and all photos below courtesy of Moda Product
Still think you don't need professional comp cards? Then why does every successful working model in the entire world (including Kate Moss's sister Lottie Moss who is pictured at the very top of this page) have one? And why does every top agency in the world have a big rack of women's comp cards on one wall and a big rack of men's comp on another wall?
If an agency likes me they will pay for everything I need to get started, right? In a word, NO. Modeling agencies often hear beginner models say this but, unfortunately, the idea that modeling agencies will pay for startup costs for models is based on misinformation and myth fueled wishful thinking on the part of new models who don't know how the modeling industry really works.
Almost everyone interested in modeling has heard, "Never pay an agency a fee to represent you" or "Never pay an agency for photo shoots, comp cards, etc." Or, "Never get involved with agencies that have ap photographer on staff or take kickbacks from the photographers they refer models to" - which is great advice . But finding a good modeling portfolio photographer and covering your own basic start up costs including photo shoots, website profiles, comp cards, comp card printing, retouching etc. is an absolute necessity if you want to be taken seriously and work on a regular basis.
If an agency likes me they will pay for everything I need to get started, right? In a word, NO. Modeling agencies often hear beginner models say this but, unfortunately, the idea that modeling agencies will pay for startup costs for models is based on misinformation and myth fueled wishful thinking on the part of new models who don't know how the modeling industry really works.
Almost everyone interested in modeling has heard, "Never pay an agency a fee to represent you" or "Never pay an agency for photo shoots, comp cards, etc." Or, "Never get involved with agencies that have ap photographer on staff or take kickbacks from the photographers they refer models to" - which is great advice . But finding a good modeling portfolio photographer and covering your own basic start up costs including photo shoots, website profiles, comp cards, comp card printing, retouching etc. is an absolute necessity if you want to be taken seriously and work on a regular basis.
Agencies were more willing to finance the careers of new models in the 1980's and 1990's. Business was booming back then and many of the top New York and Los Angeles and Miami Beach modeling agencies (Ford, Wilhelmina, Next, Elite , IMG, etc.) were offering incentives to new models because clients were paying huge fees for models and competition between modeling agencies was fierce.
But now, those days are over because the top modeling agencies learned that financing the careers of new models was unsustainable. Many of these agencies lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because new models were unable to fulfill their obligations for reasons that were beyond control of the agency. Models decided they didn't like being away from home or their looks changed or they became difficult to work with or any number of things would happen that would send a new model packing and leave the agency holding the bill.
The majority of models with top agencies in New York, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Chicago, Paris, Milan, etc. did not receive advances to cover start up costs. So don't make the mistake of assuming that the agency will pay for your start up costs as virtually all agencies, large and small, see this as a warning sign of a lack of commitment on the model's part and/or as an indication that one or both parents are not on board - which is a sure fire way to get your agent to drop you on the spot. If an agency is willing to help you financially they will offer it, but keep in mind that this is very rare and only occasionally offered by top agencies in large markets such as Los Angeles, Miami Beach, New York, Chicago, Paris and Milan, you and/or your parents will be required to sign a long term exclusive contract and a 'promise to pay' loan agreement and the agency will deduct what you owe them the minute you book your first job. So in the end, you will end up paying for your start up costs one way or another.
Agencies in smaller markets simply do not have enough cash on hand to finance new models. Agencies in smaller markets, however, are very important to a new model's career. Most models do not start out with top agencies in Los Angeles, Miami Beach, New York, Milan, London or Paris. Instead, they learn the business, develop their look and build their modeling portfolio books while under contract with smaller regional agencies. So, If you have the opportunity to work with a reputable agency in a smaller market, don't pass it up.
But now, those days are over because the top modeling agencies learned that financing the careers of new models was unsustainable. Many of these agencies lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because new models were unable to fulfill their obligations for reasons that were beyond control of the agency. Models decided they didn't like being away from home or their looks changed or they became difficult to work with or any number of things would happen that would send a new model packing and leave the agency holding the bill.
The majority of models with top agencies in New York, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Chicago, Paris, Milan, etc. did not receive advances to cover start up costs. So don't make the mistake of assuming that the agency will pay for your start up costs as virtually all agencies, large and small, see this as a warning sign of a lack of commitment on the model's part and/or as an indication that one or both parents are not on board - which is a sure fire way to get your agent to drop you on the spot. If an agency is willing to help you financially they will offer it, but keep in mind that this is very rare and only occasionally offered by top agencies in large markets such as Los Angeles, Miami Beach, New York, Chicago, Paris and Milan, you and/or your parents will be required to sign a long term exclusive contract and a 'promise to pay' loan agreement and the agency will deduct what you owe them the minute you book your first job. So in the end, you will end up paying for your start up costs one way or another.
Agencies in smaller markets simply do not have enough cash on hand to finance new models. Agencies in smaller markets, however, are very important to a new model's career. Most models do not start out with top agencies in Los Angeles, Miami Beach, New York, Milan, London or Paris. Instead, they learn the business, develop their look and build their modeling portfolio books while under contract with smaller regional agencies. So, If you have the opportunity to work with a reputable agency in a smaller market, don't pass it up.
Models Are Independent Contractors. Fashion models are self-employed 'independent contractors' not 'employees' of an agency. In addition to basic start up costs, professional models are required to cover all of their own promotional expenses such as modeling portfolio photography, composite card printing, website profiles, agency books, headshots, etc. All professional, working models know that this is the cost of doing business and that it is standard in the industry for the model to cover promotional expenses.
Myths and misinformation have held back the careers of thousands of new models. Ironically, top agencies in Miami Beach, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Milan and other major markets are mostly to blame for perpetuating the myth that everything should be free for a new model when they themselves very seldom, if ever, do things that way. If the agency offered to finance the start up costs in the 1980's they would be more likely to win the model over from their competitors. But now, top agencies no longer need to finance new models and even top models that used to get advances are being told they have to cover their own start up costs.
You need exposure to as many agents in as many markets as possible. The more agents that see your modeling portfolio photos and composite cards in major markets like New York, Chicago, Miami Beach and Los Angeles, the better your chances are that you will find work as a professional model. So, how are you going to do that? If you are counting on an agent spotting you on the street or on social media you are going to be waiting a very long time. Successful models are not passive. Successful models promote themselves to as many agents and markets as possible
Don't pass up once in a lifetime opportunities over a few dollars. Marketing yourself is the most important part of having a successful modeling career in NewYork, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami Beach and abroad - and there are many thousands of aspiring models in the world who've had the potential to become top models, but they were so rigid in beliefs based on myths, half-truths and misinformation that they never realized their true potential. Or perhaps they were using the small investment in start up costs as an excuse to quit, who knows? But know this: It is easy to make start up costs back - but you will never be able to get back the opportunity of a lifetime if you let it slip by.
For FREE ASSISTANCE with finding expert comp card and modeling portfolio photographers with decades of experience that also excel at photo retouching, design and printing click HERE
Myths and misinformation have held back the careers of thousands of new models. Ironically, top agencies in Miami Beach, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Milan and other major markets are mostly to blame for perpetuating the myth that everything should be free for a new model when they themselves very seldom, if ever, do things that way. If the agency offered to finance the start up costs in the 1980's they would be more likely to win the model over from their competitors. But now, top agencies no longer need to finance new models and even top models that used to get advances are being told they have to cover their own start up costs.
You need exposure to as many agents in as many markets as possible. The more agents that see your modeling portfolio photos and composite cards in major markets like New York, Chicago, Miami Beach and Los Angeles, the better your chances are that you will find work as a professional model. So, how are you going to do that? If you are counting on an agent spotting you on the street or on social media you are going to be waiting a very long time. Successful models are not passive. Successful models promote themselves to as many agents and markets as possible
Don't pass up once in a lifetime opportunities over a few dollars. Marketing yourself is the most important part of having a successful modeling career in NewYork, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami Beach and abroad - and there are many thousands of aspiring models in the world who've had the potential to become top models, but they were so rigid in beliefs based on myths, half-truths and misinformation that they never realized their true potential. Or perhaps they were using the small investment in start up costs as an excuse to quit, who knows? But know this: It is easy to make start up costs back - but you will never be able to get back the opportunity of a lifetime if you let it slip by.
For FREE ASSISTANCE with finding expert comp card and modeling portfolio photographers with decades of experience that also excel at photo retouching, design and printing click HERE
Zed Pro Comp Cards . Best in model comp card photography, modeling portfolio photography, headshot photography, retouching and comp card printing serving all major markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orange County, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, Miami, Miami Beach, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and all points in between. Modeling portfolio and comp card photographs on this web site (with the exception of Lottie Moss above) courtesy of Moda Bambini Kids Photography and Moda Product