Model jobs: how to start and avoid scammers
Updated November 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Models are needed for shoots, fashion shows, promotions, trade shows and events. Getting into the profession is easier than it seems — but it also has more scammers than it should. Here is how to start right.
Kinds of work
- Photo and video shoots: catalogues, ads, beauty, social media.
- Fashion shows and showrooms.
- Promo models at trade shows, launches and shopping centres.
- Hostesses and models at events and on yachts.
Where to start
You need a few quality photos without heavy editing: a close-up of your face, full length and profile. That is enough for your first applications. A bigger portfolio can grow gradually through real projects and test shoots (TFP).
How pay works
Usually per day or per project, and per shift for promotions. An agency takes a percentage of your fee — it does not take money from the model. For figures by country, see the models’ salary page.
The main trap
A “model school”, being “added to the database”, a compulsory paid shoot with “their” photographer. A real agency earns from your bookings. If the first step is to pay, the business is built on dreams, not on work.
Never pay for a casting, a database or training as a condition of work. Check the agency’s profile and reviews.
Contracts abroad
Before leaving, get a contract: what the agency pays for, what is deducted from your fees, whether a minimum of bookings is guaranteed and whether you can leave early. And go through our “Working abroad” checklist.
Where to look
The “Models”, “Castings” and “Yachts & events” categories in the Vacancies section, plus model and event agencies in the Employers section.