Do Print Models Travel?

A model asked me about moving to NYC from Texas and if she should do it, and if models travel to work with agencies. This is my reply:


To be honest commercial print models do not travel much. You do not jet to Paris for a print job, usually when you book work you are working locally. For example if you live in NYC, you get sent on castings in the NYC area, not LA or anywhere else.
You work in the city you live typically and since many modeling castings and bookings are last minute you have to be available in that city like that second.

However for ad campaign that involves a beach or something not in your area,city, town, then you might be flown to a location for a day or two shoot.

For some modeling bookings you might be picked up in a car and then taken to a location in a nearby city, like if you live in NYC you might be driven to White Plains ( a near by city) for a job, or Long Island, or something.

Typically what is best is living in a market/ aka a city that is highly populated with magazine headquarters, brand headquarters and showrooms, is better because there are more modeling agencies for print.

In Houston there might not be a lot of agencies, but you can capture some modeling work by being aggressive with your own marketing, for example; attend events, approach aspiring designers, and new business owners in your city. Start Googling "jewelry + houston" handbags + houston" and try to find some aspiring brands you can work with.

Modeling is a growth, do not expect to be jet set and traveling the world as a print model. especially as a new one. So NO you should not move anywhere until you have experience. Even in NYC when you live near agencies and more brands and such it doesn't mean you will not be struggling. Modeling is tough no matter where you live. Just because an agency is interested doesn't mean you should move. Interested and booking enough work to pay your bills are two different things and usually girls come here with big dreams and end up bartending for their life, so right now, until you have some experience, tearsheets, and have something to move with that says you can model, along with a side interest that can pay your bills...don't move.

Don't get naive thinking you will move here and be a star, not to bust down anyones dreams but the reality is, shorter girsl, commercial print models DO work and there are opportunities in print for a petite girl, BUT she should not expect to be so super that in a matter of months she is rolling in dough and has enough to live on just because one print modeling agency thinks she has potential.

Right now it is slow, and many agencies even the big ones are not bringing many jobs.

I hope this helps. It is ok to keep your goals local, Google some oportunities in the Houston area, if you do move to a city with more advertisers and magazines then you to have something to SHOW, such as some experience.

strive to be who you want to be,

Isobella