Become a freelance model - advice from Neon Models

If you want to break into modelling, one of the first questions to ask yourself is whether you’d prefer to join a modelling agency or go freelance.

Of course, you might decide to chase both routes and see which one works out the best, and that’s a good idea too, if you have the time and resources to do so.

An important fact to be aware of is that even if you are signed to a modelling agency, you’re not actually ‘employed’ by the modelling agency and there is no guarantee that they are actually going to get you any paid work. They are an ‘agent’ that means they deal in making introductions and getting a commission of the fee that the model is paid by the client, and sometimes an additional introduction fee.

For this reason, freelance models may find it more lucrative to go directly to the clients, and cut out the agencies fees.

Of course, getting in front of clients is easier said than done, and freelance models – especially those just starting out – have to do a lot more legwork, networking, meeting the right people, making the right connections.

A freelance model also has to take care of the business side of being a model, and that means invoicing clients, chasing payment and making sure all the correct contracts and other paperwork is in place. There is plenty of advice out there and you can find free templates for most contracts, but you need to make sure you do your research.

If you do have the right kind of drive and skills to become a freelance model, then of course the main benefit is that you get to keep all of your hard earned cash. With agency fees averaging about 20%, that can add up quite quickly. On top of that, you have a lot more control over where and when you work and you’re not limited by an agency contract which restricts who you can work for.

Find out more about freelance modelling