Perth Modelling Agencies – How to get modelling jobs in Perth without them.

If you’re interested in getting started in modelling or are searching for Perth modelling jobs, here is a guide to modelling in Perth which may help you get started quickly, saving you time and money.
 
Modelling in Perth is a popular activity for females and males of all ages ranging from toddlers as young as 1 yr, teenagers, young adults, and mature age.  You may be searching for modelling opportunities for a variety of reasons.  Here are the top 4 reasons why you may want to start modelling:

Perth Modelling Jobs : Where are the Opportunities?

Previously only large companies could afford big budget advertising campaigns on TV, glossy magazines, and newspaper advertisements.  When these expensive campaigns are broadcast to a wide audience it is critical the best models are chosen that appeals to the largest number of people in the target market.

 
In today’s world, for every one large company there are tens of thousands of small and medium sized businesses who can afford to advertise on social media.  TV ads have given way to YouTube, glossy magazines have been replaced by websites and newspaper ads have been replaced by the newsfeed on Facebook or Instagram.  With the cost of advertising on social media a fraction of the cost of traditional ads, and over a ten times more effective, more and more businesses are now searching for models and social media influencers to get their brand message out there.
 
Consumers have also become more savvy.  Gone are the days of an attractive model holding up a product they don’t know anything about or haven’t used themselves.  Consumers want the real deal, preferring to follow real life role-models they can relate to, who have genuinely experienced products or services and are speaking passionately about them.  Authenticity is now key. 
 
Consumers have also shifted their focus towards niche services and products.  Instead of trying to find the “perfect face” to attract a wider audience, the trend now is to find multiple models / characters who can relate to a segmented audience.  This means more opportunities for a wider range of models.

Head stylist of Mercedes Fashion Week Kate Gaskin says “Diversity has created a big, overall shift in fashion here and overseas. We’re moving away from the same, stereotypical girls to more individuality, more personality.”
 
Kate says casting is more about merit, ability and quirkiness now. “Ethnicity, sexuality, even height aren’t relevant, as long as a girl fits the concept”

Local Perth business Zubias Threading used to only have a single model face a 5 years ago.  In recent years they have shifted to having multiple faces for their business (2 females & 1 male) and are now searching for more social media influencers as brand ambassadors.   This is a good example how the number of model opportunities in Perth has grown, from 1 model to 3+ models each year, just from one business alone.

Perth Modelling Jobs : How to get them?

Although there is still a role for a few Perth Modelling agencies who specialise in catwalk and high fashion, much of the modelling opportunities in Perth is freelance modelling work.
 
Gone are the days of relying on a modelling agency to find you work.  Using today’s social media platforms, a world of opportunity is accessible with just a few clicks of the button.
 
Before the internet, if a client wanted a model for a creative project they would have to contact a modelling agency, arrange an appointment at their office and physically browse through their books, which contained comp cards of each model.  The modelling agency would then check the availability of the model, negotiate and handle all the administrative matters.  This whole process would usually take days or a few hours at best.
 
With today’s high speed internet a client can search numerous freelance model portfolio sites or make requests on community facebook groups and establish direct contact with models immediately, within minutes!  This eliminates the need for multiple handling of communications, hence no need for any modelling agency to be involved.  This is ideal for small to medium sized businesses who are operating on smaller budgets and have time to search for models.

Benefits to Freelance Modelling in Perth

• You are the boss in your own business.  You control your own destiny, you schedule the times you want to work and the income you want to earn.  You don’t have to rely on a middleman or modelling agency to bring you work.
• No need to pay commissions to a modelling agency.  You get to keep more money and your client will save money too.
• You’re free to accept any jobs you want, provided it doesn’t conflict with any prior agreements you’ve had.  Eg.  If you have modelled for a major Brand,  you will usually have to agree that you won’t model for a competing Brand in the same industry for a certain amount of time or until your contract expires.

The Perth Modelling industry is relatively small compared to the likes of Sydney, Melbourne, London, Milan, New York.  However this doesn’t mean there is little work.  In fact, with more Perth businesses using social media, there is an increasing demand for fresh faces to be brand ambassadors.
 
The first step to securing modelling assignments is to be found.  It’s as simple as creating an account on one of the many model portfolio platforms, and uploading your photos to show what you look like.  Potential clients are then able to find you on their searches and contact you if you’re suitable for their modelling assignment.  Most of the model portfolio sites offer free trial accounts, so it doesn’t hurt to be featured on a few of these platforms.
 
Competition for modelling jobs can be quite tough, as there are hundreds of other Perth models which show up on these model portfolio platforms aswell.  This brings us to the second step:  Ensure your model portfolio stands out from the crowd!  Here are some helpful tips:

Your Modelling Portfolio - How to Stand out from the Crowd

• Have a clean well lit headshot as your feature thumbnail.  No dark shadows on your face, no distracting backgrounds.  You may have the most amazing model portfolio photos, however no one is going to see them if they aren’t attracted to click on your feature thumbnail first.
• Ensure your model portfolio showcases your diversity.  Closeups, 3/4 Shot, Full length, with various expressions.  The more sides to your personality you can show the better.
• Less is More!  Quality over Quantity.  It’s better to have 5 high impact images than to have 50 medicore ones.
• Ensure your personality and passion for modelling is conveyed in your blurb / description of yourself.  However, keep it short and succinct.

Before you start browsing your mobile phone for your best selfies to upload, just consider the quality of mobile phone photos.  Will they serve you and present you in the best light?  Do your photos look professional?   Are your photos comparable to what we would expect in a commercial advertisement, fashion magazine or billboard?

This is where we recommend models get a headstart by having a professional modelling portfolio organised.  If businesses invest good money on having their products photographed beautifully to be promoted online, shouldn’t you consider having yourself photographed professionally as well?  

Safety First - Some things to watch for

 Although the Perth modelling scene is relatively safe, here are some tips and things to watch out for:

• Be careful of any “Model Agencies” who ask for significantly high joining fees. Sometimes admin fees are valid, however it should generally be under $100.
• Be cautious of any “Model Agencies” who insist you purchase another model portfolio shoot with them, even though you already have a professional model portfolio.   Exception : It’s quite acceptable to add additional photos to your portfolio if you don’t have that particular character or look, or if your appearance has changed significantly and you need to update your portfolio.
• Ask the “Model Agency” if they have an agency license from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.  The Employment Agents Act 1976 (Act) requires a person carrying on the business of an employment agent to obtain a licence.  Section 5 of the Act provides that an employment agent is a person who obtains work for persons seeking to be employed or who acts for employers to find employees.  A person can be an employment agent whether or not this work is all, or part, of what they do for a living.
• If you’re attending any casting calls, interviews, or photo sessions,  we recommend going with a chaperone, especially if it’s the first meeting and if it’s in a questionable location like a private home or secluded public space.
• When approached in real life or online by any talent scouts, model agents, photographers, ask for their website and social media presence.  Does the quality of their work look professional?  Are there positive reviews?  Which well known brands or clients have they worked with?
• Before you start browsing your mobile phone for your best selfies to upload, just consider the quality of mobile phone photos.  Will they serve you and present you in the best light?  Do your photos look professional?   Are your photos comparable to what we would expect in a commercial advertisement, fashion magazine or billboard?

We hope this information helps you find your way onto the Perth Modelling scene.