If models don’t help themselves, the chances of being chosen by our clients are dramatically reduced. If a model hasn’t been offered a modelling assignment for some time, it could be that their portfolio looks tired, stale and outdated. Also, it could also be the case that we’ve tried to contact a model, only to find that they’ve changed email address and mobile numbers – both scenarios defeat the object of being available for work. Help yourselves by helping us, which in turn helps our clients when they come to making decisions about which models they’d prefer to appear in their modelling campaigns.   

As a government-regulated modelling employment agency in the UK, our team of professionals are experts at presenting the right models to our clients. We’ve been doing this for three decades, so the brands that rely on us have total faith in our judgement. After we’ve read the modelling briefs, we shortlisted a group of registered models and contact the client. They can then peruse a model’s portfolio and decide which models they’d like to work with them. We’ll then get in touch with the successful models and offer them the assignment.

Models will know if they’ve been booked for a job when we contact them with the good news that they’ve been chosen by our client. This is usually done by email or a phone call. We tend to tell a model about their offered job as soon as a client tells us which model (s) they have chosen.

It’s then a model’s decision to accept the job. Most do, naturally, but others may decline because of unavailability or travel restrictions. That’s fine, and we always understand when a model turns down a booking. When a model accepts the job, we’ll pass them more details (client name, point of contact, job location, special requirements / specific clothing etc), and discuss their fee with them.

We’ll always been in touch with models prior to their job, as well as during and post-job. Our team are available at any time during office hours to assist in any way they can. Models are not alone on jobs – we know that support before, during and after a modelling shoot is vital for a model’s success.

It’s important to note that some bookings are done at the last minute, not through the lack of preparation, but more so because complications and cancellations can – and do – happen.

Don’t be disheartened if our clients haven’t selected your skills for a little while after registering with us. With the amount of clients and jobs on offer, it’ll only be a matter of time before you get recognised. In the meantime, keep the faith, and show us your current looks by way of new photos on your portfolio.

It’s a fair enough request. We’ve never shied away from informing our clients and models how we conduct our work. A level of transparency is beneficial to a sound working process, so we’re happy to tell others how we book models for all assignments.

We initially receive a brief from our clients, asking for the models we think will serve the client’s needs the best. These briefs usually come by email. We receive several of them daily, as our loyal client list is the most extensive in the UK. A client’s brief can be as simple as “Male model wanted for commercial shoot”, or as detailed as “Mature model aged 65 years – 75 years required for short video as part of a government advert in the EC2N area of London.” A lot of briefs give the specific dates the shoot will take place on. We gave London as an example, but it’s important to know that we operate anywhere in the UK, Ireland and in other countries farther afield – see the fabulous photo of our model Darin, who packed his passport and was whisked off to Spain for a sunny photo shoot.  

After reading briefs, it’s over to our team. We consist of experienced booking professionals who know exactly what our clients need for successful marketing assignments and commercial adverts.

Our team study registered models, gathering their looks, geographical locations and ages, all of which match the brief. We’ll then recommend them to the client in question, which includes giving them access to a model’s all-important portfolio.

The client will then spend time perusing our recommendations before telling us which model (s) they’d like us to contact with the good news. We’ll get in touch with models to offer them the assignment. At this stage, any model can accept or refuse the assignment. We understand that circumstances change, so the timing of the assignment might not be convenient for some models.

When models accept the job (and in most cases they do), we’ll tell our client and arrange all the necessary booking details at our office. This includes informing the model:

• The client’s name and chief contact on the day.
• The location of the assignment.
• Timings of the assignment.
• Any necessary details, e.g. specific clothing to take.
• Their fee (which is paid to all models within 5 working days upon completion of the job)
• Our booking agent’s details.
• That we keep in touch with models prior, during and after their booking.

Key points for all models to know are:

• If you haven’t been offered work sooner than you’d expect, don’t give up. Modelling is competitive, so keep your portfolios updated with current photos.
• We have a sixth sense in knowing what types of models our clients are looking for, but it’s always our client’s decision which models are picked.
• If you refuse an assignment once chosen, we won’t treat you any differently when looking for future bookings.
• We’re always available to speak to for advice, tips and help.

Both clients and models respect our booking process for being straightforward and effective.

It’s proven to be successful for decades. We look forward to booking you as one of our next models, whether it’s part of a film shoot in Devon or a photo session in Scotland. We cover all corners of the UK, giving models better opportunities to shine on assignment.  

I loved the whole experience, and already can’t wait to do my next modelling job. I would recommend it to anyone, not just for monetary side or the fame, but for the confidence it gives you.  My booker Molly was amazing, and I would recommend Models Direct to anyone.