Collaborations & Agencies
Questions to ask an agency before you sign
A short checklist for any agency meeting, so you leave knowing how you'll be paid, what you're agreeing to and how you'd leave.
In short: Before you sign, ask how the agency is paid, how long the contract lasts, what they'll charge you for, and how you'd leave. A good agency answers clearly and doesn't rush you.
Money
What commission do you take, and on what work? Do you also add a fee to the client's bill? Will you charge me for anything, such as test shoots, prints or website listings, and if so when and how much? How long after a job am I paid?
The contract
How long does the contract last, and does it renew on its own? How much notice does either of us need to give to end it? Is it exclusive, and does that cover only modelling, or other work too, such as social media?
How you'll work together
Who will be my booker? Which board will I be on, and what does that mean here? Will you place me with agencies abroad, and who pays for the travel? How do you decide which castings I go to?
Your images
Who can use the images from tests and jobs, and for how long? Can I keep using my own portfolio images?
Signs it's right
Clear answers, in writing, time to read the contract, and no pressure to pay or sign on the spot. If an answer is vague, ask again, or get a second opinion before signing. The guides on Contracts & Usage Rights and Is This Legitimate? go further.
A Few Questions