How to Apply to Agencies

Online submissions

Applying properly, and knowing what a genuine scout looks like, saves a lot of wasted time and risk. Submit unedited digitals, accurate measurements, and your contact details through an agency's official website form. Use a clear subject line if emailing directly, something like "New Talent Submission, your name, your height", and attach reasonably sized image files rather than huge, unoptimised originals that might bounce back.

Allow two to three weeks for a response. If you haven't heard anything, it's fine to reapply in around six months with updated digitals rather than repeatedly following up in the meantime.

Open calls

Attend during an agency's designated walk-in hours, wearing simple, fitted clothing and minimal makeup, with clean heels or boots on hand. This is the most direct route in, you're seen in person rather than judged from a photo alone.

Verifying a scout is real

Scouting does happen, including through Instagram DMs, but it's also one of the more common entry points for scams. Cross-reference anyone claiming to scout for an agency against that agency's official bio or website, and where possible call the agency's actual reception desk directly to confirm the person is who they say they are.

Being visible on a public, well-kept Instagram helps here too, scouts and bookers are on social media more than ever, and a strong, findable profile means they can already see your range before you've even applied. See Being Visible on Social Media for how to set that up.

How not to approach scouts yourself

If you're the one reaching out, keep it professional and brief. Don't message a scout or booker like they're a friend, and don't act as though you're owed a response or already deserve to be signed, that reads badly and is a fast way to get ignored entirely. A short, polite message with your digitals and measurements says everything that needs saying.