Become a model at 16 years old: Castings, Test shoots, Jobs
Become a model at 16 years old – If you want to become a model at 16, you have the perfect age to start with a model agency. Model agencies specialize in building young talents, and at 16 you are probably about to finish school. Once you have your diploma, you will have enough time to work as a model! Because it’s not just about jobs, as we already wrote in the blog post about becoming a model at 15 years old, you will also need a lot of time if you want to work as an international model abroad. Learn with us what matters when becoming a model![shortcode-variables slug=”casting-de”]
Become a model at 16 years old
Our model agency works with many partners abroad and can therefore help you further your international modeling career, an unbeatable advantage compared to many model agencies. We work with renowned partners in New York, Paris, Milan as well as in Asia at Tokyo Fashion Week and Shanghai Fashion Week. However, as described above, you need a lot of time for an international modeling career. A regular stay at a partner agency abroad lasts for you 45 to 60 days. During this time, you work completely for the partner agency and for their clients.
International image material for your model portfolio
What is the advantage of working abroad? When you work as a model abroad, you come into contact with photographers who have different styles and see images with a different eye. When you then return to your own country, these images stand out in your model portfolio and it becomes clear that you have international experience.
At some point, the better you become as a model, the higher your demands will be on photographers. Eventually, you will only work with the best photographers in your city, and there won’t be many of them, maybe 5 or 50, depending on whether you’re working in a German city like Berlin or in an international megacity like London. Most models, however, don’t come from an international megacity, but from smaller cities with 50,000 or 100,000 inhabitants. In these places, there isn’t a single photographer at an international level, so you also need a model agency that can represent you nationally but also internationally. Only this way can you be sure to take the path that leads to a profitable career.
In addition, there are castings, test shoots, jobs, and more.
You can already see how demanding the job of a model can be. And we haven’t even talked about castings or test shoots or jobs with clients. Models must not only be strictly committed to bringing a lot of ambition and motivation with them, they must still make sure to continue their own education. That’s why school is also so important for you! If you’re ever in small talk with international clients, photographers, makeup artists or stylists, you should be able to keep up.
Training, Training, Training
What’s happening right now in the USA, what’s happening in Asia? If you want to work as a model, you definitely have to look beyond the plate and also deal with other topics. Sometime there might be a shoot in the automotive industry or a moderation at a trade fair, completely outside of fashion. Then you also have to be spontaneous and flexible in adapting to a new situation and a new topic.
Commercials on TV and YouTube
Since you are 16 and about to finish school, you have the perfect age to start as a model. In the last year, you can still focus on building your model portfolio with local photographers. You can take on your first modeling jobs and gain some experience. Once you have practiced for one or two years or completed your first practical jobs, you will be ready for abroad! Especially in your youth, models abroad are in demand because the faces are new and customers are interested in new faces. What’s new is interesting! If you are an interesting type, then apply to us, at CM Models!
Applying to a model agency at 16 years old
If you still want to try your luck now, send us your photos! All our model agency needs from you are two simple photos you can take with your phone. Make sure you are standing in daylight and send us a portrait as well as a full-body photo. In addition, you send us your most important measurements and your contact information. With that, you have taken the first step! Send us your Model Application now.
Tip: Taking Measurements Yourself
Here you see all the important points on the body to take your measurements yourself. Make sure you wear as little clothing as possible when measuring and be honest with yourself when measuring! More information about minimum measurements and proportions for models you can find here:
Too small, too tall, too sporty?
For High Fashion and Haute Couture there are clear guidelines for models, especially for New Faces. If you deviate from the measurements, you still have many opportunities in the Commercial sector. Commercial deals with everything that is “advertising”, from the online shop to TV and YouTube video.
- Sporty model with broad shoulders? Fitness Model
- Too tall for the runway? Models over 180 cm as women?
- Small models and minimum height
When am I a Curvy Model?
Curvy Models in women with a clothing size between 42 and 44. The cup size is also significantly larger and can go up to a G-cup. Curvy Models are just as popular as Plus Size Models because they most closely match the measurements of an average woman. The average woman in Europe has a clothing size 44. This means that even Curvy Models are within the general range with an average clothing size of 42 to 44. We are also very happy to receive your application in our model agency as a Curvy Model.
- Find our Curvy Models! here
Tip: Take your own photos (Polaroids)
Poses and outfits, do you need them? No! We want to see you 100% naturally! With posing tips you can take your perfect model polaroids yourself. The agency needs the following pictures of you:
- A full-body photo from the front (photographed frontally)
- A full-body photo from the side
- A full-body photo from behind (due to hair length)
- A photo of your face (frontal)
- A photo of your profile
- Read more: Model photo / Polaroid
Become a model: Learn for free on CM!
You want to become a model? If you have thought it through carefully and also talked to your parents, then we have everything important for you here, from Buyout over Fitting Model to Showroom. Everything you need to know! From the most important tips for your first fashion show, your first photo shoot or also tips for your model portfolio and the first photo shoots with photographers:
Everything you need to know, you’ll find here: Become a model
Supermodels who started at 16+ years old
Candice Swanpoel
Doutzen Kroes
Behati Prinsloo
Do you want to learn more? Then check out our Become a model Blog or Become a model Guide.
Become a model: Step by step
- Become a model under 18 years – Tips and process
Modeling & Becoming a model from A-Z
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Become a model at 16 — Castings, test shoots and first jobs
What is possible in modeling at 16?
At 16, the spectrum in modeling becomes noticeably broader. Fashion junior campaigns, first runway shows with parental consent, teen and youth magazines as well as first commercial jobs are realistic. Whoever works consistently on their portfolio and experience at 16 is clearly better positioned at 18 than someone who starts later.
Castings at 16 — how does it work?
There are two types of castings: open castings (open castings) and agency-internal castings. For your first open casting, bring an ID photo, current natural photos or a small portfolio, current measurements, and a well-groomed appearance. At the first casting, parents are allowed to be present — serious organizers do not see this as a disturbance.
Test shoots at 16 — TFP and first portfolio building
TFP stands for “Time for Prints”: model and photographer work together without payment. TFP shoots are always done with the knowledge and consent of the parents, always at neutral locations or in professional studios — never in private apartments without other people present.
First Jobs at 16 — Fees and Contract Law
First paid jobs at 16 are possible. Fees vary depending on the employer between 100 and 500 euros per day. The key point: minors cannot enter independent contracts. Every contract requires the signature of both parents or the legal guardian.
Common Questions
How tall do you need to be at 16?
For classic fashion and runway jobs, a minimum height of 174–176 cm usually applies for female models later on. At 16, agencies look at current height, proportions, and potential for development.
At what age are you considered a real model?
The boundary is not the age, but the professionalism: regular jobs, a built-up portfolio, representation by an agency.
What distinguishes 16 from 18 in modeling?
At 18, the requirement for parental consent is lifted, the volume of assignments increases significantly, and access to international agencies opens up.
Snipes x Adidas with Ariane in Berlin - New Streetwear
Model Agency Casting on 22 June in Berlin Mitte: Pre Fashion Week Berlin
Model Casting Barcelona 11.03.2025 - apply now! Date & registration
Artur for the Jack Wills Ski Campaign
Models.com x CM Models Management
Vanity Fair magazine with Diletta Busin
