Become a model Frankfurt: Agency, Jobs and Travel – Questions and Answers
Frankfurter Models – Today we wanted to give all young aspiring models in Frankfurt am Main a little insight into the work of a model agency in Frankfurt. Did you know that most jobs actually take place outside of Frankfurt? But let’s start with the basic questions that arise around the topic of modeling. Becoming a model is quite demanding, because you start during school. You must therefore not only focus on good grades, but also on maintaining and continuously improving your requirements.
Become a model in Frankfurt Main: How it works
But basically, the first question that always arises is:
How old do I have to be to start modeling?
If you want to be represented and managed by an international model agency like ours, you should be at least 15 years old. Before that, we recommend you, as a model agency, to fully concentrate on school.
- Become a model at 13 years old – Wait a little longer
- Become a model at 14 years old – First steps and todos
- Become a model at 15 years old – Building up during school time
- Become a model at 16 years old – Preparation for school end / jobs
- Become a model under 18 years old – Tips and process
Of course, the modeling industry is not only about teenagers and teen models, but also includes models aged 20, 30, or even 60, so-called Best Ager. We also have tips for you!
Full concentration on school
Good grades and a solid basic education will help you a lot later in your job. After all, the better you become, the more you need to catch flights, reach hotels on time in constantly new cities, where you have to constantly find your way around again. Sometimes you also need to show some spontaneity for small advertising jobs or moderations. After the shoots or during breaks, there are small chats. If you then have a magazine shoot and cannot socialize with the others outside of the set, who have usually seen a lot of the world, you won’t shine as much without good general knowledge. However, the closer you get to the end of your school time, the more frequently you will also receive booking requests from your model agency or even cities outside of Frankfurt. Often there are travel days, so you will be away for two or three days. The better your grades are, the more likely your school is willing to grant this freedom.
Legal requirements and labor law
The second important point regarding the minimum age of 15 years are the labor laws and regulations in Germany. At 15 years old, you can already work much more freely, but under 15 years old you need special permissions, for example from the youth welfare office as well as from a specialist doctor. In an international model agency like ours, you work a lot with fashion and products for a target group that is also only over 16 years old. That is why international model agencies focus on models aged 15 and 16 when building up their business.
International Jobs and Clients
The third important point, if you want to work internationally, you need time for travel. Such a stay abroad usually lasts at least 45 days, often even 60 days. The only time students really have for such a long stay, including travel, are the summer holidays. However, summer holidays are generally quiet times, not only in Germany but also abroad. Families go on vacation and less is produced. Naturally, there are also significantly fewer jobs for models. Some agencies, in Paris or also in Milan, even close down completely for one or two weeks during this time. The peak season for such a stay is then again from September to December and afterwards from February to July.
In which cities are there the most jobs for models?
If you want to start your career from Frankfurt, your focus will initially be on Germany and the larger cities near you. These include especially Cologne but also Dusseldorf. The simple rule says that the more people live in a city, the more jobs, more advertising agencies, more manufacturing companies but also more service providers and more advertising opportunities in the city center there are. The second factor is the location of the city, for example, there is a clear top 10 in Germany. The most jobs as a model you can get in Berlin and Hamburg. Especially in Berlin, many international productions take place, in Hamburg there are many media agencies and therefore also many opportunities for models. After that come Munich, Cologne and just behind that stands Frankfurt am Main, Hanover but also Dusseldorf.
Alternatives for Frankfurt models: Cologne, Berlin and Frankfurt
In Frankfurt am Main it’s definitely worth looking in the direction of Cologne and Dusseldorf. But also in Frankfurt you can already do some interesting and exciting jobs.
What jobs are there in Frankfurt? In Frankfurt you can of course do a wide range of jobs. For example, you can work for fashion designers in the Frankfurt city center and present fashion to customers from all over the world. Showrooms are closed events, on site there are usually only the fashion designers, someone from marketing and two representatives of the customer. You present the fashion on the body. This is called Fitting Model. In Frankfurt you will also do many jobs in showrooms at the beginning of your modeling career. In addition, you will do your first photoshoots as a model in Frankfurt. Probably most for Instagram and with growing experience also for the first Frankfurt online Stores. Whether it’s about fashion, products from the technology industry or sports. The better you get and the more diverse, the higher the chances that customers will book you for jobs in Frankfurt.
With increasing experience, the productions also grow in size. If you are top-class, you’ll make it into the first commercials as well, such as this one for Opel, produced with three of our models near Frankfurt! With a production team of over 50 people, a helicopter, more than ten cars that are all visible in the spot, and an entire production team behind.
Quantum leap – Commercial with 3 CM models
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr9TN_rlcuw
How do I apply with a Frankfurt model agency?
For your application in Frankfurt, you don’t need much – the experienced eyes of the model agency can see the requirements for models at a glance. All we need from you as a model agency are three to four photos. Importantly, you don’t need to book a professional photographer separately to improve your model portfolio. At the beginning, for the application, simple phone photos are enough for us as an agency.
It is important that you are visible in daylight. You should not wear makeup or styling, so that nothing distracts from you as a person. Because naturalness is also the most important thing for the clients later on. When negotiating with clients or sending models abroad, many decisions are made based on Polaroids. Polaroids are exactly these simple shots. Without styling, makeup, special outfit, nothing distracts from you. The background is a simple concrete wall, you stand straight in front of the camera, look into the lens, without posing and emotions. Naturalness is the A&O.
Read more about this topic here: Model Polaroids.
Do’s and Don’ts for Frankfurt Models
If you really want to become a model, you should also avoid any unnatural influences in advance. This includes simple gel nails as well as going to a tanning salon, hair extensions, lip fillers – avoid everything! Because you are beautiful just the way you are!
Application in a model agency
Below you simply send your image material to the Model agency, along with some data as well as your contact information, your name, place of residence, but also the most important measurements, as well as your body and clothing size. Should a model agency be interested in you, it will contact you relatively quickly, most likely already within five days. Therefore, the process does not take that long. If you do not receive a response from the model agencies, it means you did not fit the look. Avoid asking questions, as each model agency has limited capacity and wants to fully focus on the models. If you were in an agency tomorrow, you would also want full attention. If you do not fit, you should accept this and try your luck in another agency.
How tall do I need to be as a model in Frankfurt?
The body height plays a decisive role, even though there is no completely uniform scale of measurements. The fashion world particularly focuses on a minimum body height of 175 cm for women. You should not be taller than 181 cm. With this height, you have the perfect size for tailored clothing as well as, for example, fashion shows in Frankfurt. Meanwhile, when applying for the position of male model, you should be at least 186 cm tall and no more than 190 cm. This fits perfectly with the female cast, even if they wear high heels. It is important that you, as a man, are not overly trained and have a defined body, but not a muscular physique.
These are the requirements for models who want to enter the fashion industry. Of course, measurements can also vary, models who are 170 cm tall can also be successful, but statistically they will be less likely to. However, if you still make an effort and show full commitment, who knows! Likewise, you can be more trained as a man, for example, if you want to become a fitness model. In an international agency like ours, you should, however, generally meet the requirements.
Tip! Here you will find good fitness studios in Frankfurt
The ready-to-wear size for women should be between 32 and 36. For curvy models, ready-to-wear sizes from 42 are generally applicable. For men, the ideal ready-to-wear size at the beginning of a career is between 48 and 52. If you want to know more about the minimum measurements, take a look at the requirements for models here.
- Women
Height for Fashion: 176 – 180cm / International
Height for Advertising: 172 – 181cm / Germany
Slender figure, usually long hair
- Men
Height for Fashion: 186 – 190cm / International
Height for Advertising: 184 – 194cm / Germany
Slender or slightly athletic figure
What happens after my Agency registration in Frankfurt am Main?
The following steps differ greatly depending on your age or the time you still have left in school. For example, if you still have two more years of school, the first two years will focus on building your portfolio and preparing it for both the national and international market. Your agency will arrange appointments with good photographers who can help further your portfolio. It is important for you to always pay attention to quality; it is better to have a few good photos than a large number of merely decent images. Because, especially when you are competing as a model, for example for jobs in other cities like Hamburg or Berlin, you need a strong portfolio that allows the client to recognize how good you are at first glance.
After the first year, things start slowly with the first jobs, it takes a little time because you first have to build up a model book and you need to perform well in school in order to get free days for most productions, almost all of them are during the week. If you add a travel day and a day for the return trip, plus the booking for two days, you’re quickly out for a week. Therefore, you will work even less during school time and initially do smaller jobs as well as the previously mentioned showrooms in Frankfurt Innenstadt or for Frankfurt online stores or social media channels like Instagram photoshoots.
If you are already at the end of your school years at the agency, the topic of placement abroad may already be on the agenda. As a model, you should always be moving forward, from Frankfurt to Berlin, from Berlin to the London Fashion Week, and from London to Milan, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Exactly this is the plan of an international model agency and the reason why you are playing in the top league here. This requires special commitment, self-interest, and of course a constant will to improve yourself. The job of a model is very demanding!
More on the topic of modeling and becoming a model?
If you are determined to become a model, you can read many interesting tips about modeling in our blog here. We have not only exciting information for models from Frankfurt but also for your career in other cities as well as abroad. Read interesting interviews as well as experience reports from our models from Milan, Paris or cities like Istanbul. Read more about the topic here:
If you want to apply directly at our model agency as a Frankfurt model, you will find all the information and the application form here, model application.
Looking for accommodation and a real estate agent
Many models from the Frankfurt area eventually move to the big city. That’s where the life, the customers, the jobs are. But what to do if you want to find a nice apartment or condominium? Time is very valuable for models, as they often move from job to job. Many viewing appointments are simply not possible. If you want to save time searching for and viewing apartments, we have tips for you in Frankfurt! In the FIV Magazine you will find many tips on apartment searching and real estate agents in Frankfurt:
- Real Estate Agents Frankfurt – Recommendation
- Top Real Estate Agents in Frankfurt – List
- Apartment Viewing Tips – What you need to know!
- Moving Checklist – Don’t forget anything
- Rent or buy – What does the expert recommend?
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