Any aspiring model has a need or responsibility to know and become familiar with the day-to-day terms and jargon of the industry.

Agency

This refers to the modeling agency with which you have registered. Modeling agencies are responsible for their model’s safety, overall work experience, pay, and all other aspects of their work.

bookers

They are also known as model managers and are the main point of contact for models and clients. Bookers have the important responsibility of acquiring customers, selecting the right models and the pay rate for each job. They also have to report relevant models of job opportunities and any other relevant details.

cast call

Casting calls are different from agency interviews and are specific to the clients and jobs you are applying for as a model. Agency interviews ask general questions and want to find out more about you as a person and see what kind of modeling job suits you best as a model. The casting call features specific requirements requested by clients, such as the specific age, ethnicity, and gender expected by potential clients.

Customer

Client refers to the person or organization seeking a modeling agency to hire models for their specific project or work need. In general there are 2 categories, commercial and fashion clients. Commercial projects, such as TV commercials or print ads, need people of various types, and most models are eligible for these jobs. Another is fashion, where clients tend to be from editorials, runway modeling, and so on.

courtesy card

The abbreviation for composite card is a business card for models that is also given to clients. It contains headshots on the front and body shots on the back of the card usually. It also contains the vital statistics of a model.

close up photography

Another term for portraiture or portrait photography in which the model’s neck and face (sometimes can include the shoulders) are in focus. Facial features and emotional expressions loom large in these shots.

briefcase

It contains a business card, test sessions, other project photos and all the important details and information about a model. If a client is interested in a model, they are presented with a portfolio of that model for their consideration.

explorers

Sometimes known as a Scouting Agent, he is the person responsible for finding and attracting new and potential models to the agency. They go to city centers and other high-profile events, like beach parties, to scout for talent and offer them opportunities to join the agency. Scouters are trained to be aware of the needs of the industry and must be professional in their engagement with the public.

vital statistics

These are important numbers that indicate which modeling category you will fall into. This helps cut back and place you in jobs that suit your body type. The 3 numbers that make up your vital statistics are your bust, waist, and hip size.

With the important terms above, we hope that you can use this knowledge effectively to better communicate as a model.