First and foremost, as people have often asked us this question.
Mink Model Management is a full blown model agency. This means
that we represent and manage models, get them work in all model
genres and take a commission. A model does not necessarily need
professional images to be accepted on Mink, as long as their
natural ones are to an acceptable standard.
Having met you for a face-to-face interview, Mink will only
accept model applicants that we reasonably believe have a real
shot of model success. One has to remember that in this industry,
beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder meaning the paying
client. Succeeding, as a model is not based on what you think of
yourself in terms of your look, figure, height, physique, etc.
Rather, it is based on what the paying client thinks, as they are
the ones spending their money in hiring you. However, we as your
agency do speak up for you, as it is obviously in our interests to
secure you as much work, as possible in order to earn our
commission.
For this reason, models that have potential can be of any height,
look, size, age, background, race and so on. So, if we give you a
chance to be a model, rest assured we will give you all the
modelling exposure and publicity you could ever have, not to
mention place you at the disposal of our many model bookers. If
you don’t succeed, at least you know you tried!
You will need to submit at least 2-3 pictures, which can be
natural or professional. Upon doing so, you will be sent an
automatic welcome email with your login details so keep it in a
safe place. This does not mean that you have been accepted onto
Mink and neither will your login details work on the site, as
your profile would not have been activated. If you have any
problems filling in our online form, you can send your pictures
along with your contact details, age, height, size,
area where you live and any other information to:
applications@mink.org.uk
A member of the new model recruitment team will then try and
contact you if we wish to take you on. The contact will be to
arrange an interview at our offices. If we do not manage to get
hold of you, we will send you an email and text to call us back
and quickly before our model places are taken up. You are also
free to contact us to know the outcome of your application, if
after 3 working days, you have not been contacted.
The interview will last between 30mins to an hour and will
comprise of asking you a some questions about yourself, getting to
know you and taking a few Polaroids, which you will NOT be charged
for. We will also assess key areas such as your range and
diversity, as a would-be Mink model, how you take to the camera
[some of the work you receive be it high or low-end may well
involve you modelling in front of a camera, photographers,
audiences, etc.], your professionalism, attitude, time-keeping,
communication and so on. Quite often, as a model, you will be
working around not just other models but staff associated with the
client. For this reason, we have to see that you are the type that
always acts professional regardless of what is happening around
and any problems or issues thrown at them. Moreover, and if
accepted, the Polaroids we take may be used for the Polaroid
aspect of your professional model profile alongside any
professional ones you may already have. Any model
should ideally have Polaroids, as it suggests to potential clients
that you are professional, prepared and ready for work. When you
come to the interview, you will need to bring along the
professional images you want to use on Mink if you have any.
You will also need to bring some ID such as your passport or
driver’s licence and proof of address so, we can keep a record.
This is all based on you being accepted, of course.
After the interview, you will be informed of the outcome and also,
if accepted, what are conditions of that acceptance will be – if
at all. You will also be given a model contract to sign [or if
under 18, the parent you come with, signs on your behalf]. You
will also have the added option of taking the contract away and
returning it at a later date should you choose.
Within 7 working days, your model profile will go up on the agency
site along and on the relevant model board : Development | Main | Premium | Professional. We would also need
to have your signed model contract, as well. Whilst you are well
within your rights to make any changes you wish to your model
profile [i.e. update your photos, change your headline photo,
measurements, etc], after it formally goes up, it will
automatically go down until those changes have been approved by
our model profile team. This can take up to 2 working days.
Ever noticed when you look at the profiles of some of the UK’s top
models, that many have pictures of themselves on the cover of
magazines, in editorials, on location shoots and so on? This is
how a model builds their model profile and portfolio. This, is
hopefully, where we hope to get you to, but will need your maximum
input, as well. LASTLY.. Any model agency in the world will tell
you that, succeeding as a model - be it a part time or full time
one, younger or older one, plus size or non plus size or whatever
category you are in – is not a one-way street. Yes, the agency’s
job is to effectively and successfully represent you but they
cannot do it without a significant contribution from you. By you,
we mean things such as…. Excellent Communication and Time-Keeping
at all times Accepting as many jobs, as possible, as long as they
are within your stated availability times (e.g. if you are in
education, mostly weekends, half term and the holidays) Return
emails and calls concerning work offers quickly. Remember, clients
pay the models’ fees and so, they have plenty of choices
concerning models eager to be hired. So, they are unlikely to hang
around waiting for you to return a call and neither is the model
agency! When taking calls from the agency or client OR indeed
communicating with them, do not answer, text or email, as if you
were speaking to a mate. Try and be professional at all times, as
it can go a long way in the clients’ eyes. Try and keep in
constant communication with the agency in terms of your
availability should it change. Model bookers do not like
unpleasant surprises, especially after they may have worked hard
behind the scenes to secure you a job, only to find out you're (for
example) out of the country, not available for work, number does
not work or your email is bouncing back. In short, kindly keep us
updated with any material changes that may affect your work
availability schedule. If on the way to a job, having been
provided with the job schedule by your model booker, you get lost
or delayed for example, please make sure you update the agency and
as early as possible. If you do not so, the agency may not
necessarily take you off its books, but you may go down in the
pecking order for your particular model category.