There is no greater rush than getting on 
stage in top form and showing off all of your hard work to the roar and applause of the audience. But let’s face it, at the end of the day every competitor wants to book paid gigs. That’s what it’s all about!
In this post I’m going to show you a few simple tricks to help you get noticed, sign with a reputable agency, and start booking paid gigs as a fitness model. I am also going to try to dispel several myths about paid fitness modeling work which I find to be very prevalent these days.
There is a TON of competition out there these days…with tons of aspiring fitness models all battling to pull off the so-called holy grail of fitness modeling which is gracing the cover of a top fitness magazine…or as a consolation prize…getting published in a magazine.
It’s sort of funny, everyone wants to land their own magazine cover, whether it be IRONMAN, Muscle & Fitness, FLEX, etc you get the point…everyone seems to want to be “that guy” or “that girl” on the front of the mag.
Is it cool to have your own cover? Damn right it is.
Will it put thousands of dollars into your pocket and help you live the ultimate Hollywood lifestyle? Not so fast my friend.
While it is super cool to get published in a fitness magazine, I don’t want to hype you up and send you out to the wolves with false hope. There is a big misconception that you’ll make an insane amount of money if you land on the cover of a fitness magazine…and that’s a BIG myth. While price ranges vary, you may want to expect something between $300-$1000, but probably somewhere around $500. So don’t quit your day job just yet and pack your bags for Hollywood…
As great as fitness modeling is, most gigs just don’t pay very much (especially fitness magazine work) so it is very important to stay focused and work hard so you can book larger commercial gigs down the road. (Commercials, infomercials, sponsorships, print ads for companies, etc.)
I just wanted to clear this major point up before we got started so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into if you are new to the industry. Fitness modeling work is great, and I love it, but chances are you won’t get rich from it…at least not at first. So don’t quit your day job just yet!
Ok so now that we’ve cleared that up, let me show you the easiest ways to get noticed and published in your favorite fitness magazine.
A good way to get noticed that many new fitness models overlook is contacting the magazines directly. But before you decide to hit up any major publications you should ask yourself if your physique is even READY to be in a magazine. Do you have a comparable physique to the models in the issue?
If you do, then it is definitely worth your time to contact the magazines. If you feel your physique isn’t quite ready, you can probably make better use of your time by focusing on improving your physique and contacting the magazines later. However, if you are a serious physique competitor and have done a few shows, chances are your physique is more than ready.
But the big question is…who the heck do you send your information to?
A little trick you can use to find out who to send your information to is to simply look inside the magazine and try to identify the art director. This person is usually listed inside of the magazine where it lists the credits of the editors, photographers, etc. Then all you have to do is simply find the mailing address of the magazine (it should be on that page) and then send them your media kit with your cover letter, resume, stats, and photos. Just be sure to include your contact information and put (ATTN Art Director) on the envelope.
If they are interested they will contact you so don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear anything back right away, these people are extremely busy, and sometimes you just won’t hear anything. Just don’t forget to follow up 4-6 weeks later. You can even submit new photos at this time. Hopefully you should have another test shoot done (hint hint).
Getting noticed isn’t easy, and most of the time your media kit will find the bottom of the pile when you mail it in (because thousands of other aspiring models also submit stuff each month) but a surefire way to put yourself in the company of the elite photographers, agencies, and sponsors is to compete in men’s physique competitions.
Back in the day, this type of opportunity was unheard of but there is a giant circuit of men’s physique competitions worldwide where thousands of fitness models can compete for the top spot. Most of the fitness models that you see in the big magazines are all previous winners and competitors of men’s physique shows.
Fitness modeling competitions, such as men’s physique shows, are without a doubt one of the best ways to “get noticed” by the top supplement companies, magazines, photographers, agencies, and other media outlets. As an example, the last fitness model competition I did…I remember the WWE was there recruiting along with all of the major magazines, as well as several top agencies and supplement companies.
Where else can you go and market yourself to all of these kinds of people at once? I can’t think of ANYWHERE…
Men’s physique events will showcase who you are as a person, AND as a fitness model. You will have a tremendous opportunity at each one of these competitions, not only to win, but to get noticed because all of the big names in the industry will all be there. There is no better opportunity than this to jump start your career.
Think you have what it takes?
Search this site for upcoming competitions and try to decide which event works best for you and your schedule. Who knows, you may get signed on the spot and be the next fitness modeling sensation!
How To Get Signed With A Modeling Agency
Ok now that you have done a test shoot or two and perhaps competed in a show and got your name out there, perhaps it is time to start looking for an agency. This part always scares new fitness models because they feel it is too intimidating to go into an agency and face the ultimate rejection…Someone telling you that you aren’t “hot” enough to join the club. Ouch!
Remind you of high school? In many ways it is a lot like high school but there’s no need to worry…even supermodels get rejected sometimes so don’t take it personally. That’s just part of this business. Just keep trying until you find an agency that wants what you have to offer.
Here’s the thing. Every agency has a certain “look” that they are after and each one specializes in certain types of models. It is important to understand that not every agency will be interested in your look. It doesn’t mean you don’t look good it just means that what they do doesn’t fit your look. Or they may already have several models that have a similar look to yours. Don’t take rejection personally.
Sometimes you’ll get rejected because your portfolio isn’t strong enough though so be sure to work with at least one top photographer so you have pictures that command respect at any agency. Here’s the deal with your portfolio…you need to show the agency and eventually the client that you can do the work. This means that your portfolio should demonstrate your proficiency as a model.
For example, you want to do a Nike Basketball shoot? Well you better be able to show in a picture that you LOOK LIKE a real basketball player! Get the idea? So with that in mind, you should continuously develop your book over the course of your career and try to rock every shoot as if it will be your last. Try to improve your poses and facial expressions with practice so that you get better with each shoot.
If you want to be taken seriously as a model, you need to prove it by shooting with good photographers and really sell your skills in the pics. Sure you can do TFP…but the top agencies will be able to spot amateurish work from a mile away and reject you every time so steer clear of GWCs (guys with cam).
Here is my list the top fitness photographers in the industry:
Natalie Minh www.nmlifestylemag.com
Per Bernal www.perbernal.com
Charles Worthington www.worthingtonphotography.ifp3.com
Paul Buceta www.paulbuceta.com
Walt Ostarly www.waltostarly.com
David Ford www.davidfordphotography.com
Thomas Oed www.impactfoto.com
Robert Rieff www.magiclight.com
Martin Ryter www.martinryter.com
Alex Ardenti www.alexardenti.com
Michael Neveux www.michaelneveauxphotography.com
Keith Munyan www.keithmunyan.com
Tony Oamg www.oamediagroup.com
Noel Daganta www.daganta.com
(at the time of this writing all of these links are known to be working)
Next up, contacting agencies.
When contacting agencies, be sure to send them a media kit with your cover letter, resume, photos, and stats. It is important that these materials are current and up to date. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on this stuff, you can make your own media kit on your home computer and I always create and update mine on my computer here at home.
If you aren’t very good with computers you can try hiring a graphic designer on www.elance.com to do it for you. After a week or so (from the time the agency receives your submission) be sure to follow up so they don’t forget about you. After that give the agency about 4-6 weeks for a final response. If they are interested in you, they will contact you and set up a meeting.
Remember, be confident not cocky when dealing with agencies. If you act like you are all that, when you haven’t even booked a single gig, you only make yourself look like a fool. Just be yourself, and show them you are serious about your career. Don’t ruin your career before it begins.
Below is a list of the most formidable agencies in Los Angeles and New York City. Be sure to check their websites to find out if they have open calls.
Top Modeling Agencies (LA/NY)
Ford Models www.fordmodels.com
Silver Models www.silvermodels.com
Wilhelmina www.wilhelmina.com
Sports and Lifestyle Unlimited www.sluagency.com
The Morgan Agency www.themorganagency.com
Click www.clickmodel.com
LA Models www.lamodels.com
Elite www.elitemodel.com
Boss Models www.bossmodels.com
Next www.nextmodels.com
IMG www.imgmodels.com
Keep in mind that you don’t need an agency to be a successful fitness model. In fact, if you work hard and market yourself properly using the internet, social media, fitness events, shows, etc, you can do just fine.
Networking is very important and many times if you have good relationships with photographers, promoters, companies, magazines, etc you can book a ton of work based solely on your reputation and like-able-ness. Of course some kick ass photos of yourself never hurt the cause either
Go get em.
Jamin Thompson
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