Professional Models - Finally, a Contract that You Can Live With!

My youngest daughter, aged 15, has been a professional model for the past year. She has had many exciting (and some not so exciting!) opportunites come her way, including a job as a professional celebrity lookalike in a segment that aired both nationally on "Inside Edition" and "Entertainment Tonight" and on live New York City television as well. That's food for another article; what I want to share with you is how my husband and I worked to develop a contract for professional models who work with agencies as independent contractors that will serve you well and be more than acceptable to agencies also. Once you have written up your own contract, keep it with you for all open calls, go-sees, etc. Most agencies will whip out their own contracts; it is obviously in your own best interests to have your own contract already prepared.  Many girls and guys don't bother to really read and review the contracts that are handed to them; we get so caught up in the bliss of being offered a contract that the temptation to sign on the dotted line is irresistible.  Arm yourself with a contract that favors both you and the agency, and have it on hand at all times!  Bear in mind that the agency will be impressed as well that you have your own 'standard' contract; it gives the sense that you have been in the business long enough and often enough to have thought this process through.

Obviously, you'll need a computer and a printer! Let's go, step by step:

1.  If you know the name of the agency in advance, at the top center of the page type in the agency's full name, address and telephone and fax numbers, if you have them. You should also have copies of your contract with this information left blank as well; make multiple copies so that the pertinent information can be hand-written on these three/four lines.

2.  Space down about three lines, and center the words "Model's Agreement".

3.  The first paragraph should be exactly that, a paragraph. It should be typed as follows: