How to Become a Model at 18: Step-by-Step Plan for Teens

Have you ever scrolled through Instagram, seen a high-fashion campaign, and thought, ‘I could do that’? For countless aspiring models, the dream of a career in fashion is powerful, but the path to achieving it is dangerously unclear. The internet is flooded with conflicting advice, scam artists promising stardom for a fee, and self-proclaimed experts offering shortcuts that lead nowhere. This confusion leaves talented individuals feeling lost, vulnerable to exploitation, and wondering if their dream is even possible. Today, simply having ‘the look’ isn’t enough to navigate an industry that has become both more accessible and more predatory due to social media.

If you’re serious about building a sustainable career in modelling, your first step isn’t just taking a few nice photos—it’s seeking professional guidance. The search for the right “modelling classes near me” is the most critical investment you can make in your future. This guide is a step-by-step plan that cuts through the noise to deliver honest, practical advice, forming the foundation of the Modellè Academy curriculum. Backed by over 19 years of leadership in the global fashion industry and experience with iconic brands like Jimmy Choo, YSL, and Nivea, the academy was founded to replace that confusion with a clear, professional path to success.

The Reality Check: Is a Career in Modelling Truly for You?

Before diving into the ‘how,’ it’s essential to address the ‘what.’ A career in modelling is a business. It’s your business. A model’s look is the product, but their professionalism, resilience, and work ethic are what make that product successful. Many aspiring models believe it’s all about attending glamorous parties and wearing beautiful clothes. While those are perks, the reality is long days on set, facing constant rejection, managing finances, and maintaining peak physical and mental condition.

The most successful models possess these non-negotiable traits:

• Resilience: You will hear “no” far more often than “yes.” The ability to handle criticism and rejection without taking it personally is crucial.
• Professionalism: This means being on time, every time. It means being respectful to everyone on set, from the photographer to the assistant. It’s about being prepared, coachable, and reliable.
• A Strong Work Ethic: This is a demanding job. It requires discipline, dedication, and a proactive approach to managing your career.
• Patience: Success rarely happens overnight. Building a modelling career is a marathon, not a sprint.

Understanding this and remaining passionate and determined is the foundational mindset for success.

Your Foundational Steps to Becoming a Model at 18

With the right mindset, you can begin laying the groundwork. These initial steps don’t require a huge budget, but they do require effort and a smart approach.

Step 1: Understand Your Niche in the Modelling World

The term “model” is incredibly broad. The 6’2″ runway model walking for a Parisian couture house has a very different career path from the commercial model in a skincare campaign. Understanding where you fit is key. The main categories include:

• High Fashion (Editorial/Runway): Typically requires a specific height (usually 5’9″ or taller for women, 6’0″ or taller for men) and measurements. These models work with top designers and appear in magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
• Commercial: This is the largest and most diverse market. It covers everything from print ads and TV commercials to catalogues and lifestyle campaigns. Commercial modelling focuses on relatable, approachable looks.
• Fitness: Requires an athletic and toned physique for sportswear and health brands.
• Plus-Size/Curve: A rapidly growing market celebrating healthier and more diverse body types.
• Parts Modelling: Focuses on specific body parts like hands, feet, or hair.

Be honest with yourself about your physical attributes and personal brand. This focus will help you target the right agencies and build a relevant portfolio.

Step 2: Build Your Starter Portfolio with Polaroids (Digitals)

Before you spend thousands of dollars on a professional photoshoot, you need one thing: clean, simple Polaroids, also known as digitals. This is the first thing any legitimate agent or scout will ask for. Why? Because they show a model’s natural look without fancy lighting, makeup, or retouching. They reveal bone structure, skin, body shape, and hair—the true canvas on which they will be working.

Here’s how to take effective digital:

• Lighting: Stand in natural daylight (e.g., facing a window) but not direct, harsh sunlight.
• Attire: Wear simple, form-fitting clothing, such as a black or white tank top and skinny jeans, or swimwear.
• Makeup & Hair: None. Your face should be completely clean, and your hair should be pulled back and then also pulled down.
• The Shots You Need:
  • Headshot: One smiling, one not smiling.
  • Profile: A shot of your face from each side.
  • Full-Length: One from the front, one from the back, and one from each side.

These simple photos are an industry calling card. They are authentic and show agencies exactly what they need to see.

The Critical Decision: Finding the Right “Modelling Classes Near Me”

Here is where aspiring models either accelerate their careers or stall completely. You can have the perfect look and great digitals, but without the technical skills and industry knowledge, you won’t book the high-level jobs. This is the skill gap Modellè Academy was founded to fill after seeing countless talented Australian models fail to make an impact internationally because they lacked the specific training required by luxury brands.

Why Professional Training is Non-Negotiable

In today’s competitive market, being merely beautiful is no longer enough. Agents and clients expect models to arrive on set knowing how to move, pose, find their light, and conduct themselves professionally. A reputable modelling academy provides this essential toolkit. It’s about more than just a certificate; it’s about building confidence and competence.

Proper training helps you:

• Master Posing & Movement: Learn how to translate a client’s vision into a powerful image.
• Perfect Your Runway Walk: Develop poise, posture, and a signature walk.
• Understand the Business: Learn about contracts, rates, and how to manage your finances.
• Stay Safe: The most important benefit. A good academy teaches you how to identify and avoid scams, predatory individuals, and exploitative contracts. This is the core mission at Modellè Academy—to empower and protect its talent.

What to Look for in a Reputable Modelling Academy

When you search for the best Australian Academy of Modelling, you need to be discerning. Look for these green flags:

1. Faculty with Real, Verifiable Industry Experience: Are the instructors former models, agents, casting directors, or photographers who have worked with reputable brands?
2. A Comprehensive and Practical Curriculum: The course should cover posing, runway techniques, casting, personal branding, social media management, and industry business practices.
3. A Focus on Mentorship: The academy should be invested in your long-term growth, not just taking your money for a weekend course.
4. Legitimate Agency Connections: A top academy will have established relationships with leading agencies and can facilitate genuine introductions—but will never “guarantee” representation.
5. Transparent Pricing and Realistic Promises: Run from any place that promises to make you a star or charges exorbitant fees for photoshoots.

While there are many Online Short Courses available, the hands-on, direct feedback of in-person training is unparalleled. The ability for an experienced mentor to physically adjust your posture or critique your walk in real-time is invaluable.

Getting Scouted: Approaching Agencies the Right Way

Once you are trained and have your digitals ready, it’s time to approach agencies.

• Research, Research, Research: Compile a list of reputable agencies that align with your niche. Take a look at their current roster of models. Do you see anyone with a similar look to you?
• Follow Submission Guidelines: Each agency has a unique application process outlined on its website. Follow it to the letter. Do not call them or show up unannounced unless they are holding a scheduled open call.
• Be Professional: Your email should be polite, concise, and error-free. Include your name, age, location, measurements (height, bust, waist, hips), and your digitals.
• Beware of Red Flags: A legitimate agency will never ask you for money up front. They earn a commission (typically 10-20%) from the jobs they book for you. If anyone asks for a fee for representation, they are not a real agency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do I need to be a certain height to become a model?

A: It depends on the niche. For high fashion runways, yes, there are strict height requirements (typically 5’9″ or taller for women, 6’0″ or taller for men). However, for commercial, fitness, and parts modelling, the requirements are much more flexible. There is a market for models of all shapes and sizes.

Q2: Is 18 too old to start modelling?

A: Absolutely not! While some high fashion models start in their mid-teens, 18 is a fantastic age to begin. You have more maturity to handle the business side of the industry and make informed decisions about your career. Many successful commercial models start in their 20s and even later.

Q3: How much does it cost to start a modelling career?

A: Your initial investment should be in high-quality training. Beyond that, initial costs are minimal—you can take your own digitals for free. Avoid anyone pressuring you to buy expensive photo packages. Once you are signed with an agency, they may recommend specific photographers for portfolio development, but that comes later.

Q4: What’s the biggest mistake new models make?

A: From the academy’s experience, the biggest mistake is believing that being discovered is a passive process. Aspiring models wait to be found without putting in the work to develop their skills. This leads them to fall for scams or become disillusioned. The models who succeed are the ones who treat it like a business from day one, investing in their education and actively pursuing their goals with professionalism and integrity. That is the core of how to become a model.

Your Career Starts Now: Take the Professional Path

The journey of becoming a model at 18 is an exciting one, filled with incredible potential. But success is not accidental. It is the result of a preparation meeting opportunity. Your talent is the raw material; professional training is what shapes it into a valuable, marketable skill. You have the power to build a long, successful, and rewarding career by making smart, informed choices from the very beginning.

If you are serious about your future and have been searching for the best modelling classes near me, Modellè Academy invites you to see what a professional education can do for you. Explore the courses at Modellè Academy and learn how expert-led training can provide you with the skills, confidence, and industry connections to turn your dream into your career.

Your future is in your hands. Let’s build it together.