Of course, modeling is not all runway walks, flashing cameras and celebrity status. It requires a commitment to good health, staying fit, self discipline, and facing some very stiff competition. Preparing your self physically and mentally to be the best child model or teen model that you can be is only half the battle. You must also learn how to evaluate modeling job offers.

As an aspiring young model, there is much you need to learn to build a successful and rewarding modeling career. There are skills you must develop, a portfolio to build and networking connections to be made. Unfortunately, there are also things you must learn to avoid and you will face rejection on a regular basis, especially when you are starting out as a young model. If you are prepared to put out the effort and if you are resilient enough, you can develop a successful career as a model.

Professionalism And Your Portfolio

Learning how to evaluate a quality modeling job requires that you remain objective and professional at all times and that you require the same from the people you deal with. If a prospective modeling job representative behaves unprofessionally or is, in any way, threatening, leave immediately and tell your parents. As a young model, you must realize that you are vulnerable. At the same time, you can enjoy working with some brilliant artists, photographers, clothing designers, and other models.

Your portfolio will tell the world that you are a professional and that you expect to be treated accordingly. If an agency requires that you purchase a photo shoot from them or that you pay to take a modeling class from them before giving you a job, you must recognize that this is a scam. Legitimate modeling agencies only make their profit from commissions. Unfortunately, there are many agencies who take advantage of overly idealistic and naïve child models and teen models by making false promises and by being overly complimentary.

Competition And Integrity

If you approach your career with integrity and require others to treat you with respect, you will avoid many of the undesirable modeling jobs and enjoy the many rewards of working with professionals. If you arrive at an open call and there are dozens, or even hundreds, of other young models in line, then you will know that you have come to the right place. Lack of competition is a bad sign for a young model. It either means the agency has a bad reputation or that the open call was badly advertised, which doesn't speak well of the agency.

You can gauge the success of an agency by the quantity and quality of the models it represents and attracts. This method can be used in person or through online modeling agencies. If an agency appears "too good to be true," they probably are and should be avoided. Modeling is big business and the stakes can get quite high. Legitimate teen modeling jobs are out there. You can even create your own portfolio through online modeling agencies. It is up to you to evaluate potential modeling jobs to protect yourself and your career. Lack of professionalism should be an instant red flag of warning.

Maintaining your own professionalism and being realistic about the hours, competition and the possibility of scams will all help you enjoy a successful career as a young model.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on online modeling agencies, visit http://onlinemodelworld.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_P_Stanfords