Brita Jackson of Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency

Brita Jackson, owner of  Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency, took time to talk with Ask the Crown’s Stephanie McGrane about how pageant ladies can cross over into the modeling world.

Brita was saying how in modeling you need to be less strict with yourself, where in pageantry, ladies tend to be more “boxy”. An example would be: in pageantry you have to have the correct answer and be primped, where in the modeling world you can be a bit more free. You still have to take care of your body and stay healthy. However, in modeling they want to see more of your personality and your free hippy, gypsy girl and see how you can just go with the flow.

When pageant girls come into the agency, what positive things does Brita see in them?

Pageant ladies have confidence, and to model you have to have confidence, love who you are and believe in something other than yourself. The modeling world is so harsh in many different ways that you have to have that confidence.

Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency has been around since 2000.  Brita came to the company a few years later and spent four years as a director and then in 2009 she bought the company. Arquette and Associates is known for their print work. They have on-camera, fit and promotional modeling, but mostly they are known for their print.

Some of the clients that Aquette & Associate models work for include; 17 Magazine, JC Penny’s, Sears, Target, Hot Topic, and so many others.

There are many different types of agencies out there. You have your local modeling agencies that deal with local work but when you start to become more of a professional model there are catalog/commercial agencies and also fashion/editorial agencies.  When you look at the different markets, there are your big markets such as New York, Paris and Milan, and then there are the smaller markets, such as Philadelphia, Seattle, and Minneapolis.

What happens when girls come to Arquette & Associates? Do they place them in the bigger markets?

Arquette & Associates is a mother agency and they will spend the first year developing you, getting you ready and setting up meetings with clients. After that, they can place you. Arquette & Associates have placed people in Asia, Europe, New York, LA and Miami. Depending on the type of model you are, you can move from market to market.

What about those modeling agencies that try to sell you classes? Is that just a money maker or do you need to take classes to be a model?

Brita said you do not need to take the classes to be a model. She has seen girls out there who have paid anywhere from $10,000-$12,000 to take classes or go to conventions. The agencies that are selling classes… that is how they make their money. For Arquette & Associates, they make their money by your bookings and your placements. If you are going to an agency that does not offer classes, it is their job to develop you. They should be teaching you how to move, how to walk, how to put on your make-up, etc.

Will an agency charge any type of startup fee?

Every big agency in the large markets will have a setup fee. You will have to buy your portfolio, comp cards and photo shoots. Photo shoots aren’t free. They may be in some states, but chances are those shoots are not good. The quality of a good photo shoot is really important. The clients call it a test shoot, and those test shoots will go into your book and if they are the best of your worst photos, that is what they book off of. You don’t want to shoot with a free photographer, a cheap photographer, or the wrong photographer. Startup fees are an investment, but that investment is so important for your career so that you can move up.

Should people have photos done before they apply to an agency or is it better to just wait until you meet with the agency?

You need to wait. You don’t know the market or the type of model you are yet. You can take snapshots, Polaroids, or digital photos. Take pictures with no make-up and natural hair while wearing a swimsuit. Take full body pictures from your midriff to your face, smiling and not smiling. You also need to take pictures with your hair down and with your hair pulled back.  Then submit them to the agency.

You also need to submit your measurements; bust, waist and hip, along with your height and weight. Have someone else take the measurements. For your bust, you can use your bra size. Your waist is actually around the belly button and your hips are the biggest part of your bum.

After all your photos and measurements are turned in, it is a waiting game. If you do not hear back from the agency, it is a no.  When you send your information around to different agencies you have to remember that some agencies are fashion, some are editorial, and some are print. You may not have the face or height for one agency. Don’t stop at one, move on to others.

What should you bring with you the first time you meet with an agency?

If you are brand new, you won’t need to have a portfolio or professional photos. Do not go out and get senior pictures or glamour photos. It is not worth your money. Save your money because you will need a really good photo shoot with your portfolio. Come to the meeting in fitted clothing, wear skinny jeans and a tank top, or just fitted jeans and a t-shirt if you are a plus size. Be sure to wear heels.  Again, no makeup, natural hair, make it look nice, not like you just came out of bed, no jewelry, and take your cell phone out of your pocket.  Bring a two piece swimsuit just in case they want to see you in a two piece.

Should you be ready to walk the runway?

Some agencies will have you walk, some will interview, and some will take your measurements to be sure they are correct. Some will take snap shots and digital photos of you.

Can anyone be a model?

In New York they will say no, not anyone can be a model. You really need to be clear on what type of modeling you are thinking of. If you are under 5’9”, it is hard to get into the big agencies. The models who are shorter can do print modeling. You also need to learn how to act to be a product model.  Product print is not for magazines or clothing stores. Agencies who do product print want real people, like the girl next door, who customers can relate to.

If you are really serious about modeling should you travel to a different market area?

Traveling is a big ordeal. You need to be willing to travel. Most of the time you need to be located or working in the city you are trying to model in.

Does age matter?

For product print models, you can be any age; you are never too young or too old. You need to know your market and find the agency who have the clients that are looking for all ages.

PageantLive is very excited to be working with Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency. They will be helping to select the new Face of PageantLive.

The new winner will receive a one year contract along with training and development. They will also be providing a portfolio and comp cards. They will also be submitting the winner for casting and bookings.

If you would like more information, visit www.Arquettetalents.com. Click on submission. 

Brita Jackson, President of Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency

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