Why You’re Not Being Signed—And What You Can Do About It Right Now
Every week, I sit across from agency directors, casting agents, and editors. I see the spreadsheets, the portfolios, the digitals—and the disappointment. The fashion industry is evolving rapidly, but the core truth remains: talent gets overlooked when it's not refined, packaged, and presented with intention.
If you're a model and you're frustrated that you're not being signed—or worse, you're being strung along with vague interest but no commitment—this message is for you. This is not meant to hurt you. This is meant to wake you up.
Let’s break this down truthfully and surgically.
1. Your Look Is Undeveloped
Models get scouted for potential, but they get signed for polish. Agencies aren’t here to babysit your evolution. They want to see that you’ve already done the foundational work:
Do your digitals show you at your most pristine?
Have you eliminated distractions like bad haircuts, uneven skin tone, or dated styling?
Have you found your angles? Your bone structure? Your identity?
👉 What to do right now: Book a shoot with a fashion photographer who understands how to extract range, edge, and editorial elegance. Not a photographer who just takes pretty pictures—one who crafts portfolio images that read as agency-ready.
2. Your Portfolio Is Generic or Weak
Too many aspiring models have portfolios filled with mall-glam lighting, heavy makeup, or forced expressions. The truth is, agencies hate filler. They’re looking for a body of work that says: This model already lives in the world of fashion.
👉 What to do right now: Audit your portfolio. Remove anything that feels like it could’ve been taken in a suburban living room. You need:
1 strong beauty headshot (clean face, flawless skin, minimal makeup)
1 full body, fashion-forward editorial
1 lifestyle or movement series
1 raw studio test with light styling
Range. Editorial. Believability.
3. You Don't Know Your Market
Not every model belongs in New York. Not every model is ready for Paris. Some are built for commercial, some for runway, others for luxury editorial.
👉 What to do right now: Study your face and body. Are you high-fashion or lifestyle? Are you a Dazed model or a Sephora face? Be honest. Once you know, target agencies who specialize in placing your look. Not every agency is the right fit for you.
4. Your Social Media Is a Liability
Yes, agencies are checking. And if your feed is a stream of selfies, poor lighting, oversexed content, or chaotic energy—they’re swiping left.
👉 What to do right now: Clean up your digital identity. Think of Instagram as your living comp card. Feature:
Clean, professional photos
Polaroids or digitals
Behind-the-scenes moments on set
Your personality—but refined and purposeful
5. You’re Not Treating This Like a Profession
You don’t become a working model by manifesting it alone. You need:
Consistency
Education on the industry
Network with artists, stylists, and photographers
Professionalism in every email, DM, and casting
👉 What to do right now: Build your modeling as a brand. Be reachable. Be organized. Learn terminology. Learn poses. Practice in the mirror. Invest in yourself with the same seriousness a lawyer or surgeon would.
6. You’re Waiting for Someone to Choose You
Here’s the real secret: You can’t wait to be discovered.
You need to position yourself to be undeniable. I’ve seen models with mediocre beauty land campaigns because they knew how to present. I’ve seen beautiful models fade into nothing because they were passive.
👉 What to do right now:
Test strategically with top-tier creatives
Go to open calls—but only when your book is tight
DM agencies with proper submissions: digitals, stats, and a professional message
Follow up after 10–14 days if you don’t hear back
Don’t beg. Don’t be desperate. Be prepared.
Final Words
If you’re not being signed, it’s not because you’re not beautiful. Beauty is abundant. What’s rare is vision, strategy, and self-awareness.
You don’t need an agent to begin—you need clarity, consistency, and excellence. Once you embody those, the industry will come looking for you.
Stay disciplined. Stay elevated. And stop waiting for permission.
—SHAMAYIM
