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A Day in the Life of a Model Booker

A Day in the Life of a Model Booker January 22, 2014Fashion Industry0 Comments

Photographer Seun Shote takes us behind the scenes in the fashion industry. This week, she shows us a Day In The Life Of…A Model Booker

Photographer Seun Shote takes us behind the scenes in the fashion industry. Now, she shows us a Day In The Life Of…A Model Booker. Hair & Makeup by Verity Griffiths using Art Deco makeup & O&M hair products www.verityg.com

Meet: Andrea Basile, Head Fashion Booker at Nova Model Management, which she joined in 2009 and working as a model booker in Sydney and London.

As a booker what is your job role?

Ultimately, my job is managing and booking models. This includes scouting and developing new faces. As a booker we teach models how to present themselves as a representative of the agency. Model management involves placing models in jobs, and helping them get to a level where they can work at home and overseas as well as help them achieve their income potential.

How many do you represent?

Over 150 local and international.

What is your daily routine?

My day starts with grabbing breakfast and coffee at the office before I attack the plethora of emails in my inbox, then on to texting models and checking their availability, confirming shoot details and just seeing how they are doing.

Solidifying relationships is an important part of our agency as is keeping good levels of communication with our models and their families.

No day is ever the same. Some days it might be uploading images on the site and adding new prints to model portfolios. Every day it includes negotiation of jobs with clients. There’s a lot of multitasking, so being super organised is essential.

Though I try to leave the office at 6 for the gym, there are often shows or work events to attend. Being a booker means being available 24/7 as client jobs can change minute to minute.

What is the strangest / most interesting place you have discovered a new model?

Nowhere is too strange! Mainly festivals or school. Millie, one of our newest faces, was recommended via her friend who thought she would be a good model. We didn’t even have a picture so we checked her profile out on Facebook and we got in contact with her parents and it all went from there!

What is the most difficult part of your job?

Because it’s a very competitive industry, you are always dealing with different personalities and trying to please everyone. We tend to lay guidelines so we have no diva models and as we are very hands on, the job takes a lot of time and commitment.

Size Zero is a big debate in the media, what is your view on it?

New Zealand is very real, so our girls are very healthy, we encourage it and clients embrace it. We scout the girls who fit the right kind of body shape; we are not about changing bodies.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Scouting an amazing new face is a great feeling. It is always very exciting seeing our models in editorial campaigns. There is such a buzz watching them grow into successful and confident people. I also get to do something I am passionate about.

What kind of personality or skills do you require to be a booker?

Be organised, be a people person, be able to be quite imaginative and have an insight into the industry. Be good at negotiation and juggling, and thinking on your feet. Life experience, a good attitude and using your initiative is essential.

What advice can you give to aspiring models?

It’s more than what you see on the catwalk. Modelling takes a lot of focus, drive and hard work. If you are outstanding the rewards are out of this world. Personality will get you further than just looks. Successful models have a good attitude and are people who are fun to be around. Leave the diva at home!

Nova is always looking for fresh, new faces. If you think you have what it takes you can email your photographs and information to models@novamodels.co.nz

Photography and words by Seun Shote

www.seunshotephotography.com

@photosbyseun

Hair & Makeup by Verity Griffiths using Art Deco makeup & O&M hair products www.verityg.com