How to become a model at 16

What is different for a minor

A parent or guardian signs the contract and should read every clause of it. Work permits are required in many markets. Travel without a guardian or agency-appointed chaperone should not be on the table, and any agency that suggests otherwise has answered the only question you needed answered.

School comes first, and that is negotiable in the contract

Agencies that work with young models routinely schedule around school. If an agency treats your education as an obstacle rather than a constraint to plan around, that is a signal about how it will treat everything else.

Model apartments

Placements abroad usually mean a model apartment, with the cost deducted from your earnings. Living conditions and fair expenses are two of the criteria models rate agencies on, and they are also two where the spread between agencies is widest. For a 16-year-old travelling for the first time, these are the numbers to look at before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sign with an agency at 16 without my parents?

No. A minor cannot be bound by a modelling contract alone — a parent or legal guardian signs, and should read it in full.

Can I travel abroad for modelling at 16?

Only with a guardian or an agency-appointed chaperone, and with the correct work permits. An agency pushing you to travel alone is a reason to walk away.

Do I need to leave school to model?

No. Agencies that regularly work with young models schedule around school terms and exams.