What it takes to become a model varies greatly depending on the field you want to work in, because there is no single height or size template. In this guide we walk through the expectations of each field and the first steps, one by one.
Everyone who wants to become a model starts with the same question: “Are my height, my measurements and my face good enough for this job?” The answer is not a single number. The expectations of runway, commercial shoots, fitness, plus-size or modest fashion, for example, are all different. In this guide we have gathered what aspiring female and male models need to know as of 2026: physical expectations, the first portfolio, agency applications, the first shoot day, safety and the legal framework in Turkey.
A quick note: Fresh Models Magazin is not a model agency; it is a fashion magazine. A model application to our magazine is completely free. We only accept applications from candidates aged 18 or over.
Is there a single “right body” for modelling?
No. The fashion industry is made up of many sub-fields, each looking for a different body, age and style. An agency turning you down does not mean you cannot model. More often it simply shows that you do not match the profile that particular agency or category is looking for. That is why clarifying which field you want to work in is the first step towards knocking on the right door.
The figures below are examples taken from international competition and agency practice; every agency sets its own rules. Before applying, always read the current requirements on the agency’s own page.
Runway and editorial modelling
This is the field with the strictest height expectations. Because garments for shows are made to specific patterns, agencies rarely show flexibility on height. To give an example, the international model competition Elite Model Look had height requirements at its Tunisia 2023 castings. The organisers asked for a minimum height of 172 cm for female candidates and 183 cm for male candidates. The same organisation’s requirements in different countries and years can vary by a few centimetres.
- For female runway candidates, a height above 170 cm is generally expected.
- For male candidates, this threshold is generally above 180 cm.
- Besides height, proportions, walk and on-camera “presence” are also decisive.
Commercial modelling
Advertising, catalogues, e-commerce and corporate campaigns look for “the kind of person you would meet in real life”. Height and size requirements in this field are much more flexible and vary according to the client’s product and target audience. A warm smile, a natural expression and the ability to take on different roles are worth far more than a few centimetres. Commercial modelling also needs different age groups, which is why some people start in their 30s, 40s and beyond.
Fitness modelling
Fitness models work for sportswear, supplement and wellness brands. The priority in this field is not height but visible muscle tone and a sustainable training routine. Since shoots in this field usually involve movement, flexibility, stamina and showing correct form matter. Avoid fast, unhealthy weight-loss methods before a shoot. Professional teams are looking for a body that already looks healthy.
Plus-size modelling
In plus-size, the deciding factor is dress size. Height expectations are more flexible than on the runway and vary by agency and brand. In this category, skin health, balanced proportions and confidence in front of the camera come to the fore. As inclusive fashion becomes more widespread, the number of brands working in this field is growing. Still, remember that not every agency has a plus-size board. Before applying, check whether the agency represents models in this field.
Becoming a modest (hijab) model
Modest fashion has become a sector in its own right, with its own brands, catalogues and events. Istanbul has fashion weeks and trade fairs dedicated to this field. Two things are expected of modest models: being able to show fabric and shawl and headscarf wraps correctly, and using facial expression and hand poses effectively. When applying, send natural photos wearing a headscarf and simple clothing. State clearly from the outset what your clothing and pose limits are. A serious agency or brand will respect those limits.
Becoming a male model
In male modelling, too, the height threshold for the runway is high. But commercial and catalogue work needs a wide variety of types: bearded, clean-shaven, athletic, slim, mature. A common mistake candidates make is sending heavily filtered photos. Another is sending only gym-mirror selfies. A plain T-shirt, a plain background and daylight give much better results. Well-kept hair and beard and clothes that fit you properly directly affect the first impression.
Your first portfolio: polaroids and “digitals”
The biggest misconception among beginners is thinking they need an expensive professional portfolio shoot before approaching an agency. What agencies want to see at the first stage is you unfiltered and without make-up. In the industry, these are called “digitals” or “polaroids”.
How to shoot a good set of digitals
- Background: Choose a plain wall, preferably white or light-coloured.
- Light: Natural daylight from a window gives the most accurate result; avoid harsh flash.
- Clothing: Wear simple, unpatterned pieces that show your body shape, such as skinny jeans, a plain T-shirt or a vest.
- Make-up and retouching: Do not wear make-up, and do not use filters or retouching. Keep your hair clean and off your face.
- Shots: Take close-ups of your face (front and both sides), waist-up and full-length shots. Take one smiling and one with a serious expression.
- Details: Include your height, current measurements, the city you live in and your contact details with the photos.
You can take these photos on a phone with a friend’s help. Agencies and clients will ask for updated digitals even after they start representing you, so refreshing them regularly is a good habit.
When do you need a professional shoot?
Once you have signed with an agency, it will usually arrange “test shoots”, and your portfolio builds up over time through these. If an agency makes acceptance conditional on “having a paid portfolio shot by our photographer”, that is a serious warning sign. We cover this in detail in our guide How to Spot a Fake Model Agency.
Applying to an agency, step by step
- Research the agency: Look at which models it represents, which brands it works with, its office address and company details. Do its models actually get work, and is that work publicly visible?
- Read the application rules: Every agency wants a different type of photo, file size and information format. Applications that do not follow the rules are often discarded unopened.
- Send your digitals: Use the official application form or the email address given on the agency’s website. Disregard “application” requests that come through other channels (random DMs, unknown numbers).
- Be patient: Because agencies receive a high volume of applications, a reply can take weeks or may never come. A negative answer is not a personal judgement.
- Go to the meeting prepared: Simple clothing, clean hair, minimal make-up. You can bring someone close to you; a serious agency will not object.
- Read the contract without rushing: Taking the contract home to review it, and showing it to a lawyer if necessary, is your most basic right.
What to look for in a contract
- The length of the contract and how it can be terminated
- The agency’s commission rate and which earnings it is deducted from
- Whether there is an exclusivity clause (working only with that agency)
- For what purpose and for how long your photos and footage can be used
- When and how payments will be made
- Whether you are asked to pay any amount upfront, and why
Your first shoot day: what to be prepared for
- Get the details in advance: Have the address and time of the shoot in writing. Also have the client or brand name, the people on the team and the approximate duration.
- Pack your bag: Bring nude underwear, simple shoes and make-up remover. Water, a light snack and a phone charger should be in your bag too.
- Arrive early: Hair, make-up and fittings take time; punctuality is the most important part of a first impression.
- Be open to direction: Listen to the photographer’s and stylist’s instructions. But if something makes you uncomfortable, say so politely and clearly.
- Ask about usage rights: Find out where and for how long the images will be published.
Safety: the basic rules for protecting yourself
Sadly, modelling is also a field that attracts people with bad intentions. On the road to your dream job, keep these rules in mind:
- Hold first meetings at a known office or in an open, busy place. Do not go alone to places such as hotel rooms or private homes.
- When going to a shoot or meeting, tell someone close to you the address and time, and go together if possible.
- Share personal data such as ID copies, bank details or passwords only after signing the contract, and then only as much as is necessary.
- You always have the right to refuse requests for nudity, underwear or intimate shoots that were not agreed in advance.
- Be wary of people who use pressuring language such as “decide now, there’ll be no place left tomorrow”.
- When money is requested, stop and investigate. Requests for upfront payment are the most typical sign of fake agencies.
Candidates under 18 and parental consent
In Turkey, children under 14 may work in arts, culture and advertising activities only under certain conditions: a written contract must be drawn up and separate permission obtained for each activity. The Regulation on the Procedures and Principles for Employing Child and Young Workers also limits working hours in these activities. For every candidate under 18, the contract and application processes should be handled by a parent or guardian, with their consent.
At Fresh Models Magazin, we only accept applications from candidates aged 18 or over. If you are under 18, we recommend researching official, trustworthy agencies together with your family. We also recommend never carrying out any process without your parent’s knowledge.
Modelling in Turkey: work, contracts and tax (general information)
Important notice: This section is for general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Consult a lawyer and a certified accountant about your own situation.
Agencies and İŞKUR authorisation
In Turkey, private employment agencies that bring together job seekers and employers may operate only with authorisation. This rule comes from Law No. 4904 on the Turkish Employment Agency. The law, as a rule, prohibits these agencies from charging job seekers any fee under any name. The Regulation on Private Employment Agencies, however, makes an exception to this rule for certain professional groups such as mannequins, photo models, artists and professional athletes. In other words, an authorised agency may, under certain conditions, charge a model an intermediary fee. But someone without authorisation cannot collect money upfront under the name of “registration” or “portfolio”; this exception does not make that legitimate.
Types of contract
In practice, models mostly work independently on a job-by-job basis. They sign a representation or management contract with the agency. However, where there is regular work tied to an employer, employment law provisions may come into play, because the type of relationship established directly affects your social security, tax and termination rights. That is why you should always ask about the type of document you are signing and its consequences.
Tax
If you model on your own account and on a continuous basis without being tied to an employer, you earn income. In practice, this income generally constitutes self-employment income under the Income Tax Law. In this case, tax liability may also arise, along with obligations such as issuing invoices or self-employment receipts and filing an annual return. Rates and thresholds are updated every year, so the soundest course is to speak to a certified accountant before taking your first job.
Personal data and your photos
Your photos are personal data. So if a magazine, agency or brand is going to publish these images, it must inform you, and where required it must obtain your explicit consent. You have the right to withdraw your consent later. You can read how Fresh Models Magazin processes personal data on our KVKK Privacy Notice page.
A 5-step checklist to get started
- First, decide which field (runway, commercial, fitness, plus-size, modest) you want to work in.
- Next, shoot a set of digitals on your phone, in daylight and without make-up, and note your measurements accurately.
- Make a list of agencies whose real work and company details are publicly available.
- Apply only through official channels, and stop and investigate any offer that asks for money.
- Finally, always read the contract before signing it, and consult an expert if necessary.
If you would like to appear in our magazine, you can fill in the Fresh Models Magazin model application form and get the chance to be considered among our new faces. Applying is free; we never ask you for money at any stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall do you need to be to become a model?
It depends on the field. On the runway, a height above 170 cm is generally expected for women and above 180 cm for men. In commercial, plus-size and modest modelling, however, height requirements are much more flexible. For exact requirements, check each agency’s own application page.
Is a professional portfolio required to apply to an agency?
No. At the first stage, agencies want to see natural photos (digitals) without make-up or filters and in simple clothing. You can take these on your phone in daylight.
Can men become models too?
Of course. Male models work in runway, catalogue, advertising and e-commerce. Commercial work needs male models of different ages and types.
Can you become a modest (hijab-wearing) model?
Yes. Modest fashion is a growing field with its own brands and events. State your limits clearly in your application; serious agencies and brands respect them.
Is applying to Fresh Models Magazin paid?
No. Model applications to Fresh Models Magazin are completely free. We only accept applications from candidates aged 18 or over. And if you come across someone asking you for money on behalf of our magazine, know that it is a scam.
Is income from modelling taxable?
Generally, yes. In practice, income from independent modelling is mostly treated as self-employment income. Still, consult a certified accountant about your own situation; this information is not tax advice.
What it takes to become a model: a quick summary
At the start of the road, there are three key steps. First, honestly assess which field of modelling suits you. Next, put together a starter portfolio of simple, natural photos. Finally, apply only to agencies you have verified actually exist. Stay away from people and organisations that ask you for money at the application stage. Stay away, too, from those who will not let you review the contract, and from those who pressure you into making a decision.
To put together your portfolio and comp card step by step, take a look at our model portfolio guide. For official information about private employment agencies, check the website of the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR). These agencies act as employment intermediaries in Turkey.
Sources
- Elite Model Look Tunisia 2023 castings and height requirements: https://elitemodellook.com/int/en/home/elite-model-look-tunisia-returns-for-2023/index.htm
- Elite Model Look Slovakia 2024 castings: https://elitemodellook.com/int/en/home/castings-announced-for-elite-model-look-slovakia-2024/index.htm
- The difference between commercial and fashion modelling (Chron): https://work.chron.com/commercial-models-vs-fashion-models-14630.html
- Guide to submitting photos and digitals to agencies (My Model Reality): https://www.mymodelreality.com/post/submitting-photos-to-modeling-agencies
- How to take digitals (My Model Reality): https://www.mymodelreality.com/post/how-to-take-modeling-digitals
- Modest Fashion & Art Trade Show Istanbul (Daily Sabah): https://www.dailysabah.com/life/fashion/halal-expo-2025-hosts-modest-fashion-art-trade-show-in-istanbul
- Law No. 4904 on the Turkish Employment Agency, articles on private employment agencies: https://www.alomaliye.com/2003/07/05/4904-sayili-turkiye-is-kurumu-kanununun-ozel-istihdam-burolari-ile-ilgili-maddeleri/
- Regulation on Private Employment Agencies (Official Gazette 11.10.2016, No. 29854): https://www.alomaliye.com/2016/10/11/ozel-istihdam-burolari-yonetmeligi/
- Work that child workers may do and their working hours: https://www.alomaliye.com/2015/10/12/cocuk-iscilerin-calistirilabilecegi-isler-ve-calisma-sureleri/
- Regulation on the Procedures and Principles for Employing Child and Young Workers (text): https://www.oyuncularsendikasi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/COCUK-VE-GENC-ISCILERIN-CALISTIRILMA-USUL-VE-ESASLARI-HAKKINDA-YONETMELIK.pdf
- Aggregation and declaration of income for artists, the mannequin/photo model example: https://www.alomaliye.com/2013/04/17/ornekler-isiginda-sanatcilarda-gelirin-toplanmasi-ve-beyan/
- KVKK Board decision (photos and explicit consent): https://kvkk.gov.tr/Icerik/7118/2021-572
Image: A model on the runway at Istanbul Modest Fashion Week 2016 (representative image) — Emrah Altay, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0