Teenage modelling is booming in Australia. This is mostly thanks to an increasingly high demand for diversity within the industry, a trend that we here at Bubblegum Casting are so very excited to be a part of. What this means, in a nutshell, is that regardless of height, size, cultural background, or physical ability, teens from all over the country have a wonderful opportunity to become a part of the entertainment industry.
In other words, there has never been a better time to get involved in teen modelling.
With this in mind, we’ve decided to give you the lowdown on teenage modelling in Australia and how Bubblegum Casting may be able to help you take your first steps into the limelight.
What is teenage modelling?
Okay, so we’re guessing that you already have a rough idea of what teen modelling in Australia looks like—runways, fashion shows and all that stuff, right? But there are actually so many other facets to this thriving modelling industry, and it’s often in these other areas where teens land the most regular modelling gigs.
A teen model here in Australia could be hired for fashion work such as those runway events we just mentioned, catalogue work, advertising work, and just about any other type of job where the brief requires a teenager in the shot.
Teenage models are entitled to the same minimum wage and employment conditions as adult models, highlighting the importance of understanding their rights.
How much do teenage models earn?
This is probably one of the first questions that we’re asked by teens who are interested in joining the world of modelling, and we can’t really blame them for asking. After all, this is hard work.
Much like child models, teen models could earn anywhere upwards of $20,000 in a single year. Now, bear in mind that this is an average figure and that some teen models may earn much less while others could earn a lot more. Generally speaking, you will be paid well for your time, but you may only land a few modeling jobs in a year as the market is highly competitive.
Remember though, this is paid work so you will need to pay taxes on your earnings just like mum and dad. It’s not very glamorous or exciting, but it is a reality that some teens are quite surprised to hear.
While on the subject of earning, one thing we have to be clear on is that you don’t become a teen model to get rich. Sure, if you work hard and have a little luck on your side, you’ll earn more than you would babysitting. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll be buying mum and dad a new car or treating the family to a holiday in Bali after your first year in the business.
What we tell most teenage models who start their career with Bubblegum Casting is to treat this as a stepping stone to a lifelong career in the industry or as a way to save some extra cash for college or a rainy day. For an aspiring teen model, having clear goals and a strong portfolio is crucial for success, and securing agency representation can take time.
Are there lots of teenage modelling jobs out there?
Like we said earlier, the industry is crying out for more diversity so that means that there are tons of opportunities out there for teenagers no matter what colour hair they have or how short or tall they might be.
As for the market in general, here at Bubblegum our teen models had a phenomenal year in 2023, and that looks set to continue throughout 2024. We had so many briefs for teen modelling gigs last year that it was hard to keep up. Having a strong portfolio can help in gaining confidence and attracting attention from industry professionals for future opportunities.
So yes, there are plenty of modelling jobs right now for aspiring teenage models.
Do I Need Experience in Teenage Modelling?
We get asked this a lot and we can totally understand why a lack of experience can cause a teen to reconsider becoming a model. However, experience is not an essential requirement for this industry. The first thing you need to do is start researching modeling agencies for teens. Yes, it’s nice if a casting director or photographer can see some of your previous modelling work, but a lack of experience won’t harm your chances of landing the job.
What a casting director is on the lookout for is a certain look or style that fits with the creative vision for their campaign. So what’s actually more important than experience is a solid portfolio that showcases your modelling range. It also helps if you can show that you have an understanding of the industry and the skills required to shine in front of the camera.
This was one of the reasons that we set up Bubblegum Academy—to give aspiring teenage models the opportunity to pick up the skills needed to succeed in the industry. Being a professional model can significantly help in building a successful modeling career.
How do I get started?
If you want to become a teenage model, then the first thing you need to do is start researching modelling agencies for teens. Now, we can, of course, highly recommend ourselves here at Bubblegum Casting, but you might want to take a look around to see what the market has to offer.
Just remember, a reputable teen modelling agency will never ask you to pay a fee upfront without first getting to know you. This is so the agency can see if you’re a good fit for the industry.
Once you’ve found an agency, you’ll need to get started on your portfolio. Most agencies can recommend a local photographer to help you out, but here at Bubblegum we do things a little differently. Teen models that sign with us will have their portfolio shots done by our in-house photographer. And better yet, this is included in your membership fee.
Once your portfolio is ready and your profile has been added to casting portals, your new agency can get started looking for suitable roles to help you kick off your new career as a model.
It’s also important to seek inspiration and learn from the experiences of other models in the industry. Observing other models’ poses and performances can provide valuable insights and boost your confidence.
And that, as they say, is all there is to it.
So if you’re interested in becoming a teen model, check out our teen modelling page or you can go right ahead and apply now to join the Bubblegum family.