Is The British Model Alliance a legitimate agency?
The modelling industry can be a daunting place for new and experienced models alike. Without knowing where to turn, the voice of many individuals continues to get lost. For this reason, The British Model Alliance (BMA) was born. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to serve as a hub of information detailing important issues concerning the fashion industry. The British Model Alliance was established to support those in the modelling, entertainment and creative industries within the United Kingdom. We advocate for the fair treatment of these individuals to ensure they receive the best chances at finding legitimate work and professional treatment. Ultimately, we help launch models in to the modelling industry, we have a data base of over 120 agencies in all areas of the United Kingdom.
However, before we go any further, we should point out BMA is not an agency, but a platform. As a client of BMA, you aren’t just with us but can be with many different agencies at the same time leading to more job opportunities with different brands, ending with more exposure and money for you, the client.
Who Are The British Model Alliance?
As mentioned previously, we are a modelling platform who support those in the modelling, entertainment and creative industries within the United Kingdom based in London.
With over 12 years’ experience, lots of connections and a 96% success rate for new models we are confident that we can help you start your modelling career and be a success!
What Does The British Model Alliance Do?
We aim to find new, undiscovered models around the UK and help them begin their career by providing support, guidance and a comfortable atmosphere where models of all shapes and sizes can gain confident and grow to reach their full potential. We guide you in the right direction to find agencies and jobs.
Once we receive applications, we go through them and decide who has potential. Those chosen candidates are then contacted and talked through how the modelling industry works and where we would place the candidates. Following that phone interview, we invite a few selected candidates to a studio in London to do a test shoot. A. “Test shoot” is one of the terms used in the modelling business to describe a photo shoot that is not a paid job, but rather a photo shoot done solely to help you build your book and start developing your particular look or image. In our case, we also use it to assess your potential further.
On the day of the test shoot, we hire professional photographers, hair and makeup artists and a stylist to assist you on the day to make sure you look and feel your best, while also showing you exactly how the life of a model is. The result? A wide selection of high-quality diverse photographs to build a portfolio to approach modelling agencies with and start your career.
How Much Do Models Get Paid in the UK?
Modelling is not like a normal job. You don’t work 9 to 5 or have an annual salary. Each job is different and because of this it’s hard to say an exact figure. It also depends on other things such as;
Your Experience – The longer you are in the business the more your pay will increase. New models will be paid much less as they lack experience and won’t be as well-known as models with huge Instagram followings and lots of campaign experience.
Who you know – In this industry, like many, it’s not what you know but who you know. If you’re friends with someone or have made a great first impression on a photographer, designer, agent etc, you are more likely to get the job and be paid more for it.
Following on Social Media – This is simply, the more followers and engagement you have the higher you pay will be. Brands will look to see model’s Social media profiles – specifically Instagram – and will always hire the model how is more popular and has more followers. This is very important for a new model starting out to increase their following and ensure they start on their own personal “brand.”
There are hundreds of different categories of modelling jobs and trying to show the different types of pay would take pages and pages so below is some of the more popular and more importantly accessible for new models:
Tv & Film – This is extra work. You would be in the background of films and tv shows. Example, EastEnders – you’d be in. The Queen Vic drinking while the drama kicks off between two characters and you’d watch and react. Very simple work. £300 – £600 per job.
Catalogue – This refers to all the online shops like Asos, Misguided, Very, the list goes on. Typically, you would be paid £600- £1000 per shoot.
Commercial and Lifestyle – This refers to everything you think models don’t do. Example – brochures in a doctor waiting room – they are models, they don’t actually have those illnesses. Holiday brochures for Disneyland – again they are models, not real families. This is advertising products and services more than clothes. £800 – £1500 per shoot.
High Street Fashion – Everything you see on the high street. Next, Topshop, River Island, Grant, Moss Bros, Karen Millien etc. This is a great category however you definitely need to work your way up to this. You will need experience first before you are offered jobs like this. £1000 – £5000 per day.
Other categories include – Mature, Glamour, Catwalk, Swimsuit, Plus Size etc.
How Does The Assessment Day Work?
Those who are successful in the interview stage, will be invited to a test shoot in a studio in London. It is a fun and very enjoyable day where you get to experience how a photo shoot would take place but also gives us a chance to assess your potential.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by our friendly staff on reception, who will have a chat with you about the day and hopefully extinguish any nerves you may have. They will also answer any questions you have too.
The Stylist will introduce themselves and begin to style the outfits you have brought going from casual right up to formal/occasion wear. They will discuss their choices and order with you also. If you are missing anything, we have a huge shoe rack and loads of extra jackets and clothes.
The Studio Manager, will then bring you to your changing room and direct you to the hair and makeup area. The Hair and Makeup Artist will discuss how they plan to do your hair and makeup. They will provide their thoughts too on your hair type, shape of your face and colouring which will work best for you and introduce you to your photographer for the day.
Where will the shoots be?
Then the photographer will take you off to your first location which will be in side. After each shoot you will change your outfit and go to the hair and makeup area so they can change it also.
Once you have completely 5 shoots (including two outdoors) you will have a meeting with the assessor or will chat to you about your photos and what potential you have. They will decide if you’ve been successful or not and if you have been successful will take through how the insider works, portfolio options and start you on your new career path!
Below is a video of behind the scenes at one of the studios in London
We do not charge, upfront, joining or subscription fees. The company can only make money when you do. Typically The British Model Alliance take between 15-22% of each job’s pay, that is it. That is standard across the industry and ensures that you know your agent is working for you. It is a partnership. We both want the same, for you to get jobs.
How Much Does The British Model Alliance Charge for a Portfolio?
There are many different factors involving the price of a portfolio including your needs, availability and types of modelling. Typically, they start from £525, which can increase depending on how many photos you would like and also anything extra.
After the test shoot, you will sit-down with an assessor and they will decide if you have the potential to do modelling as a career and then using their expertise and experience will help you put together you own, unique portfolio that sells you the best. At the end of the day, the better you can sell yourself, the more jobs you can get and the more commission your agent makes.
Why Do I Need to Pay for a Portfolio, Shouldn’t it be Free?
The simple answer is no it won’t be free. No one agency or platform will pay for your portfolio especially when you can use it with different agencies like you can with BMA. It is an important step when becoming a professional model that you have, and own your portfolio. Since you own it, you can do what you want with it. Apply to loads of different agencies, which we encourage at BMA, post on your social medias, anything.
Do The British Model Alliance Accept Everyone?
Unfortunately, no we can’t accept everyone who registers. We wouldn’t want to give false hope and waste your and our time. Modelling is a very open career path however some people just aren’t what we are looking for. The British Model Alliance has a high reputation and are highly regarding tin the industry and the candidates we accept have to be up to that level. To ensure you get a chance, take your time when filling out your contact details and make sure the images show you in your best light. Good luck!
Is The British Model Alliance a Scam?
I can assure you; we are not a scam and a very trustworthy company. We are here to help you begin your career with the guidance and resources we have collected over the last 12 years however we are platform and not an agency so do not offer you direct work.
There is a lot, a lot of people out there that will try and scam you out of your money by using your excitement to cloud your judgement. It is something that models always need to watch out for and act with caution.
A reputable company will never message you on social media. Ever. They will find the correct and professional way to contact you or your agent.
Never meet someone from the internet alone, even if they promise they are the best agent in Europe at the moment. I can assure you they aren’t. If you want to go, always bring a parent or a friend. Do not go to their house. Be aware of inappropriate terms such as “sexy” etc. Legit companies, like BMA, always keep it professional and never act inappropriately.
Are The British Model Alliance reviews fake?
The modelling industry is a competitive and fast paced business. It is just natural that some people aren’t successful in the first few stages and are angry about that and write bad reviews. Be careful of reading bad reviews that could of been written by a competitor. Always make sure to look at legitimate sources for reviews.
Below are a few independent review sites that provide verified reviews from real customers.
https://www.feefo.com/en-GB/reviews/british-model-alliance
https://smart.reviews/business/thebritishmodelalliance.co.uk
What are The British Model Alliance Social Media Channels?
https://www.instagram.com/britishmodelalliance_/
What are The British Model Alliance Contact Details?
The website is: http://www.thebritishmodelalliance.co.uk
The phone number is: 0203 409 1375