Not everyone can shoot with us, but all of you can avoid making some key mistakes. One of the biggest is getting too fancy with images. Many models, especially those on  amateur modeling websites share common misunderstandings that hinder their success.

Follow the tips here so you can be a more productive model, get more work, and maybe even get signed by one of the big six agencies.

If you do want to shoot with us, be sure to read the next section about CAT-Shoots and how to apply for one of your own.

Modeling is a first impression business. To get work as a model you need to immediately capture the attention of “casting agents” (anyone that makes a decision on you getting an assignment or signed). All casting agents have one thing in common: Too many models and too many pictures to look at.

Casting agents rarely look past the first few pictures so it’s very important to show the right ones, and they aren’t the type of images you might expect.

Set yourself apart by using the right types of pictures along with information casting agents want to see.

A common mistake is too many unpublished images. Before you get signed you get Googled.  Here are things that can work against you:

A lot of activity on amateur modeling websites. A big portfolio of unpublished "modeling" images on your Facebook or website. Flyers of you "hosting" nightclub events. Showing up on too many hobby photographer websites or profiles.

Why? Major brands don't like talent in their ads appearing in lesser works. Shooting outside of commercial shoots breeds bad habits and understandings. And if you sign a model release for this type of imagery you can't even control where it appears! Bad exposure is worst than no exposure. Even if you got paid for it.

The boom of amateur modeling websites has created a dilemma for casting agents. The photographers and stylists on these sites spend inordinate amounts of time collaborating to create highly stylized images. Some of these images look great, as does the model, and the Photoshop work.

This is a problem for casting agents who can’t distinguish real from contrived so these types of images are discounted, as are the people who create them, and the models in them.

Branded images by respected photographers that include copyright dates enhance your credibility. Casting agents want to know the picture is real, and recent.

You may need images to cast for work or send to agencies, but now you know you need different pictures than you probably thought. Un-retouched digital images with little makeup actually work better than images you will get from most photographers.

So what are all the thousand plus dollar photo-shoots you see advertised about? Profit. There’s no pot of gold to the truth about pictures. And the pictures that come from those expensive photo-shoots rarely get you more work. The same goes for images from workshops, shoot-outs etc.

Spending more on pictures will not get you more work!

You know Laurens Antoine’s as one of the world’s leading celebrity magazine photographers, but that alone doesn’t qualify someone how to cast..

Laurens is also the U.S. casting director for one of the world’s largest magazines, and combines that effort with leading publicists, and major television and motion picture studios.

In his 25 plus years in fashion Laurens has also worked as a brand manager and creative director and has produced countless ads that have included the casting and hiring of talent. Laurens knows what works to get signed. He knows what works to get assignments.

CAT is an acronym for CASTING AND TESTING. They're designed for one main purpose: To get you images that help you when casting.  The principals learned from working both ends are all applied to the images so you can have accurate, branded pictures to use when casting for work, or with agencies.

CAT-Shoots also have some great and unique options. You can add a FHM Test Shoot for only a small admin fee, and for free you can get all your specs certified and get directly reviewed by Click Models.

We mean it when we publicly say: “Because qualified talent should always be able to afford the images they need”

We've designed these shoots with our partners to get you what you need, and make them extremely affordable.

We incorporate everything we've explained into CAT-Shoots. We'll talk more about booking later, but anytime you want you can apply by clicking on one of the orange banners like the one below.

Our business is making money from publishers, advertising agencies, and celebrities. We do this because we truly enjoy helping talent, and also because we want to remain being the industries’ leader in bringing new talent to the market.

To further help us offset costs, we take a commercial release from anyone that does a CAT-Shoot and use success stories in our newsletters to publishers.

While we’ve set pricing that everyone can afford to shoot, we can't shoot everyone that wants us to so we do have to limit them to qualified talent.

CAT-Shoots are by application but don't worry, you do not need expereince to get accepted. We just want to make sure that if we dedicate the time, it's for someone we can really help.

We need to see a few pictures and have you tell us what you want to accomplish, but if the goal is reasonable, we’ll help you get there.

Applying is confidential and we treat everyone respectfully and politely.

To saveadministration costs, we have extremely efficient systems in place.

Everything you need to know is inside one of our easy to read guides and every document is conveniently located on our server for you to pick up. Once you're accepted and booked, you get "keys" to everything you need.

Our CAT studio is setup expressly for these shoots and our staff is trained to process your data, images and applications directly through our secure server and network to Click Models et al, and/or for processing with FHM.

Just about every question you can think of to get prepared is in one of our easy to read guides. Wardrobe, makeup, what to bring are all in our “Getting Ready for your Shoot" guide. You also get "Travel Tips" to help you get here that includes hotel and ground transportation deals.

If you are doing a Test Shoot for FHM, or getting submitted to Click Models all the applications and forms are there along with specific guides for any add-on shoots.

You'll be well prepared, and these efficient systems also help save time and money which helps keep the prices so low.

CAT-Shoots are relaxed and friendly. Good shots come from comfortable models. We don’t take hundreds of shots per scene hoping for something lucky to happen, but instead craft each shot to be right from the beginning.

Crisp scenes for attention-getting shots are already set up. There are a variety of colored seamless backgrounds, fabrics and furniture to compliment any wardrobe. Our photographic equipment is the same as we use in our high-end magazine productions.

We commonly here back that models really enjoy the day.

Unlike what you get when working through amateur modeling web-sites, you do not get a CD of the images straight out of the camera. Instead you get fully retouched images you can immediately use to start casting and each one is watermarked and dated with the year to give you the credibility edge when casting.

You choose them from electronic contact sheets and once you pick your favorites, we send them to our pre-press department where they are touched-up in a style friendly to casting agents and bookers. And of course there's a guide to help walk you through that process as well.

If you've been accepted to a CAT Shoot, you can request a FHM test for the very same day. It's free with just a $75.00 administration fee and many get published in features such as Hometown Honeys or Girl of the Week.

Many of the girls from those features also get distributed through FHM’s vast international mobile distribution network and can wind up anywhere across FHM's editions. Tests also negate the need to attend a casting. The tests are fun and easy. Once you've been accepted and have your contract in, you get access to the FHM documentation including a separate guide that tells you everything you need to bring for a successful test shoot, and what to expect.

As a FYI: FHM does not publish those who have participated in adult work or worked with adult brands

FHM loves to re-use talent. If your test gets published and you become an audience favorite you may get brought back for bigger features like Dating Tips, or even Honey Searches in exotic locations where videos are created, media is invited and everyone has the time of their life.

We'll show you some examples in the next section. If you do book a CAT-Shoot along with a FHM test, be sure to download all the appropriate guides and agreements.

We’ll soon be posting some behind the scenes videos here, but for now please read a reprinted version of an article about the Lingerie Guide three favorites were recently chosen for.

“Most of you will start with smaller features, but those popular with FHM there can be much more in your future! Breaking for 2009, and just in time for holiday gift giving is our Lingerie Guide! We took three of our most popular ladies from the past and brought them to Palm Springs where they shot and stayed at the famous Parker Hotel. Three days of shooting in the world's hottest designer brands while basking in luxury....

It isn't just stars like Megan Fox getting publicity from FHM. Behind the scenes footage and interviews appeared on networks including E!, TV-Guide Channel, FOX News and tons of big websites. Combined with FHM's audience, over 15 million people will have seen these ladies in just one week alone!”

Everyone knows Click Models is one of the world's top model management companies, but did you know that Click (through its wholly owned affiliates) also has a thriving commercial business, or that it manages some of the top actors and actresses in the country?  We didn't until we started our quest to find the most important management firms to send our talent to.

Click has discovered and represented some of the world’s greatest talent including models such as Elle McPherson, Whitney Houston, Isabella Rossellini, Uma Thurmon, Beth Ostrosky, and the list goes on and on. Coined “The most important agency of the 21st century”, Click has distinct advantages that make it our agency of choice.

Not everyone is going to be a fashion model. Click also owns Flick East West Talent and Framework Entertainment. That means that if you are not qualified or don’t have the height to be a fashion model, there’s a world of opportunities as a commercial model though Flick Talent.

For those of you highly qualified and simultaneously working on acting careers, you may later find a home with the many famous actors and actresses being managed by Framework Entertainment.

We can show you how to cast for Click and Flick, or at a CAT-Shoot we can even do more.

Please read through all the FAQ’s if planning on casting with Click.

It’s easy and you have many free options:

-You can attend any joint FHM/Click casting and there’s never a charge of any kind for doing so. To get notified of castings, simply join the mailing list on this website.

-If you are shooting with us for FHM (at a test or any other shoot) you can request us to send a package* to Click through our Direct Referral Program.

-If you book a Model-CAT shoot you can also request us the send a packages* to Click through our Direct Referral Program.

-You can also apply directly with Click Models. Contact their nearest office for instructions.

First, you will fill out an application with information for Click. Then, while you are in makeup we will also measure and weigh you, check your ID and certify for Click that the information they are going to receive is accurate.

Before make up is applied for the rest of your shoot, we will take a fresh face picture (a head shot with very simple lighting) and we will make note of any scarring or other irregularities we see.

We’ll also include a picture from your shoot, and in some cases provide an opinion as well. And if you’re going to be published in FHM, we’ll let them know that too.

How do you do all that at a casting?

We don’t. Castings are where you can meet representatives of Click and/or FHM in person and there’s never a substitution for that. If Click wants more data, they will ask for it. Castings are held because not everyone can get into a shoot and we want all of you to have a chance at all opportunities that may be appropriately and available to you.

I’m only 5’5”; do I have a chance with Click Models?

Click Models’ commercial arm, Flick East West Talent takes models of all shapes and sizes. Commercial modeling may not be quite as glamorous as fashion, but it’s the meat and potatoes of the industry. If you’re beautiful, Click wants to see you.

What if Click doesn’t accept me, will you help me with another agency?

Yes and no. We won’t contact another agency on your behalf but you can use any picture (other than your fresh face picture) and send them yourself to any agency you want to apply to. Most agencies recognize the watermark and understand the pictures are accurate and dated.

When will I hear back from Click?

Like FHM, you only hear back if there’s a need for more information, or if you get selected. There’s no method for you to follow up, and no official denial. Nor will you receive any opinions back. It’s just not possible to follow up on submissions, for that we apologize.

What exactly is the Direct Referral Program?

The Direct Referral Program (“DRP”), is a method we developed with Click to transmit all relevant data and images in an expedited fashion though a direct linked server to the bookers at Click.

Can you take a look at my pics and let me know if I’m Click material?

No, for several reasons: First, we do not opine regarding FHM or Click. Also, we may not be qualified to opine when it comes to Click. Third, we have little or no say in what happens once the information leaves our hands.