Booker in modeling: meaning, example and tips

How it works

A booker stands between the model and the client. The client contacts the agency, the booker suggests suitable models and sends their portfolios and digitals, and once the client chooses, negotiates the rate, the hours and the usage rights.

For the model the booker is the main contact. The day's plan comes from them: where and when the casting is, what to wear, who the client is. The model tells the booker about being late, being ill or any change in appearance. An agency usually has several bookers responsible for different boards.

A booker earns commission for the agency, so it is in their interest that the model works. A good booker still says so when a job does not suit the model, and does not push.

In practice

In the evening the booker messages the model: tomorrow a 10 am casting for a sportswear brand, a 1 pm go-see with a photographer, a 4 pm fitting. In the morning the client puts a first option on next Friday. In the afternoon the booker reports the option is confirmed, sends the fee, hours and usage terms, and the model confirms by message.

What to watch for

Answer your booker fast: options and castings have deadlines.
Tell them in advance about a haircut, hair colour or tattoo.
Ask for every agreement about money in writing.

Related terms

Agencies and representationMother agencyA mother agency is a model's first agency, usually in the home country: it discovers and prepares the model, places them with agencies abroad and oversees the whole career.How a job happensOptionAn option is a client's provisional reservation: they ask the agency to hold the model's time for a certain day until they make a final decision.How a job happensBookingA booking is a confirmed job: the client and the agency have agreed the date, the hours, the fee and the usage, and the model has accepted.Agencies and representationModel scoutA scout looks for new models for an agency: on the street, at events, in schools, on social media and at open calls.Agencies and representationModel boardA board, or division, is a group of an agency's models by type and experience: new faces, main board, men, commercial, curve and others.Agencies and representationAgency commissionCommission is the share of a fee the agency keeps for finding and handling the job; typically around 20%.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

01What is the difference between a booker and a scout?

A scout looks for new faces; a booker works with signed models and their bookings.

02Does a model pay the booker?

Not directly. The agency pays the booker, and the agency earns commission on the model's jobs.

Booker (model agent)