The Business Of Modelling

For models and actors, understanding the financial side of a freelance career is just as important as understanding castings, bookings and contracts. In this episode, Robert Green and Ben Price from Green & Peter Accountants break down the areas of tax and accounting that talent often find confusing and explain why getting organised early can prevent much bigger problems later on.The conversation starts with the basics of being self-employed as a model or actor, including when you may need to register with HMRC, completing a Self-Assessment tax return and keeping accurate records of income and expenses. Robert and Ben also address some of the misconceptions that can leave people unsure of their responsibilities or putting off dealing with their tax altogether.They look closely at allowable expenses for models and actors, explaining why not everything spent on a career can automatically be claimed against tax. From agency commission and professional costs to expenses that may also have personal use, they discuss the importance of understanding what should be recorded and seeking advice when the position is unclear.As a modelling career develops, finances can quickly become more complicated. Robert and Ben explore earning through several agencies, combining self-employed and PAYE income, VAT, sole trader and limited company structures, and the additional considerations that can arise when models work internationally and earn money in different countries. The episode also looks beyond the next tax return. From putting money aside when fees are paid to preparing for quieter periods and thinking about longer-term financial planning, Robert and Ben explain why models and talent should treat their career as a business and take an active role in understanding the money they earn. Above all, it is an important reminder that tax and finances should not be something models and actors only think about when there is a problem. Building good financial habits from the beginning can make managing a freelance career considerably clearer and less daunting.www.businessofmodelling.co.ukwww.greenandpeter.co.uk

Xenia Kontou joins us to discuss her journey through the modelling industry, from beginning as a model at 17 to moving behind the scenes and building her career as a scout, booker, manager and mother agent. She explains why modelling was not the right path for her personally, but how the experience helped lead her towards the agency side of the industry. Xenia reflects on the different skills required to recognise potential, develop new faces and represent models professionally to clients. The conversation explores the founding of Agencia Model Management in Athens and the realities of launching a model agency during Greece’s economic crisis. Xenia talks about the importance of understanding the market in which you work, rather than relying only on international trends, and why successful scouting requires knowledge of local clients, photographers and casting preferences. Xenia also shares her approach to developing Greek models for international careers. She explains the role of a mother agency, the importance of choosing the right markets for each individual and why models benefit from building interests, education and experience outside the modelling industry. She offers an honest view of the agent–model relationship, describing the many supportive roles an agent can play while emphasising the need for clear professional boundaries. Xenia also discusses fair rates, protecting where a model’s image is used and why accepting unpaid or underpaid work can affect the value of the wider modelling industry.  www.businessofmodelling.co.uk www.agencia.gr/home/  

Erwan Moreau joins us to discuss his journey through the modelling industry, from being introduced to the business through his family's restaurant in Barcelona and working as a model with Traffic to becoming Senior Agent at View Management.Drawing on his own experience as a model, Erwan explains how the job helped him understand the pressure, uncertainty and emotional highs and lows models can face. He reflects on why empathy matters in agency work and why the relationship between a model and their agency should be a genuine partnership.Erwan also talks about what model scouts look for when searching for new faces. From scouting through crowds at Barcelona music festivals including Primavera Sound and Sónar to recognising the rare “wow moment” when someone immediately stands out, he explains why successful modelling requires much more than simply being attractive. The conversation explores the rise of Spanish male models, the strength of Barcelona as a modelling market and the importance of travelling and gaining experience in different countries when building an international career. Erwan also offers an honest view of the difference between a model booker and a model agent. He talks about developing careers, making decisions alongside models, supporting their wellbeing and remembering that the agency works for the people it represents.  www.businessofmodelling.co.uk www.viewmanagement.com

Marisol Ochoa joins us to share her career behind the scenes of the modelling industry and her work as Head Booker and Scout at Miah Management in Barcelona. In this episode, she reflects on finding her way into model management, learning the business from the ground up, and the people who helped shape the way she works today. She talks about what it really takes to recognise potential, explaining the difference between someone beautiful and someone who can build a career as a model. Marisol also shares the responsibility that comes with representing people in such a competitive industry, particularly when models are young and facing regular rejection. The conversation explores Marisol’s role in helping to create more opportunities for curve models in Spain and how the market has gradually become more open to different sizes, backgrounds and forms of beauty. She discusses the need to move away from unnecessary labels, the importance of clients reflecting real people and why there is still more progress to be made. Marisol also offers an honest look at the relationship between models and their agents, from building trust and confidence to supporting wellbeing and making careful decisions about the direction of a career. www.businessofmodelling.co.uk www.miahmanagement.com 

Marouso Tzaneti joins us to share her journey from being discovered in Greece at 16 years old to building an international modelling career. In this episode, she reflects on her first steps into the industry, adapting to different markets and the experiences that have shaped her both personally and professionally. She talks about navigating the reality of life as a model, from the excitement of new opportunities to the challenges that come with building a long-term career. Marouso also discusses balancing modelling alongside studying chemistry and the importance of education. This conversation also explores the changing role of social media in modelling, the pressure to build a personal brand, and why authenticity and personality are becoming increasingly important alongside the image. Marouso shares her advice for young models starting out, the importance of patience and resilience, and why having a wider perspective is so valuable in an unpredictable industry. A conversation about the person behind the images, the realities of international modelling and what it takes to build a career that lasts. www.businessofmodelling.co.uk https://agencia.gr/  

Ellen Burton is an international beauty and fashion model whose career has taken her across major markets including Milan, Paris, LA and Australia. In this episode, she reflects on starting out as a teenager in Norfolk, the early experiences that helped build her confidence, and how a dramatic haircut became a turning point in her career. She talks about being introduced to top photographer Rankin, shooting for Hunger magazine, working on a Prada story, and how those opportunities helped open doors internationally. Ellen also discusses the different sides of modelling, including beauty, editorial and commercial work, and what it takes to adapt across markets, clients and creative teams. This conversation also touches on what she believes makes a good model, why ego has to be left at the door, the importance of trusting your agent, and how the industry continues to change with social media, longer model careers and the growing conversation around AI. www.businessofmodelling.co.uk