How to Nail Online Castings (Even if You're Just Starting Out)
- jennythejhgroup
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 19
It's casting time for fall New York Fashion Week and online castings have become the norm for prescreening models. But let’s be honest: online castings can feel intimidating, especially when you’re just starting out and don’t have professional photos, a polished comp card, or runway experience. But here’s the good news—every working model you admire started from scratch, and you can too. You don’t need a $10,000 portfolio to get noticed. You do need effort, intention, and the ability to follow instructions.
So, let’s break it down.
First Impressions Matter—Don't Sleep on That First Photo
The first photo you submit is what determines whether your email gets opened or tossed. Designers and casting directors are swiping through submissions like it’s Tinder during fashion week. If your photo is dim, blurry, over-filtered, or screams “I took this in a dirty mirror at midnight,” it’s likely getting skipped.
💡 TIP: Use natural daylight. Stand near a window. Clean, solid-colored background. No distractions. Wear fitted clothes so they can see your shape.
No Portfolio? No Problem (Yet)
You don’t need a full-blown professional portfolio to start. You just need clean, clear digitals—also called "polaroids" in the industry. These are the no-makeup, no-frills photos that agencies and designers actually prefer to see when they’re scouting new talent.
Here’s what to shoot (with your phone!):
Full body (front, side, and back)
Waist up
Close-up of your face (no makeup, clean hair)
Profile (side view)
Bonus points if you include one smiling and one with a neutral face.
Stand in front of a plain wall, wear skinny jeans and a tank or a basic bodysuit. Pull your hair back. That’s it. That’s the post.
Don't Know How to Walk the Runway? Learn It Anyway.
You don’t need to go to modeling school to learn a basic walk. YouTube is your friend. Search for videos on model walks (look for agency-backed videos, not just TikTok trends) and practice walking in a straight line with confidence and posture.
When submitting for a runway casting, always include a video of your walk. Use a hallway or long room. Set your phone on a chair or shelf—no shaky, selfie-style videos. Walk away from the camera, turn, and walk back. Do it a few times until it feels natural. Many online castings will request a video of you walk.
What to Include in Your Submission
If you're applying for a casting call, always follow the instructions exactly. If they ask for 3 photos and a walk video, don’t send 12 filtered selfies and a TikTok montage. Here’s a standard format if they don't give specifics:
Subject Line: [Your Name] – [City] – Model Submission
Body:
Name
Age
Height
Measurements (Bust/Waist/Hips)
Shoe size
Location
Contact Info (email, phone, IG handle if requested)
Availability
Attach 3-5 clear digitals + your walk video. Boom.
Real Talk: You Don’t Need to Be Rich to Be Ready
Not everyone has access to expensive photographers or comp card designers. That doesn’t mean you can’t get in the room (or inbox). What matters is that you show effort, professionalism, and potential. Trust me, casting teams can tell who’s coachable, even through a phone screen.
Final Words of Encouragement
If you’ve been afraid to submit because you don’t feel “ready,” let this be your push. Nobody starts perfect. Everyone starts awkward. But you’re never going to get booked if you never apply. So clean your space, grab your phone, and give them your best shot—literally.
And if your submission gets passed over? That’s part of the game. Keep improving. Keep submitting. The models who make it aren’t always the most polished—they’re the most persistent.
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