The BAM Agency List

Every Region.
Every Look.
One directory.

Vetted agencies for commercial, baby, kids, family, plus size, mature, fitness, editorial and unique looks — filtered by where you live and who you are. Open any agency for its full submission profile: how they take submissions, exactly what to send, and the format that gets read. Save the ones that fit, then submit with confidence.

65vetted agencies
6regions
9categories
$0upfront fees — ever
1

Filter to you. Pick your region and the category that describes you or your child.

2

Open the profile. See how each agency accepts submissions and precisely what to send.

3

Shortlist, then submit. Save your picks, copy the template, send one clean email per agency.

Read the submission playbook ↓
No agencies match — clear the filters or try a wider region.
The Submission Playbook

How Agencies Actually read a submission.

Every agency on this list receives hundreds of emails a week. The ones that get opened all look the same — and it isn't the prettiest photos. It's the cleanest information.

01

The Digitals

Two to four simple phone photos, shot in daylight against a plain wall. No filters, no heavy makeup, no props, no professional retouching.

  • Headshot, relaxed and smiling
  • Headshot, neutral expression
  • Full-length, fitted clothing
  • Optional: three-quarter profile
02

The Stats

Agencies scan for facts first. Put them in the body of the email, never in an attachment.

  • Full name and city
  • Age (or child's date of birth)
  • Height · dress/suit size · shoe size
  • Hair and eye color
  • Availability and travel radius
03

The Email

Five to seven lines. Subject line first, then who you are, then what's attached. Copy the template from any agency profile above.

  • Subject: "Submission — [Category] — [Name], [City]"
  • One sentence on why this agency
  • Photos attached as JPEGs (not links)
  • Sign off with phone and email
04

The Timing

Silence is normal. Agencies file submissions and pull them when a client brief matches. Your job is to stay current.

  • Allow four to six weeks per agency
  • One polite follow-up, then stop
  • Resubmit every three months with new digitals
  • Track everything — your shortlist does this for you
Know Your Division

What Each Division actually books.

Agencies are organized by division. Submitting to the right one — with the right materials — is half the battle.

Market Notes

Where You Live changes the play.

Commercial modeling is local. Most bookings happen within driving distance of the agency, so start with your own market and grow outward.

Protect Yourself

Red Flags & how to verify an agency.

Every agency on this list was reviewed against these rules. Use them on anyone who contacts you — especially on social media.

Walk away if they…

  • Charge a registration, listing or "portfolio" fee
  • Require you to use their photographer
  • Promise bookings, fame or a guaranteed income
  • Message you first on Instagram or TikTok with a "scout" pitch
  • Ask for payment by wire, gift card or crypto
  • Pressure you to sign the same day

A real agency will…

  • Earn a commission only when you book (typically 10–20%)
  • Accept simple phone digitals — no pro shoot required
  • Take weeks to reply, not minutes
  • Have a real office address and named bookers
  • List clients and models you can look up
  • Put every term in a written contract you can take home
?

How to verify in 5 minutes

  • Search the agency name + "reviews" and + "complaints"
  • US: check state talent-agency licensing (required in CA, NY, FL and others)
  • UK: confirm they follow the Employment Agencies Act — no upfront fees allowed
  • Look for real, recent work on their social channels
  • Email the address on their website, not the one that contacted you
!

Extra care with kids

  • Parents attend every casting and shoot — no exceptions
  • US: child work permits vary by state; California requires a Coogan trust account
  • UK: a child performance licence and licensed chaperone are required for paid work
  • Never share a child's school or daily schedule in a submission
Speak the Language

The Agency glossary.

Digitals / Polaroids

Simple, unretouched phone snapshots that show what you look like today. The only photos most agencies want first.

Comp Card

A one-page card with your best photo, stats and contact details. Agencies produce it once you're signed; independents make their own.

Commission

The agency's cut of a booking — usually 10–20% from you, plus a fee billed to the client. It is how legitimate agencies make money.

Exclusive vs. Non-exclusive

Exclusive means one agency represents you in a market. Non-exclusive (common in commercial) lets you work with several.

Mother Agency

Your home agency that places you with partner agencies in other markets and takes a share of those bookings.

Open Call

Set hours when an agency sees walk-ins in person. Bring digitals, stats and a parent if under 18.

Go-see / Casting

A short in-person or self-tape audition for a specific job. Usually unpaid; sometimes with a small fitting fee.

Callback

A second look after a casting. Fewer people, higher odds.

Usage / Buyout

What the client pays to use your image, on top of the day rate — by territory, medium and time period.

Direct Booking

A job offered without a casting, based on your digitals or comp card alone. The goal of a strong submission.

Real People / Lifestyle

The commercial division that books everyday-looking families, couples, professionals and seniors — the largest category of work.

Freelance

Working without an agency, booking directly through casting platforms. See the Jobs Board.

Agency FAQ

Questions we get every week.

Do I need an agency to work as a commercial model?
No. A large share of commercial, print and web work is booked directly through casting platforms. Many working models do both: an agency for larger campaigns, and platforms for steady direct bookings. The Jobs Board shows what's being cast right now.
Should I pay for professional photos before submitting?
No. Agencies specifically ask for unretouched phone digitals so they can see your real look. A polished portfolio can actually work against a first submission. If you're signed, the agency will guide any test shoot.
How many agencies should I submit to?
Start with every agency in your own market whose divisions match you — typically five to twelve. Non-exclusive commercial agencies are used to models submitting widely. Use the shortlist to keep track of who you've contacted and when.
I haven't heard back. What now?
Silence is the norm, not a rejection. Wait four to six weeks, send one short follow-up, then resubmit in three months with fresh digitals. Meanwhile, keep booking directly through platforms — real credits make the next submission stronger.
My child is a baby / toddler. Is it different?
Yes, and simpler. Agencies want three to five recent snapshots, date of birth, sizes and your city — babies change fast, so update every two to three months. A parent attends everything, and work permits or licences apply depending on where you live. The Baby & Child Guide walks through it step by step.
I'm over 40 / plus size / have a unique look. Is there work for me?
These are the fastest-growing divisions in commercial modeling. Brands need faces that look like their customers. Filter this list by Mature, Plus Size or Unique Looks — many agencies now have dedicated boards for each.
Does an agency listing here mean BAM endorses them?
It means the agency met our screening rules — no upfront fees, a verifiable office and real recent work — at the time of review. Agencies change hands and policies, so always verify independently before signing anything. BAM is an education platform, not an agency, and we never receive a fee from any listing.
Can I submit from another country?
Most agencies book locally, but the Global / Online region lists agencies that accept international submissions, and many major networks (Ford, IMG, Wilhelmina, Elite) have offices in several markets. Submit to the office nearest to where you can actually attend castings.
Your Next Step

Submit the right way.

Everything on this page is free. When you're ready to go deeper, this is the path.

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