Looking for models for your brand? There’s lots to consider before you even start searching - the budget, look and feel of the shoot, and the logistics of organising it.

Once you've confirmed the details of your campaign, you need to figure out how to actually find the perfect model for your shoot. Luckily, we’re experts in doing exactly that, so we’re here to help. 

This guide covers the 8 best ways to find models for your brand, and the pros and cons of each. You’ll also learn a few top tips of things to consider before you start searching. 

Before you start searching for the perfect model to showcase your brand to your customers, there’s a few things you’ll want to consider:

Thinking about the different aspects of your shoot will help you narrow your search, craft a clear outreach message that wins replies, and build your brief.

Instagram’s probably the first place that comes to mind when thinking about how to find models for your brand.

Use the app’s built-in search features to discover models. Type in a keyword like “model London” or “fitness model UK” in the IG search bar to see a list of model profiles and agencies. You can also find models by location or hashtags.

If a model catches your eye, “slide in the DMs”! Give them some information about your brand, the shoot you’re planning, and the dates. 

If you don’t have specific models in mind, you could put a callout on your stories. This is where you give an overview of the shoot, budget and date, and ask people to get in touch if they’re free. 

It’s a great way of finding models without having to spend a lot of time messaging people individually. But, if you don’t have a big audience, you might not get many replies. And if you do have a big audience, you’ll probably find you get a lot of responses from people that might not match your creative vision/brief. 

If you have friends that fit the demographic of your brand, you could ask them if they’d do some modelling for you. They might even do you a favour and not charge you for it. 

There’s lots of groups on Facebook for people searching for models. Add a new post with some information about what you’re looking for and available models will reply so you can arrange the shoot. 

Facebook groups seem to be dominated by people searching for models, rather than models themselves. So you might have to sift through a lot of noise to find the perfect person. 

One way around this is to join more specific groups, e.g. one’s in your area, or for a certain demographic, rather than “models uk”.

Twitter’s another good place to find models for your brand. Use the search bar to type in things such as “models available in London”, and you’ll find different available options.

The downside of Twitter is that you’ll have to scroll through lots of conversations, some of which might not be relevant to what you’re looking for. 

Traditionally used by modelling agencies to find new faces for their books, it’s another method you could use to find models for your brand. However, it’s very time-consuming. It could take days before you find the perfect person! Plus, it relies on you feeling confident enough to walk up to someone in the street and ask if they’d be interested. 

This method usually works better for agencies because they have model scouts doing the work for them. But if you’re an independent business that’s just getting started, you might find it harder to convince people and prove your legitimacy.

Another way of finding models for your brand is to run Facebook ads. You could use tools like  Canva to design the creative, and then set up a campaign to target your ideal demographic. 

But it’s not the most straightforward way of doing things. Unless you already have experience running ad campaigns, it can take a long time to learn how they work. You might get lots of replies that aren’t relevant to your brief. Plus, running ads can get very expensive. Using your budget to find models yourself is often more efficient in the long term. 

Using agencies is a trusted option when it comes to finding models for your brand. You can view vetted models on their website, including their measurements, headshots and previous work. 

Modelling agencies give you access to some of the best models in the industry, but there are downsides. You’ll usually have to pay high fees (the agency’s fee + a commission on the model’s pay) to book through the agency, and you’ll need to email them and wait to hear back before you can confirm your booking. If you’re working to a short deadline, that delay could cost you valuable time. 

Platforms like Go Models allow you to browse models and book them online. You’ll have to set up an account before you can even view the models though, so there’s no way of knowing if they're right for your brand straight away.

Plus, the models aren’t vetted - anyone can sign up and become a model so the selection isn’t very curated.

As you can see from this list, it can be tricky to find models for your brand. Although there’s many ways to do it, 4 main consistent issues tend to arise:

That’s where Contact comes in. We’re a platform with over 900 diverse models across the UK and abroad. With Contact, you can follow a simple three-step process to quickly find a professional model that meets your needs.

Click here to enter the shortlisting flow. You can easily filter your search by model type, location, gender and daily budget.

You can refine your search even further with advanced filters. Adjust the features that are relevant to you,  so you can narrow down your search from thousands to just the types of creatives you need . The results will automatically change as you select different filters, such as:

*If you see a model that’s signed to an agency, don’t worry, you can still book them in exactly the same way. All it means is that they get work through our platform, and their agency. A bit like if you work a 9-5 and do freelance work too. Click on a model’s image to access their full profile, with links to their Instagram profile, their bio, polaroids and previous work.

If you’ve got a tight deadline, look out for the clock symbol on a creative’s profile - it means they reply quickly.

If you like what you see on a model’s profile, but want to look at some others before you make a decision, press the ‘shortlist’ button on their profile. Your shortlisted models will be added to a basket, where you can quickly access them when you’re ready to confirm.

Or, you can “bookmark” them and come back to them later when you’re ready to book. Just like an IG save.

Once you’ve found the perfect models for you, we need a few details about your shoot.

The models you shortlist will be able to see all the information you add here. So give them as much detail as you can.

Don’t worry if you don’t know every detail yet. You can edit the job brief after chatting with your shortlisted creatives. You can also share your shortlist with your team, making collaboration more manageable and the whole organisation process smoother than with an agency or via Instagram - you’re always in control.

Once your shortlisted models confirm their availability, you’ll be able to confirm your job and get looped in with your team.

When it’s time to pay the models after the shoot’s completed, you’ll get an invoice generated for you. You’ll pay a 20% fee per job, even if you book multiple models for your shoot.

Over 2,000 brands already trust us to find the perfect models for their campaigns. But don’t just take our word for it. Get started today or browse creatives.

Which one will you choose?

Small businesses can get models in lots of different ways. You can reach out on Instagram, use modelling agencies, try street scouting, use a platform, or ask a friend for a favour. Make sure you let them know the budget, location and deliverables upfront.

The best website for finding models is Contact. It's a platform that allows you to search over 900 models and book them instantly. You can filter by budget, age, measurements, location and hobbies to find the perfect model for you.

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are the best places to find beginner models. There’s many models who are new to the industry and waiting to be discovered. You can also use booking platforms like Contact and filter by "new faces".

The cost to hire a model varies depending on the experience of the model and the type of job. A new face shooting for a small brand on average costs £50 per hour, but a campaign shoot for a large brand with an experienced model can cost significantly more.

You'll find more information on rates here.