If you want to break into Teen modelling, a good place to start is by looking at the way Anna Fischer was discovered. Anna was scouted at the 2015 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee by a huge modelling agency and she’s fast becoming a major teen modelling success story. Anna recently told her story to Teen Vogue.

Major discovery

Anna revealed to Teen Vogue that it all came as a huge surprise to her. Anna admitted that “I was feeling too hot and so uncomfortable,” on the day she was scouted and she had been forced to resort to her second choice outfit, a “bralette and spanx,” which was pretty understated for her cool sense of style. Determined to enjoy the festival, Anna put her discomfort aside, freshened up and headed to the silent disco with her boyfriend – where her life changed forever.

This is where she was scouted by the Director of Scouting and Development at Ford Models, Jonny Schultz, who has been in the fashion industry for more than a decade. Speaking to Teen Vogue, Jonny said that he often scouts new talent at festivals, adding: “I love all types of scouting, but festival scouting is a favourite… Everyone is in a good mood enjoying their favourite bands with their friends. They are also hanging out for a few days, which gives me time to get a good look at a potential model before I approach to have a conversation.”

Advice for hopefuls

The Scouting Director was immediately struck by Anna’s understated wardrobe, as this low-key look allowed him to immediately see her raw potential for modelling. Offering advice for other teen modelling hopefuls, Jonny said:  “Keep it simple. Wear a form-flattering outfit, minimal makeup and hair product. We are essentially looking for raw material, not a finished product.”

Jonny was also quick to note that you need to be more than just beautiful to be scouted by a top Teen Modelling Agency. Going on to offer more advice, he said that “not every beautiful person can be a model… They have to have a great personality and also be photogenic” and have that “it factor” it takes to shine as a model. But Jonny also suggested that you should be savvy and avoid jumping at the first modelling opportunity you find. Elaborating, he said: “If you get approached by a scout, do your homework. Research the company, and the scout.”

Anna’s modelling wisdom

Since that day at the 2015 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee scouted by Jonny, Anna has tried to learn all she can about the industry and has now secured work with major names. This includes a campaign with Macy’s Prom and a gig where she got to strut down the catwalk for Cat Footwear. Talking about her first runway show, Anna said:

“It was an outdoor runway… and the music we walked to was electronic and bumping super loud. There were tons of strobe lights going and a huge crowd with lots of energy. When it was my turn to go onstage, my adrenaline was pumping so hard. It was like walking on clouds and the crowd was so receptive and excited. It was the scariest, craziest, and best experience I’ve had modelling so far. I’m sure I’ll have more insane experiences to come.”

Asked what advice she’d give to aspiring teen models, Anna said: “Be yourself… If you feel confident in your clothes, they’ll look good. It’s not always what you wear, but how well you wear it.” Going further she advises that if you don’t feel comfortable rocking the season’s most avante guarde trends, go for black, as “it’s always easy and sharp.”

Always be yourself

Anna’s tale shows that if you strive to be yourself at all times, you could be discovered by a top teen modelling agency when you least expect it. You never know, one day you could be chilling with friends at a festival, just like Anna, only to be approached by a top agent who’s really impressed by your unique sense of style. If this happens to you and you work hard, you could fast find yourself becoming the next successful teen model!