My aim is to make everyone happy - the models and clients. I want to make the agency a friendly place for everyone. With that in mind, if there is anything I can do to make the agency better for you, then please let me know and I will do my best to keep everyone happy. I can be contacted pretty much any time by phone or email so don't hesitate to call me if there's something you need.

I can't guarantee how much work I will find you - as you know this agency is very new and we are only just starting to get noticed but I can promise you that I will do my best for you - it's in all our interests.

With this in mind there are some pointers for you, based on my experience as a photographer, to help make you as popular a model as possible. The basic point is that there is much more to being a model than just looks. I'm assuming that by this stage we will have established that you have the necessary physical attributes for being a model. There are some more things you will need as well if you want to make your name (and some money) as a model.

The first of these attributes that a successful model should have, is flexibility. It's a simple fact that the more sorts of work you are available for, the more work you are likely to get. If you don't work outdoors, don't do nudity, won't travel outside Durban, etc, then that is your choice but obviously you are reducing your potential market by doing so. You should bear in mind that the photographer is your customer and being flexible and accommodating is something that makes you more valuable, and therefore more likely to be rebooked. As far as the issue of nudity is concerned, you should decide beforehand what sort of work you are willing to do so that everyone is clear about this before a shoot is booked. As you will realise, this agency does not adopt a 'superior' attitude about models that undertake work involving nudity. My own personal belief is that nudity is nothing to be ashamed of, and indeed can be a beautiful thing when handled properly, and this agency exists to promote that view. Certainly I don't believe that appearing nude can ever damage your career, and it will usually enhance it - it just makes the number of potential customers higher.

The second attribute is professionalism. As a model you should be professional and enthusiastic at all times when dealing with a customer (and preferably with me as well!). Even if you are just doing it for the money there is a sound reason for this. If you annoy a customer by lateness or some other reason he will almost certainly decide to try another model when he comes to book his next session - that's money down the drain for you because the best way to find work is by being rebooked by existing customers and by his word of mouth spreading to other potential customers. So there are several things you should make sure of:

1. Firstly, once a booking has been made you should regard it as your number one priority that you make this booking count. You should only cancel if you are ill or some other unavoidable reason - cancelling because you fancy going shopping or to a party instead is not acceptable. If you have to cancel, give a much notice as possible so that the customer can make other arrangements if necessary, or at least so that the time he wastes is kept to a minimum. As a photographer I know how frustrating it can be when models behave unprofessionally - this always puts a black mark against them.

2. You should aim to arrive at the client's location before the time arranged. Lateness gets the session off to a bad start. Sometimes lateness is unavoidable but you should certainly call and apologise and give the client your best guess at when you will arrive. You all have (or should have) mobile phones so there is no excuse for this. You should always make the customer feel that he is important to you.

3. If the client asked you to bring something along to the booking (clothes, makeup etc) you should make absolutely sure that you do this. Call to check if you aren't sure - again there is no excuse for not doing this.

4. You should arrive for the session in reasonable order. Bags under your eyes due to too little sleep, cracked nail polish, ugly strap marks, etc, just give a bad impression and a customer is well within his rights to cancel or not start paying for the session until these problems are attended to. If you have a bruise or tan lines or something that can't be covered you should inform the customer beforehand in case this causes a problem for him. Any permanent marks like scars, birthmarks, tattoos and piercings should be reported to me up front so that the customer can be warned about them before a booking is made.

I always check with clients that they are satisfied with the booking and in cases of unprofessionalism reserve the right to fine you or even to remove you from the agency.

With regard to your safety while on bookings I undertake to be up front with you. If I don't know the client I will tell you. I get references and samples from potential clients to check them out as much as possible. However ultimately your safety has to be in your hands. With this in mind:

1. Carry a mobile phone with you at all times.

2. Only go to the address that has been previously agreed. If they ask to take you somewhere else that you haven't heard about, refuse.

3. Don't accept drinks if you don't trust the client. If in doubt ask the customer to take a sip first. Unfortunately these days the so-called 'date rape' drug is readily available and gets into the hands of unscrupulous people.