A go-see is a modeling audition: an in-person appointment where a model meets a client, photographer, or casting team so they can see the model face to face before booking a job. The name is literal. You go, they see.
Go-sees are the modeling world's equivalent of an acting audition, but with a different emphasis. There are usually no lines to read. The client is evaluating your look in person, how you move, how clothes fit you, and what you are like to work with.
What Happens at a Go-See
Most go-sees are short, often just a few minutes. A typical appointment includes some combination of:
- Introducing yourself and handing over your comp card and portfolio
- The client flipping through your book and asking a few questions
- Walking, if the job involves runway
- Quick digital photos or a short video, often called digitals
- Trying on a garment, if fit matters for the booking
Then it is over. Clients may see dozens of models in a day, so the brevity is normal and not a judgment on you.
How to Prepare
The standard advice from agencies is consistent: arrive as a blank canvas. Clients want to see you, not a styled version of you.
- Wear simple, fitted clothing, typically neutral basics
- Keep makeup minimal or skip it entirely
- Bring your comp cards and an updated portfolio every time
- Arrive early. Lateness travels fast in a small industry
- Be polite to everyone, including assistants and receptionists
Attitude is quietly the biggest factor. Clients rebook models who were easy, punctual, and pleasant, and they remember the ones who were not.
Go-Sees vs. Castings and Open Calls
You will hear related terms used loosely. A casting is a broader audition for a specific job and may involve many models at once. An open call is a standing invitation, often held by agencies scouting new faces, with no appointment needed. A go-see is usually a scheduled, individual appointment requested by a client, frequently arranged through your agency.
In practice, the preparation is identical for all three. If you are building toward your first go-sees, start with the fundamentals in how to become a model: clean digitals, a simple portfolio, and consistent professionalism. Every go-see is a rehearsal for the next one, and models who treat them that way book more work over time.
