A modeling mother agency is usually the first agency with which you begin your career in Charleston, South Carolina. Mother agencies will help you get acquainted and comfortable with the modeling industry and may promote you to other agencies in the international market. Should your mother agency sign you to an international agency an agreement will be made between the agencies with respect to how the mother agency will earn a portion of the commission that the international agency deducts from your earnings. This commission will not increase the amount of commission you pay to the international agency, therefore you are essentially getting two or more agencies for the price of one. It is a win, win for you and having a good mother agency protecting you is a good thing.
There are some instances where a mother agency will charge the model a 5-10 percent commission rate over and above the international agency deducts. Be sure you understand what type of commission structure you are agreeing to before signing a contract.