8.30am - I get into work and fire up all the computers in the office for the staff, then make a cup of coffee to wake up!

9am - The office meeting. The 3 bookers catch up about the jobs they are dealing with so that everyone knows what’s going on around the desk. A booker needs to be aware of all the modelling jobs happening in the agency. Clients have emailed perhaps from the night before wanting lists of models to be put forward for up and coming jobs. The jobs have to be prioritised along with emails that have to be dealt with. The phone starts to ring about now; it could be models wanting directions to jobs, clients needing models yesterday or potential models needing information about joining the agency.

10am - The Open morning has begun. The open casting for potential models lasts 2 hours. We have forms to fill in and the digital camera at the ready. All potential models get around 10 minutes each of free advice on modelling. If Gingersnap can’t help the potentials, we send them to other agencies that could take them on. I am as honest as possible. I have to be strong because for some guys this is their dream, and if I know they can’t make a professional career of modelling, I have to tell them. I have had people shouting, crying and laughing, there is no rhyme or reason what the reaction will be. Every now and again we might get a great new potential model for Gingersnap. These models need to be photographically tested. This is to see what they are like in front of the camera. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

12noon - The open casting is over and we have seen roughly 8-15 people. The phone messages have built up and the pending modelling jobs have to be filled and sorted. The phone keeps ringing and more jobs are called in. The new jobs are logged into a schedule of up and coming jobs so all the bookers know what is going on. The log is consulted at all times so that models and jobs aren’t double booked.

1pm - Lunch! A friend or colleague might be met over the lunch hour.

2pm - A client is having a casting in the agency. The job is for a show, and so the building is filled with models coming to see the clients. Each model needs attention; she might need her portfolio sorting out, or some test shots to be chosen. He might need some advice on a potential haircut, or some feedback given about a casting they went for.

4pm - Models need their details for the next day’s work. There could be 8 models all needing their details. Details need to be emailed and then followed up with a call to make sure they know what they are doing. If by the end of the day the booker has not had a confirmation from a model, the details of the jobs and the model have to be taken home because, believe me, you won’t sleep until that model has confirmed all is well for the next day!

5pm - A model has been booked for a trip and their flight has to be booked. The best flight deals must be searched for and confirmed today. The model’s passport has to be in order and at hand.

5.05pm - A major magazine calls, they are shooting in Bath tomorrow and need a confirmed make-up artist before end of play. The booker must get on the phone and get someone confirmed asap. The client has to OK the artist, and the confirmation forms signed and faxed over. Then the details have to be given to the make-up artist and all is logged ready for invoicing.

5.30pm - The office closes for another day. Everyone is happy for now…until the rollercoaster starts again tomorrow!

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