ABOUT US

Ultimate Image is our development side of the company specializing in creating a process, journey, and training that encourages the model/talent to grow and be confident in the model & talent industry. Models & talent who are new to the industry and have absolutely no experience, or knowledge about the business will have the opportunity to attend hands-on workshops, coaching, and development programs offered through-out the community.

Ultimate Image networks with a variety of local organizations and companies to help provide the opportunities in print, runway, and tv commercial. We strive to create a positive environment to experience a little of what the industry has to offer each talent entering the business.

Natalie Sparrow , Mother Agent and local Talent/Model Agent who cares about the experience and opportunity of models/talent building their hobby into a career. She has a unique ability to create fashion shows, print opportunities, and community projects to provide opportunities to beginner models/talent. Sparrow specializes in placing talent WORLDWIDE with a network of agencies and casting directors for professional models/talent. She has numerous successful talent who have been placed in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and callback successes from agents all over the world.

What is a "Mother Agent", Natalie Sparrow?

We are a MOTHER AGENCY company. MOTHER AGENTS help models and talent link up with major agencies, casting directors/agents, and talent management. The MOTHER AGENT works for the model/talent and can help the model/talent narrow down a search for an agency in a major market as well as prepare the model/talent for agency representation.

What is Ultimate Image?

WE ARE NOT A MODELING SCHOOL. We are a development program that offers a variety of experiences, workshops, and community events to help the model/talent gain exposure and experience in the industry. A model/talent is prepared on how to interact with different industry professionals.

If you would like to schedule an audition please complete the application on the Audition Form Page.

Office Hours: Monday - Thursdays 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-3pm

We are closed weekends and all holidays.

ABOUT NATALIE SPARROW

ABOUT NATALIE SPARROW, OWNER

BUSINESS OWNER NAME: Natalie SparrowEDUCATION: Apparel and Textile Design at the North Dakota State University. B.S. Degree in Human Development and Education with Minor in Theatre Performance, 2000. SPECIALTY TRAINING: Certified Image/Wardrobe Consultant and Make-up Artist with Color One of Washington, DCBUSINESS DEBUT: August 1999 - Ultimate Image. March 2011 – Ultimate Image, Model & Talent ManagementCOMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: In 2000, Sparrow worked with Clothing & Connections, a non-profit organization assisting low-income men/women transitioning into the workplace. She helped form the organization and get the media attention by making appearances on television and radio, volunteered on the board, and provided before/after make-overs for the participants attending the programs.Produced and choreograph fashion shows to help fundraise for local charities. Over the years, Sparrow created and produced numerous charitable fashion shows including Prom Fantasy, Downtown Holiday Extravaganza, Ultimate Shows, Fashionably Loud, and Beyond Beauty Expo. She volunteered to produce fashion shows for The Christmas Gift Fashion Show, Trend Release, and The Quota International Annual Fashion Show. All of these shows became very successful and raised over $10,000 in charitable funds.In 2006, Natalie received the honor of winning the YWCA Women of The Year Award for "Business That Empowers Women".PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: Sparrow has been a member of many organizations within the community including Business Network International, Fargo/Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, Quota International, and Clothing & Connections. On a wider level, she held membership, for one year, with the Association of Image Consultants International. Most recently, Natalie has assisted in the development of the National Association for Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and in October 2010 they chartered a local chapter, NAWBO-GRRV. This organization focuses on encouraging business networking, empowerment, and development for working women.ABOUT LAUNCHING THE AGENCY: During one of her board meetings, a business affiliate advised Natalie to start a model/talent agency in the community. After months of research, she launched the expansion of Ultimate Model & Talent Management in the spring of 2001. Sparrow wanted to provide a program that empowered people and helped them grow as beautiful people, inside and out. She also wanted to provide a program that opened opportunities, nationwide, to honest and legitimate companies within the industry; an industry that is filled with many dishonest people. Sparrow found the model/talent agency to be challenging and realized the opportunities in the Midwest were limited, she decided to create programs that would allow models/talent to participate in hands-on opportunities to help them gain the knowledge in this industry. Finding much of her time volunteering, Sparrow faced the challenges of making a profit and needed to expand her business one more time, she took on the challenge of becoming a fashion photographer to help local models develop their portfolios and assist them into having photos that replicated the major fashion markets. Many models do not have the funds to afford a fashion photographer from New York or any major market, so Sparrow found ways to make this happen by working with international photographers to help her grow, so she is able to help her models grow. ANOTHER TALENT/SKILL: As a professional make-up artist, for 18 years, she has an enormous passion for make-up and working as an artist to help create beautiful faces. Sparrow has worked numerous cosmetic companies including Mary Kay, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Arbonne International, Aloette Cosmetics, her own cosmetic line, and her most recent success is Mirabella Beauty. With Mirabella, Sparrow has earned the title of National Brand Ambassador and travels across the nation educating salons on make-up application and cosmetic ingredients. Dreams are coming true for Sparrow, her recent trip to New York (October 2011) added one more check to her “bucket list” when she had the amazing opportunity to assist as a master make-up artist backstage at New York Bridal Fashion Week with Mirabella Beauty. It has been a dream of Sparrow’s since she was age fourteen to attend fashion week and this was a giant step to achieving that dream. She also had the privilege of working on magazine beauty editors including Martha Stewart Weddings and In Style Magazine. Sparrow’s journey with Mirabella beauty has only been a short two years, but it has been incredibly rewarding.FINAL NOTE: Natalie Sparrow has a vision and encourages others to see things are possible, especially in Fargo. She works with the Apparel/Textile college intern students to help them seek future opportunities in the Fargo/Moorhead area and if they don’t see the opportunities – create it! Sparrow is focused into “how can we do it” rather than “if we can” and finds a way to make every opportunity work.
Museum Frame

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long have you been in business?

NATALIE SPARROW has been in business for 12 years and has over 20 years of experience in the industry. NATALIE SPARROW is well-known within the industry as an established, respected Mother Agent and Ultimate Image is a leader in the development and placement of new models around the world.

What type of work do you book for your models and talent?

NATALIE SPARROW books all types of work for our models and talent, based on what is available in the market for each talent.

Bookings may include commercial print, runway, TV commercials, promotional modeling, voice-over, and films. The economy, model/talent's availability, and market (FARGO) GREATLY affect available work, not all talent will experience the same success in opportunities and bookings. We also specialize in placing our models and talent with national/international agencies and national casting agents where opportunities are greater and rewarding.

Is there a fee to be a represented by NATALIE SPARROW?

No, there is no fee to be represented by represented - you should NEVER pay an agent to represent you. The agency earns a commission when you work. The standard agency commission is 20%.

While there is no fee to be represented by our agency, models/talent are expected to cover their own expenses such as composite cards, test shoots, etc.

Do I have to take modeling classes with your agency?

No, we are not a modeling school. We do, however, expect our talent/models to be educated, knowledgeable, and prepared for the industry. Our clients expect to book the professional talent when they are hiring and we expect to provide our clients with the ULTIMATE and professional talent/models. IF a model/talent comes to our company, looking for representation, and they are not prepared, or familiar with the industry, we will offer suggestions and opportunities to help gain experience and knowledge in the industry.

AUDITION FORM

CLICK ON IMAGE TO APPLY AS A MODEL OR TALENT

*Once application is received, all approved applications will be notified within 1-2 months of our next audition opportunity

Click here to become a new face with Ultimate!

Submissions are ONLY accepted by our website, we do NOT accept mailed or email submissions.

Please DO NOT apply if you do not meet our criteria:

1. Ages 4 and older

2. Live within driving distance to Fargo, ND and MUST be willing to travel to Fargo frequently for castings, bookings, development, etc...

INDUSTRY EXPENSES

The Truth About Modeling Expenses

The responsibility of the expenses for a model/talent to start their business is often misunderstood to new models starting in the industry. It is often expected that agencies will front all costs of developing new models/talent to start their career. Modeling agencies often hear new models say "Well, if you liked me you would pay for everything". Unfortunately, the industry doesn't front the cost like agencies did in the 1980's.

It is TRUE, models do not EVER need to pay to be represented. Agencies make money off of commissions from the work a model/talent performs. However, that is different from investing in your business start-up costs that are typical of ANYONE starting a business. A model/talent is an entrepreneur and must treat their journey as a BUSINESS. To be a successful, professional model/talent, it is essential to possess the tools of the trade including photographs, comp cards, headshots/resume, model development, etc...

It's a competitive industry and models/talent MUST be prepared.

As a model/actor you are a self-employed, independent contractor. You are considered a sole proprietor in your own small business; you are not an employee of the agency. In addition to basic start-up costs, professional models, including those represented by top agencies such as Ford Models, Elite, Next, Wilhelmina are required to cover all of their own promotional expenses such as composite cards, agency books, headsheets, websites, etc. Professional models understand that this is simply the cost of doing business and it is standard in the industry for the model to cover these promotional expenses.

Don't make the mistake of expecting an agent to pay for your expenses. Agents consider this extremely rude, presumptuous and unprofessional and it is a sure fire way to make the agent show you the door. If an agent is willing to help you financially they will offer it. Keep in mind this is extremely rare and is generally offered only by large agencies in markets such as New York, Paris or Milan and they will deduct what you owe them the moment you book a job.

Agencies in smaller markets simply do not have the resources to finance new models. However, the agencies in smaller markets are very important to a new model's career. Most models do not start at the top in big New York or Paris agencies; rather they learn the business, develop their look and build their books in the smaller market agencies. If you have the opportunity to work with an agency in a smaller market don't pass it up, they can be a valuable asset to your career. And please, please don't expect modeling agencies to finance your career. Remember that agents are just that - they are AGENTS. They are not bankers or magicians.

Normal Start-Up Expenses

Test shoot with photographers

Model/Talent Coaching/Development

Website, Comp Cards, Headshots/resume

Demo Reel

Hair/Make-up Artist & Wardrobe Stylist

**Information on this page provided by ModelScouts.com

BOOK A TALENT Old Film

BOOK A MODEL/TALENT

If you are a client interested in booking talent, Please call OR email to request your exclusive pass to view talent's portfolio/reels. We look forward to providing you with the best talent in the region!________________________________________TERMS & CONDITIONSBOOKING: All bookings are considered provisional and not binding on either party unless confirmed within 48 hours.DAY RATES: A day rate is 5+ consecutive hours, including one - 1/2 - 1 hour lunch break. Day rates must be requested at time of booking or an hourly rate will apply. Discounts apply to 1/2 day (up to 4 hours) and full day (5+ hours) rates.OVERTIME: Time and a half is charged on bookings before 8:30 am and after 6:00 p.m., also Saturday and Sunday unless negotiated with the agency prior to booking.TRAVEL: The client is responsible for the payment of travel costs where applicable.TRAVEL TIME: Travel time will be charged at $.42 per mile unless otherwise agreed in writing.FITTING & REHEARSAL FEES: These will be charged at the hourly rate unless otherwise agreed in writing.PRINT/Promotional: All talent are booked by the hour, with one-hour minimum and subsequently billed in thirty minute increments.TEST JOBS: Test must be cleared with agency prior to the booking. No release will be signed.LINGERIE: Transparent loungewear, sleepwear, pantyhose, slips, bras, panties, etc. will be double the hourly rate. All other lingerie will be billed at time and a half. Please specify at time of booking.HOTEL EXPENSES: The client is responsible for the payment of hotel and subsistence costs when a Model or actor is required to work away from his/her home.COMPLAINTS: The agency must be informed within 1 hour from the commencement of the working day giving the reasons why the person is considered unsatisfactory.CANCELLATIONS: A cancellation fee of 50% of the total invoice will be charged where less than 72 HOURS notice is given. Cancellations for bookings made within 72 HOURS of the booking will be charged at the full fee payable.WEATHER CANCELLATION: Subject to a one-hour cancellation fee AND payment of full fee if not rebooked within 30 days.VOUCHERS: If the voucher or timesheet system is used, the client needs to legibly fill out and sign the voucher/timesheet at the end of each booking.USAGE: Usage fees are to be negotiated with the agency and must be stated at the time of the booking. Usage fees are in addition to the talent's hourly rate. Billboards, national ads, consumer product packaging, poster, hang tags or use of models names all constitute a "premium" subject to usage fee negotiation.TALENT FEES: All talent fees are to be paid directly to the agency .PAYMENT: Invoices will be sent to the attention of the client arranging the booking unless otherwise notified to the agency. Payment on non-union electronic media and print are required within 30 days of the invoice date.CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY1.Disclosure of extraordinary conditions or requirements.2.Provide adequate dressing facilities on all bookings.3.Give the address and phone number of all booking locations.4.Confirm all booking fees prior to actual booking.5.Give booker all pertinent billing instructions.6. Provide a safe working environment, free of any form of danger or personal harassment.7. Arrange additional bookings, or request of model/talent via agency. No direct contact may be made to model/talent unless authorized by agent.BASIS OF ENGAGEMENT: All personnel are deemed to be self-employed, independent contractors unless otherwise notified to the client.ALTERATIONS: The agency reserves the right to alter these terms and conditions upon reasonable notice being given.DISCLAIMER: The agency operates purely as a booking service and while we make every effort to ensure that personnel behave in proper manner, we do not admit responsibility for any loss or damage, however caused.Ready to Book?Email: info_ultimatemodelmanagement.com

Groove N Space

Ultimate Image

Model & Talent Mgmt

We are a full service model and talent management company representing actors, singers, and models in the ND/MN Region.

P: 701.306.2676

Email:

info_ultimatemodelmanagement.com

*Please do not email to inquire about representation. If interested please complete Audition Form.

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