Darren Carter | Model from London, UK Modeling experience: Beginner, starting out I went through Estell Compton modeling Classes years ago. She really liked my style and sent me to New York for the Modeling Association of America International Competition at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. All the big Talent Agency's attended. There were over seven hundred competitors. 3 Categories, Runway, Photo Shoot, and Commercial. The gave out 9 awards 1-2-3 place in each division. I won the 2nd place in the Photo Shoot and 2nd place for my Commercial, taking home 2 of the nine awards. I was approached by a few very big agencies and asked to see them in about a year or two as I was only 17 at the time.