I’ve probably been asked this question more often than any other question. My response is usually … “What type of modeling do you want to do?” Model: “Anything”. Conversation over. I’m kidding, I’m not that mean. But really, a response from a model like that shows me they haven’t done any research or given it much thought. How serious can you be if you haven’t taken the time to do a little research.
Below are a few top things that helped me in the beginning:
1. Be Realistic
The world of modeling has various avenues. Fashion has multiple genres. Glamour has many versions. Then there’s commercial and lifestyle. There’s promotional, there’s … a lot. You have to ask yourself, “What type of modeling am I suited for?”. If you’re 5′3″, no matter your weight, it is HIGHLY unlikely you will ever be a runway fashion model by New York’s standards… but you may be a print model. Do you know what fashion model criteria is? For females, roughly 5′8″+ AND size 0-4. Plus size models are usually still 5′8″+ and range in size from an 8 to 32W (according to Plusmodels.com). Commercial and lifestyle modeling (think Target, Geritol, Motrin ads) accept models with more of an “everyday” look because the jobs these models land are geared toward everyday people in certain markets. While the models are still attractive, people are able to relate to them. The point to this is, evaluate yourself … and see where you fit in.
Danielle Season 6 ANTM Winner
2. Understand What It Means To Model
If you are looking to be an overnight success, make hundreds of thousands and never have to work again, or think that after sending out the first set of pictures you take, all you have to do is wait for your phone to ring … more often than not, you’re setting yourself up for let down. In the beginning of my modeling “career” (I use quotations because it wasn’t something I opted to do as a job), I contacted several well known managers and agents. Most ignored my messages. 1 suggested I slim down and tone up then come back to him. Another was polite enough to tell me he wasn’t accepting new clients (lets face it, he didn’t want to represent me but at least he didn’t ignore me. I can respect that). Only 1 person said yes right away. What should you take from that? Keep trying but also listen to criticism. 2 months after getting with my former manager I was booked for KING magazine AND I worked on improving my body.
In modeling your look is very important. Sometimes it’s the only thing that gets you invited to castings and auditions. You may be very beautiful, sexy, or whatever but if the casting director is looking for something in particular and you don’t fit that look, there’s nothing you can do but to continue to submit yourself for jobs you think you might be a match for. Don’t take it personally – at least try not to. It’s a business.
3. Be Consistent
Try to go to castings/auditions regularly. Do photoshoots often – its gives you practice and updates your portfolio. If you have the email to key people at magazines or agencies, send them your new images. They may not respond but at least you tried. I submitted to Smooth magazine for a year before I got a request to come shoot.
4. Network
As in the real world (if you didn’t already know), modeling is very much about who you know. Who you know may get you access to an audition, or a few special words whispered to the head booking person, etc. Always be polite and professional. You never know who it is you’re talking to.
5. It Takes Money to Make Money
It’s true and that is no different for modeling. Quality photos, wardrobe/makeup, last minute plane tickets to auditions (if you don’t live in a city with a major market) to name a few can get expensive. Understand few things in life are free. Modeling isn’t one of them.
Filed under: Uncategorized by Kaylana
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written by Photographer Christopher Thompson of ChrispImages
