INTERESTED IN MODELING

If you are reading this then you have obviously given some thought to becoming a model. Whether you have thought about this briefly or in great length we would like to provide you with guidelines about the options available for you in the modeling world.

MODEL AGENCY vs. INDEPENDENT MODEL

Traditionally if you wanted to become a model you would have chosen the channel of signing up with a modeling agency/agent.

Although this is still the way that many people may choose to start and progress into a career in modeling, with the introduction of the internet we are seeing more and more people becoming independent models.

The main difference in becoming an agency model and an independent model is that an agency model has chosen an ‘agent’ who finds and assigns them modeling work and an independent model represents and seeks work for themselves.
The information contained in this section of the website will provide you with the basis of everything you need to know about becoming a model.

As there are fundamental differences in becoming an agency model and a independent model some of the above sections are split into these two areas to provide you with informative information in helping you decide on whether you would like to pursue your ambitions of becoming a model and then if you feel you have what it takes, to choose what type of modeling you would like to become involved in and if it suits you best to become an agency or independent model.

High Fashion – Catwalk: This is the top end of the modeling industry where the “super models” are formed. There is much demand to get into this area of modeling but really unless you are tall, thin and exactly what the top agencies are looking for, then chances of succeeding are very low. Catwalk work is very demanding but can generate substantial revenue for a model. Fashion: The area of fashion modeling is a vast market with the higher end of the market being for catalogues, brochures, magazines etc right through to simply assisting photographers building on their portfolios. Although the fashion market is not as demanding as high fashion, entry requirements are still very similar, and although it’s somewhat easier to become a fashion model than enter into high fashion its still a difficult aspect of modeling to become a part of. Swimwear and Lingerie: Some people class the modeling of swimwear and lingerie as just another part of fashion modeling, which it is to a certain extent. Similarly the work within this area will be from publications right through to photographers portfolio shoots. IT IS QUITE NORMAL THAT A MODEL CREATES THEIR INCOME FROM A COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE TYPES OF MODELING. Promotional work: Although some people don’t class promotional work as modeling it can be an excellent way to break into the modeling world or supplementing modeling income. Promotional work has got many different aspects to it and can include promoting products in different environments but it is also heavily based around public relations and models involved in promotional work will often find themselves being photographed for publicity shots or even appearing on television. This is an excellent way of raising a models profile and allowing them to make contacts for future assignments. Glamour: Glamour work is actually a style of photography and involves the portrayal of a model in a sexual way. This can range from provocative lingerie or swimwear shoots right through to semi-nude modeling. Artistic nudity: This work involves a model being completely nude but not posing in a sexual way. Work is often for photographer’s portfolios or non-photographic work for still life art. Adult: Adult modeling is of a sexual nature and ranges from top shelf magazines to XXX* adult movies.

REQUIREMENTS Requirements for modeling differ depending on which type of modeling you are interested in.

Fashion For any sort of fashion modeling (including catwalk, swimwear etc.) there are very strict requirements that must be met: Women + At least 5ft 8ins (although for catwalk work the optimum    height is rising to at least 5ft 9ins) + Bust between 32 – 36 inches + Waist between 22 – 26 inches + Hips must be in proportion to your bust + Clear skin + Healthy hair + Straight white teeth Men + At least 6ft + Good physic (there is work for all builds of male models) + Clear skin + Straight white teeth Promotional work Requirements for promotional type work will not be as strict as set out above and often advertisers are looking for more ‘ordinary’ type people to fulfill their requirements. An ability to communicate well with people is crucial for promotional work. Glamour Glamour modeling undoubtedly requires girls to have a good body and a definite ‘sex appeal’. If you have aspirations of becoming a Page 3 model it is worth considering that some tabloids have a ‘ban on plastic’, just in case you where thinking a certain type of operation may increase your chances of success in this field! Adult With adult type modeling there are again no strict entry requirement but one entry requirement is knowing your limitations. The range of adult modeling is vast and you must decide what you are comfortable doing before starting a career as an adult model. If your finding it hard to set your limitations think of it in this way "What way would you not want to be seen by the world?" What all models must have Becoming a model is not the glamorous job that some people think, and not matter what type of modeling you chose to do you will have to fulfill the following criteria in order to succeed: + Be confidence + Be ambitious + Be organized + Be tolerant + Be willing to travel + Be able to cope with rejection + Be able to take criticism GETTING STARTED   Getting started as an Agency Model First off,  you will need to find out what modeling agencies there are in your area and you should then contact them and inquire about the procedures they have for registering. Generally an agency will ask you to send a CV, details of your vital statistics and some photographs and if they feel you have what they are looking for, they will arrange a meeting with you to discuss registering and the type of work they would be able to offer you. When you approach a modeling agency most will say that professional photographs are not required and that snap shots are sufficient, which indeed is true, but there is one major downfall to not approaching an agency with a partial or full portfolio. An agency will already have an abundance of models on their books a lot of who have already established themselves as models and who will be generally allocated the good assignments. If you can show an agency your photographic potential through a partial or full portfolio upon registering with them you may find it a quicker process to being allocated the good modeling assignments. One thing to note when you are registering with an agency is that they should not charge you any money for signing up with them and as it has happened to many people in the past they have handed over money and have never heard from the agency again! A good agency will sign you up if they see potential to make money from representing you. Getting started as an Independent model: When starting out as an independent model, and in order to began modeling work, you will have to promote your modeling capabilities. There are many ways of doing this: Networking If you know any corporate clients that use models make sure they are aware that you are a model available for work. Raise your profile by having as many influential people as possible know of your modeling Model cards Model cards are used as an advertising tool by models. They are professionally printed cards that generally show photographs, vital statistics and the type of work the model is willing to carry out. Although this will involve an initial outlay most people find them to be a sound investment. You can also use them for inclusion in mail shots to potential clients Creating your own website This can be created by yourself or with the help of more knowledge people if necessary. It doesn’t have to be a big site, maybe even just a home page, but if you do choose to create your own website make sure it contains images (professional images are essential to sell yourself) and details on the types of modeling work you are available for. An expert on the internet can assist you with the set up of the site to try and ensure your details appear in search engines when people are looking for models Model sites and forums There are vast numbers of model sites and forums that models can register with, many with no registration fee. Use these sites/forums to post messages and details on your self. When you register with a site/forum and have listed your details always include photos or link to a site where your photographs are. Before you post or register with any modeling sites/forums it is worth looking at what other models have listed to get ideas for yourself. They are also a useful tool for meeting people and identify who’s who in the modeling world. No matter what channel you choose to advertising yourself as a model always ensure you do the following: + Always state if you are experienced or not and what types of modeling you are willing to do + State where you are willing to work + Always sell yourself... And Good Luck! EARNINGS How much can I expect to be paid???   Agency Model It is impossible to say how much you will be paid when completing a modeling assignment through an agency as each agency will have established differing rates for their clients. However if you choose to work for an agency they will be able to give you guidelines as to how much you will receive for the different aspects of modeling work you may be involved in. Different modeling agencies have different policies on traveling expenses but most will compensate you for excessive traveling costs e.g. if you have traveled a certain distance to the modeling assignment. Recouping traveling expenses will generally be done on the basis of producing travel receipts or declaring mileage counts. It is worth asking potential agencies their policy on travel expenses to ensure it is going to be financially viable to carry out assignments which will require excessive traveling. It should be noted that many modeling agencies do not pay their models until they have received payment from the client therefore meaning that you may not receive payment for sometime after you completed the assignment. If this is the case you will have to be prepared to keep a careful note of funds paid and outstanding. This is another area you should clarify with any potential model agents. Modeling agencies make their money from agent fees which are deducted from the earnings of their models and the fee will have been deducted prior to you receiving payment, however not all agencies will make tax and National Insurance deductions. It is your responsibility to check if potential agencies are going to deal with your tax and National Insurance contributions or if you are going to have to declare yourself as self-employed to the IRS. Independent Model If you choose to become and independent model you will be responsible for setting you own fees. Here are some rough guidelines as to what experienced models charge for different types of modeling: Fashion assignments $75-100 per hour Lingerie assignments $100-150 per hour Topless assignments $150-200 per hour Nude assignments $200-250 per hour Note: these are guidelines for experienced models and if you do not have experience in these areas of modeling, clients will probably not be prepared to pay these rates Here are a few points to consider when setting your personal modeling rates: + You should be aware that if you have little or no experience you may have to start by gaining experience through time for prints (TFP) before you can start charging for your modeling services. Time for prints is when a model works for free for a photographer and gets prints in return. You may also consider (TFCD) Trade for cd is when a model works for free for a photographer and gets a cd with all photos in return. + Compare rates of other models with similar experience to you so to ensure you are offering competitive fees and not pricing yourself too high as if you do this you will be unlikely to be awarded work + When you set you fees stick to them, as raising and lowering fees on an regular basis will give not give potential clients a professional impression of you + Are you going to be open to negotiation? + Are you going to offer discounts for bookings of several hours? + Are you going to offer lower rates for regular clients or modeling contracts you might enter into? If working directly for photographers many independent models charge lower rates for amateur’s photographers and higher rates for professional photographers. This is due to the fact that amateurs are unlikely to be publishing the images taken but professional photographers may. If you make a booking with a client always remember to do the following things: + Always agree to charges at the time of booking + When taking a booking consider traveling expenses and ensure your client agrees they will pay the travel expenses if deemed necessary Note: As a self-employed model you will be responsible for invoicing your client and credit control as well as declaring your earnings . SAFETY   Model Safety - Agency Model Undoubtedly one of the most important issues for all models is their own personal safety, and if you become an agency model you must ensure you register with a reputable agency for your own safety. Providing you are with a reputable agency your safety is not as big an issue as is for independent models as agencies will know all their clients and photographers but it is worth reading the section for independent models just to raise your awareness. Model Safety - Independent Model As an independent model you will have to use your judgment and always view your own personal safety as paramount and there are many ways in which you can remain safe. + Ask for references. When approached by anyone who wants you to model for them ask for at least 2 references. Some models feel uncomfortable doing this but if they have nothing to hide the potential client will not take offence and it actually shows professionalism on your part + Always state your limitations – don’t put yourself in a vulnerable situation by deciding half way through a shot your uncomfortable with what your being asked to do + Be aware of the dangers of model boards/forums on the internet and ensure you don’t believe everything posted. You have to remember that on the internet anyone can start up a modeling website and many unassuming models have found themselves in dangerous situations due to not being careful You also have to be very focused on your safety when you arrange to complete modeling work. Always ensure you do the following: + Get references (as stated above) + Always get contact numbers for your client + Never work from home + Confirm details with them  + Always tell someone where you are going as well as the start and finish time of your booking + If you feel uncomfortable going to the assignment alone take someone with you. Most people will agree to allow a model to come to a job accompanied but there’s two people you should think twice about taking a jealous partner or an over protective mom. For obvious reasons, each of these could interfere with the work you are being asked to do and clients will not be impressed if a chaperone interferes with the job + Take a mobile phone with you in case of emergency PORTFOLIO   A portfolio, or model book as it is frequently called, is a collection of photographs showing your potential as a model in your designated field of modeling. Your portfolio should not be endless shots from one session, but rather, should be a combination of looks and backdrops created from various photographic sessions. As stated in how to begin modeling section of this information section, it is not essential to start your modeling career with a portfolio but it is advisable to have some prints of portfolio quality to help sell yourself i.e. to show potential modeling agencies (agency models) or for posting placing on websites, model forums or model cards (independent models). In one session with a professional photographer you can achieve usually achieve about 3 or 4 looks through chances of clothes, make-up, hair style, backdrops etc. and from this session you can buy prints to start your portfolio and help you kick-off your modeling career. Most professional photographers now shoot sessions using digital technology, which makes it very easy to get web ready images of any shots taken. These are very useful to have for both future agency and independent models, as it will allow excellent quality images of you to be uploaded onto the internet whether it to be for an agency or your own personal site. There is another advantage of having a photographic session with a professional photographer at the start of your modeling career – modeling experience. Some people think it’s just a matter of standing and looking at a camera, but after a photographic session you will realize what hard work modeling is and it could provide you with vital modeling experience if you don’t already have any. Here are a few points regarding a modeling portfolio session: + Always use a professional photographer both to ensure quality and safety + Discuss with the photographer prior to the session what you want to achieve + Try to create at least three looks from your session + Photographers rarely provide clothes so you will need to take a section of outfits along to the shoot + Arrange to have a make-up artist at the shoot, as professionals they are experts at applying make-up for the lighting used by a professional photographer + Have some shots with a natural look i.e. very little make-up as many clients ask for this + Ensure the shots are based around the type of modeling you are interested in Before you attend your portfolio shoot it’s worth remembering the following things: + Hair removal should be done at least 48 prior to the shoot to allow for any redness to fade + Don’t wear tight fitting clothes or jewelry  before the session as they will mark your body and any marks could appear in the images + Take high heels  even if your feet are not seen in the pictures taken the shoes will improve your posture for poses Time for prints (TFP) Time for prints (TFP) as previously mentioned, is when a model works with a photographer, neither of them charge for the time they are committing but the photographers provides the model with copies of shots taken. This can be a useful and cheap way to gain images for your portfolio if you find a photographer who is wiling to work on this basis. It has to be noted that not all photographers are willing to work on this basis, and the ones that are, are often only prepared to do so on specific types of photography which may not suit your needs. It can take a model years to build up their book, and indeed a portfolio should contain the work of several photographers so don’t think you need a full portfolio to start your career and you should also know that many models portfolios contain images of paid modeling work they have carried out so when you start modeling don’t be afraid to ask for copies of any images taken of you for inclusion in your portfolio. Well Good Luck!!! And I wish you the best.