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Like life, there are stages of growth in modeling. They are pre-modeling (the life of a prospective model), the modeling life (living in the industry) and post-modeling ( getting back to every day living). Each stage has its benefits and its drawbacks, its challenges, and its opportunities for success.

THREE STAGES OF MODELING

Pre-modeling

This is probably the most difficult stage. It isn’t easy to start upon the road to becoming a model and finish the trip. The road to success is littered with the carcasses of wanna bees. Too strong? Maybe, but not very much because the road to success is a lot of work followed by more hard effort, tons of rejections, personal disappointments, and the hazards of life amplified many times by the pressure of the modeling crucible.

This stage could also be called the “go to” stage. To do it right the prospective model must go to see agencies, go to see art directors, go to see photographers, go to cattle calls, go to castings, etc., as this is how a model becomes a professional, represented by an agency, and paid.

Competition is fierce. There is no end to it as every day another few thousand prospective models are born. Every day hundreds of prospective models descend on the modeling capitals of the world seeking fame and fortune. It’s like a river with two forks, one leads to a quiet harbor and the other over a towering waterfall.

What makes one person succeed and another fail is intensely personal. However, both the successful and the failures must try in the same environment, the modeling life.

The Modeling Stage

When the first job comes, the work just begins. A working model can expect a myriad of dilemmas, pitfalls, and life challenges as they move up into the higher paying jobs and more success. In the modeling business, success breeds success.

When a good agency, or even a top international agency, signs you, your life can change radically, sometimes for the worse or often for the better. If you’re ready for change you’ll be fine, if not the road to success can suddenly become rocky.

How can life get worse with success? The modeling industry is rife with stories of models that lose it. The pressure to maintain a body look can be too much for some people. A lot of models are cigarette smokers because it helps maintain the lower weight needed to meet requirements and also to deal with the job rejections that even the most in-demand models have to cope with on a regular basis. Some (too many) models turn to illegal drugs especially cocaine and methamphetamine to relieve the pressure and maintain or lose weight. Drug usage among models is much higher than usage in the general population. Anorexia is almost the flagship disease amongst models.

What’s a workday of a model like? If the “call” (time for the shooting to begin) is at ten in the morning, the model will begin to prepare by doing their personal hygiene in plenty of time before going to the studio or selected location. Once on location the most likely thing a model will do is wait. A conversation with the photographer may be called for so that the model can prepare mentally to achieve what the photographer wants. Then if there is a budget for hair and make up the model will sit and let the professionals do their work. If the model has to do her own hair and make up then that is next. It is common to have the model call before the shoot is scheduled to begin, especially if hair and/or make up may take an inordinate amount of time.

One the scene is set, the model is ready, and the photographer is satisfied with what he sees, the next step is usually test shots (often Polaroids or digital photos). Fine tuning is the next step … “move your head to the left and down, slide your hand over a bit more, give me more expression”, etc. This process may take hours until the shot is just right. And here is where one of the industry’s conundrums occurs. If the model is being paid by the hour (which is often the case), the longer the shoot the more the model earns, yet the model is expected to appear and behave in such a way as to facilitate the shoot and not cause delays or extend the time necessary to get the shot. A professional model will excuse their own benefit and work towards getting the shot the photographer (and client) wants to see. It is also human nature if the shoot goes longer than planned (and therefore over budget) for the photographer to blame the model no matter who is responsible, if it becomes a problem. Therefore it behooves the model to be as professional as possible at all times.

If the model doesn’t have a shoot or job to go to then the day is spent looking for or working towards that next job. Very often models will “volunteer” for projects to get more exposure to high paying jobs. This really isn’t working for nothing, it’s working for work.

The models that just wait for notification of their next job are but a small percentage of working models. Even with agency representation a model needs to continually be looking for that next job, that next client, that first or next long-term contract.

Post modeling

When does this stage begin? It varies with the individual. There are models that began as very young teens and continue modeling into their advanced years (even into their eighties!). There are models that hit it big for a couple of years and then retire to a quiet life of family. Many will marry celebrities, sports stars or wealthy men that they have met while enjoying the glamorous lifestyle of successful modeling. There are models that started slow, built up speed and spent their last few years in fashion making big money and then moved into commercial and other forms of modeling. There are models that enjoyed successful careers and moved on to teaching modeling, or even representing models. And then there are models that move into acting and become stars and household names.

YOU ARE A COW GO TO YOUR CATTLE CALLS

Only cows go to cattle calls. The reality is that casting calls in modeling go from a one- on-one meeting to massive numbers of models vying for one job. The person in charge can be the model booker from a magazine, an in-house casting director for a corporation, an art director from an advertising agency, the photographer or a combination of two or more of them There are seven so-called rules for cattle calls.

1. Ask your agent for as much information about the client as possible. Find out if other models you know have worked for the client. Find out who is making the casting decision and then approach them graciously. It always helps to break the ice if you say some thing like “Are you Mr. Jacobs? It’s nice to meet you. Harry at my agency sends his greetings”.

2. Always dress appropriately for the call. If there’s a style of dress required for the call meet the requirements. If there isn’t wear neat, clean, and form-fitting clothes. You should be in style but you don’t need to necessarily wear expensive clothing. Don’t hesitate to ask your agent/booker about dressing for the call.

3. Be on time! Not only is showing up late rude, it casts dispersions on your professionalism. Travel excuses aren’t acceptable so don’t leave yourself to the mercy of others. To be sure start early.

4. Arrive with a clean face, or very little make up. Your hair should be clean but not overly styled.

5. The goal is to dazzle and give the impression that you are a consummate professional and a joy to work with. Be polite and genuinely friendly. Don’t over do it with insincere compliments.

6. Be confident. You might go to dozens of calls before you are chosen. In the face of probable rejection, you need to keep going with smile on your face. Self- confidence is contagious. Lack of confidence shows as brightly as a lighthouse at night.

7. Emphasize with the people doing the casting. It is likely that they are very harried and under a lot of pressure to find the perfect model for the job. Make sure you have several copies of your comp card ready and have your book with you.

ABOUT REJECTION

There are few professions, jobs, or situations one can think of that have as much rejection as modeling. Models are rejected by the industry or parts of it continually. It is not unusual for a model to be rejected by dozens of agencies and then find one that takes them to the heights of success. It might even be an agency or client that rejected them once or even more than once. Remember it is often a “look” that the client wants that precludes a model from the job or representation in the first place.

Learn not to take rejection personally. It isn’t that you are a rotten and unlikable person, its just that they might want short hair (and you have long), they may want a slight build (and you have an athletic build), it may be that they want someone with very small breasts (and yours are too big), or it may be that they want a teen (and you’re in your forties), it may be they want someone with blue eyes (and yours are brown). Don’t be fooled by thinking that hair can be lengthened with extensions, you can diet, you can have a breast reduction, or that with make up you can look young, or with blue contacts you can have blue eyes. The camera seeks and exposes reality.

SUPPORT GROUPS

A support group or mechanism is very important to successful modeling. A young girl entering the rigors of the pre-model stage should have the support of their family, especially their mother. This support should carry on at least in spirit way beyond the time the model becomes of legal age.

It is recommended that when starting out that you involve your family. A strong mother can prevent you from getting in to trouble or being ripped off. There are times that you definitely want your mother for guidance and support. One good example is if you are underage and asked to travel for work. A legitimate agent and client will understand the need for your mother to accompany you.

In years past it was common for a model newly signed to a major agency to be shipped off to Europe or from Europe to the US to gain experience. This doesn’t happen as often today, but it does happen to those who have the look, the right attitude, and enough desire. Photo shoots don’t always happen in your hometown. You can expect to travel if you are a successful model (in demand) and while the client may not want to pay for mom’s expenses, you should out of your earnings, if they don’t or won’t.

Mothers can be a real pain and a detriment to your success as well. Keep in mind that in the modeling industry the legitimate players respect professionalism. It is professional for an underage female to have their mother’s along. It is unprofessional if your mother is a “stage mother” or “studio mother”. These are not terms of endearment. They express a real problem for the professionals who don’t like to have a lot of extra headaches because mom is pushy or overbearing with you and them.

Your fellow models can also be a support to the young model. They can also be the ones who lead you down the wrong path as well. Models should be very selective when making friends among fellow models. Life is life and not everyone is truthful or has your or even their best interest at heart. The application of common sense is a great help.

THE MONEY

Models must pay attention to details, especially those about money. A good model can make a fine living. A good model can be flush one day and dirt poor the next too. It all depends on the ability of the person to live life successfully in one of the hardest and most rewarding careers.

Modeling fees vary from city to city and job to job. Commercial models can expect to make from $50 to $250 an hour depending on the market. Fashion models can make anywhere from $100 to $250 per hour on the runway depending on the designer’s budget and the models ability. It is important to note that rates are generally higher in the major international modeling centers than they are in smaller markets. The one thing that is consistent is that the agency takes their cut before they pay the model. As the client is the one who starts the payout process, if they are slow in paying, the models pay is slow in coming as well. There is no way of knowing how an individual can earn. Modeling is not a job where one should expect a regular weekly paycheck. If you can’t live with uncertainty you’ll have a hard time in modeling. Plan for ups and downs in income. Many agencies have a draw down system so that the model can pay his or her way while waiting for the client to settle with the agency, and it is not exceptional for clients to take two, three or even more months to pay up.

Remember that your earnings are taxable so be sure to keep receipts from the day you start for all your outgoings connected to your work, taxis and travel expenses, make up, hair dos etc. Your agency will most likely give you advice and recommend a tax accountant, otherwise ask a model who has been working for a while if she can help.

One thing that can help in this area is to have the right expectations in the beginning. You may have heard of million dollar plus contracts, or shoots where the models made hundreds of thousands of dollars. They do happen. They only happen to the very few however. A hot model will work often and their income will increase the more they work. Being hot is a fleeting thing however; so if you get there, keep your money safe for that rainy day that is in your future.

Some of the best-paid and continuously paid models are not the highest glamour areas. Catalog models can make a nice and consistent living and never grace a runway or magazine cover. This occurs because of the nature of a catalog, the number of pictures required and the fact that most catalog work is done a “day rate”, rather than hourly rate. A highly sought after fashion model can make millions over a few years. A good professional model in a small market should probably think of modeling as a part time job.

Another well-paid type of model is the trade show model. These models, if they are located in a convention city, can make a consistently high income as rates vary from $200 to $400 or more per day for conventions and trade shows that usually provide four straight days of work. Major manufacturers who regularly show their products at shows often hire models on annual contracts and pay their expenses to travel from trade show to trade show. Being a trade show model can also be lucrative for the aging model.

Be careful about going goo goo gah gah over possible riches in modeling. Probably the most exposed models do editorial modeling and magazine covers. The surprise is that most magazine covers only pay $150 an hour to the model (and take the agency’s cut from that). One reason is that editorial exposure, particularly in high fashion magazines such as Vogue, can lead to lucrative jobs elsewhere.

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Commercial modeling is sort of the catch all for everything that isn’t fashion and isn’t glamour. It is vast and diverse. The physical requirements can vary greatly. The ‘look’ can be mom, business executive, scientist, glamorous beauty, etc. The pay can be good but not to the level of the top fashion model and commercial models tend to find work less often. It can be an area one can work part time at their whole life.

Commercial Product

A photo is created to sell a product and the model is used to show how the product is used. The model may also be used to convey an image about a product. There is a lot of work for both men and women who look like medical professionals for example to sell every thing from pharmaceuticals to medial equipment.

There is also the old Madison Avenue technique of selling a product by putting someone attractive by it. People stop to look at a pretty face, not at another vanilla computer box. The physical requirements and look for commercial product modeling can vary a great deal. It all depends on the image or story you are trying to tell. This is where character models are used.

Commercial Lifestyle

Models are used in photos showing a period of life or doing something in life. The photo might be an older couple walking on the beach and the photo is used in the advertising materials for a new retirement resort. Or a photo of a young couple playing in a park with their children and the photo is used in an ad for a life insurance company. The models are used to act out some concept or idea of life. The physical requirements, age, size, etc. can vary greatly. But most often they use the “beautiful people” in these photos rather then real folks off the street.

Commercial Corporate

Corporate modeling is like lifestyle only it always has a business theme. Physical requirements can vary greatly, however, usually attractive people are used, although sometimes character models are used.

Product Demonstration

In smaller markets this is a great way to start new models. Models stand in front of, or in a store or mall, and hand out free samples of something. The idea is they want someone attractive that people will be drawn to and will work for just a few hours or a few days. If you are young and starting out this pays better then any regular job and it can really build your confidence around people.

Trade Show

Attractive people attract attention, which is highly desired on a trade show floor. Some exhibitors hire models to hand out literature at their booths, or perform other social tasks, such as greeting, or serving appetizers. It can provide some income and gets the model in front of the public.

Sports/Fitness

This is a growing area in modeling. With major international sports attire companies, i.e. Nike, Reebok, etc., and an increase in publications in this field the need for models that look like they actually know what they are doing has grown. The idea is to look good and actually be proficient at the activity being photographed. This is one category that can provide a long-term career with ample opportunities for high paying jobs.

Glamour

Glamour modeling is modeling for photos with a sexual theme. Some are now calling this body modeling (like you have a hot body). These could be simple cheesecake or beefcake photos. They can include bikini, sexy outfits, and lingerie modeling. On the cheesecake level, photos can be used for calendars, posters, and other pin-up girl products. You can’t pick up a car magazine without seeing a babe by the car or truck.

There are no height or size requirements as in fashion modeling. Where fashion modeling wants you to look like a beanstalk, glamour modeling wants you to have curves like Pamela Anderson. Where fashion may want a special beauty look, glamour modeling wants traditional drop dead gorgeous; where fashion really only happens in the fashion capitals of the world, glamour happen anywhere.

Alternative

There is a small market for what is called either gothic or punk modeling. It is a very specialized niche.

Just a Body

This is where a photographer just needs someone in the shot. Most often this type of modeling occurs in outdoor tourist photography, i.e. a couple looking at the lake, a man walking a trail etc. There are no requirements at all, except maybe for the willingness of the model.

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It is important for a prospective model to understand two ineluctable facts. First the needs of the market determines what models are needed and second, the prospective model should understand the type of model that they want to become.

By understanding the type of modeling you are interested in you can learn what the requirements are beyond those we have already mentioned and if you can meet them.

Understanding the divisions in modeling can also help in avoiding a rip off. Most rip offs and bad business decisions happen when a wannabe model is thinking of one type of modeling (usually high fashion) and a scout, agent, photographer, etc. is recruiting for another.

The garment and beauty product industries are large users of models. People want to see what clothes or beauty products look like on a body. High-fashion, designer-label garments, are designed for what fashion designers view as the “ideal woman.”

In smaller markets fashion models often don’t meet these measurements. It is more important the look of being tall and slender be there and that the sample clothes fit. The “look” can run from classic beauty to some extreme looks for fashion magazine editorial.

If you are going to work in front of the camera you need to be photogenic and you can’t know until you do a test shoot. This doesn’t mean you need to rush out and find a photographer. If you are photogenic in snap shots that have been taken of you chances are that you will be in front of a professional photographer as well.

TYPES OF FASHION MODELING

Fashion Editorial

Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Cosmo, etc, and many other magazines that focus on fashion have editorial pages they must fill each month. Many of these editorial pages feature models wearing what the magazine thinks will be the next trend in fashion. Editorial work does not pay as well as other types of high fashion modeling but it is great for building a model’s reputation and getting tear sheets for a portfolio. Fashion magazines are not as constrained as advertising work and they can use more extreme and special beauty models (different that the high fashion requirements) in their pages.

Fashion Runway

Clothing designers traditionally show their new collections twice a year (Fall and Spring) to perspective (store) buyers. As an example, the New York Ready Wear shows present from seventy to one hundred and twenty designers.

Designers present these collections to a gathering of buyers by sending models down a walkway or runway. How well a model brings the clothes to life and shows important features of the garments can determine how well they sell. The designer wants to have the most ideal models show these collections. This leads to why models have to meet very strict requirements and why they get such high fees for this type of work. These young models tend to be very tall, slender and move very well in clothes.

Fashion Catalog

There are a lot of clothing catalogs produced. These catalogs, whether business-to- business, store, or direct marketing, require models to pose in the clothes they are trying to sell. Generally, catalog models are picked for a project because they represent the ideal of the market segment for which that catalog is targeted, Often times this is the classic beauty – tall, slender, healthy, and beautiful. The marketing idea is for transference, i.e. if you buy these clothes you will look as nice as the person pictured in the catalog. Catalog modeling usually pays well because of the volume of photos that must be taken.

Fashion Print

This is fashion and beauty for print advertising. It can be display ads or collateral print materials. This is the most demanding work to get but pays the best because of usage and exclusives. These are the ads that can make or break a designer’s reputation. With these ads it is very important that the concept, photo, and model work perfectly to convey the ‘image’ that is wanted.

Fashion Show Room

Modeling for buyers in the designer’s show room. Models that may not have supermodel potential can make a good and steady living working the shows where buyers come to buy, rather than the coming out shows which aren’t necessarily held to sell, but show.

Fashion Lingerie

Because this type of modeling may be more revealing it requires very good body tone and proportions. Lingerie modeling is not pornography, not even soft porn, but there is a sensuality needed to sell lingerie.

Fashion Bathing Suit

Again, more revealing requires excellent body tone and a healthy look. While this type of work can be seasonal, it can also provide an excellent income.

Fashion Fitness

As health and fitness has moved more into the public consciousness the demand for this model type has grown rapidly. Where once everyone exercised in baggy gray sweats, fitness attire continues to evolve and become more everyday wear. Add to this all of the fitness, health, and outdoors lifestyle magazines that are on the newsstands and you have a fast growing category for modeling.

Fashion Fit

Fit models have the perfect proportions for a given clothing size. Garment manufactures and designers hire fit models to use to piece together new creations, see how they move, and develop their patterns. The key for a fit model is to never gain or loose an

inch. A clothing manufacturer may hire a fit model in a permanent salaried position. It is one type of legitimate modeling that you can see advertised in the classified section of the newspaper.

Fashion Tea Room

This type of model was very popular in the 1980’s in smaller markets. It still exists today. Usually it is at ladies’ luncheons where models wander between tables wearing designer clothes from local fashion boutiques. This type of modeling is also being presented in bars/restaurants during peak cocktail hours. The models describe the outfit they are wearing and where to buy it.

More Fashion Segmentation

All of these categories can have further sub-categories for size, i.e. petite and plus, and for age, i.e., children, preteen, and mature. Petite size models usually are 5’2″ to 5’6″. Plus size is the same height as standard size models but size 14 -16. Mainstream models usually start around 14 years of age and go to their early twenties.

Body Part Modeling

Body part modeling is a special category that belongs in both fashion and commercial modeling. This is the use of just part of the body in a photograph. Often standard models that look great in full-length shots or headshots don’t look so good close up. Their hands or feet may look horrible. This is where the body parts model comes in. A shoot will be set up using the standard model’s face but the body part model’s hands and it looks like it is just one person. Usually body part models will specialize in just one part of the body like hands, feet, legs, ears, or neck.

Hand models are one type of body part model that is increasing in popularity. With hand models the look is long slender graceful hands and fingers, smooth (no wrinkles, hair or large pours), clear (no blemishes or irregular color) skin, and very good nails. The ability to pose the hand in a
relaxed graceful fashion is very important. This is like a hula dancer that can tell a story with their hands and avoid “the claw” that most folks produce when their hands are put
in front of the camera.

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When it comes to runway modeling you must realize one thing. You are not a human being you are a coat hanger!

Your purpose when runway modeling is to display the designer’s clothes. The second thing you need to realize when runway modeling is that this is a really good opportunity to get good exposure and future bookings.

The best way to learn about runway modeling is to watch professional models on the runway. Video recording a fashion runway show would be best because then you can go over it time and time again and ‘practice the walk’. Although watching these tapes many times will help, you still may miss a few important details. Here is what you may not notice just watching.

Your eyes should be focused straight ahead of you looking off into the distance. Just find something on the back wall and focus on it. There will be bright lights aimed at you! Do not focus on a light unless you want to walk right over the edge of the runway.

Your chin should be down slightly while runway modeling. The reason for this is because every one will be sitting, looking up at you. There will be many photographers taking pictures aimed up at you. So for your exposure aspect, you want to have good pictures taken of you so that they can be reused in magazines. You can then take these and add them to your portfolio.

Your shoulders need to stay still as you walk. They shouldn’t move. This can take a little getting used to, but will not take long. A lot of models, when learning runway modeling, tend to swing their arms way too much. Your arms should only swing as much as your body makes them.

There is a small difference between men and women in the way they swing their arms. The reason for the difference is how a man takes his steps. His step will cause his whole arm to swing more while a woman’s steps will cause her arms to swing more from her elbows down. Next time you watch a model runway modeling, watch and see how their lower arm is doing most of the swinging. Concentrate on keeping your upper arm in close and somewhat tight to your body. This will ensure that only the bottom half swings.

Hands are surprisingly quite important while runway modeling. Always remember to have your hands open with your fingers nearly totally straightened. Not totally straight (you don’t want to look like a robot), but out enough to be visible.

The right leg refers to walking. Men just need to walk in a natural manner. The main point is to take long strides without making it look unnatural. Women need to also take longer strides, but they need to walk with one foot in front of the other. This causes their hips to sway, which gives their arms the proper swing.

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POSING STYLES

Classic Fashion — These poses were developed as a style up to the 1960’s. They follow good compositional design and function to make one look attractive. This is the style most used in catalog modeling.

Anti-Classic or High Fashion — A rebellion against the classic posing started with the
1960’s rebellion to look unique. This has intern become its own stylized look that is seen mostly in fashion editorial. This style breaks compositional lines and goes for distorted, awkward, deformed, and yes even ugliness.

Commercial Print – Most often the pose is tied to direct non-verbal communication. An ad has an advertising message that needs to be stated and how the model is positioned carries the statement.

Glamour — This area has its own unique set of poses. It is built on classic fashion and good design and emphasizes the sensual and sexy.

Hit: You can search all posing sample on any search engines

HOW CAN YOU LEARN TO POSE

The best suggestion is to work on posing by practicing in front of a full-length mirror and doing test shoots. To figure out what to practice look at fashion magazines to see how to stand but keep in mind most of the poses are breaking the rule and you need to be learning the rules. Look at fashion catalogs for poses. Pay attention to tilt of the head, position of the hand, and turn of the ankle. These little things can make a big difference. Just as with facial expressions your body posture can relate to an emotional word or phrase. Body posing is easy to show someone but it is hard to put in words.

With both expressions and with posing it is also good to practice with props, products, and wardrobe. Props might be a floppy hat, a long shawl, and a beach ball. You want to practice reacting to the prop and using the prop. The reason for doing photographs is to sell something; it is good to practice with a product that might be sold. Practice holding the product so it shows well and you don’t cover the label. With fashion you are selling the clothes, practice showing important features. Show off pockets, collar, belt, how the garment moves, what ever makes the garment interesting need to have attention.

Look at a lot of magazines and practice mimicking the poses in front of your mirror. This may sound childish but its not. You may discover your grace or find out you can’t do more than be a stick figure – either way doing this as practice will only help you when it is for real.

MAKE-UP

Make-up is an art. If a shoot has a budget for a make-up artist and a good one is available then just sit back and let them do their magic. On a shoot without a budget for a make-up artist or in smaller markets where one is not available, it may well fall upon the model to do their own make-up. Even when you have a make-up artist it is necessary that you know of any corrective make-up you may need.

There are some great books available for learning make-up. You may also find theatrical make-up classes taught at some community colleges. Don’t go to the cosmetologist at the local department store as they may be fine giving some pointers for street make-up, but make-up for photography can and is quite different. This is especially true for black and white photos.

Make-up for black and white photography can get strange as color no longer matters. It is only the lightness and darkness that matters.

A big part of learning make-up is just trying it in front of a mirror. Study a book or magazine then try it in front of a mirror. Eventually, you have to get in front of the camera with your make up on and see how it looks.

SMILING

Use the mirror to practice your smile too. There are many different types of smiles i.e. the coy smile, the broad happy smile, the snidely smile etc. Practice going from a straight face to a smile because when and if you do get in front of the camera while there is chaos around you the photographer will say “smile” right in the middle of it.

HAIR STYLING

Being able to do things with your hair can be a great help. Of course it is great when you have a professional hair stylist who can do some fabulous looks and keep every hair in place, but there may not be a budget for a hair stylist. It may fall to the model to be able to do their hair.

Most photographers will say that shoulder length hair is the most versatile. It can be put it up, pulled it back, combed to one side, fluffed, curled, or just left natural. Short hair locks in one look, end of story. Long hair can be fun to work with but not quite as flexible. Being able to restyle your hair can be very helpful on a shoot. Check various magazines to see what they are doing and practice in a mirror. For most modeling purposes you don’t need to be incredibly creative with your hair, just able to redo it to offer several different looks.

WARDROBE

In smaller markets, on lower budget shoots, and for your composite and portfolio you will need a basic working wardrobe. A range of basics would be good. You should have a business suit or wardrobe for interviews, cold calls, and modeling. As part of your wardrobe selection it is best to know about fashion. If you don’t, learn first before you start building or selecting your model wardrobe.

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Before you start taking modeling classes at your expense you might want to consider the following information. There are a number of classes that a prospective model could take that would improve the chances of gaining an agent or being a success at modeling

Photographers have two choices when it comes to models, they can either pull someone off the street who looks right for their concept and not pay them much money, or the can hire a professional model and pay more money. Most opt to pay more for a professional because the shoot will go quicker and there is a marked improvement in the odds of success.

A professional model can save client money by shortening the time it takes for a shoot and the quality of the images will be better (better usually meaning more sales). What does a professional model bring to a shoot that some one off the street does not? A professional attitude, the ability to express and pose, and knowledge of make-up, hairstyling, and wardrobe. These skills are what make a model worth the fees.

You should know your body so you are aware of how it moves, what lines it forms, and how it can be coached into different positions. You should know yourself and your emotions so you can show these to the camera and feel confident in what you are showing.

One of the best ways to gain grace of movement is through dance. More agents, bookers, and casting directors recommend dance classes over any other. This is because of the multiple benefits of fitness and the awareness a dancer has of their body. If you perform dance so much the better as the experience before an audience is beneficial.

Another good way to gain or perfect grace is through Yoga. Yoga teaches body awareness. Yoga may be even be better than aerobics because rather than moving fast continuously, in Yoga you move in control, slow control. Yoga also teaches breathing, focusing on ones body position, and focusing on your surroundings – all- important to a model.

We all can show emotion. Make a list of all key emotions (hate, love, anger, sadness, longing, happy, etc.) and practice those expressions in front of a mirror. After you have practiced for a while, try them on a friend and see if they can tell what emotion you are conveying. The idea is that when you are in front of the camera and the photographer wants you to look longingly into the distance you know how to do that. When you are in front of the camera lens your body and how it is positioned become a critical element in making the photograph successful. Learning how to move in front of the camera begins with some basic principles.

Lines of Force – There are certain principles of design that apply to any visual art. With a model in a photograph your body works as a compositional element. All the basic rules of design apply to how
you position your body. Learning basic design rules can help you understand why an arm should go one way and a leg the other way, and why when the rules are broken a
whole different message is given.

Non-verbal communication – Certain body positions communicate different messages. By learning these body positions and recreating them in front of the camera you can communicate a powerful message.

Symbolism – This is a refinement of understanding of non-verbal communication. This is the old nature verses nurture debate. There are certain body positions that have specific meaning with in a culture context. There can be body positions that will mean something in one culture or for one group of people and mean nothing to another. What is meaningless in on culture can be a great insult in another.

Acting versus reacting – Photographers can get the pose they need by the models acting or reacting.

Acting or directional modeling — The scene is set, direction on what is needed from the model for expression, look and pose is given to the model, and the model must provide what is needed. A model that can accomplish this is very valuable.

Reactive modeling — With this type of approach an environment is created, or external forces are applied and the model reacts to the situation. The model’s personality is important and the shot is achieved through improvisation and spontaneity. The question is whether it works or not and most of the time if it does it is usually the exception.