Articles
I Want A Be Model
Often I am asked about how to find work in the modeling industry. To share my experience I wrote this general advice for those who want to pursue a modeling carrier. First you need to get real on why you want to pursue this type of hard career. Think about why you want to get from this job. Money? Self-satisfaction? Vanity? Fulfill your fantasies? Travel? Party? Be true to your self and make a list why you want to spend time, money and resources to be a model. Once you determine the reason you want to purse this career then you would have a better perspective of the direction you need to take.
My number one motivation to be a model was pretty girls. Hey! I was 17, what can you expect? But never the less I was sincere so my goals were real and clearly successful. Of course that perspective changed when I got my first check. Let’s say that your reason is money. Nothing wrong with this picture, actually I think this is the most realistic approach. If you’re thinking how to make money with your image you have to think really hard.
Start for what kind of attributes you have and write down a list. Start with your physical ones: Are you tall, short, white, black, thin, fat, hair color, etc. Then jump to a different category: Athlete, dancer, body builder, actor, actress, singer, musician, etc. Then everything else you can think like your background: Hispanic, Asian, are you a member of a club, association, organization, you are a collector of some kind. Write down as much as you can think. Then from that list circle your strongest attributes. The ones you identify as the most valuable for you. That list is going to tell you how to start looking for a job.
Look around, chances are that you are surrounded by images. On magazines, posters, brands, calendars, advertising in general everything contain images form one way or other. Look at your attributes and compare the images. Think where those images came from and find those sources. This is how you will define your market. Modeling is broad; you don’t need to be six feet tall, anorexic pall human being to be considered a model. There are models only for hands, nails, legs, eyes, etc. Commercial models to sell cookies and fried chicken are not necessarily the same as high fashion. Different products require different presentations therefore different presenters.
An agency is not a photographer. Neither is a school. All offer different services to serve different purposes. Often I get e-mails and call from girls and boys that want to be a model. They send me a my-space web address which contain pictures of them or just send me a portrait with the first question almost like a title. Do you have work for me? And always my first answer is so, what can you do? Usually I have a reply that makes emphasis on how beautiful are they. At this point I can’t waste my time with a silly answer like, “Well, my dog can be beautiful too and just because that I still wont hire him to carry my equipment” So I just let them go. A photographer is somebody who gets paid to take pictures. So at least you want to hire their services in some fashion don’t waste your time.
An agent or agency is a place that offers these services and some schools can be categorized as this as well, which brings me to talk about the danger of being ripped-off. It is very common than an agency requires an up-front fee to serve as your agent. Be suspicious if that is the case. Read very carefully what is what this company offers in exchange for your money. Be aware of agencies or modeling companies who require you to use a specific photographer. This special referral can be a direct relationship with a photographer. The two could be splitting your fees, meaning the agency may not be suited to your needs. Shop around, Compare fees and the work quality of several photographers. Several photographers mean at least more than five. Same situation is common between schools and agencies. Read everything and ask why. Avoid high pressure tactics. If you don’t understand the terms you are signing with ask for a blank copy of the contract to take home and review. If the company refuses, simply walk away.
Example of an Internet Model Scam
Hello
I got your mail and message from a Modelling sites saying you are free.
My name is Jeff Thomas and am the Director of Real Beauty Models.
We have office in 21 states of the world and we basically recruit
Models (both Male and Females).We basically bring models from Grass to
Grace meaning we polish you and make you shine and become a star in a
very near time.
Right now An exhibition of "models search" will be on view at South
Norwood Hill, London , UK , Madrid in Spain , Paris in France and New
York in United States of America , between 20th of July to 20th of
August 2007 This fashion show will re-find and find our spokeswoman
and spokesman.
If you have a serious desire to become a model, feel free to post your
question and give answers to the questions below…
YOUR FULL NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
COUNTRY
ZIPCODE
TEL. NO
YOUR PICTURES
directly to this email address jeff_thomas027@yahoo.com or realbeautymodels@gmail.com.
This event is a procedure and an exhibition concept that links you with the option to sign a Modeling Contract, which would guarantee a feature spot in the next series of commercials, print ads, and alternative advertising (billboards, fliers, etc) and a cash price of $15,000.00 if you eventually become the winner. And it's co-sponsored
by Shell and Vogue and other fashion Mogul For the past two years, Real Beauty Models has selectively
recruit and market the finest of models for an exhibition in the whole globe and hundreds of models has been discovered .Model and talent management companies attending our conventions and signing models over
the years includes Next, Michele, Elite and virtually every other top model management companies. There will also be numerous prizes for contestant, Get back with the above information's and we can tell you what next for you to do to able to participate in this big event. This is a great opportunity for you to show case your talent and be a
supermodel. Good Luck and expecting your mail soonest
Jeff Thomas
Specific procedures are established in the industry in order to market you as a model. The basic ones are head-shoots and composite cards. No matter were you go a head-shoot is something you always will be asked to turn in. A standard head-shoot is an 8x10 back and white with your name on it. On the back you want to place always your contact information. A composite card varies on size 4x6, 5x7, 5.5 x 8.5 basically is a card with all your information and several shoots in different outfits and settings.