Welcome to the world of professional female modeling. In the past chapters you have learned to polish yourself to look like a model and now you will learn the basics of the modeling world, such as runway, photography, agents, bookings..... all sorts of things you may not have known were all a part of this industry.

Modeling is a very exciting and rewarding career. You meet new people, you may even be fortunate enough to travel. There is a potential to earn a lot of money and have a good time doing it. The best part is, the modeling industry is a variety of different types of faces and people. So even if you aren’t 5’10”, there is still a place for you in the industry. Models are needed to sell virtually every product on the market today, thus calling for a variety of different looks. Start today by looking at all of the advertisements you see all around you, on TV, in the newspaper, you will find models everywhere! Notice the difference in the sizes, shapes, and faces of the models. There is a huge market out there with room enough for everyone, you only need to find out where your look is most sellable, and market yourself in that area, and we are here to do just that!

“Educate yourself as much as possible about this industry. While modeling can be great fun and very profitable - it is a tough business and you must be business wise and street smart to survive.”

~ Unknown

Modeling is an expensive industry to get into. There are several things that you must pay for yourself before you will be able to actually work. We will learn about these later, but just to give you a general idea, there will be photo shoots you may need to pay for right away, that can range between $100.00 to $500.00 dollars each, portfolios that average around $100.00 each, and many miscellaneous items that you will need such as your model bag, resumes, printing photos, and comp cards. The bright side to all of this is that it is often very easy for beginning models to find work they can do for free in exchange for things such as comp cards, photo shoots, and portfolios.

You must have “thick skin” and learn to handle rejection well. You cannot go into this industry thinking that you will get every job you audition for, or that you will work consistently. The truth is that even top supermodels and actors/actresses have been rejected many times in their professional lives. It is simply part of the business, and it is not meant to hurt you. Part of being a professional model is being able to understand and accept that it is not you that is being rejected, but that the client is searching for a certain type of “look” that you just may not fit at that time. You could go to your next call and be hired on the spot, simply because you have the “look” that they have been searching for. Always be persistent, and never give up. Once you start working, your name will get out there and you will start to receive more work just based on recognition

As glamorous as modeling may look on the outside, it truly is hard work. It includes long hours, and the working conditions are not always favorable. Regardless of your situation, you will still be required to appear as though you are comfortable and having a good time, and get the job done.

You must be comfortable with your body. There will be times when you may have to change in front of others, or wear clothing that may be body hugging, and you must be capable and ready to deal with this. People in the modeling industry have seen it all before, so it really is not a big deal to them.

Be prepared to work for free when you are first beginning. You cannot realistically expect to go out and make tons of money immediately. In all honesty, it takes approximately 3 months of working consistently before you should even think of making any money. To put this into perspective for you, would you expect to pay top dollar for a photographer to take your photos who is fresh out of school with no name recognition? Probably not.

Keep in mind that when you are a model, the client does not see you as yourself, they see you as the image/character that you are portraying. NEVER complain, unless you are put in a position which compromises your physical or emotional well being. Complaining, even slightly, will brand you for the worst immediately in this industry, making it extremely difficult to work, you are only doing a JOB. Be COOPERATIVE AND SUNNY ALL THE TIME. NEVER trash the client publicly. Remember, praising others is THE quickest way to jump start your career.

As mentioned earlier, there are several different types of modeling. Study advertising around you and begin to identify which type of category you feel the model appearing in the ad fits into. Then picture your look in each category. Which do you feel you are most believable in? Which product would the general public feel most comfortable buying from you? Do you have a studious look? You may be best suited to sell office and school supplies. Are you a motherly type? You may be suited for cleaners or household products. There are so many different needs for this industry today that there really is a place for everyone.

Print: Print is a form of advertising that reaches all walks of life, from farm equipment to high fashion. Print modeling is described as any form of photographic advertising. Three types of print modeling: advertising is the intent to sell something, editorial is intended to tell a photographic “story”, and product are things such as calendars, cards, posters, etc. with a focus on the model.

Catalog Modeling: Catalog Modeling is a form of print modeling (catalogs), with less stringent requirements than other forms of modeling, and very often repeat job opportunities.

Mannequin Modeling: A still life form of modeling. You stand in a department store window or showcase and do not move, just like a mannequin.

Photography Modeling: Photography modeling with professional photographers is fairly rare. Occasionally professional photographers will do free test shots of models, especially well known models, to add to their portfolio. Any opportunity for shoots with photographers (pro or amateur) should be welcomed. You will gain exposure, helping to build your name and give you more experience (plus you can put it on your resume!).

Commercial: Commercial is described as a type of look and a type of advertising. Commercial modeling is full of opportunities. Nearly every model fits into the commercial category. It is an open market which calls for someone with an everyday sort of casual look- not high fashion, with a lot of personality that shines through. There is also a large need for ethnic models in commercial modeling. All shapes, ages, and sizes are needed for this field to create a variety of images and styles.

Character Modeling: Character Modeling is the same as commercial modeling, requiring people with an everyday look. Most character modeling work can be found in the television industry.

Fashion: High fashion modeling is not what modeling is all about, although it is the most prevalent, as it has been portrayed as extremely glamorous. To be a high fashion model, the requirements are quite rigorous. You must have long legs, a long neck, be at least 5’8” tall and have very small measurements, often being a size 3 and sometimes even less. Your appearance should be mature and sophisticated, as well as sensuous and somewhat exotic, with a clear complexion. Most often, you must be under the age of 26. It is important to point out that there is a very limited market for work in high fashion and it is a very competitive market. Advertisers can tend to be very discriminative in this area, choosing only those who have a “name” for themselves in high fashion. However, the fashion industry mainly depends on the lower priced lines of clothing, therefore, creating more work in that area. There are also specialty lines, such as plus sizes, maternity and petite. There is a juniors market as well, where you need to look like a teen (you do not necessarily have to be one), and there is really no height requirement for junior modeling.

Editorial Modeling: Editorial modeling is almost identical to high fashion modeling, only the model works for a particular publication, such as fashion magazines. The pay rate for editorial modeling is not as good as high fashion, but editorial models are considerably more in demand, and work is fairly consistent.

Runway: Runway is also a very competitive market. It can be divided into two separate categories, designer fashion ( the supermodel types) shows and a regular fashion show, put on, for example, by a store, mall, hotel, club, etc. Runway models need to perfect their techniques, having personality and skills that come through on the runway. The New York and overseas (discounting Asia) height is generally 5’9” and up while the other areas are around 5’7” and up. Being well proportioned is also a requirement with a few exceptions such as petite and plus size shows. While good looks are helpful, the most prominent is the ability to move with grace and pizzazz, and to be able to read what the garment is portraying and reflect that in your walk. You must have a good hip sway to walk the runway. However, there are other types of “runway” modeling such as tearoom and department store modeling. For each of these you must possess grace, as well as pleasantness and friendliness, because the requirements for the job are to talk with clients, informing them of the garment, and answering questions as a salesperson would. Local stores often put on runway shows and may also need models for them. Offer to work for free when you are first starting out to gain experience. Pay will generally be on a per show basis, and is usually less than photographic modeling.

TV Commercials: Television is the market for someone with the all American look as well as acting skills. There are various looks, heights and weights that are needed, but you must have nice teeth and good skin as well as be pleasant and neat in appearance. For most commercials you must be believable in the role you are playing. Charm and personality as well as speaking skills are needed.

Specialty Work: These are often referred to as parts models. This is for people who have gorgeous body parts such as fingers, legs, hands, feet, etc., to be used in advertisements or as body doubles. There is an extremely high demand for this type of modeling. Imagine all of the possibilities in this category, ads for shoes, pantyhose, nail polish, the list goes on and on. You will need a prepared portfolio showcasing your perfect parts! The pay can be very high.

Convention/Trade Show Modeling: A convention or trade show model would be responsible for highlighting or demonstrating products at conventions and shows. They may also be responsible for handing out brochures and answering questions. Ever seen the Price is Right? All of the models on that show fit into this category. The pay is usually not as high as photographic modeling.

Plus sized/Petite Modeling: Opportunities in the plus size/petite modeling industry are booming. Consumers are calling out for more realistic products, thus creating a demand for realistic models. The average American women wears a size 14 dress. Think of the demand this is creating in this market! The same problem exists for petite models, only reversed. The requirements for these types of modeling are generally less stringent, but you must still be well proportioned. The pay can be lucrative.

You may not be fortunate enough to model forever, so how can you make your mark on this industry concrete? You must pursue other avenues, such as acting, dancing, or some other form of entertaining. The prime working years of a model are between the ages of 15 to 22, but this does not mean there are not jobs out there for people who are older or younger. Try to call attention to yourself within the industry right away to give yourself a fair and fighting chance. This means taking the modeling world by storm.

When you are hired for a job, you will need to bring with you-even to auditions-what is commonly referred to as a model bag. Included in this should be ALL of the following:

Nude, black and white bra and panties

Nude colored body suit

Nude, black and white pantyhose

5 or 6 pieces of basic jewelry in gold and silver

Shoes- pumps (or current style dress) in basic colors (white, tan, black, navy, brown)

A long and a short fashion scarf

Hairbrush, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste

Complete cosmetic case

Astringent and cotton balls

Moisturizer

Eyeliner brush, tweezers

Clear nail polish

Plastic hair scarf for rain

Q-tips

Hand cream

Nail polish remover

Hair pins

False nails

Hair spray

Rubber bands

Hand held mirror

Lint brush

Basic color t-shirts (white, black, navy, brown)

Razor

Duct tape

Use several smaller bags inside a larger one to allow for quick and easy access to these items. BE ORGANIZED! You need to bring all of these items in case of an emergency on the set. You will impress the client by being prepared for any emergency to come your way! In addition, remember to have a separate smaller bag containing your portfolio, notebook, pen, pencil, and date/appointment book.

Behind the curtains of a runway show there is a lot going on that you don’t see! It is very hectic so you must know exactly what you are doing and you must change very fast. To help speed things up backstage, have all of your clothes and accessories ready and set up in an order in which they will be easy to put on, and in case there is no one else doing your hair or makeup, have that planned out prior to the start of the show as well.

Before going on stage, a lot of models find it helpful to do stretching exercises.

Start by stretching your arms out to your sides as though you are pushing the walls apart.

Then stretch up and pretend there is a string going from your feet up through your head and let it pull you up to the sky, then let yourself drop over at the waist and hang there for a minute or two, and just relax.

Next you will want to warm up the hips. The control center of your walk is in your hip area.

First, to assure proper posture on the runway, standing straight with arms pushing outwards once again, tighten up the buttocks.

Push your hips forward, then swing your hips left, forward, right, and forward again. Repeat this exercise at least three times for each side or as many as needed to feel warmed up.

Once again check your posture by imagining a line from the floor, to your head, to the ceiling.

Tuck your buttocks in and push the rib cage out.

Put your shoulders back and chin up, then walk, keeping this posture.

Next, while still holding this posture, move your hips from side to side as though you are trying to knock down the walls.

Continue doing this, then while swinging your hip to the left side, bring the right foot forward and begin to walk again. You should always start walking with the foot that is opposite the side of the body that your hip is leaning to.

Another method used to check for correct runway posture:

Stand as straight as you can.

Bring the shoulders as far to the front of you as you can, and hold them there.

Then bring your chin down to your chest, and round your shoulders up to the bottoms of your ears.

Roll your shoulders back as far as you can, bringing the chin up with the shoulders so it is parallel to the floor, and tucking the buttocks in at the same time. Practice this and you eventually will be able to tell exactly if your posture is correct. If done properly, this should have given you the correct posture for the runway.

You have learned the basis for runway walk, now you will learn the different names and procedures for pivots. You will want to practice these slowly at first, gradually gaining speed as you become better and better at them. Remember, it takes a long time to perfect runway walks.

Take your time while learning these pivots. Many supermodels are well known strictly for their own unique style of walking. As odd as it sounds, there truly is a correct way to walk the runway! Try not to get frustrated, it is a learning process that takes a lot of practice! You will get it eventually!

BEGINNER’S PIVOT: Stand on the balls of your feet and twist slightly and gently to each side. Relax. This is the beginning of all of the pivots.

DIOR: Standing straight ahead, on the balls of your feet, cross your right foot over the top of your left foot, stepping down on the left side of the left foot, ( your ankles will be crissed-crossed ) now turn on the balls of your feet completely around until you are facing the same direction you began from. It is similar to twirling around, only not quite as fast. Your legs will be crossed. The next step comes while you are just coming out of the turn. Almost at the end of the turn, you should feel your left leg want to naturally kick out in front of you. When you start to feel that, let your left leg gracefully step out in front of you to allow you to walk out of this turn. Now try while you are walking, begin walking as you learned previously, and without missing a step, gracefully step the right foot over the top of the left foot as instructed above, do not pause, let the movement flow gracefully and slowly into one another, turn and let the leg naturally float out in front of you to step out of the turn, and keep walking. You should execute this turn without stopping or pausing through its’ entirety. You can also do this turn starting with the left foot crossing over the right, everything is just done on the opposite side. You should practice this turn while walking until you can make it appear natural and flowing.

HALF TURN: Stand on the balls of your feet and step out with your left foot, still standing on the balls of your feet, and twist to the right until you are facing the opposite way you were facing. Once you are facing the opposite direction, you can turn yourself back to the beginning direction by doing the half turn once again, using the opposite beginning foot, (step off with the right foot on the balls of the feet and twist to the left) exactly as you just did. After you have practiced this turn and feel comfortable with it, incorporate it into your walk. Again, you should not pause, you should smoothly and fluidly move into each turn. It cannot be stressed enough that you should NOT pause before executing any of these turns. They should be moved into gracefully. Practice until it appears natural.

FULL TURN: Standing on the balls of your feet, step out with the left foot and turn on the balls of your feet as in the half turn( to the right). Now, step forward with the foot that is in front, (if you are doing this correctly it should be the right foot) and turn on the balls of your feet once again ( to the left) so that you are facing the same way in which you started. Execute the turn SLOWLY, as though you are on display (because you are). This turn is usually used halfway down the center of the runway, and it works wonderfully when there are two models walking on the runway at the same time. Yes, there is an intentional SLIGHT pause in between turns, for effect.

THE “S” TURN: Standing on the balls of your feet, step out slightly with the left foot and twist on the balls of your feet, as in the half turn and the beginning of the full turn. Now, instead of stepping off with the right foot, take a small step forward with the right foot and twist on the balls of your feet once again to turn you around to face the direction you started from. The only difference between this turn and the half turn is that this turn is done in one complete movement, in the half turn, you do not immediately have to turn back in the same direction you started from. This is most effectively used at the ends of the “T” on the runway, practice some different styles to get an idea of what you like.

All of these turns may be done starting from the opposite side that is instructed, you will only need to reverse the steps. It takes quite a bit of practice to become natural at turning, and once you feel comfortable with it, try to practice with all different heights of heels on. Also, watch some runway shows to get an idea of how other models incorporate these turns into their walk and videotape yourself for extra critique. Try to use all of these turns incorporated into a style of your own, in any order you like!

Walking on the runway is also a bit different than a normal walk.

Start by correcting your posture.

Swing one foot out (swing it from your hip joint) and let it hit the ground as though you are a soldier marching into battle. Note-you may feel as though you are leaning a bit backwards, you WANT to feel this way, just don’t overextend your back.

Repeat this with the other leg, and continue walking like this until you feel that it is natural.

Slowly take the jerk out of the movement and start to soften the landing the foot is making on the ground.

Soften the leg up by letting it touch the ground slower and slower until you have a fair pace, and continue to walk at this pace until you feel you will remember it. ( Most runway shows will have you pace your walk to the beat of the music. If they want you to walk slow, count in your head: 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand, 3 one thousand, and so on, stepping on every number. If they want you to walk semi slow, count: 1and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and so on, stepping down on every number. Eventually, you will just know the right pace to go at and won‘t even have to bother with counting!)

Next, instead of putting your feet straight in front of you, step with one foot in front of the other as though you are walking a line that you do not want to fall off.

Start to soften the knee a bit, and start to sway your hips from side to side as you walk.

Practice this as much as you can until it appears natural. Constantly check your posture and your walk. Have someone else critique it for you if at all possible, and/or videotape yourself and look for flaws, even place a mirror at the end of your walk so you can see yourself walking (tape a piece of tape in a line on your carpet to help you walk on track, and place the mirror, camera, or friend at the end of it). Watch runway shows and study the techniques of other models and compare your walk to theirs. When you are comfortable with the walk, add in the pivots and design your own walk!

The model stance is commonly used as an opening or exiting pose on the runway. You should also be using this whenever you are standing in lines, talking with someone, or standing anywhere at all, because it is a very elegant pose and it is very flattering to your figure.

Standing with good posture, turn the toes of your left foot out towards 10 o’clock.

Place the heel of your right foot in the arch of your left foot (sort of like a ballerina pose). The toes of your right foot should be pointing slightly to the right.

Now center your shoulders and your hips to the front of your body and relax the knee of your right leg (yes, this is a very uncomfortable position, but you will get used to it).

Clasp your hands behind your back or place them on your hips (fingers on the front side of the body and thumbs on the back).

Bend the knee of your right leg over as far as you can to the left of your body, keeping your shoulders and hips square to your front and your posture straight.

You can vary this pose by moving the right foot forward approximately four inches. You can also reverse the feet to pose on the reverse side.

To help land a job on the runway, you will want to keep your makeup and hair light and simple and wear light and simple clothes in soft colors. You will want to keep your clothes figure flattering as well as trendy but be careful not to become a slave to fashion. You should bring 2-3 changes of clothes that are easy to change into as well as different heights of heels. You should be energetic and let your personality shine through. Brush up your walk before the interview.

Props are often used on the runway.

You will want to match the attitude you are reflecting to the audience with the type of clothing you are modeling. A few examples would be:

Sportswear or casual: Walk down the runway with a sporty and happy smile, making some type of gesture pertaining to the type of clothing you are wearing ( Wearing a tennis outfit? Swing a racket.)

Evening Couture: Use exaggerated hip movements with your walk and lots of attitude, subtle turns, slow your walk down just a bit.

If you have pockets on your outfit, you should use them to make a point of them to clients observing the show. Decide the type of atmosphere the clothes and the designer want you to portray (sometimes, they will even tell you!). Remember that your face plays a large part in this role, too. It may help you to think of your face as a blank palette that you will paint with the right expression. Also, remember not to call attention to any embarrassing moments on the runway, just keep on going like nothing happened. This demonstrates true professionalism.

Photo shoots are fun because you really have an ability to do just about anything you want. They are unlike portrait photography, you constantly move during photo shoots because you are trying to capture different angles, and give the camera life and action.

What you should bring to a photo shoot depends on the type of shoot you are going to have. If you are having photos done to build up your portfolio, you should bring several changes of clothes, shoes, any type of fun accessory as well as regular accessories, your model bag, and any previous photos you have had done.

You should have, in addition to you portfolio bag and your model bag, a large bag that is filled with things that you may need that you will specifically bring to photo shoots. You generally will not need to bring it to any other jobs, unless you have been specifically asked.

Lupe ( a small magnifying glass used to look at pics on contact paper.)

Bath Robe

Bug Spray

Shoe Polish

Round Band-Aids

Clothes Pins

Safety Pins

Moisturizing Cream

Curling Iron

Sun Screen

Facial Toner

Face Cleanser

Kleenex Tissues

Towel

Vitamin E Stick

Wash Cloth

Hair Clips

Hair Dryer

Curlers

Styling Gel

You will never stop learning different poses throughout your career as a model. When posing for photos, again you should be reading into the attitude of the clothes and reflecting that in your movements. The photographer, in modeling, unlike other photographers, is only there to capture the moments he or she feels reflect your style and the style of the clothing, and modeling photographers don’t say “smile and say cheese!“ before snapping the picture, so posing is up to you. BE CREATIVE, but at the same time, there are a few general rules to adhere to.

Practice different emotions, facial expressions, and turning in front of a mirror or video camera every day.

Relax and you will convey this to the camera.

Make a scrap book of different models in ads posing in different ways. Practice those poses in front of a mirror or camera.

Listen to the photographer. Occasionally, you will run into a photographer who likes to do “still” photos. Anticipate what they are looking for.

Exercise your facial muscles.

Study the pictures of yourself you already have for the poses that you look good in.

The concept of the photo shoot is to get a shot that looks like it would belong naturally, as though the moment were suspended in time. The key to great photos is relaxation, movement, and conveying attitude into the camera. Pretend that the camera is another person, not just a blank space.

When you smile, or express anger, or any other type of emotion, really try to feel it “well”, or surge up, inside of you and just blossom onto your face. If it helps, think of something that will make you feel the emotion that you are trying to show (some models sigh heavily when they need to smile).

Your hands and head should be constantly moving, slowly and deliberately, so the photographer has a chance to capture that “look” on film. Again, you should correlate your actions and movements with the type of clothing you are wearing. Make your arms, legs, and head uneven from each other, for example, instead of simply putting both hands on your hips, put one on your hip and let the other hang down, tilt your head completely to the side when you lean back, or put one leg up on a step or chair or something, in other words~ mix and match the poses on the left side of your body to the ones on your right side. *Twist* your body, even if it is uncomfortable.

It may be a good idea to go through your closet and try to imagine what type of attitude each article of clothing would portray, and practice some moves! Use your bedroom mirror, or videotape yourself for extra critique. It might sound silly, but most models LIVE by these rules!

You should let your imagination flow, and don’t worry about making mistakes, the photographer will let you know if they do not like the poses you are using, and more often than not, mistakes lead to the perfect picture!

It is important while on shoots that you act as professional as possible, under all circumstances, and NEVER make an appointment that you do not intend to keep.

It is extremely likely that you will be placed on uncomfortable shoots. The weather may be horrible for an outdoor shoot, or the water may be cold, a number of unpleasant things will occur, but you must remain professional, calm, mature, and DO NOT COMPLAIN. Again, complaints could tag you as difficult, a label that you don’t want.

Only in a circumstance that is absolutely unacceptable should you complain (unwanted harassment, life threatening circumstances, etc.). Modeling is not always as glamorous as it appears. Always try to make the best of any situation.

When changing clothes for another shot, you should change in a fast and efficient manner, because in this business, time IS money. Who wants to waste money?

There are a few colors that you should avoid wearing on a shoot unless you are asked otherwise. These are black, red, white and sometimes brown. These colors tend to appear unflattering on film.

Never go to a photo shoot alone, always bring someone trusted with you, no matter what the photographer says. If the photographer is trying to get you to come alone, this should set off a warning siren for you. Never be afraid to say NO!

A note about nude modeling: *First and foremost, make sure you know EXACTLY what each job you get entails prior to accepting it.* Most models will encounter this issue at one time or another. Sit down before hand and decide exactly what type of modeling you are willing to do and how far you are willing to take it. NEVER let anyone pressure you to do something you do not want to do. That cannot be stressed to you enough, because more than likely, you will face that as well. We do not advise anyone to partake in nude or even semi nude modeling jobs. Even though the pay may sound wonderful at the time, it may end up costing you a lot more in the future. Many potentially successful models and actors/actresses have ruined what was the start of a promising career very quickly by posing nude. Remember that a photograph is a PERMANENT record of your past, and cannot be erased. (For the intent of informing,) be aware that there are people out there, unfortunately, who are not actual modeling photographers, with unsafe motives. Please be careful and selective in choosing with whom and how you work.

Photography and television makeup is different from your everyday makeup.

You should have a matte foundation on to prevent shine on camera.

Use a lighter shade of foundation than normal.

You should have defined your eyes and nose to prevent loss of detail.

Makeup should be heavier than normal, the only exception would be for head shots. However, makeup should maximize your natural beauty and minimize your flaws.

Always blend the makeup in so that you have no lines.

There are certain colors that do not show up well on film, for example, reds should be replaced with a purple/blue color on black and white film.

If you want a part of your face or body to appear closer on film than it is, use a lighter color of foundation on that area, and if you want an area to appear smaller, use a darker color makeup on that area.

The whole point to TV and Film makeup is to minimize/maximize the desirable and undesirable portions of our bodies. Foundation is the key to this trick. Use foundation to contour the problem areas, for example, if you want your cheekbones to be more pronounced, use a light foundation on top of the cheekbone and a darker (not so dark it appears unnatural, though!) foundation underneath the cheekbone. The object is to apply lighter shades to the part you want to stand out and darker shades around it.

As a general rule, oval faces are usually more photogenic than any other face shapes.

If your face is too round, use a slightly darker shade of powder on the upper jaw line to make your face appear more oval.

If your face is too narrow, use a lighter shade of powder on the upper jaw line to make your face appear oval.

A model release is documentation that you must sign giving a specific person the rights to do with your photo what they please. Without a model release, the person who illegally used the pictures could be sued. However, release forms are very common, and necessary, to protect both you and the photographer.

There are two forms of releases: Unlimited, giving the person permission to use the photos in any manner for a specified amount of time, and Limited, which state the pictures may only be used for certain types of things for a certain period of time.

You should rarely have a problem with a model release form, but please read all documentation carefully before signing. If you sign a model release not knowing what it says, your pictures could legally be posted anywhere. You should also be aware that the photographer owns any photos or negatives they have taken.

It takes an average of six months to build a strong portfolio. The idea of the portfolio is to show that you have a versatile look and can be hired as a convincing model for all types of services and products, so you will want to have a variety of looks in your book. Your book is your sales pitch so you should invest a lot of effort into it. You want your pictures to stand out, they will be the first piece of work that the agent/client sees of you. The average size for photos for your portfolio is 8x10, however, at times a demand for 9x12 photos has been made. Either will be fine, just be certain to keep the size of the photos uniform. Ideally, you should have at least 25 8x10 photos in your book.

You should continually update your portfolio every 6 months and every time you change your look. If you have an agent, they may help you to arrange your photos in your book as well as decide which photos to have blown up to go in your book.

Make certain that you will get all of the proofs. Your agent may want to evaluate them.

Make certain that the photographer takes a Polaroid before beginning the shoot to check your makeup.

Make certain that the photographer varies his backdrops and styles to get a large variety of pics.

Make certain that there will be no touch ups to the photographs.

Make certain that the photographer uses plenty of film. You should get at least three rolls of 35 mm film.

Get the total cost up front, and check that there are no hidden costs.

When choosing a photographer for your portfolio shots, you should put a lot of time and effort into it. View their photos, examine their style. The photographer should give you a good variety of different looks, remember the purpose is to build up your book! Get recommendations from your agent or friends. Get a good idea prior to the shoot of what you think you will bring. You should also never work with anyone other than a professional modeling photographer, and NEVER do anything that goes against what you believe in. There is not enough money on earth to pay enough to sell your morals and integrity, and remember that there is also not enough money on earth to buy these back either.

You should have about 5 or 6 different looks in your book. Include some of the following:

You will also need a composite card, or more commonly referred to as a “comp” card. This is sort of like your business card. It is a card-around the same size as a greeting card, that lists your name, height, dress size, shoe size, measurements, hair color, eye color, your agents name, number and address, and also has 3 or 4 of your best variety of photos printed on them. You will leave these with potential clients so they know how to contact you.

These are an absolute must in the industry, and can be made up at almost any print shop (this is another service we are now proudly offering!) from a color or black and white slide (some can do it from photos also).

A tear sheet is just that, a sheet torn from a magazine or any print work that you have done and placed in your portfolio to highlight your work. Be sure to keep them in good condition. Laminate them if possible.

These are really just interviews. They are a way for the client to meet you in person and view your talents. You may have to dance, sing, act, or read a script.

What to bring to an audition:

Your portfolio

Appointment book

Comp cards

Resume

Business cards (if you have them)

Extra hose, shirt, makeup in case of mishaps

Your pride, for facing rejection

Check with your agency to see if there is anything else you may need.

Always wear business attire. This means a professional SUIT!

There are several types of conventions, competitions, and go-sees held throughout the world for models. These can be beneficial and/or a great learning experience, or a total waste of time and money. More intimate research should be performed on the event if you are serious about attending, because not all of them prove to be legitimate. However, many great careers have been launched and been very successful due to these events. Be sure to weigh the benefits and let downs of these events prior to attending, you need to have thick skin for this business!

A four day event, two conventions yearly, in January at the Hyatt Hotel on Hilton Head Island and July at the Swan Hotel in Disney world. There are several competitions, including runway, photography, swimsuit, soap opera, acting, talent, and many more. There are 3 age groups and beginner through professional level talent competitions. http://www.mlamtc.com

The Elite Look of the Year is an annual event conducted by the Elite Model Agency Group. The competition is exclusive to females age 14 to 24 who are residents of the United States.

P.O. Box 777
Madison Square Station
New York, NY 10159
Phone: (212) 529-9701
Fax: (212) 475-1332
http://www.elitemodellook.com

http://www.mtv.com/mtv/tubescan/modelmission

211 East 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone:(212) 687-0686
Phone: (877) modelus
http://www.model-quest.com

588 Broadway, Suite 711
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212 343.0100
Fax: 212.966.3322
http://www.supermodel.com/aspire/msa2/main.html

Pro -Scout, Inc
222 West Ontario, Suite 520
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-642-8880
Fax:312-642-8495
http://www.proscout.com

Worldwide Model Group
Phone: 404-531-0030
http://www.worldwidemodelgroup.com

Genesis
Phone: 877-201-9144
http://www.genesismodels.com

The Palm Group
345 North Canal Street, Suite 1006
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312-383-5368
Fax:312-382-5360
http://www.theimsi.com

International Modeling & Talent Assoc.
2525 East Camelback Road, Suite 755
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: 602-954-1390
Fax: 602-954-1393
http://www.imta.com

Miami Beach Models Showcase
102 Park Street
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Phone:727-669-9119
Fax:727-669-6217

An agency or agent is in charge of how a model and client connect for a job. They represent several models to give the client a variety of looks to choose from. An agency works on commissions that are taken off the top of the money that you make. An agency is not an actual employer. However, you do represent the agency that sends you on an audition or job, so it is important to represent them well, especially if you desire to work again.

An agency will find jobs for you. They will negotiate the highest price for you. They will screen potential clients for you. They will handle all aspects of your earnings. It is also next to impossible to get a job with a well known client without the help of agency contacts. Representing an agency also helps to show that you are sincere about modeling as a career.

As a new model, you are best starting with the smaller agencies. They will work harder for you, and have more jobs for you. The top agencies tend to focus more on their “supermodels”, and you need someone who is interested in making you money and won’t push you aside.

It is your prerogative as a model NOT to sign with any one particular agency. You have the right to work with as many or as few agencies as you want. In fact, not signing with a certain agency will allow you to have the opportunity to work more jobs. If you have signed an exclusive contract, you will only be allowed to work with that agency and no others.

Weigh the options you have if you do decide to sign. Don’t just jump at the first opportunity to come along, you may be unwittingly passing on better offers. If an agency really wants you and will work for you, they will wait for a short time for a decision. Don’t be pressured to sign anything right on the spot. You have the right to take everything home and mull it over for awhile before signing. If you do decide to sign, try to sign for a shorter period of time, remember that if an agency is not working for you, you will want to find another agency, and you can’t do that until you are let out of a contract. If someone is trying to pressure you to sign something on the spot, chances are, it is something you will not want to sign, and if there is something in the contract that you do not understand, TAKE IT TO AN ATTORNEY! Do not get taken advantage of. Remember that you, too, can negotiate for a better deal for yourself.

You should never rely solely on your agent/agency to get you work. Remember, you are now a small business, and you will be the best promotion for yourself. Do what you can to get your name out there and get work. Keep in contact with your agency, update them on any new work you may have done and remind them on occasion to get off their butts and get you work. That is after all, why you pay them.

Modeling is hard work. What is the secret key to being successful? Making others believe that you are. Nothing more than that. You may have to work free jobs for what will seem like an eternity, but, it all pays off eventually. Again, Persistence and hard work. This ain’t no easy ride, honey. Take any opportunity for work that you can get, paid or unpaid. Even unpaid positions give you exposure.

Side note: If you ever feel as though your agent is giving you information that you do not agree with, don’t feel like you have to follow it. In the end it is always your decision.

Once again, it is that thick skin we keep talking about. Rejection is just as much a part of this business as your makeup and pictures. You have to deal with it. Be persistent with the agency. If they still will not hire you after four visits, ask them for advice on how to make yourself more marketable.

Some view freelance modeling as the only way to go. You are responsible for your own bookings, finances, promotions, everything. You are your own small business.

So what should you charge if you are a freelance model, not signed with an agency? The best thing to do would be to compare prices of models around you, and adjust your fees accordingly. An average pay estimate is about $75.00 an hour, however, this depends LARGELY on the area that you live in, and could be much higher or much lower, depending on your demand and where you are working.

Advertise that you are a model in photography magazines or on community message boards.

Visit local businesses that use models in advertisements and leave your comp card and resume.

Post your pics and resume on the Internet. ( A service we are now offering!!)

Look in the Yellow Pages for listings of businesses with products that advertise.

What would you say to them? “Hi! My name is Sally Wanna be a Superstar from our town, nowhere. I am a freelance model, and I would like the name and address of the person in charge of advertising so that I may send them some pictures and a resume of myself.” Make certain that you send the photos, and if you don’t hear from them in a week, call back and speak to the person you sent them to and confirm that they received the photos, as well as let them know you would like to work with them and when and where they can contact you.

The first rule: Never give out your home phone number and address, or your real name, either in person or on your resume and comp cards.

If you do get a job, GET THE ADDRESS, NAME, and LOCATION of where the job will be. Check it out BEFORE going to the job, and ALWAYS leave this information with someone you trust, who will know when you are leaving and expected back. ALWAYS DO THIS. This is one thing you should NEVER slack on.

NEVER let someone else that you do not know drive you to a job location, always drive yourself, and if possible, take a friend or family member with at all times.

Work out all of the details of the job BEFORE accepting it, such as exactly what type of modeling you will be doing, the pay, the length of the job, and get a copy of the model release form and READ IT.

An agent is either the agency, or an employee of an agency assigned to work directly with you. Many models have one main agency they work with who handles most of their bookings, and then they leave several comp cards with many other agencies so they broaden their work availability (if they are not signed by an agency). Agents should only charge between 10-20% of what you earn on a job, and they will usually take their cut before taxes. This is a standard for the industry. An agent should never charge a nominal fee of any kind, nor should there be any fees other than the regular commission made from your jobs. If an agent is telling you that they charge more than this, it may be a scam and you should go somewhere else. You should always follow your instinct and never be afraid to say no, because for every model there is another agency. Remember that your agent works for you, you do not work for them ~ however, you do have a responsibility towards the agency to maintain a good working reputation, because one terrible model can cause a client to never return to an agency again.

If you do not feel that your agent is working for you, do not hesitate to go to another agency, but be sure to leave the lines of communication open so that you may still work through them. You will also want to check to make sure that you will not be breaching your contract if you do this (if you have one). If the new agency (or even the old one) asks you why you are switching agents, the best reply is always, I felt a change would be beneficial for my career at this point.

The first step is to call the agency and ask to make an appointment with an agent. When you are at the interview, bring your pictures and resume if you have them, and if you don’t have any, tell them you are interested in working with them and that you would like to start building a portfolio with photographers from their agency. Almost any agency will give you a list of legitimate portfolio photographers they have worked with that you will be able to contact to set up a shoot. You should do the same with agents that you will want to leave your comp cards with

When you interview with an agent or a client, always hand them your book with the pictures facing them and the cover open. Your dress should be trendy and professional as well as figure flattering, and your makeup should be light and natural. You should sit and smile politely and make polite conversation but you should also try to make a good impression to give them something to remember you by. A thank you note sent to all clients after an interview, including agents, is also a must.

Of course you will have questions, and here are a few you should ask, if the answers are not given to you.

Do you pay for a new model’s portfolio and comp cards?

What types of contracts may I be required to sign if I will be represented by you?

What type of fees do you take from my earnings:

How do you promote a new model’s career and look?

How often do you pay your model’s?

What is the main type of work for your model’s?

Do you work directly with any other agencies?

Are there any other expenses that you require from your models?

Do you require the use of shipping charges, cell phones, beepers, etc. and if so do you pay for them?

What are the phone numbers of some models currently working for a reference?

You should never contact an agent, client, or photographer yourself. You should always have your parents do this. Once you have an agent, have them make contact for you. Your safety is first and foremost above anything else, including money. Many models first entering the industry are very naive, do not fall into this category. There are so many people out there claiming to be someone that they are not, and they can do a very convincing job of it, too! BE CAREFUL! A professional should always ask if the model is under 18, and then for the parents contact information, parents are responsible for making ALL legal decisions for people under the age of 18, a minor cannot legally sign contracts him or her self. If you come into contact with someone who is requesting to deal only with you and no-one else, you should turn and run to the nearest place to report the situation.

Legally, parents or guardians are required to attend all photo shoots and modeling jobs, and in some states a work permit is required before a minor can work.

This is true for all models: Again, do not put your name, number, home address, or any other type of personal contact information on the internet, your comp cards, or anywhere. Unfortunately, this world is full of people with undesirable intentions.

Just like any other job, a model has a resume, however the resume is different than a resume for a regular job. A model’s resume lists all of the experience they have had in the industry. If you have had no experience, try to find free work in your area, so you will have something to put on it. If you have had a photo shoot done to build up your portfolio, you can certainly add that on as experience. There are several different formats that can be used. Take some time to review the sample resumes, and feel free to copy their format.

Models need resumes to highlight and to show that they have experience, and what that experience is in.

You should have a copy of your resume near the back pages of your portfolio.

You will not necessarily need to add dates to your resume.

You should only highlight your best work.

Keep your resume no more than a page long.

Include your stats on your resume.

Don’t post things such as the length of time it took, exactly who you worked with, etc.

List your jobs beginning with your most recent at the top, and the oldest at the bottom.

Start by looking for jobs through family and friends. Do you know someone who sells Avon or Mary Kay? Ask them if you can be their model! This is legit work that you can put down on your resume, and great for building it too!

Washed all the options out with family and friends? Contact a department store in your neighborhood and ask them to put on a fashion show. It could be at the store itself. It would boost sales for them, and give you more experience. If they don’t have anyone to coordinate the show, offer to do it. It is really rather simple to do, and one more thing to add to your resume!

You could also volunteer your services at a local charity event, or at a mall fashion or bridal show.

Find out who has booths at trade shows or any type of gathering in your area. Offer to volunteer your time there to promote their business as a convention/spokes model.

Once you feel confident enough, contact local photographers and offer to pose for free for them to use you in their advertisements, postcards, calendars, etc., and for you to get some of the tear sheets or pics for your book.

The bottom line is to get as much exposure and to make as many contacts in this business that you can. The more the merrier. You can never have enough.

Print:

Big Time Photographer Barbiewood, CA

Runway:

Mattel Fashions Mattel, Inc.

Informal Modeling:

Toys R Us (mannequin) Anywhere, USA

Amateur Hair Salons (hair) Any Little Girls’ Room, USA

Conventional Modeling:

Barbie Car Expo All Toy Stores, USA

Bending my arms and legs, not moving.

Agency address

Agency phone number

Agency fax number

Web and email address

Education: 

Only pertains to education received in the modeling industry , NOT colleges, high school, etc.

Employment: 

Only pertains to employment in the modeling industry, NOT regular employment.

Experience: 

Print: should have the product, client, type or date listed here.

Runway: should have the product, client, type or date listed here.

Broadcast: should have the product, client, type or date listed here.

Theatre: (No this is not spelled wrong) again, the product, client, type or date.

Conventional or Promotional: client, type or date listed here.

Test Shoot: name of photographer and date.

Any Other, such as competitions (even if you didn‘t win),awards pertaining to modeling, etc.

Specialties: Any type of specialty modeling such as body parts modeling. (hand, leg, hair, etc.)

Special Talents: Include things that you are talented in, singing, dancing, aerobics, makeup, roller skating, anything you do, don’t be shy or modest! This category could make the decision between you and another model! Why? Imagine that you are auditioning for a

commercial for motor oil, and the scene calls for you to be changing your oil, if you had auto mechanics down as a special skill, and it was down to a choice of you or another model who doesn’t know anything about auto mechanics, you can bet they will choose you! You will appear more natural, plus they will not have to spend the time or money teaching you how to demonstrate the product! ( This category is not for statements such as hard working, dedicated, blah, blah, blah. They already know that you are hard working!)

References Available Upon Request.

(Try to only use employers in the industry.)

*You can include ANY job that you were hired to do, whether it was paid or not. If you do not have experience in a certain category, just leave the category off from the resume. Under the Theatre category, you can include high school, church, etc. plays. Make sure to keep your resume no longer than one page, you should only be HIGHLIGHTING your best work.

Look your best for an interview.

Get a good nights sleep before an interview.

Arrive on time, rain or shine.

Manners count starting the minute you walk in the door.

Be enthusiastic.

Have a paper and pencil handy but don’t take notes.

Dress appropriately.

Use your best speaking and communication skills.

Bring an extra resume.

Express your achievements positively.

Smoke

Chew gum

Order anything complicated to eat if it is a dining scenario.

Try to impress the interviewer except on a professional level.

Bring someone with you on an interview.

Ask to use their phone.

Tell jokes.

Carry anything except a briefcase, portfolio, and a handbag.

Fidget or touch anything on the interviewers desk.

Lie, but do put your experiences in the best light.

Flirt

Be defensive about your qualifications.

Forget to write a thank you note.

Arrive too early.

Say too much.

Wear a coat or a hat.

Wear purple.

Sit down before your interviewer does, or address them by their first name.

Ask about salary, vacations, or promotions.

Bad mouth anyone, previous positions, or reveal confidential information.

Not have questions to ask.

Over-rate your accomplishments.

Have a “What can you do for me” attitude.

One of the first things you should do as a professional model is to buy an appointment book. You will be organized and never (hopefully) miss any meetings. It will help you to reduce stress by keeping everything where you have quick access to it. Open and read your book ALL THE TIME. Carry it with you everywhere, that way you will never double book yourself. You will also find that it is a convenient way for you to keep track of things like your mileage (which is tax deductible!) How much you may have spent on business meals, how long a job or interview lasted, as well as important contact information.

most agencies use a voucher to pay their models. A voucher is basically a time card which you must fill out showing the name of the date, the client, your name, the hours worked, and occasionally what type of work you are doing. The client must sign the card. You will not get paid without a voucher card, so NEVER forget yours. If your agency uses them, you will be given one prior to each job. You will then need to turn it back in to your agency so they can process the billing of the client. It takes an average of 30 to 60 days for the client to pay, and once the client does pay, the agency takes out the taxes and their cut, and then pays you. Don’t expect to be paid immediately for large jobs, that rarely happens. It can sometimes take up to four months to be paid for a single job. However, usually on smaller jobs, you are paid immediately.

If you are a freelance model, you will be in charge of all of your financing. You determine how much you are going to be paid (discuss this beforehand) and how long you are willing to wait to be paid (discuss this before hand also). Make sure that you have some form of paperwork that the client signs stating the services rendered and the amount agreed upon and owed.

Disclaimer: We are not tax professionals. You should always contact an accountant or a lawyer for tax advice.

Models are considered independent contractors, and are responsible for paying taxes on their earnings. There are several deductions that models are entitled to, so make certain to keep track of all expenses and receipts related to your job, such as makeup, hair, nail or skin care, pager, internet, and cell phone fees, mileage, working dues, clothing, photographs, anything that is job related. For a complete list, please contact a tax advisor or the IRS. WWW.IRS.GOV

All money that a model makes is considered income, for example, if you are being paid $400.00 to do a certain modeling job, and being paid for your travel expenses or other expenses, you must add that to the total you are being paid.

Federal Law requires a 1099 be issued by anyone paying more than $400.00 for services rendered to the employed party. The IRS also receives a copy of this information. Which means to you that you will have to give out your social security number or an employer identification number (if you work through an agency) to everyone that you work for.

Models do have the option of keeping the money they make from modeling jobs separate from the money they make at a regular job, however, to do this, they must declare themselves a business with the secretary of state, get a tax identification number and a federal employee identification number.

You may also want to purchase a record book to keep track of every job you have including all of the details, so you have an accurate and fast reference to refer back to. Tax issues are really not something you want to make mistakes with, so the best advice is to contact a tax advisor to get the proper details.

This is just an EXAMPLE. ONCE AGAIN, you MUST consult an attorney or accountant for tax advice. This should in no way be considered tax advice.

At the end of the year, you will fill out a schedule C tax form. Here is an EXAMPLE of some things a model has been able to deduct in the past:

Travel and Lodging expenses

Special makeup or clothing.

Special training classes or education.

Cell phone, telephone, or internet expenses.

Union, agent, attorneys, or accountant fees.

Mailing or misc. office expenses.

Any type of advertising for self promotion expenses. (comp cards, etc.)

Magazines or Books used to stay current in the industry.

Food expenses.

There are several others as well. Models have also been allowed some special tax breaks such as claiming the losses from their modeling income on a portion of their other regular income. However, tax laws do change, so it is always best to consult an accountant to prepare your taxes, but be sure to keep a detailed list and all receipts of expenses throughout the year.

Cultivate good habits, be aware of bad habits, how to break them, and how to form good habits.

Think positively. Avoid negative influence, and find ways to increase positivity.

Persistence.

Understand, appreciate and develop your uniqueness. You have wonderful positive traits.

Live today to the fullest, fill your life full of sunshine and happiness.

Control your emotions.

Learn to laugh at yourself, it will all pass, and things do happen for certain reasons.

Do it now, later may be too late.

Give credit where credit is due, to others and yourself.

Be committed to yourself 100%.

Have the ability to take constructive criticism and work at correcting problems.

Correct your posture by daily practice,

Project the best attitude at all times.

Keep negative opinions to yourself.

Go directly to the source of any complaints.

Do not criticize any others.

Be proud of any skills you posses.

Always finish conversations with a smile and a handshake.

Always be prepared and have a positive attitude.

Modeling and traveling go hand in hand. You should always be well prepared to travel. Here are some helpful tips:

For more reading and information, check out some of these:

Anderson-Boyd, Marie, “MODEL -- The Complete Guide to Becoming a Professional Model“

Aucoin, Kevin, “The Art of Makeup”

Banks, Tyra “Tyra’s Beauty Inside & Out”

Cheyenne, “Posing Techniques for Photographers and Models”

Esch, Natasha “Wilhelmina Guide to Modeling”

Glenn, Peter “International Directory of Model and Talent Schools”

Gross, Michael, “MODEL -- The ugly business of beautiful women”

Matheson, Eve, “The Modeling Handbook, Third Edition“

One last note about modeling before we go....most models have a secret shop in New York where they get all of their supplies. It is called Models Mart, 42 W 38th St # 802 New York, NY (212) 944-0638 1-800-223-1254

It is never okay to sacrifice your health for what you think will lead to beauty or control. In the end, you only end up hurting yourself and traveling down a much longer road. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, seek help immediately, even if you are afraid of losing a friend, because ultimately you may lose them either way. It’s the right thing to do. Find an adult or contact your local clinic or hospital that can put you in touch with support groups or psychologists that will help.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA: A dramatic loss of weight form continuous self-starvation or from severe self imposed dieting.

BULIMIA: Recurrent episodes of binge eating often followed by self induced vomiting. An abnormal eating pattern is usually present.