10 Easy Tips For The New Model

Posted on February 23, 2008 - Filed Under Business |

So you want to be a model. The first thing you need to do is think about what your ultimate goal is, and then, find the steps to getting there. Do you want to be a fashion model signed with a top international agency? Do you want to be a catalog model? A model for men’s magazines?

There are a lot of different types of modeling, and it’s important to know what you want from the modeling industry. It’s also important to be open-minded to trying different styles of modeling, that will expand your portfolio and broaden your diversity.

If your new to modeling, this article will be very helpful to your future career as a model.

Tip number one: You do not have to pay a photographer. Contrary to what you might hear, this tip is 100% true. You do not ever have to pay money to be a model. You do not have to pay an “agency” to be featured on their directory. You never have to pay a model/photographer networking website to have “access” to their castings. You should never have to go to a “modeling school” to learn how to model. You can do it all on your own.

What is your alternative option to paying a photographer?

Tip number two: TFP/TFCD. Is. Your. Best. Friend. (When your starting off, of course.) TFP/TFCD stands for Time for Print and Time for Compact Disc. TFCD is more commonly used, because most photographers use digital equipment and sometimes do not have access to high-quality printing equipment. In translation, TFCD is basically a trade. The photographer puts in their time, the model puts in their time, and as a result, they come away with a compact disc of pictures for their portfolio.

But where do you find photographers willing to shoot TFCD?

Tip number three: Networking websites. There are many networking websites on the internet for models, photographers, make-up artists, wardrobe and hair stylists. My first choice in networking websites, which I have had great success meeting with many different photographers in my area, is ModelMayhem.com (http://www.modelmayhem.com) I highly recommend creating a profile page on this website if you are serious about becoming a model. You can find photographers in your area, browse castings, events, and participate in its’ infamous forum. You can receive advice, offer advice, have your pictures critiqued, and build your network by making “friends.” It is easy to navigate and offers 20 photo slots and you never will have to pay a single penny. (Other examples of model/photographer networking websites are: www.onemodelplace.com, www.musecube.com, www.models.com, www.modellaunch.com) Networking websites are great for getting exposure to the modeling industry and finding TFCD, as well as paid work.

But what are some other ways to find exposure and paid opportunities?

Tip number four: Check your local Craigslist ads daily! How do you find modeling ads? Go to http://www.craigslist.com, on the right-hand column, select your city, towards the bottom middle of the page, look for Gigs, and click on Talent, Event, or Creative.

How do I choose the right photographer for me?

Tip number five: After signing up for a networking website, you’ll likely be contacted by photographers eager to shoot. You’ll want to choose a photographer that is nice, polite, and professional. You do not want a photographer that will pressure you into doing things you don’t want to do. Also, you should like their style and images in their portfolio. If a photographer only has overly-edited or under-edited photos, you might want to look else where. If a photographer only has photos of women spreading their legs, you also might want to look else where, unless that’s what your in to! When you begin communicating with a photographer, be clear to them what you are willing and not willing to do. Let them know that you will not shoot with them, without the presence of your escort. Let them know it’s your first shoot, let them know if you have any questions or concerns. Don’t be afraid to ask!

What are some signs of a creepy photographer?

Tip number six: They may be aggressive, or a little too persistent in wanting to work with you. Check out the other models the photographer has worked with. If you are under 18, and all of the other models this photographer has worked with, or targeted, are under 18, you may be looking at a creep. They may say no escorts and ask to meet you in a private location, like their house, and especially be wary if they ask to meet you for a shoot in a hotel room. Look for these signs, ask for testimonials or references, or talk to the other models the photographer has worked with yourself and ask what their experience was like.

What can I do to protect myself?

Tip number seven: When going to a photoshoot, always have an escort. Your boyfriend/girlfriend, your best friend, your mom, or your rottweiler. =) If a photographer says “no escorts” you can guarantee he is a certified Creep with a capital c! If you feel like you none of your friends will want to sit around watching someone take pictures of you, ask the photographer if you can do a shoot with a friend. Be on your guard for scams and Creeps at all times. This is the internet your working with! You don’t know who you are talking to and what their motives are.

What should I do for my first photoshoot?

Tip number eight: For your first photoshoot, make sure you ask the photographer to take some headshots, as well as 3/4 and full body shots. You’ll want some smiling (commercial), and some serious.(editorial) It’s a good idea to have a swimsuit photoshoot early on, (at a pool, at a lake, at the beach, etc.) because this will give prospective clients a good idea of what your body looks like. You aren’t expected to be a professional on your first time in front of the camera! If all your shots aren’t genius, or if you run out of ideas, or have no clue what poses to do, it’s all okay. You learn from experience, and over time, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. After receiving the images from your photoshoot, take time to look them over. See which poses work for your body and what make-up looks best on you. Pay attention to what time of day the shoot was, what kind of lighting was used, how the clothes looked on you, how the location suited the final product.

What else can I do to prepare myself for the modeling world?

Tip number nine: There are a few more important steps you have to take before you apply to an agency, if that’s your ultimate goal. Take the time and energy to do as much research as you can. Find out your measurements. Most clients or agencies will need to know your height, weight, chest, waist, and hip measurements, as well as your shoe size and dress size. Some of those measurements you may already know, the others are not hard to find out on your own! You will need a measuring tape. (If you don’t have one, use a long piece of material like a rope or cord and match it up to a ruler or yardstick.) If your planning on submitting photos to an agency, you’ll need to take a couple polaroids without make-up. Head shot, full body shot, profile shot, and you can take a few others, like a smiling shot. If your going to use a digital camera, make sure it doesn’t look like it’s been edited.

What else can I do to ensure my success as a model?

Tip number ten: Be versatile. Don’t go for one look. Range your poses and your facial expressions. Get inspired! Use your resources! You have access to the internet, the local library, and the T.V. Watching shows like America’s Next Top Model, and even Project Runway will give you excellent insight to modeling and fashion, and may give you some great ideas for a photoshoot or a new look you want to try. Be creative. Use props. Try lots of locations. Work with many different photographers and make-up artists. Market yourself. I’ve found that having background knowledge of web design and graphic design have been very helpful to my modeling career. I edit my own pictures, and I build my own websites that market myself. My website, for example, (http://portfolio.tinaberry.net) has an easy to remember name, is easy to navigate, and is especially nice to look at! It includes what the photographer should know before we shoot, my stats/measurements, a short bio, my portfolio pictures and contact information. My portfolio pictures are organized into separate shoots and give the viewer a good understanding of how I photograph.

There you have it! 10 helpful tips for the beginner model! Good luck with your journey.

Remember. You do not have to be a certain height, weight, or look a certain way. The modeling industry has room for all different shapes, sizes and looks. It’s your job to do what it takes to get to that place.

One more resource to read when your done with this article: http://www.newmodels.com

Tina Berry is an aspiring model of age 18. Living in San Diego, she is a full-time college student majoring in graphic art. She owns and maintains her website, http://www.tinaberry.net and portfolio website, http://portfolio.tinaberry.net and loves doing ballet and making stained glass windows in her spare time. She hopes to one day be a successful fashion model and return to her birthplace in San Francisco.

Tags: become a model, fashion, modeling industry, modeling tips, new model, photoshoot

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