Tag: Successful Model

Credit: Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com

Most young girls dream of becoming a famous model.

As you grow older, however, you’ll begin to realize that becoming a model as easy and as charming as it sounds. The modeling industry is a tough market to break into but once you hit the big time the fame and the glory can be absolutely overwhelming. So, let’s take a quick look at some things that you might want to take into account if you want to become a top model one day.

Be Professional and Reliable

Modeling is a business. It’s as simple as that. If you have a booking for a photo shoot, make sure to show up on time. It’s better if you show up a few minutes earlier in order to attest your dedication and consideration. This is definitely going to make a great impression on your client. What is more, if you are a reliable partner, you are going to get splendid recommendations, and you never know which client is going to turn out to be your big break.

Educate Yourself about Clothing

Unless you specialize in nude modeling, you need to be well aware of clothing. And when we say clothing, we mean everything about it – cuts, fits, colours, styles, combinations, and whatnot – all of it. Make sure that you do your research, and you test it out. Find out what looks best on you and figure out which brands you want to emphasize on.

Take Care of Your Body

Even though this should go without saying, it’s hard to believe how many young and aspiring models are neglecting their bodies. You need to understand that modeling is not just about red carpets and glorious photo shoots. It’s also about a lot of hard work and complete dedication and commitment to the way you look. Everything from your diet to the workout schedule and training programs that you use is of critical essence. You need to make sure that your body is on its prime throughout the entire time if you want to make sure that you remain as competitive. Keep in mind that modeling industry is not a forgiving market – it’s a city of brutal competition, especially when it comes to modeling. So, if you want to make it through, you should give nothing short of your best.

image via FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com

Model & Mode is privileged to present this guest post by Azzi Williams. Azzi got her start in the fashion industry as a model and has since used that experience being in front of the camera to create a successful career as a makeup artist. Her skill has graced the print as well as the visual mediums of TV and film both in London and Sydney. She also holds a double degree in Arts/Law and is a professional writer who has freelanced for ‘The Times’ (UK) and for the news industry benchmark firm of Thomson Reuters.

A model’s life can be exciting and rewarding, but also very hard work. Five years ago, after discovering my love of modeling when living in Sydney, I moved to London and was signed within months, and the jobs kept coming and coming. So how did I do it?

1. Get a portfolio that gets you paid work

Don’t make the costly mistake of going to a ‘makeover studio’ hoping to get images that are agency standard. The most effective way to get signed and to get paid work is to visit the agency sites you wish to join, see the pictures of the models and ensure your own images are of that standard. It is a simple strategy but often overlooked in the excitement of starting out.

Find a photographer who has a makeup artist and stylist at hand, so your pictures look polished and portfolio-ready. So many models try to get shots from photographers for free, and although this is great for experience, it is a long process and you may need to work on dozens of times for print shoots to get the few pictures you can actually use.

2. Diva days are out

In today’s turbulent economic climate, we are all disposable commodities. Turning up late, or hungover, or canceling last minute, will make you look unreliable and you won’t be hired again. Even if you are signed, clients will give feedback to your agent, and they will be reluctant to put you forward for future jobs.

A little etiquette goes a long way. If you are hired in a studio consisting of the photographer, makeup artist, stylist, designer, and production co-ordinator, you are not the star of the production, but part of that team. So being able to work cohesively is the key to being successful and rehired.

Do not, at any given time, stop production to take pictures of yourself on your phone to upload on social media. Narcissism is just not cool.

3. Respect your body

There is no need to go down a dark route of starvation and body obsession, but do take care of simple grooming. Girls, don’t turn up to a shoot with hairy legs and guys, turning up with stubble or a man beard may not be what the client had in mind when they cast you from your clean-shaven headshot. Shave, shower and shine – you’ll be fine.

4. Be your own manager

Gone are the days where the model sits back and lets the agent manage them. Even Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss work hard to constantly network, promote themselves and interact on social media. Get yourself a business card, a website, a blog, go on social media and get your name and picture out there. You never know which photographer, makeup artist, designer or production company may spot you.

5. Know there is room in the industry for everyone

High fashion may be strict on body and age stats, but there is plenty of room in the industry for all ages, ethnicities, shapes and sizes. Commercial modelling, beauty, hair, parts modelling, fitness, pinup, glamour, art, the list is long and the opportunities wide. Find your niche and go for it.