So You Want to Become a Model? (PLEASE READ POST #1 BEFORE POSTING)

[Fontenrose]

Jezebel has some interesting analysis of the models.live show done by Tatiana, which usually has some general comments on modeling. The comments by the readers are interesting too:

I don't really get the connection between being called "strange" and not being taken seriously as a professional. In my experience, fashion has a high tolerance for extremely unprofessional behavior. Some of the top catalog/editorial models are just horrible at posing in front of cameras, and yet everybody works around their ridiculous **** because they are (after being coaxed, cajoled, coached, and catered to) interesting to look at. (If you only knew how bad, and what big names these are!)


This is not diminish the grind of castings and go-sees and fighting for your paycheck and being robbed by accounting, but...let me be careful how I put this...I'm convinced that the industry is not at all interested in rewarding hard-working professional talent. I may be off base here, but I think most bookers, editors, etc. get off on making models feel badly. In fact, I think it's a big part of why chose to work in a job that allows them that power. I think the vast majority of the people that book and evaluate models are grinding an axe while they do it.

Whoa... never thought of that one... schadenfreude as a job perk.

 

[empaulio]

Thank you BetteT that really is great advise. So far I have only had 1 rejection as you said. I will e-mail some photos like they asked me too and see how it goes.
And thank you for the advice on rejection. It is very true its a big part of the industry. (I was unable to karma you but wanted to say, Thank you)

 

[model_mom]

sample of a casting call for the shows.....booking this one could make your career

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03RTjjmaRyo

 

[model_mom]

and another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuW3IY1AETw

 

[Danish]

Sorry off topic but who's the cool short hair model that Ralph said she looks like Audrey Hepburn? And her agency

 

[cold_sun]

^Cecilia Mendez

I have a question guys...Would you say that if you start sending your polas and stuff to agencies, so being an absolute new face, its beter to have classic long hair ? I know there are Agynes & Co. but as the average beginner...what would you say ?

 

[model_mom]

Keep the hair long until they tell you different.

I hate to see that this thread is no longer pinned.

 

[cold_sun]

^um well I already have short hair so idk really... But thanks anyway

 

[model_mom]

Well in that case...go for it. Anything is possible ......case in point...Agyness

 

[cold_sun]

^haha yeah I know but by the time I actually dare to send my polas to an agency my hairs probably long again anyway

 

[model_mom]

GO FOR IT....and Good Luck

 

[Sweet rus]

Hi everyone
I have a question, I hope it's not a stupid question but I need a quick answer

Are there any open calls in any Parisian agencies these days (today, tommorow)

thanx

 

[model_mom]

probably not as busy as it is.....but I can guarantee that if you have what they are looking for they will drop everything to make you feel welcomed. Even the receptionist knows better than to let a 'good thing' walk out the door.

 

[theBlueRider]

Do fashion models have side jobs? ex. I read that Iekeleine was "struggling" at the beginning before she hit it big.

I'm 18 and graduating college this upcoming spring (I skipped grades years ago) and started working with a local agency (DC)--I posed a question on this thread before. I would really like to move and work in the top markets (NYC, Paris, Milan) after I graduate. Should I start sending my pictures now to NYC (by myself or get my agent to market me?) if I want to be working full time by next fall or wait?

Also, I read that bigger agencies in NYC don't like to see professional pictures because they don't want to know that new models have worked before? I'm working on a book at this local agency and recently got a spread in a magazine. Do they actually want to see this book that I've been working on or start fresh (polaroids and snapshots)?

Thanks and sorry for so many questions!

 

[god_save_hedi]

Do fashion models have side jobs? ex. I read that Iekeleine was "struggling" at the beginning before she hit it big.

I'm 18 and graduating college this upcoming spring (I skipped grades years ago) and started working with a local agency (DC)--I posed a question on this thread before. I would really like to move and work in the top markets (NYC, Paris, Milan) after I graduate. Should I start sending my pictures now to NYC (by myself or get my agent to market me?) if I want to be working full time by next fall or wait?

Also, I read that bigger agencies in NYC don't like to see professional pictures because they don't want to know that new models have worked before? I'm working on a book at this local agency and recently got a spread in a magazine. Do they actually want to see this book that I've been working on or start fresh (polaroids and snapshots)?

Thanks and sorry for so many questions!

yes, some of them do have side jobs

go to models com and look for ny/paris/milan agencies and email them. send them whatever they ask for. if no nothing is stated, better send both snap and pro shots.

you won't probably be signed straight away so better start sending your pictures now and see how it goes.

 

[Blunier]

True fashion models in major market cities can't have part-time side jobs because there are already lots of castings and go-sees, often from Monday to Friday and even Saturday. So there's not much time left and it would also be impossible to make schedules for part-time jobs as you never know in advance exactly where and when you'll be (excepted when doing photoshoots or shows but then you won't know when they end).

If you want to start as fashion model don't wait, each year counts a lot because most models don't work very long and development requires also some time. Many girls hesitate too long.

A good local agent with the right contacts can help a lot but unfortunately only few agents have those contacts. Most small local agencies, I mean it generally, I don't refer to any specific agency, aren't involved in scouting for major agencies nor are of much interest for them. Large agencies have their scouting network (various partners and for a few even local offices) as well as sometimes own scouts traveling abroad but overall for fashion it's more interesting to scout in Europe than in the U.S. There are far more interesting girls in European countries, and especially Eastern European countries as well as in some other places (Brazil etc.).

Aspiring models should be very careful when submitting pictures. For fashion agencies mainly two sorts of pictures are appropriate: Simple snapshots (so-called polaroids but you don't need to use a real Polaroid camera, any reasonable digicam will do it) or very good .professional pictures. Now the problem is that most girls who start don't have what could be considered as publishable in a good fashion magazine or for upscale ads, further, most models, including good ones indeed, are not that skilled when it comes to choosing the right images, so overall it's far better to just send simple pictures which show very well how you look.

For aspiring fashion models, excepted in a vey few cases, it's useless to spend money on professional photoshoots. Agencies know best what they want for their models and also have better contacts to organize inexpensive tests.

Don't choose the Internet (pseudo-)modeling (dead-end?) route, it usually leads to totally useless pictures, at least useless from a professional POV. Also in the worst cases you can even end with wrong habits. New models should better work with experienced photographers as if both are beginners it usually doesn't lead to good results.

Submitting bad pictures will do more harm than anything else. Also bad tearsheets should be avoided. Even if they show that a girl worked they obviously still leave a bad impression if they're awfully bad.
Without seeing your tearsheets or current tests it's impossible to tell if they're appropriate or not and you can't post them here for comments. According to my own experience most aspiring models are better served if they send simple polaroids because they rarely have pictures which will impress true agencies.

Blunier

 

[DevonDevore]

the day my skin clears up im going for it!

 

[Juliax]

Good post, Blunier,thanks.

 

[bibimbap]

Hello!
I have not read all pages in this thread so I'm very sorry if my questions have been asked and answered before.

1. If you model for a school where students learn how to style and cut hair, do you get payed? (Probably not?) And do they fix make up? Will they only take a shot of my head or am I supposed to walk somewhere? I'm "modelling" on thursday. I will ask my contact some of these things but I wanted to ask here too.

2. Is size 32 american size 0? I've found different answers.

3. I'm latina and I'm hairy. I've got dark hairs all over my stomach and back, especially on my lower back. It seems stupid to shave there because I imagine it to be annoying and hard to reach. Is this a huge problem? I know all girls have hair but mine is dark and therefore more noticeable. I find it quite sexy but I think I'm quite alone to think that way.

Also, are there any big south american models? I'm a total newbie. I don't know how to explain..... I do know that Gisele is from Brazil.

4. Is minor scoliosis a problem? I can stand straight and according to a doctor ordinary people shouldn't notice it. My spine is a bit crocked.
A bit like this, but well, I'm a girl:

I've heard from several different people (family and total strangers) that I should model and eventhough it's my biggest dream you may have noticed I'm very insecure about certain things.

 

[BetteT]

Welcome to tFS!

I can only answer these questions:

#3 You will probably have to have the dark hair removed permanently ... laser or electrolisis. If you are selected by a local agency to model, they will advise you. It might be different in your country ... but usually models need to be hair free ... even blond hair, because it shows up with today's high definition digital photography. This can be very expensive ... but models must invest in them selves ... it's a business.

#4 If you can't see the curve in your spine, it probably won't be a problem. However, if one shoulder is significantly lower than the other ... it could be a problem, if the clothes don't fit well. Again ... your agency will advise you ... and if it's too much of a problem, they will let you know.