Getting Started in Modeling
Want to model, but don't know where to start?
Here are a few tips that learned to help you get started.
To begin Ask yourself if you are serious about modeling. Modeling isn't all the glitz and glamour you might think it is. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. If you are willing to put in the time an effort, then go ahead and get started!
1) DONT fall for gimmicks and schemes.
There are a lot of so called "agencies" out there that say they like your look and want you apart of their agency. Then they ask you to pay money for some modeling courses or for using their photographers for pictures or to add them to their website.
Please don't go for it. This has been the oldest scheme in modeling out there.
Legit agencies don't ask for any money upfront. Real agencies make money after they book you for you jobs and they take a percentage from your check. The standard is 10%-20% of your pay rate.
Usually top agencies and well established ones will help you get your pictures done. They usually will assist you in getting professional comp cards. Expect to pay for around around $150 for full color compcards. Business card with your pictures on them are really good to have these days. They are small enough to carry around in your purse or wallet and are less expensive that compcards.
2) Finding Photographers and what to ask
First to begin with, when choosing to shoot with any photographer, make sure he has a good reputation and is known to practice good business. Ask around to models and businesses who have worked with the photographer before. Trust your instincts on who would be good to work with. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Always, i stress always, have someone accompany you to the shoot for your personal safety!
Some things you should ask a potential photographer:
1) What are your rates and what is included for that rate?
2) How many looks does it include?
3) How many pics do i get or rolls of film?
4) Do i get a CD of pics or so i get slides and/or negatives?
5) Do i get any prints and/or enlargements?
6) Does this include a makeup artist, hair stylist and/or wardrobe stylist
7) Will this include any photo-retouching?
8) Does the price include having copyrights of the picture?
9) Will the shoot be in color or black & white or both?
10) Will the looks include shot in studio or out on location?
11) What type of lighting equipment will be used?
12) Will the shoot be digital or on film or both?
13) What does the photographer plan to use the photos for: portfolio only? etc.
14) Do you have a portfolio or website that i can view your work?
Those are a few simple questions to ask a potential photographer. If you do decide to use a photographer for your portfolio be sure to get all the details that you agree upon on paper so that there will not be discrepancies in the future.
Finding Photographers:
1) Ask other models about photographers they recommend.
2) Search on sites like onemodelplace.com and musecube.com for photographers in your area.
3) Check my recommendations to the left. These are photographers i have shot with at least two separate times and i would definitely recommend for your portfolio. All of them are professional, excellent photographers and i have nothing but postive words for. They also have reasonable rates and packages. Most of them however do not work on TFP.
3) TFP, Rates and How to Get Professional Pictures...some for FREE!
Most people think that you have to pay for professional pictures. This is not always true. I will tell you how to get free photo shoots.
What i usually do is do a search for local photographers and visit their websites. I choose the ones i like the best and call them up and ask them if they are willing to do TFPs (Time For Prints) (try searches on www.onemodelplace.com or www.musecube.com)
TFPs are free, the photographer agrees to photograph you for free and give you copies (like on a CD disk) in exchange for using you as a model to add to his portfolio. You would usually pay to get the best ones printed...but sometimes the photographer will give you a few courtesy prints.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
Please note that every model will not be able to get to shoot on TFP. A good photographer who shoots TFPs will usually be selective in which models they use on TFP. They will usually agree to TFP's if they like your look or need your look to add in their portfolio. If you are not sure if a photographer will do a TFP shoot with you...just ask. It never hurts to ask! However, it is usually NEW photographers that will shoot for TFPs. Experience photographers already have a steady clientele and are busy with clients and models who pay for their service.
Keep in mind you get what you pay for. I recommend TFP for models starting out. At a TFP shoot i would not expect amazing shots, but a few good to decent shots to work with while in the beginning stages.
I think TFPs are a great way to practice and learn how you photograph, what poses work best for you and what makeup accentuated your beauty without wasting your money on a photoshoot and you dont have experience shooting and posing.
Once you are comfortable behind the camera i would suggest researching very experienced photographers and paying for great portfolio shots. You get what you pay for. Be sure you like the quality of the photographer's work before paying for a shoot.
Rates will vary depending on the number of rolls of shots, if they provide a makeup artist and/or stylist, and the number of outfit changes/looks, etc. Usually the cost will be anywhere from $150-$400 or even more.
Again the Professional Photographers i work with are listed to the left. They are very reasonable and their quality is great. The majority of the photos shot on my website are done by these select photographers.
Professional photographers will use professional equipment and proper lighting for your photoshoots. If you are unsure about the quality of a photographer you would like to work with, request to see more of their work, ask about people that can vouch for them and the type of equipment they use.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Remember models, when shooting TFPs, the photographer is offer his time and services to you as a model so do not over demand looks on your shoots.
Both model and photographer should come to a agreement on the type of looks that you are trying to get out of the shoot.
When you PAY a professional for your own shoot, then you can take control of every aspect of how you want your shoot to go.
Modeling is a business, treat it as such. Keep your egos and Diva Attitudes at home...you dont want to start your modeling career with a negative reputation.
BE SURE TO GET:
A professional makeup artist! You want to find a good makeup artist to do your makeup. NEVER do a photoshoot without one. A makeup artist makes a major difference. I feel it will be a waste of time and money to use a professional photographer without a professional makeup artist. Even if you feel you apply your own makeup very well...professional makeup artists are experienced with special makeup just for photoshooting. Everyday makeup, that looks great in person...usually is not sufficient for photoshoots.
Usually you can also find a makeup artist on TFP.
For your photoshoot :
a) Make sure you have that makeup artist!
b) Browse through magazines to look at different poses. Practice those poses in the mirror along with different expression. Make sure you know what flatters your body type.
c) Get together your outfits if you dont have a stylist. You want to have at least 3 different looks. Say for instance, a casual/jean look, a classy/dressy look, a swimsuit look, etc.
For each look have different makeup and a different hairstyle so that it doesnt look like took the pictures on the same day.
d) The week before, exfoliate your skin all over everyday to get rid of that top layer of dead skin cells. Believe it or not the camera will catch it. Exfoliation will also help to give your skin that healthy glow.
e) Pack a bag for your photoshoot and include:
a robe, lotion or baby oil (esp for swimsuit shots), brush/comb/hair accessories, jewelry for each shot, accessories for your outfits (glasses, hats, watch, rings, purses), thong, razor, babywipes.
f) make sure you are cleanly shaven.
g) make sure your nails are clean and manicured.
h) safety tip: If you are not taking anyone with you to the shoot, let someone know where you are and with whom. And be sure to tell the photographer that someone knows where you are.
i) Make sure that you know exactly what the shoot consists of, and never feel pressured to do anything that you do not feel comfortable doing. If nothing else go with your gut feeling.
j) Don't ever do anything that you might be sorry for later. What you do today can affect your career later down the road. If you pose for a photo that you cannot show your family and friends, and be proud of it, it wasn't worth doing. Mainly you should be proud of it today and down the road.
k) Home studios are fine, just make sure that there is a separate changing area, with a lock. Always check your surroundings. Check for exits etc..
l) rest well before the day of your shoot. you want your pics to look fresh.
m) exude confidence in your shoots. smile, laugh.... modeling is a lot like acting.
n) always present yourself in a very professional manner whether it be your first or 100th shoot.
o) make sure you get some good headshots. Also you want location shots as well as studio shots. Location shots are outside shots like in the park, against a great background, etc.
p) bring snacks and water. Shoots can be long and draining. You want to make sure you don't get dehydrated and hungry. But careful, don't eat too much, you don't want a pooch in your pics!
4) Get in the gym. You want to look healthy and fit. It'll make you feel
better about yourself and boost your confidence. There is a lot of competition out there, don't feel lacking. Make sure you can be the best you can be. Even if you are naturally big, you can still look fit at a bigger size.
5) Promote yourself to different Agencies.
Search local agencies and submit pictures either my mail or e-mail.
Send one headshot, one body shot along with your stats like height, weight, measurements, contact numbers, hair color, eye color. Type this out, do not hand write it.
Remember each agency might be looking for something different, a different look, different ethnicity, different weight. So if one agency doesnt accept you, keep trying, dont give up!
6) Get a Website!
Get some photos on disk or scanned and get some web space somewhere. If you have to, use free web servers like Angelfire or Geocities. Build you a site, it can be very simple to just display your shoots.
A decent web site will give details about yourself, your work, your experience and collection of your best photographs. Never put your personal address and info on the site. Use your cell number or work number, not your home number. After getting your website hosted, get linked with some reputed web sites. This is the most cost effective method for wide exposure.
7) Go to Castings and Auditions.
a) Be on time! First impressions are key.
b) Clients are looking for someone who is self-assured and whom they think can sell their product. A model must be able to sell herself before she can sell a product. It is also important to be able to handle the rejection that every model must face. No model could meet the expectations of every possible client. It is always best to go into a casting not caring whether or not you get it. That way it's a pleasant surprise if you get the job but you aren't let down if you don't get it.
c) Go prepared. Bring copies of your pictures to give to them with your info on the back (If you dont have comp cards).
Bring pens, in case you need to fill out info sheets.
Bring your portfolio book with quality pictures in it. Your portfolio book usually holds 8x10 pictures.
What should be in a models book? A full range of location shots, head shots, full body shots, and commercial type (with props, jewelry, etc.) The format (digital prints, silver prints, tear sheets) does not matter. A mix of all is just fine. The photos should have a clean look. The content should look very natural. The scene should fit the clothes.
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Photoshoots Tips
Tips for preparing for your photo shoots.
1. Arrive on set early. If there's a traffic jam, you'll be glad you had slack. NEVER be late. No excuses. Remember first impressions are everything.
2. Use www.mapquest.com to get directions so you know how early to leave to get on the job on time.
3. Men: Shave the back of your neck!
4. Don't get tattoos. You never know when you'll have to do a full body shot. It's a pain for make-up artist to cover it up.
5. Make sure your nails are always manicured. Keep it clean, french-manicures always look good. If you do it yourself, just a simple coat of clear polish.
6. Consider minor cosmetic procedures: Bleach your teeth. Try colored contact lenses. Remove prominent birthmarks from your face and neck. Have a professional shape your eyebrows. Go easy on the tanning salons.
7. Make sure your hair is clean. If you know if there is going to be a hair stylist on the shoot, wash the day before. If no stylist, get your hair done the day before.
8. At a typical shoot you will meet six people: the photographer, his assistant, the stylist, the makeup artist, the ad agency account exec, and the client. Learn names fast. It's much nicer than saying, "Hey you, I need some powder."
9. Bring accessories. Bring purses, sunglasses, hats, earrings, necklaces, a fake wedding ring (for couple shots) and a pair of glasses to your jobs, etc.
10. Exfoliate your skin the whole week before your shoot. It will help give your skin that healthy glow and eliminate the scaly look that skin can sometimes have in photographs.
11. Bring baby oil or lotion, especially for swimsuit shots.
12. Practice different positions before hand in front of the mirror to see what does and does not flatter your body. Make sure you know the best angles and features to accentuate.
13. Study poses in magazines and bring them to the shoot so you have a few in mind if you run out of ideas.
14. Ask to see the Polaroid before the photographer goes to film. Look for ways to improve your expression or movement. Know your own personal problem areas.
15. A genuine smile shows in the eyes, not the mouth. Make your eyes smile for the camera.
16. Men: find a liquid foundation and translucent powder that matches your complexion and learn how to apply them.
17. Iron any clothing "brings" for jobs.
18. Know what your agent requires after a job. Some simply want the voucher mailed; others want you to call or fax first.
19. Track expenses. As a model, you are running a small business. Track costs like mileage, postage, comp cards, and haircuts required for particular jobs. These deductions will lower your taxable income.
20. Try to eat way ahead of time before your shoot. You dont want to have a crazy looking "pooch", especially in swimsuit shots.
21. Make sure you shave off excess body hair.
These are a few useful tips for your photoshoots.
I took a few from
http://www.modelnetwork.com/thenews/stories/modeltips/index.html
check them out for a few more.
I'll post some more as i think of them soon.
tomika
I cannot stress enough:
TAKE SOMEONE YOU KNOW TO THE PHOTOSHOOT!! BE SAFE FIRST AND FOREMOST!!
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Tips on how to get more modeling work from the internet
1) Online Modeling Forums and Message Boards are a great way to learn more about the world of modeling and also a great way to let the world know about yourself.
2) Check the modeling forums for castings and auditions in your area.
3) If you post looking for modeling work, be sure to include some info about yourself, including where you live, and include a photo with your post. Also if you have a website, include that.
4) Don't post the same message to a lot of different message boards on the same day. Spread them out for maximum exposure.
5) If a photographer has a web site, go there before asking them for information.
6) Research the person or agency who has the job offer. Try to feel out if the job is legit or a scam. If you decide to go to the audition or job make sure you tell someone or go with someone you know.
7) Try to respond quickly to requests from photographers, so they remember who you are and what you look like. Always be professional so they take you seriously.
when responding to e-mail, make sure you try to respond to ALL the questions asked.
9) Try to be clear from the start as to what kind of work you're looking for and what kinds of work you will accept. Do only what you feel comfortable doing. DO NOT let anyone pressure you or talk you into doing something you will regret later on.
10) Get yourself listed on as many free reputable modeling sites as you can.
11) Be certain to get a verifiable home and/or studio phone number, and street address, for anyone you work with. Especially if you are meeting somewhere.
12) Make sure you see examples of their work. And specifically, examples of what they want to use you for.
13) Find out as much as you can about those you are considering working with. Ask around.
14) Be very careful regarding posts and e-mail from anyone with a generic (hotmail, yahoo, etc.) e-mail address.
creator of Tips: Tomika Skanes
