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| Introduction to Modeling |
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The Need to Knows of Modeling:
For every famous model there are thousands who will work professionally for years as the bulk of the agencies' employees. These are the men and women who go on endless "go-sees" and must sell themselves to every prospective client. An attitude of cheerfulness and patience is one of a model's paramount tools. We have put together this guide to give you all the information you need to make a break into modelling without being taken by any scams; however, please remember, modeling is a difficult field to break into at best.
Everything you do can have an impact on your career, from which photos you pick for your portfolio to what time you show up for an interview. Availability is crucial. If you call in sick or have other priorities, the agent will soon lose interest in you, and it won't be long until you will need a new career. Modeling is a highly competitive field, and you need to give it your all if there is to be any financial return. Even if you are the "new face" at the agency, your climb upward will happen with greater ease if you approach your work with a professional attitude. Always arrive at the time you are directed if you really want that next job! There are few other professions where you are so completely representing the marketable product (in this case you) in total. The client, your agency, the photographers, and even the stylists will be looking and remembering. You need to be remembered for being a pleasure to work with in every way. This means being physically appealing, neat, immaculately clean, and clean shaven (women and men), and having impeccable hair and nails.
Only a handful of people can simply step in front of a camera, not feel dreadfully inhibited, and get on with it. Just look through your family album to see those fishy stares while facing that terror - a camera.
An agent once said that after several months, models start to relax enough to be able to present themselves. There is something just dreadfully inhibiting about finding yourself a few feet away from that critical little eye of the camera's lens. You should also practice the difficult art of posing!.
Every experience that you could possibly have before an audience - choral singing, plays, variety shows, beauty pageants, and even attending social functions - can be helpful in giving you that critical self-confidence. Poise is gained by experience. Though modeling can only be done well by the truly experienced model, your efforts to meet the public and feel at ease in front of lots of people can aid you tremendously when you are asked to "perform" before the cameras.
If you are paid to be a model, you are expected to look like one. That doesn't mean loads of makeup and thousand dollar ensembles, but it does mean clean, neat, and a certain amount of care given to your appearance. You never know whom you may meet, and a model has to be an opportunist. Often a job is offered when you least expect it. Not all jobs are found through go-sees. You are your own best advertisement, and the sooner you prepare yourself for self-sell, the better. So much of modeling is based on merely your looks that the best presentation possible can only help you.
Makeup is a critical factor for all women models. Applying makeup is an art. When you do a fashion shot, a makeup artist or stylist does your face. This can be as time-consuming as two hours or more. If you are doing catalogue and similar types of work, you will have to do your own makeup and do it well. You should also make it a point to put together and familiarise yourself with your professional model's kit.
Lips, cheeks, and noses are all treated in special ways to make the best possible presentation. It will take you a while to gain the knack of how to handle all those makeup brushes, bottles, blends, cakes, pastes, and wands, but time will make you adept.
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