Modeling HOW TO: Stand out and Get Noticed!

Most models will tell you stories of long castings stuck in corridors, looking around at a sea of clones all dressed in tight black clothes, wearing heels, and with their hair pulled back in a pony tail.  How is a model supposed to stand out and get noticed?  There is no golden ticket answer, but how you present yourself and the impression you leave can go a long way in increasing your odds of separating yourself from the pack and getting the booking.

For over a decade the modeling industry has seen an extremely limited range of models, which is the polar opposite of the �cult of personality� of the supermodel era.  Knowing how agents and clients perceive you is critical: do they consider you professional, mature, focused, committed?  Do they see you as a waif when you feel like a bombshell?  There can�t be a disconnect here or it will mean a much bigger struggle to achieving your dreams. 

There are golden rules to creating a great reputation as a model so pay attention: 

• Always be professional:  Strive for a good relationship with your bookers and agents, since you must work as a team to build your career.  Always being professional, means being reliable, cheerful, a team player, on time, and never being a know-it-all.  If your agents and bookers know you are ambitious, focused, and a good listener, they are more likely to go above and beyond to help you achieve your dreams.  Ask them how you can build your brand to get more attention from editors and casting directors.  Be interested, and interesting!

• Be original:  The old adage that you should always be yourself because no one can do it better than you is true, and no more so than in building a modeling career.  Don�t be a cookie-cutter model. No one can do you better than YOU!  And do yourself a favor and don�t look at all the other models in the model apartments or at castings and measure yourself against them.  Ever.  Everyone is building their own career, so concern yourself with yours.  That goes for fashioning your �look� on another model � it doesn�t work, and a copy is just a copy. 

• Know your strengths and work them:  Whether it is high cheekbones, long legs, amazing eyebrows, a great body, a supermodel walk, a chameleon face, or a great personality, see it for the advantage that it is and work it.  Are you a good mover, or a power poser? Are you athletic or super feminine, androgynous or sexy?  Own it and make it work for you.

• Be aware of your social media presence:  This is somewhere that you can have more control over your �model image� and show your strengths to their best advantage.  But be careful what you show � clients DO look at model�s social media accounts � it matters!  If you are athletic and can do cartwheels, here is your platform to show it off.  If you are a fun-loving model who likes to dance and giggle, make a little clip and post it to show you have a great personality.  Just remember � the industry is watching.

Be fearless:  Stay true to yourself because clients and agents notice a confident, focused model who is a pleasure to work with, who delivers, and is professional.  There are too many models with hang ups, insecurities, or a bad attitude, so don�t be that model � and you will stand out for being the opposite!  Be YOU!

#business of modeling #standing out  #know your strengths #how to succeed in modeling #be unique #be original #beyourself

HOW TO: Nail an Amazing Beauty Shot

Beauty shots and natural portraits are the most important photos a model needs, which is why they can be some of the most difficult images to achieve.  They establish how photogenic the model is, how the light plays off of their bone structure, whether they are chameleon-like when wearing lots of hair and makeup, or whether they have a more natural beauty.  Agencies choose the best portrait that represents the bone structure and gaze of the model at her best, and use this as her lead image on the agency website, as the first shot in her portfolio, and on her composite card.  So yes!  It�s very important and it's the shot the agency is always looking for, to capture the attention of casting directors and potential clients.  A great headshot can literally change a model�s career and put her on everyone�s radar.  

Frequently testing with the right people let�s you learn what works for you and what doesn�t.  The best portraits enhance your look and show of the best of you, your uniqueness, and your power to hold someone�s attention with your eyes.  It shows if you can be transformed with hair and makeup � fashion designer�s and editor�s dream models.  It shows if your particular type of beauty is more sensual, or classic, or edgy and cool.  

Whatever your look the basic principles to achieving a great portrait stay the same.  Here are some photographers� tips for nailing a great beauty shot.

Tip 1:  understand the hair and makeup so you can interpret what the theme of the shot is, for example: natural hair and makeup shot outdoors versus dramatic hair and makeup in studio � very different, and the best models are amazing at both
     
Tip 2:  relax � any stress you have is going to show all over your face and in your posture

Tip 3:  don�t over-think it � let the photographer guide you; you are a team creating the image together, so don�t get in your own head and miss your chance to create something amazing

Tip 4:  posture counts:  relax your shoulders, angle them to the camera if the photographer suggests it, and think like a ballerina.  Be aware of your collarbones and let your head pivot on a long, graceful neck as this lets the light hit your cheekbones, brow bones, and jawline � extra tip � know where the light source is!

Tip 5:  It�s all about the eyes:  no matter how gorgeous the light is, how amazing the makeup and hair looks, if your eyes don't �talk�, the shot will not work and be flat and amateur.  On the photographer�s direction, create a little movie or scenario in your mind and �play the part�.  Express emotion with your eyes, thinking about love, joy, happiness, strength, power, or vulnerability.

Tip 6:  Relax your mouth and do not be tempted to do fish lips � ever.  Some models look great when they bite their back teeth together and leave their lips apart � this makes a more defined jawline.  Other models look great when their lips area bit apart and their teeth are not touching at all � it�s vulnerable and sensual if you do it right.  Practice in front of a mirror not a phone, which distorts your face.  

Finally, trust the photographer.  Don�t be an inanimate mannequin.  If the beauty shot could have been made by putting makeup on a plastic head, then it doesn�t work.  The best beauty images �talk�.  

Models and credits:

Fei Fei Sun by Willy Vanderperre

Jena Goldsack by Steven Chee

Edita Vilkeviciute by Boo George

Anna Ewers by Patrick Demarchelier

Amanda Murphy by Thomas Whiteside

Crista Cober by Cedric Viollet

Stella Lucia by Camilla Akrans

Aya Jones for W Magazine

Adriana Lima by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

#beauty images #how to take a great beauty shot  #model headshots  #beauty tips for great headshots  #best headshots  #comp card shots

How to Know Your �Market� as a Model - Editorial vs Commercial Modeling

So an agent just told you that your market is editorial, not commercial, and you have no idea what that means.  Knowing what the markets are and where you �fit� is key to building a successful career.

The �market� not only refers to the different types of modeling, but also the various cities around the world where models go for work.  First you need to understand the different types of modeling, and subsequently the cities that are predominant for each type of work.  

�Editorial� or �Fashion�

These models shoot for magazines and high fashion campaigns, and walk the runways during fashion weeks in Paris, London, NYC, and Milano, and sometimes in smaller fashion cities like Tokyo, Sydney, or Sao Paolo.  This is a fast-paced market where top models compete for a limited number of opportunities.  




Timing and a great agent are everything.  It requires nerves of steel to handle the rejection, the long hours, distant travel that can be lonely, and the physicial requirements.  It is a lot to handle on very young shoulders.  These models have to be tall, willowy and have the ability to be transformed by designers and editoris into the �look of the season�.  Getting editorial and runway work, often for very little money, is the risk fashion models take in aiming for a major career.  It is essential that these models appear in the shows of the top designers, which puts them in front of the most powerful magazine editors, in hopes of being noticed and selected for prestigious editorials.  Exposure is key and any income takes a back seat until (and if!) a model becomes a �name� and they begin to book campaigns.

�Commercial�

The commercial modeling market has a broader range in both body type and age, and these models can have quite a long career.  This market can also be a training ground for new faces to give them the time and opportunity to learn the business and to gain confidence in front of the camera and potential clients.  Commercial modeling can be broken down into specific types of modeling such as swimwear, juniors, lifestyle, and catalogue. These markets exist all over the world and these models tend to travel on bookings, and also for extended stays in certain cities such as L.A., Miami, Chicago, Hamburg, Singapore, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. London, Paris, NYC, and Milano also have commercial work and often the fashion editorial models are able to take advantage of this to ear some money between magazine editorials and runway work.  Commercial models have the chance to develop longer relationships with agents and can follow the work seasonally around the world.  It is a great way to travel, and experience life abroad, while hopefully(!) earning some money.  

Both fashion and commercial models need to build a strong portfolio and there are magazines and testing opportunities for both in their respective markets. Knowing where you �fit� in the modeling industry can help you aim for the right agents and markets.  If you are 5�9� to 5�11� - willowy with high cheekbones and under 21 years old, you might be considered more editorial than commercial.  If you have some curves and look amazing in a bikini, or if you are young and fresh and like to move more naturally in front of the camera, then you are probably more commercial.  If an agent tells you that you are commercial you might find yourself off to Miami or Hamburg or Tokyo, and if you are considered fashion then you will most likely be sent to NYC or Paris depending on your age, to do show castings and to meet editors.  


It�s not very common for models to transition from commercial to fashion but in some cases and model can really become known for working for a commercial brand and catch the eye of editors, reversing the trajectory of their career.  Fashion models are lucky to have three or four seasons of shows to make their mark before agents are likely to begin transitioning them to a broader more commercial market, increasing their income potential.  

Remember, it is all business and whether it is commercial or fashion, it is all work, so respect that, and always be the most professional that you can be and take advantage of the opportunity.  People will remember that  - you are your �brand�.  And don�t forget that for every one model that are tens of thousands of hopefuls who would gladly walk in your shows in a heartbeat!  

Supporting images:

Candice Swanepoel, Self Magazine, March 2015 by Sebastian Kim

Liya Kebede, Porter Magazine, Winter 2015, by Chris Colls

#newfaces #modeling #gettingintomodeling #modelingmarkets #businessofmodeling # editorialmodeling #commercialmodeling #lifestylemodeling #runwaymodeling #modelinginfo