Every girl at least once has daydreamed about becoming a model and conquering the world’s catwalks wearing the most fabulous designer outfits. Many decided to pursue their dream and reach what they craved; others might have put it on the back burner. Luckily, the misconception that only young and slim people can be models has gone into oblivion. Since all ages and body shapes are highly appreciated and welcome in the model sphere, one can consider acquiring this professional anytime, depending on their wish.
Besides obvious perks such as wearing costly but gorgeous garments and gaining popularity, modelling implies some more advantages. It’s an opportunity to network and build up a handful of pretty valuable connections in the first place. Furthermore, models are bound to travel the world, attend lavish parties, and make good money. Yet, there is one teeny-tiny detail about it – modelling requires titanic effort. Not only does it take a lot of physical energy (posing, walking properly, hours of photo shooting), but mental, as this area is highly competitive.
This article will cover all the aspects of modelling and discuss how to become a model. Let’s get started!
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There are several options for what precisely a model may be engaged in. Of course, the first thing that pops up in one’s mind when hearing ‘I’m a model’ is demonstrating designer clothes on the podium during New York, Milan, or Paris fashion week. Or partaking in professional photoshoots to promote the latest branded clothes collections on billboards, magazines, and websites. Yes, it’s obviously directly connected with modeling, though pretty stereotypical. Let’s go a bit further and think that models can be engaged in art – posing for artists, for instance. Isn’t it exciting to be a part of the art creation process and leave a mark upon history?
By the way, for those who don’t feel like demonstrating all their body, one may consider using only certain parts, like hands, feet, or a face. Advertising jewelry, shoes, or makeup products (male and female) are in the same demand as clothes.
Generally speaking, modeling is still more about females; however, other genders are catching up. In the same way as 20 years ago, the sphere itself is highly competitive, so castles shouldn’t be built in the air. Moreover, the median salary in the USA reaches $32K per year, which is not that high. No need to say that the revenue depends on experience, talent, and skills. Once you’ve made a reputation for yourself, you should get an agent responsible for providing you with advantageous contracts. And what’s even more interesting, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts increasing the job outlook for models by 11% between 2020 and 2030. What a perspective!
We’ve come up with several tips on what steps one will have to take to become a successful model:
The more detailed plan you have, the more chances you get to achieve the goal. The more specific our ideas are, the easier it is for our brain to pave the way to the destination. So, among possible options there are:
Pick the one which appeals to you the most, and let’s go to the next tip!
Thanks to the Internet era, almost everyone is blessed with an excellent chance to acquire new skills or knowledge just from the comfort of their homes. Use Youtube to guide you through professional movements and posing secrets of the most outstanding models! Learning without practicing is as useless as a chocolate teapot.
Use your smartphone to make a video of yourself walking to see what you should be working on to achieve the one that professional models demonstrate on the catwalk. Use your phone to take pictures to check how free you feel in front of the camera and how relevant your poses are.
Everybody has had a professional photoshoot at least once in their life – take some pictures from it. If not, you may cooperate with start-up photographers who often offer their services for a relatively small price or even free of charge just for tagging them on social nets. You should also include some simple shots against a plain background and with no or minimum makeup. Agents focus on this photo to see your genuine beauty and potential. It’s a good idea to include photographs of different styles; therefore, you demonstrate your flexibility and versatility in genres.
You may try your luck and work as a freelance model; however, at the beginning of your career path, you’d better use a modeling agency service. Clients also prefer working with them, so you are more likely to get exciting projects. To become a member of an agency, you’ll have to pass an audition providing such facts as your height, weight, foot size, eye color, etc.
Don’t worry if you have no professional shots to demonstrate – agents can frequently identify the potential even by looking at amateur pictures. If they like you, they’ll pay for a professional photoshoot later. The only thing you do have to take care of is checking the legitimacy and reliability of the agency so you aren’t wrapped around the finger. Some agencies can use models and then get rid of them without paying out or just pay pennies for their work. Be really cautious!
If you feel like online resources are already not enough for you, take up a modeling course! Besides teaching basic skills such as posing and walking, such schools assist with maintaining good health and proper nutrition. However, a beautiful alternative for those not really into modeling classes is to pick acting or dancing! Such activities contribute to the most important skills every model should develop – being artistic, feeling free in front of the public, and having an excellent posture and poise.
So when you’ve practiced enough (yourself or in the classes) and feel like being ready for work, the process of self-promotion starts. Before having an agent and multi-million contracts, you’ll likely go through blood, sweat, and tears. However, two things will help you make it:
Don’t neglect any opportunity to participate in fashion or beauty events, whether local or international. Firstly, it creates a basis for your future networking; secondly, it gives you practical experience and understanding of the actual specifics of the job.
What can be better than building your personal brand online? You need no slouch at social media marketing because it will definitely pay you off later. There are two possible courses of events: you are spotted by some agency, or you become a freelance model. By the way, freelance modeling is a new industry trend, as it equally benefits both sides, the client and the model. Clients may send their products to a model and get the photo materials back sometime. Freelance models may need the help of a photographer or just learn how to make gorgeous pictures themselves. There are a plethora of tutorials to discover and equipment to use.
