Are YOU model material?
Traits that increase your chance of becoming a well-paid model:
* Having the right look
* Having a great attitude
* Ability to get along well with others
* Having a great
personality
* Having perseverance to follow through on all
tasks
Getting Started... To get started, every model needs to have a
portfolio, website and comp cards to get started in the
industry. Portfolios are usually large black books with 8x10 or
larger images (from a variety of looks or photo shoots) included
in the book. This will show the casting director that you're
able to pull off many looks and can achieve what he or she is
looking to accomplish through their upcoming print ads or
commercials. Photos in your portfolio should usually not be more
than a year old, as your look can change through the course of
time. It's recommended that you update your portfolio images at
least once every six months to keep your portfolio looking fresh.
A modeling website is important because you need to let the
world know that you exist and that you're looking for work. Your
modeling website should include your portfolio, stats and
contact information. Never give out too much information though,
only your first name and e-mail address is required on most
modeling websites.
Composite cards (comp cards) are an excellent way to market
yourself to potential agents, casting directors, etc. Think of
your comp card as your business card. The best comp cards I've
seen are about 5.5x8.5 in size, with a headshot on the front and
4 smaller images with 4 distinct looks on the back. You'll also
want to include your stats, e-mail address and website
information on the card as well.
Types of modeling... There are many different types of modeling
depending on your overall look and what you want to achieve in
your modeling career, including:
1. Petite or Plus size modeling - this is growing in popularity
and the need for petite and plus size models for catalog and
showroom modeling is gaining more and more interest. For petite
models, you typically need to be between 5'4"-5'7" tall. For
plus sizes, you typically need to be between 5'7-5'11 and wear a
size 12-18.
2. Parts modeling - if you have great feet, hands or legs, you
may want to consider parts modeling for companies that need
photographs of great feet, hands or legs for the products they
are selling. Your target market might be nail salons, jean
companies, shoe manufacturers, etc.
3. Runway - runway modeling is for various types of people, but
you are mainly judged on your presence once you enter the room.
You need to maintain that stage presence for the designers when
modeling their clothing on the runway to help them sell their
designs more effectively.
4. Catalog modeling - If you are 5'8 or taller, with the "All
American" look, you're a great candidate for catalog modeling.
Not only is there a lot of work available in this field, but
it's one of the best and most steady-paying work as well.
5. Commercial/Advertising modeling - This can be extremely
lucrative if you have a "real person" look. There are generally
no age or height requirements for commercial modeling because
the achieved look will depend on what the client is looking for.
Commercial modeling is for print ads, billboards, brochures and
commercials.
6. Showroom - This is great for new models because showroom
models go to the designers' location and display that particular
designer's fashions for an audience. It's more about how the
clothes look and hang on your body so there aren't a lot of
requirements for this kind of modeling either.
7. Fit modeling - This type of modeling requires you to stand
for long periods of time while the designer completes and tweaks
his/her clothing looks. If you wear the exact size of the
designers sample size, you'd be a perfect model for fit modeling.
8. Editorial modeling - Editorial modeling influences fashion
trends and is the most sought after type of work. If you are
between 14-21 years old with a high fashion look, editorial
modeling might be for you! Women are generally at least 5'9,
slender, wear a size 6 or 8, and have measurements of 34x24x34.
Men should be at least 6'0, slender, and wear a size 40 or 42
regular or long.
9. Kids modeling - All types and sizes of children are needed
for kids modeling, TV commercials and catalog shoots. Children
who are the designer's sample sizes (size 5 or 10) usually end
up with the most work since that's the most popular sought-after
size by designers to showcase their clothing.
Once you've acquired some work through passing out your comp
cards and showing your portfolio (in person and online) you'll
want to save copies of the printed ads where you've appeared.
You'll need to tear out the ad (called "tearsheets") and place
them in your portfolio or scan them in to place on your website
so that future clients, agents and casting directors can see
your past accomplishments!
So, if you've ever dreamed of walking the runway or modeling in
photo shoots, send us an e-mail! While modeling is a hard
business to break into, we have quite a few connections to help
our models get connected to the right casting calls with the
best portfolios and comp cards to help increase your chance of
making it in the modeling industry. Check out our website at
www.erinhessionphotography.com and click on "models" for more
information.