Becoming a Model
Thursday, October 23, 2008 @ 11:35 AM
This post is dedicated to
Mimi in the first place, so let's all cheer for her to be able to reach her dream!
Lots of teenagers want to become a model, but only a few of them understand that they
need to work hard, be lucky, wary, strong, and confident, because it's an extremely competitive business, where people can get broken easily.
Advice #1: Be in good health. Do at least one kind of sport, like jogging (improves stamina), or fitness. You can get your own fitness coach and tell him your dreamjob, and how you want your body to look like. Never go on a diet, though. It's just not worth it.
Advice #2: Decide what kind of model you want to be, depending on your bodytype (catwalk model, underwear model, hairmodel, etc.).
Advice #3: Consider joining the drama club and dance class. The skills you gain there might be useful in the future.
Advice #4: Get some photos done. Show off your skills, and give your best. Make more headshot and body shots (and some copies of them). Agencies will appreciate them, and if they see that you are serious about choosing this job, they might decide on you. Professional photography is expensive, but sometimes it's better to stick with it.
Advice #5: Look up some modeling agencies, but again, be careful! Check their sites, gather information about them. Sometimes there are places in malls where you can sign up for a "test" modeling. It basically goes like this: they call you back, you arrive on time to the appointment, they interview you. Then, you go home, and they will most likely call you again, but this time they will take some photos of you (with professional make-up) for a certain amount of money. Thus, your portfolio is created, and you have made the first step towards becoming a model. Easy, huh?
Advice #6: If you are asked to sign a contract, be sure to
read every single word of it. Seriously. Take your time going through it.
Advice #7: Even if you get rejected, keep your head up. Remember, modeling is a tough business. Keep looking until you get a (part-time?) job.
So, these were my tips. But if they are not enough, here are eHow.com's! Just to mention some of them:- Weed out ripoffs such as an agency that hits you with fees before you get work. Many fashion photographers will tell you which agencies take advantage of models. Check with the Better Business Bureau or the office of your state attorney general (see Resources). Watch out for agencies that charge high registration fees, photographers who say you need an expensive portfolio and anyone who pushes sex or nudity.
- Enter a model search if it's sponsored by a well-known agency. Fees vary and you don't want to pay a fortune to enter, but model searches can put you in contact with the right people.
- Go to a modeling convention. These can be expensive to attend, but you'll learn a lot about the field and introduce yourself to several agencies at once.
- Go to modeling school. Some people doubt whether it's worth the money, but you can gain experience.
- Register with a Web site such as Model Scouts (see Resources). Model scouts will see your profile and contact you, if they're interested.
Hope these helped you. Anyway, keep in mind that
modeling isn't a life-long job, so always have a B plan (like: "After modeling, I'll try to become a fashion editor in a magazine!"). Good luck!
Labels: becoming..., career, jobs, modeling
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