Tips for New Models

My friend Brittany wrote this blog…and as someone who has been in the business since I was 6 y/o, I thought it was extremely well-informed. We have both been through a lot in this industry, and I think it’s nice to do something to help other girls who are interested. So here she goes:

I’ve had random people and friends ask me about fashion modeling so I thought I would provide information on getting on the right path to becoming involved in this industry.

What I have learned:

You do not need a portfolio when you go to an agency. If you are going to bring anything, bring polaroids/snapshots.

What To Have/Wear In Standard Polaroids/Snapshots:

1.) Little to no make-up.
2.) Hair pulled back in some pictures.
3.) Solid color t-shirt, preferrably white.
4.) Jeans, I’d say go for a dark fitted skinny jean.
5.) A two-piece swimsuit, solid color, any color.
6.) Heels. (If you are too short, don’t think they won’t notice; they almost always ask you to take off your shoes)
7.) White background, don’t have anything distracting.

What Pictures To Take:

1.) One headshot with no smile and hair pulled back.
2.) One headshot with smile, (teeth or no teeth showing) and hair pulled back.

You don’t have to have your hair pulled back but remember, agencies want to see your face and not have any distractions.

3.) One full body shot from the front.
4.) One full body shot from the back. (Hair up for this shot).
5.) One full body shot from the right side. (Hair up for this shot).
6.) One full body shot from the left side. (Hair up for this shot).
7.) One 3/4 length shot…just in case

Also do these shots from your waist up too because that will bring more focus to your face, the others are for your whole body. Do these shots also in your two-piece bikini. For guys, all the same rules, just take the body shots in briefs.

If you do have a portfolio remember that you should mostly seek after tear sheets, (pages from a magazine with you in them). Some girls will ask, “Well how do I get tear sheets from a magazine if I don’t have an agency?” That’s the trick. Build relationships. Find the right photographers, meet magazine editors etc etc etc. It’s all about getting out there and meeting the right people. Make sure you get GOOD tears. Just because you have a tear sheet(s) doesn’t make it a good tear sheet(s). The reason why some agencies want to see tears, (New York wants a model to usually have a full book of tears) is because when you are older they want a developed model. Why take a model in her early twenties when she still needs to be developed? They can find a twelve-fourteen year old they can develop who they will give them a much longer career.

For other pictures in your book, DO NOT focus so much on themes. It’s different to do something with a British theme or a French theme such as wardrobe opposed to EVERYTHING being themed such as the background and props. That will do nothing for your book. When it comes to what shots you need, most agencies will want commercial. Commercial is the biggest market and that’s what will make you money, high fashion will not. Models who do high fashion more than likely do not do it for the money, (because there isn’t much of it unless you are a constant working model and a well-known name) they do it for the love of it.

What’s commercial?

The way I like to describe it is happy smiling gay shit. This is what’s going to be making you money so take pictures that would go along with this. Commercial should not be shot in black and white, ALWAYS color and in bright clothing.

If you want to do fashion you need to know the classic standards of it:

The “cut off” for fashion is said to be 5’7″ but mostly models around 5’7″-5’8″ will be commercial models. Fashion models are 5’9″ and up. Runway is idealistically 5’11″. I have friends who are 5’9″-5’9.5″ be told at castings for runway work that they are too short.

“Well what about Kate Moss? She is only 5’7″ and her agencies say she is 5’8″. She’s short and she has always done fashion.”

Yeah, out of HOW many girls since she started in her young teen years have reached her status in the modeling world? Not many. It was a combination of the right time with meeting the right people, she was young and very thin, not to mention she is a great model. There is more to modeling than just looking at the camera, most girls don’t understand this and it’s something that does take practice and learning from trying new things.

However there are exceptions so don’t lose hope. My favorite model Agyness Deyn is said to be 5’9.5″-5″10″ when in actuality she is really 5’8″ and is known as the new Kate Moss.

If you are an aspiring fashion model be prepared to be told to lose weight. Designers want models to be tall and very thin to put more focus on the design. Large breasts etc are distracting. Miami is better for girls who are fuller with breasts, hips and ass. If you want a specific agency I would say try Mega, they are a Brazilian agency but don’t just sign Brazilian girls. Miami is mostly commercial just like L.A. New York is for fashion and that’s what most models have to lose weight for along with Europe.

For girls who are hardcore Christians and don’t believe in sexuality unless it’s with your husband…don’t get into modeling. I couldn’t agree more with this. You will be around nudity, homosexuals, flamboyant lifestyles, alkie, and drugs eventually. Go to school, live a normal life that won’t put you into situations that this industry will. Especially with fashion. If you become a fashion model you need to understand how much of fashion involves implied nudity and has nudity. Think about Europe. If you are not comfortable with that and you are against it, it’s better to just not get involved in it because they will find other girls who aren’t against it. If your look, port and body is not ready, then other girls who are ready will be booked. People will not wait for you.

Remember to study poses in magazines, study styles, do all the researching you can. Practice in the mirror!! It sounds stupid but then you understand how your muscles feel when you make certain faces and movements. Go to agency’s websites and look at the models’ ports. Get ideas for your own. Research agencies. Don’t get scammed. Go to models.com and go under agencies, they will list the ones that you should look into. DO NOT PAY!!! Never ever pay…If you are signed your agency will automatically be taking a certain percentage from the job you booked.

What is a mother agency?
A mother agency is the first agency you sign with so be careful when it comes to visiting your first agency.

It’s better not to waste your time so I hope this information was helpful. You don’t have to become a supermodel. If you truly do love what you do, then that’s all that matters.