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 Model Advice

This area is intended to give some useful information and guidance to potential models.

 If you have any tips or information please feel free to submit them to us.

What does it take to be a model?

This depends partly on the kind of modelling you will be doing, there's a wide range of work such as: Fashion, Catwalk, Catalogue, Commercial, Glamour, Parts, Events and so on.

Depending on the type of work you do you may need to meet certain height and shape requirements. This is most true in fashion. However for other areas it is more important that you look good or have what the clients are looking for. It is becoming more common for advertisers to use models that they feel relate to their product or customer base rather than some idea of a "perfect" figure or face.

After your looks the next most important thing is attitude. Looking right isn't enough, you need to be able to get on well with the people you work with such as the clients, photographers, stylists etc.  Be punctual and reliable, being late or not turning up can be very expensive not to mention unprofessional. It can be hard work and not as glamorous as you may think.

 Modelling is a competitive industry and models that have a bad attitude can find it difficult to get work.  It is also important to look after yourself, eating a healthy diet, exercising and looking after your skin, hair and nails.

How do I start?

First of all there is no need to pay people a lot of money to get into modelling. If you have the looks and attitude a good model agency will be prepared to invest their time and money in you. This will include sending you to test shoots and helping you to get work.

Before signing with an agency check the contract and look for testimonials from other models with the agency, look around as well, you may be able to get a better deal or a nicer agency. If one agency is willing to sign you the chances are that others will want you too.

There is no need to have an expensive portfolio done before applying to an agency, send them a couple of normal pictures and ask if you can go to see them. They will be able to tell if you have what they are looking for. Different agencies may look for different things so if one says no, try somewhere else. Note that for the work they do agencies will take a percentage of your earnings, typically around 20%.

If you want to be independent of an agency or maybe just want to try a bit of modelling for fun, look for photographers that want models to do shoots on a TFP or TFCD (Time for Prints or Time for CD) basis. You may need to pay something to help cover things like studio costs. Also if you want to work with a more experienced photographer that will give you a higher level of work you may need to pay them. In this case be sure you are happy with the costs and see if you think it is a worthwhile investment in your career.

Then you need to get noticed, add your details to directories, network with people in the business and go to castings.

Portfolios and Z Cards

Your portfolio will be a key part of your modelling career. You need to have a selection of images that show what you can do. Typically this will be a range of looks with about a dozen pictures of your best images. Be very critical of what's in your portfolio.  Always work to get better images in it and update it regularly with new work.

A Z card or Comp card is an A5 card that shows a selection of your images on one side and your basic stats on the other. These are used to market yourself, get them printed and pass them on whenever you can.

Safety!

Protect yourself from financial scams and physical danger. Be suspicious if people want you to pay significant amounts of money and promise you work. If going for a shoot with someone you don't know, take someone with you and let people know where you are going and for how long.

If you are under 18 you will need consent from your parent/guardian before doing shoots, do not work with a photographer that doesn't check this. Be clear before a shoot what kind of work you are ok with, don't get pushed into doing topless or nude for example if you are not happy to do this. Don't be offended if you are asked to do this kind of work, just state your preference and only do the work you decide to.

Legal Stuff

If you work with an agency you will have a legally binding contract with them. Make sure you are happy with the contract and don't be afraid to ask if you are not sure.

If doing shoots with a photographer they will normally ask you to sign a release form allowing them to use the images in specified ways, they normally will own the copyright over the images unless specified in a contract. If you want to be able to use the images yourself you will also need a release form granting you permission for this.

info@imaginationmodels.co.uk