1) Modeling is competitive. If you want to be successful you have to be hard working.
I do often to Trade or TFP work. I am approached regularly as is any other well presented and professional photographer to take photos. We can smell bullshit, if you're just after pretty photos of yourself for free we will know and will probably turn you down. There is another pretty girl in line behind you who actually wants to work at this.
2) Be specific with photographers.
If you don't know what you want from a shoot there is no point in doing it.
-Pay close attention to the photographers prior work. Look at their lighting in the photos and the quality of the presentation. Are the images sharp, clear, framed well and free of grain or horrid photo retouching.
- Ask to look at the back of the camera if the photographer isn't forthcoming in showing you what he is shooting. I will always show the images to the model as we are going so she can give me feedback and see what she needs to do to make them even better.
- Find out what you will get from the shoot, I know I will produce good images and I believe giving out 5 photographs is more than sufficient on a trade shoot. I have a lot of people wanting to work with me as does any other good, decent, well presented photographer.
- It is uncommon to give away RAW files and it is rude to ask for them. I don't ask if I can keep you when the shoot is finished. However it is rude of a photographer to keep you waiting 3 months for your photos. It is is rude of them to refuse to give you at least 1 high resolution image with no watermarks.
- Pay attention to how they work, can you see large amounts of their work as well as more streamlined completed work portfolios?
Do not go pro. You can network and get a considerable amount of work from this site and make many good connections. Be Careful. Post casting calls, contact other models and photographers about work. Find events to model at. You will need some images to get an account, but it's not too difficult.
A free account on flickr allows you to display up to 200 images which is more than enough to showcase yourself in greater detail.
5) Shoot as much as possible.
Make sure with each and every shoot you improve and the quality of the images you are receiving improves. Always work up the ladder.
6) DO NOT FLAKE OUT ON SHOOTS.
I won't book you again and I will tell people you didn't show up. If you are unreliable then don't book. If my car breaks down. I have alternative ways to get to a shoot. If you need to cancel try and let us know well in advance. Don't cold cancel, let us know before hand you may not be able to make it and offer to reschedule before hand. Feel free to find a friend who will go in your place so you don't let the photographer down.
7) Practice your modeling.
POSING GUIDE - VERY IMPORTANT
No matter how silly you feel, have at least:
- 3 faces - A glamorous smile, a sexy pout and a quiet sadness is a good place to start.
- 3 BIG Poses - A pose that shows off your entire figure and is loud and out there, a pose that shows off your breasts, a pose that shows off your butt.
- 3 SMALL poses - These are just another 3 that are simple so that you can be constantly changing and moving for the shots.
- Smile properly, not a practiced smile when asked to smile. Try and giggle and play. If you want to laugh naturally, make a very silly face, the photographer will laugh and then so will you, if he is on his game he will catch it.
The best models for me move every after seeing/hearing every second flash/shutter click.
- Practice dance modeling, Playful, Sexy, Graceful. This style of modeling involves a constant state of motion for the photographer to capture moments. It should be extremely slow, fluid movements. That involve the entire body. Move your hands and be conscious of them. Sway very extravagantly from side to side.
A good way to do this is to do the following and should be kept in mind for posing in general.
- Breathe through your mouth, slow deep breaths.
- Make sure you are paying attention to your eyes.
Look down at the floor or close them for a long period 10 seconds or so to refresh them regularly.
- Focus on moving your hands from behind your head, to your neck, to your breasts, to your stomach, to your hips, to your butt and back again.
Do not be shy about doing this. If you are not meant to look sexy and amazing then you're not modeling properly. Grab your boobs, push them in, trust
me they will look better. Obviously don't do this if you're not meant to be doing it. The only time I don't want a model to be playful and sexy is during
artistic sessions or commercial fashion. At all other times you should be doing your best to be sexy, funny, playful and amazing.
8) Don't wear a bra if possible.
The photos will look better, I promise.
Particularly if you are shooting nude work or anything showing any skin you DO NOT WANT deep embedded lines in your skin. Do not wear tight clothing including bra and underwear to the shoot unless they are specifically what you are shooting in or the shoot doesn't call for that area of your body to be displayed.
It is very frustrating to go to the effort to organize a shoot only to know my images won't be usable because you have a hideous line on your hip, rib cage or shoulder that could have been avoided.
9) Take it halfway seriously.
Try and get a good nights sleep before a shoot if possible. Don't show up in any state except happiness and sobriety.
10) It doesn't have to be a career. Don't let it force you to make regrettable decisions.
If you join the modeling circuit, you will be asked to do a number of things. Some photographers like myself, will be very blunt when asking what kind of modeling you are comfortable doing. Others will use other means such as trying to coax you into doing more than agreed on the spot knowing that the pressure of the moment will often prevail. Here we are addressing the issue of nudity. When you approach the modeling world, you will be asked to pose nude and fast.
On Nudity.
If you don't think you're ready THEN DO NOT PROCEED WITH ANY NUDITY WHATSOEVER. As once the image exists, it will never go away. This doesn't mean that you should be scared of nudity, just make sure that you are doing exactly what it is that you want to do and that you are benefiting from the images being created.
If you approach me about starting a modeling portfolio, I will ask you to what level you are comfortable. Here are some pretty well and truly understood terms, the clearer you are with people, the less likely you will find yourself in a situation that you don't want to be in.
I cannot stress this enough, don't be shy about being very SPECIFIC. It's easier for both of us if you are clear.
Bikini - This is the most friendly form of less clothed modeling.
Lingerie - Lingerie is the next step as it is considered far more personal and intimate. This is the level of modeling you should be willing and comfortable to model and have a successful go at it.
Implied/sheer/topless - Here is where things get risque. I would recommend this as a starting point if you are really serious about modeling. The terms implied and sheer don't mean anything to me. If your boobs are out then you are topless. If you are not comfortable with photos of your exposed breasts being captured then don't do it. Some really beautiful images can be achieved at this level.
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If you wish to make money out of your modeling this is probably where you might start getting offered some kind of pay for your work.
(Note: If I really want to work with someone and it's not possible to travel to them or easier to get them to me, I will pay for travel expenses. I do not pay models for test work. No other photographer who is as busy as I am will pay you unless they are very very established and shooting someone specific OR THEY ARE A GWC = Guy with camera who is just looking to get you naked. Don't pose for these guys it's bad for your career.)
Artistic/Glamour Nude - Artistic nude images are a truly beautiful medium to work with. I do not recommend this to new models. At this level you are completely naked but the photographer should not be sticking their camera between your legs or up your butt. I have seen very little credible work that involved extreme closeups, masturbation or anything else risque. Whilst I have nothing against creating erotic or pornographic work. I do not believe in calling it artistic nude.
Erotic nude/Pink - Spread leg shots and more. This level of nudity is basically the beginning of pornographic work. You will be asked to do at least once in your career. If you feel any hesitations towards doing it then do not proceed under any circumstances. Whilst there are many legitimate photographers out there who shoot this kind of work there are also many who are not doing it. I would only recommend doing this kind of work if you truly know and trust the photographer or want to do this kind of work specifically.
Pornographic work - The difference between artistic and pornographic is penetration in my opinion. I don't do this kind of work unless commissioned and then I would keep my name off it and I would suggest you do the same. Only do this is this if it is specifically the direction you want your career to go in. I can't offer much advice on this stuff besides be careful.
