Modeling Industry

BECOMING A MODEL

I often get asked by girls that see my work how they can get into modeling. The truth is that there’s not an easy answer to that one. It does depend on a number of different things.

The first I would tell anyone who has that question in mind is to ask themselves: what type of modeling do you really want to do and also, what type of modeling do you really believe you can do or have the look for?

Many think of modeling as a way to get into acting. Others just don’t really know what they want, except to be famous or appear in the cover of some popular magazine. Others want to sing but they think of modeling because they find great photos of their favorite stars all over and see themselves being there one day.

So, the first step is definitely to identify what type of modeling you see yourself doing: Fashion Print? Fashion Runway? Fitness? Nude…? Or do you really want to act and be in movies or televisioncommercials?

The second question you need to ask is a very difficult one because you need to be really honest with yourself, and that is: do I really have the look and talent for it? This questions is particularly hard to answer when you’ve grown up among friends and family telling you that you are so pretty, so talented and that you should be on tv or the cover of a magazine. The sad reality is that being “pretty” and knowing how to make all these typical model poses in front of your mirror or the camera of a family member does not make you a model or even a candidate to become one.

In February I organized a trip to Arizona as my makeup artist Roberta Duran is based in Scottsdale & where she had set up locations for us to shoot fitness models in and around town in the amazing desert homes there.

Some of the best models I’ve worked with don’t even know how to pose, but they are really good at taking direction because of their down to earth personality and they have such an amazing look that requires nothing more than their sole presence in front of the camera to produce an incredible photograph.

The one thing to be aware of is that many companies are know of this incredibly powerful desire that so many young people have to become famous and which will make them do almost anything to try to get into the industry. So these companies will create schemes hiding behind the face of a “modeling agency” and basically take your money by making you believe you have a chance, even if they know you don’t. Of course there are also many legitimate modeling agencies that are looking only for real talent and not just to take people’s money, but you need to do some research and know who you’re dealing with before you sign a contract or spend any money towards this goal.

Many end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars with photographers or photo studios to produce their modeling portfolios before having even been signed with an agency. Then, when they get to one they tell you those photos are no good and they make you get new ones with their photographer, which will charge you an additional little fortune.

The best thing to do in the beginning, even before you go to spend moneyon an expensive “big-shot” photographer is to try getting as many photos from people who are learning photography or are just building their own portfolios and will be willing to give you prints or a CD for your time (TFP). This way you will get some valuable experience and get photos for yourself at the same time. Then, when you go to a studio or freelance photographer that will really make you look like a Hollywood star you’ll know better what to do during the shoot and produce better images..

If you’re interested in acting or singing, then the best thing to do is go directly into it and look for an acting or music school or coach. Don’t get confused and waste time with modeling agencies. Acting and music require full time dedication and a lot of hard work if you want to be serious about it. An acting class will also help with modeling since it is in fact a form of acting. But again, it depends on what direction you want to go.

Many models who happen to have a great body also believe they can get into fashion, when their physical structures are shaped more for fitness or nude modeling. There are looks that just don’t work for high fashion but will be perfect for men’s magazines, where models can do really well if they have the right personality for it and an open mind. In that particular case you must also be over 18 years of age.

You must also be aware that large tattoos and piercing make you less likely to get serious modeling jobs, specially in fashion. It only makes it harder for a photographer when a body has been altered with ink or odd pieces of metal coming through your skin. In some cases it can look beautiful, but it is rare, unless you’re posing for an specialty publication.

Serious models take really good care of their bodies, drink a lot of water and watch their diets very closely. Amazingly, a few I’ve come across eat fast foods and don’t even exercise, but somehow they manage to keep the most incredible bodies and faces you could ever find. So it seems like nature can sometimes be unfair and give great genetics to some people and not to others.

So, those are a few things to keep in mind when thinking about getting into modeling. Probably the most important thing I can say is: Don’t stress over it and don’t ever do it for money or fame. Do it only because you enjoy it or have a passion for it and let the rest come to you. If you can handle that, you are already a model and you can keep being for as long as you want. It is like most things: a simple state of mind. Forget about the magazines, the television and fame and trying so hard to get into it. Many of the top models are found by scouts that work for large agencies and never even thought about becoming a model. That’s just how life works. If you are prepared and have what it takes, things will always come to you.