Guide and tips to help start a modelling career

 

 

Whether you’re a starting model looking to be represented by an agency or you’re a freelance model, you have to know about the industry and tips on helping you individually to become a model.

Modelling divisions

High fashion models

Are tall, thin and have a typical model face. They do catwalk, magazine and big designer campaigns. They normally are over 5’7. Their career aims at being younger the better. High fashion models career span is between ages 16-25. Any good model has a limited time frame to pursue modelling.

Commercial models

Are classed as smaller models and can be anywhere in-between 5’2 to 5’6. They can be curvier and do catalogue, adverts and commercial type of modelling.

Glamour models

 Are glamour and lingerie models. They appear in newspapers and glamour magazines and also men’s magazines. They are smaller and are curvier rather than being stick thin.

Plus sized models

 Are models who model for heavier women’s designs and brands. They have beautiful faces but are heavier. There model sizes start from UK size 12-22.

Parts models- hair, feet hands models

They are used for nail brands, hair and feet products.

Classic models

 They are older models 35+. They can get work in magazines, catalogues, commercials and various campaigns.

Fitness

Men and women fit into this category. They do a lot of health and fitness magazines and campaigns.

Teen

Some of the biggest models on the world started as teen models such as Cara Delavigne, Elle McPherson, Kendall Jenner, Barbara Palvin, and Cindy Crawford.  Teen models do runway, magazine, and can be classed in the high fashion and commercial model divisions.

 

 

 

Get a good portfolio

Most big modelling agencies such as storm, BMA, and models1 don’t require a professional portfolio for application. They want to see you in a natural state wearing no makeup with your hair off your face and seeing your natural potential.  They require head, length and mid body shots.

Commercial modelling agencies and small modelling agencies do require good photos when you apply on your application. A great portfolio consists of 6-12 different, high quality photos. Models should wear different clothes and show different hair and makeup styles to show your various model potentials. If you are tall focus on a high fashion look. If you are short focus on a commercial modelling look.  General photographer’s charge a high amount for a shoot and to purchase the final photos. A shoot with a photographer costs anywhere from £200-£800 and most of them won’t do a portfolio the way a modelling agency prefers. Some model advice websites offer free shoots to test your potential. Every starting model must know their suitable category and what and what not type of modelling work they are restricted too and able to pursue.

A High fashion look shoot requires heavy makeup, big hair and high fashion clothing. It consists of posing properly in high fashion poses. Big fashion magazines such as vogue, Elle and leading designer advertisements use high fashion models.

A commercial model shoot can require a natural look. They can have different looks such as fashion and classic looks. A commercial model does commercial’s, catalogue’s, hair, lingerie, makeup and fashion modelling.

Seeking modelling advice

Before you pursue getting a shoot done and chasing your dream it is a must to seek modelling advice first. They will tell you and advise you category’s you could be suitable for. You might think you have potential but in reality a modelling agency might not see any.

Free modelling advice websites that will help you and give you advice are:

www.Luxemodels.co.uk

This modelling advice website is a great one for advice for helping starting models. They offer you valuable and free advice. If they think you have potential they will give you a free photo shoot with industry professionals with a high fashion look and shoot. You have to pay for photos but they are at a cheap price. If they think the photos are good and you have serious potential after the shoot they will approach suitable modelling agencies to try and get you signed. This is a brilliant way of getting the right type of industry standard shoot and the shoot is free of charge.

www.modeladvice.info

This is a website that offers a free model consultation. They offer a casting workshop, Christmas special, model advice day and free open days. The website gives you many tips from different types of modelling from travel to safety tips.

www.modelsconnect.net

This website allows you to register online and the website will evaluate your photos. A talent scout will contact you and discuss your registration. If they think you have potential they can arrange a shoot. The shoot and photos are to be paid for but are at a reasonable price. The company will then approach lots of modelling companies to try and get you signed with a suitable agency. The company can make you visible to over 80 modelling agencies. It is a great way of getting help and getting a professional shoot tailored to you.

Becoming a freelance model

You can source your own modelling jobs through online networks, model mayhem and adverts. A lot of people can get paid work this way and get plenty of work without being signed with a modelling agency.

Remember not reputable company charges a joining fee

A legit and professional company will never ask you to pay any joining fees. A real company wants you to get work and then they will take some money for commission from your modelling jobs. There are a lot of scams and fake websites who want you to pay them to join. Never believe or pay a company that offers this. It is a ploy to make money and they would give you nothing back in return.

Try entering modelling competitions

Britain and Ireland’s next top model

Regional auditions are held throughout the country for a place in the national competition. This competition is for a model who is 5’7 and over. This is a televised competition and is for serious model candidates to win a model contract.

Top model UK

Is a nationwide modelling competition to find the best model in Britain. They accept different types of models such as high fashion and commercial models who have no height restrictions. The winner wins a modelling contract.  A lot of the contestants have gone on to do modelling as it is a great platform for starting or expanding your career.

Model mayhem

Is a worldwide modelling network in which models meet photographer’s. Be careful on model mayhem as people can pose as freelance photographers who aren’t. Never go to meet a photographer by yourself. You should only accept work from a professional photographer who has his own studio. A lot of modelling work can be found on this website and you can get a lot of interest in your career. It is free to join and can be a great way of building your portfolio. A lot of photographers ask models to do shoots for them – in return they give you free photo images which are worth hundreds of pounds to add to your portfolio.

Model scouts

A model scout can scout models anywhere. Models can be scouted from shopping centres, to restaurants to just walking down the street. A model scout is from a modelling agency and most new models are scouted this way. If a scout sees a girl or boy who has that model look they will approach them straight away and ask if they would be interested in modelling. A person can be signed to a model agency straight away if they have the right look, attitude and can pose well. Many big models have been scouted this way. A scout is always on the prowl for the new “It” model.

Having the look

Good hair

You need to have great hair. It needs to look great on camera and look shiny and healthy looking. Every model has nice hair that can be styled and changed to different looks.

Good skin

Great skin is a necessity. Having healthy glowing skin is what all models own.

Photogenic

Being photogenic is what makes a great model. If you look stunning in real life but you can’t photograph well that means modelling isn’t for you. It is all about how you look in photos as that is what you are promoting and selling.

Pose

Being able to pose is essential as the right pose and face pose brings the photos and clothes to life. If you stand there with no expression it brings no character to the photos.

Model Figure

Every girl has a different shape and look. If you are a high fashion model you need to be tall. You need to be thin and skinny. If you are commercial you need to be thin but can be of a smaller height.

Salary

Modelling salary varies from each model dependant on a models agency, their demand from clients and what type of model you are. Supermodels earn millions of pounds from doing high fashion magazine shoots, runway and higher paid jobs. A freelance model will rely on lesser jobs and not frequent jobs so they would earn around £50-£100 for a modelling job. Glamour and commercial models earn £50-£300 a day for shoots. A model will earn more due to experience and providing a good portfolio to clients.

I hope you can find the most suitable route to follow from this article and seek help before you pursue a career in modelling. There are so many models out there that have endless potential and haven’t found the right way of approaching a modelling career. Some maybe need a better portfolio or more helpful guidance. Whatever the reason I hope I have helped out a few new potential models. Give it a try. You never know you could be the next Cara Delavigne!