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Top 5 Poses to Elongate Your Body!
Top 5 #Poses to #Elongate Your #Body!
My body is angled parallel (& slightly diagonal) to the camera, therefore creating the illusion of more length. **Another Pro Tip: any time your arm subtly and tastefully cuts near or across the waist area, that also creates the illusion of a smaller waist. This is something Rihanna does often.
My body is completely parallel to the camera, feet pointed, head tilted back slightly. No “no-neck…
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7 #Deadly #Sins of #MODELING! So...as much as I’d like to take credit for such an awesome post theme, I actually revamped this idea from…
IM BACK HAVEN'T POSTED IN A WHILE SO YOU SHOULD CHECK THIS OUT!!! ALSO MAYBE SUBSCRIBE WHILE YOU ARE AT IT
How to build your book
Yes, I know I got a little behind of my "how to become a model" series. But there's no time like the present to continue. Also because it would be a waste of all the posts in my drafts folder.
Got signed?
Congrats! Now the real work begins.
Your agency will start you off with some test shoots so you can develop your book (and practise. Like everything, you'll get better the more you practise). All models do test shoots when they start out and throughout their career to keep their book updated. I generally enjoy my test shoots. It's nice to work with a small team and do something else than commercial jobs. Like editorial shoots, tests tends to be a little more creative, it's less about the product and more about you.
For some of these test shoots you might have to pay the photographer and the hair & make up person. Generally your agency will advance the money and you pay them back once you book a paid job.
If you signed with an agency and they are asking you for money, run! You should not pay upfront for your test/website/book etc. That comes out of the commission that you pay to the agency. Now there are cases where you will pay for a test yourself, but that will generally be directly to the photographer. You don't pay your agency, they pay you.
Here are a few images of my early tests :-)
For your first test, your agency will want to get a couple of different looks so they can start building your book. Your booker should put together a mood board and give you some suggestions for what outfits to bring for the shoot (unless there's a stylist). I always prefer to bring a bunch of stuff so you have options.
Now is a good time to think about shooting lingerie/swimwear/nudes. I personally shoot all of those and have never had any issues with doing so. But if you'd prefer not, you should discuss this with your agency. Or maybe you'll start shooting them when you get a little more comfortable. The most important thing is that you don't feel forced into doing shoots you don't feel comfortable with.
Remember to bring a nude (your skin colour) and a black strapless bra. And a nude thong. When you've got a drawer full of skin coloured underwear you know you're a professional model ;-) (Also bring your nude underwear to jobs. The stylists doesn't provide this and it's part of your job to bring it.)
Most agencies will also try to get you some free test shoots, which tend to have varied results. I've had really great images through free tests, but also some disappointing ones. Reason for that is that often the photographer has a specific idea of what he wants. The make up & hair person is probably not getting paid so he or she will want to get something out of it as well. That might result in the final image not fitting in your book.
But it's still a good experience and even though it might not end up in your book, you can always post it on instagram. Unless it's really terrible, in that case, hide it in a folder on your computer and move on. And trust me, every single model has that folder ;-).
IVE ALREADY DONE MY BASIC FLOW OF 7 POSES.. I GOT NOTHIN LEFT. *repeats the same poses over again until he stops shooting*
A photo posted by Shit Model Management (@shitmodelmgmt) on Oct 27, 2016 at 8:10am PDT
Also in this series
Do you want to be a model?
How to get started in modelling
Coming soon: How to book a job
how to model with your favorite tumblre
modeling 101: in this extract I will tell you the foolproof classified method on how to become a famous and successful model!1!1 are you ready to hear this amazing fantabulous method??????? the extremely classified method isssssssss *dramatic music* DUN DUN DUN how to become a model: be pretty there ya go folks, the secret to becoming a model uncoded I look forward to seeing all the famous models that have followed my advice!1!1
How to get started in modelling
Do you like modelling?
Something that's worth figuring out before you spend a lot time pursuing a modelling career.
If you are a total newbie and you'd like to give it a go, try arranging a shoot on websites like Modelmayhem. Find a photographer whose work you like and see if he'll shoot you. This way you can get a taste of modelling and see if it's for you.
Take care
When you arrange your own shoots, take care of your safety. Let people know where you're going, bring a friend if possible and trust your gut. No photo is worth compromising your safety. Also, don't let a photographer talk you into doing something that you're not comfortable with. He is not going to make you famous and he's not the boss.
Beware of signing a release form. This means that the photographer can do whatever he wants with your pictures, like selling them to a brand. Since you signed away your rights you won't get a penny. Don't be that model.
Overall, most photographers are decent, but there's also some people trying to take advantage. Beware and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Get an agency
If you're sure that modelling is for you, it's time to try to get an agency. They have the contacts with the clients, will help you develop your book and negotiate fees on your behalf. In return for that they will take a percentage of your income. It depends per country and agency how much the commission is, but it's often around 20%.
A lot of agencies will have a "become a model" page on their website. There you can submit some pictures and some stats (like your size, height etc.). Have a look at the Models1 page as an example. Some agencies also have walk-in days, where you can just show up and meet with a booker. They will take some pictures and decide if they want to take you on. I always think that's a good option because the booker gets to see your personality (which is important in modelling).
If any agency wants you to pay to be on their board, walk away. Professional agencies will not charge you in advance. They will advance the initial costs (like building your book) and you will pay them back once you've booked some jobs. If you are looking for good agencies in your country, have a look at models.com where there's a list of reputable agencies.
Now there are some girls who work independently. I have no experience with that so I can't really offer any advice. An agency has more contacts than you could ever get on your own and most clients only work with agency signed models. A good agency will support you and help you build a career and they are worth their commission.
How I got signed
So when I was a teenager I submitted my pictures to loads of agencies, all for straight size modelling (which is the industry term for slim models). Either I didn't hear back or I got a "thanks but no thanks" reply. This was discouraging and I decided to go to university.
During my final year of university I decided to move to London to do an internship and write my thesis remotely. I was scouted by a straight size agency but they wanted me to lose a lot of weight (which would have been very unhealthy for me). After that I approached some plus size agencies but they didn't want to sign me on account of my short and curly hair....
A few years ago individuality really wasn't celebrated within the plus size industry, all they wanted was long hair. Now that hasn't completely changed, but some clients seem more open to a diverse look for their models, thank god!
A little after that I took part in a competition from Glamour magazine and Herbal Essences. I won the competition and during the shoot in Majorca the stylist told me about Models1 opening a curve division. I went to see them the following week and they signed me.
I believe that getting signed to an agency is a combination of luck and having the right look for that agency & market.
Don't beat yourself up if you don't get signed. If you really want to model, try another agency or wait a few months. Otherwise, there's plenty of other types of modelling you can do, like life modelling or fit modelling.
Next week: how to build your book
Do you want to be a model?
I regularly get messages from girls that want to model. That why I thought I'd share how I became a model and some advice if you're thinking about it.
First off, modelling is a job. A lot of people are attracted to modelling because it can look like the best job in the world! You can get rich by being pretty. Who wouldn't want that?
Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. To become a successful model it's a combination of hard work, luck and being flexible. If you want a steady paycheck and job guarantee, don't become a model.
Also, most models don't have very long careers, they either get bored or too old. Only a small percentage of girls make enough money to last a lifetime or still work after the age of 35-40. Unfortunately there is less of a demand for older models.
So you will need other skills and interests. I encourage everyone to finish school and to go to university if it's an option. It makes a difference and it will give you more opportunities down the line.
You still want to model?
Alright then.
First off, here are some of the skills you need:
People skills. You'll be dealing with a lot of different people throughout your career and you need to be able to work with all of them. I've come across some really rude clients over the years but I kept it professional and friendly (even though they weren't). I booked the job. It wasn't a fun job, but it paid the rent that month.
Posing. This is a big part of modelling. You can't just stand there with your hands on your hips. You have to move move move. Change your feet, your hips, your arms, tilt you head. Good models will make every shot a little different so you give the photographer and client lots of options. This is definitely something you'll get better at and I encourage you to practise in front of the mirror and to look at what other models are doing.
Your body. If your a model, your body is your product. So it's important to stay in shape. I'm a curve model and I wear a UK size 14-16. But I still work out 3-4 times a week and eat healthily most of the time. If you live an unhealthy lifestyle it will definitely show up on your skin. Yes photoshop exists, but it's also expensive. So they better you look, the less time and money the client has to spend retouching your images.
Fashion knowledge. Everyone in fashion is inspired by each other. Often on set you'll see mood boards with images of other brands/photographers/models for inspiration. It helps if you have some basic knowledge of famous photograph, supermodels and different eras in fashion. Then you'll know what people are talking about when they say that shoot is inspired by Helmut Newton.
Grit. You need to have some grit. Modelling isn't that comfortable. I've been on cold beaches shooting swimwear where I'd literally be wrapped in a blanket the second we were done with a shot. Same goes for shoes, Iv'e got quite big feet (US 11/ UK 9 / EU 42.5) and a lot of times the shoes on set are a few sizes too small. But you have to make it work. I've gotten scarily good at folding my little toe under the rest of my foot. That can't be good.... But that's how it goes. As a model you're on your feet a lot and in uncomfortable poses, so lower back pain is not uncommon. But you have to keep smiling and get on with it
Some don'ts
Don't be a diva. No one will want to work with you again. When you're on a job, you are part of a team and you all work together to get a great shot. Be nice to people, be humble and appreciate the opportunities that modelling gives you.
Don't take it personally. A lot of people are not going to like you. When a client is casting models, they often have an idea of what they want. And a lot of times you won't fit the bill. That's fine. You can't book every job. But please realise that not getting a job doesn't make you any less worthy. Someone will say yes someday. And if they don't, well at least you tried. It's a tough industry and it isn't for everyone. Just because modelling might not be for you doesn't mean you are any less beautiful.
Don't spend all your money. Yes it feels really good when you make £10.000 in a week, but you need to pay tax, put some money away for retirement/emergencies and you need to realise that you might never work again. That's the thing with modelling, no guarantees. So enjoy the money, but be smart about it. Think big picture. You're better off saving most of that money for a down payment for a house or tough times than to spend it all on a handbag.
Some might think, "there's lot of overlap between skills needed for modelling and other jobs." And that's true. But the difference is that with most other jobs you build a resume and get relevant work experience for the rest of your career. The work experience of a model can be a bit harder to apply to other jobs.
Next week, how to get started if you want to model.
Photo by www.RadiantInc.net
