So you want to be a model ......

Modelling is a business with more than its fair share of pitfalls and rip-offs and it is very competitive. Very few models make it to "supermodel" status. However, many make a good career out of modelling and many enjoy the business enormously. It has to be accepted that there is virtually no work in Dumfries & Galloway or even Carlisle.

Fashion Model

To be a fashion model there are certain physical requirements. If you are tall and slim you have a chance. The minimum height for shows, cat walk/runway is between 5' 10" - 6', so if you are tall you have a better chance of this sort of work. Often clients have fairly fixed views of what they want and so looks do vary. If you have the look they want at the time - you are in. However, high cheek bones, big eyes, small nose and a generous mouth are always positive attributes - if you are lucky enough to have all the above then you could probably end-up a supermodel. But not many of us do. If you are male a strong jaw line and athletic body are essential.

Photographic Model

To be a successful photographic model the requirements are similar to the above with the exception of height. You can get away with being smaller as long as you are in proportion. You do however need to be photogenic. This is something you either are or are not. Some people can be stunning to look at and yet they don't photograph well. The opposite is also true - you don't have to be stunning to take a good photograph. The only way to know is to have some photographs taken and see how they turn out. It's a bit like charisma - you either have it or you don't Of course with make-up can do a lot but the key to a successful photographic model is their relationship with 'The Camera'.

A good way to gain experience and confidence without it costing you a lot of money is to offer your services to a local college or budding photographer as they, too, require models to work with in order to practice their skills and techniques. However, be choosey about who you approach and make sure they are bone fide.

A good photographic portfolio is essential if you are going to succeed in the modelling business. A model will trade on his or her portfolio and a good portfolio is a made up from assignments which showcase your skill and expertise. It is a full set of examples of of work carried out and is not the result of an individual photo shoot with one photographer. Of course, you cannot start out with a full personal portfolio.

Time For Prints (TFP)

If you can afford it, then you should get a professional set of photographs from a reputable professional. You will not always need to pay for them however. There is an arrangement called "Time For Prints" or TFP, when a Professional photographer will give you prints from the photoshoot instead of paying you a fee. So the deal is that you provide your time and in exchange you get professionally taken prints.
It is a very good way of getting started in modelling and the experience will be worth the effort.

You may find that the photographer will want you to cover costs for a few sessions until he/she is sure that the pictures will be useful. Usually this is a very good deal but take care not to get ripped off.

(Note. At creative Photography we don’t normally offer a TFP shoot unless you are particularly interesting and will provide a valuable addition to Rod’s portfolio. However, we offer a very economical “model shoot” and this has often resulted in follow up TFP shoots – as well as free A3 photographs. Ask for details).

Getting started

Most models start with a set of A4 or 10”x8” prints in colour and B&W and a "comp card" is very useful. This can be in black and white or colour. It will generally be A5 in size or approximately 8" x 6'. It will have a full size photograph on the front, which can be a head shot or full length shot, and generally up to four photographs on the back. You can mix black and white and colour photographs - in fact it is a good idea to have both. The card should have your vital statistics on it - including height, hair colour, eye colour, dress size, bust, waist, hip, and shoe size

Agencies who have web sites that your photographs can be shown on will require high quality prints or digital files.

You should present a range of pictures so that both the agent and the client will have a good idea of your overall capability and looks in a variety of poses and situations - both full length and close up. It is all about making an instant impression! So make sure that you do not end up with five photographs on a card that are all in the same clothes.

The ideal figure ...

... depends on the type of work you do. As a guide, if you want to be in high fashion tall and slender is the key. Most lingerie and swimwear companies base their products and fittings on a 34B bra size 22/24 waist and 34 hip. If want to work in glamour then the well know 'hour glass' figure is great, 36-24-36. To model shoes and footwear you normally need to be a size 4.

If you are close to the above measurements, then you stand a good chance of making it in some way or other if you apply a high degree of perseverance and are ambitious. If you are physically nowhere near the sizes mentioned, then there is little chance that you will have a successful career in the modelling industry. Time to be honest with yourself! It can still be a lot of fun building up a portfolio and it will be something you can look at in later years with great pleasure.

Don't get ripped off!

Many unscrupulous people pose as 'agents' in the modelling world have come up with all sorts of ways to part you from your money. If an agency asks you for money, by way of a joining fee, forget it (they are not allowed to in the UK now! - see next paragraph). Most reputable agencies will not request money to register. They may suggest you have some photos taken and point you in the direction of a photographer (if you have none) and they may at some stage ask you if you would like to be included in their model year book or head sheet or similar but this is something quite separate to a joining fee or registration fee and can be done in stages.

Do not be pressurised into paying out for anything and especially not to join an agency. Portfolios and composite cards are tools of the trade and whilst it may be worth your while at some point in your career to invest in a comp card, you should not have to do this in order to join an agency.

One recent change in the UK is the introduction of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations which came into force in April 2004. This places more legal controls over what agencies can and cannot do. One immediate change is that UK model agencies are NOT allowed to charge up-front fees and they are NOT allowed to link joining the agency with the purchase of other goods or services. That's great news for models, great news for legitimate model agencies and bad news for the rip-off and scam agencies!

You should never have to pay for joining an agency. If an agency says that there is a "joining fee" or a "sign up" fee, then our advice would be to look elsewhere. Remember that in the UK you are protected in this respect.

Some agencies will say that you need a good portfolio and that they will provide, for a fee, an appointment with a local photographer to get this done. Firstly, a good portfolio is generally built up over time as a result of work that you have done. So don't pay for one. Secondly, you should not have to pay 'an arrangement fee'. Thirdly, as said before, a good portfolio will be made up of many different shots from different jobs at different times which includes different photographers and can not possibly be made from one session. If you haven’t yet built up such a portfolio try to find a professional who will work TFP!

If you are accepted by an agency, you can expect to do quite a lot of leg work, especially in the beginning. Going to see photographers, clients and to castings is all part of the job. Sorry no pay for this part, but if you get the job then it's worth it!

Modelling Schools

There are quite a number of very reputable modelling schools around. Check them out. Check them out with other people in the business. Check them out with people you may know who have been there already. Word of mouth and personal recommendation is a powerful ally of a good school. Make sure you ask the schools about their successes. You should interview them too! Ask them if they reject people who they do not think will make it. It is a very telling question!

Good luck.