A model is a person who poses for photoshoots and walks in fashion shows to market the brands’ latest designs or styles. Their pictures show up in magazines, in shops and on TV based on the market niche and purpose of the shoot. Runway shows can vary from global trends in fashion weeks or events held in shopping centers, both of which require a professional mind-set.
Modeling isn’t quite as simple and glamorous as it appears at first. It is a demanding job with a great deal of commitment, dedication and intensive hard-work. Successful models are the consequence of a hopeful determination and enthusiasm and passion for the fashion industry. It’s an aggressively competitive environment to be a part of with only the most persistent achieving high levels of success.
While models aspiring to achieve such success might believe that they only need an attractive face and a well-proportioned figure, but in reality, the glamorous career entails requirements such as dedication and intensive planning for the future. A professional models’ career is just as challenging as it is rewarding. Although it is tough to understand or figure out where to begin in modeling , there are several categories to choose from.
Casting is a bustling job. Casting directors have, most likely, one of the most tensely demanding employments in the fashion and style industry. Casting directors give various services from getting arrangements of possible prospects to directing talent searches across the nation and administering try-outs. As it is their job to find or cast all of the roles for any given movie or television project within a given time frame, casting directors are the ones who spend most of the time looking at various pictures from various agents. Once someone with adequate experience and a good portfolio comes along, or someone that is suitable to the profile according to the script provided, an audition is requested by the director to the agent for a particular model.
Here are a few precautions and steps one must undertake to become a model:
- Decide on the type of model you want to become.
- Research reputable agencies that specialize in your niche and have a strong reputation in their field.
- Apply to agencies. Either fill out their form online or attend an open call.
- Practice your poses and walk to a high standard.
- Build a professional portfolio that showcases your talent.
- Create a strong social media presence.
- Take care of your complexion and physique by eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly.
- Be persistent. Rejection is a big part of the industry. If you don’t hear back or are turned away, do not give up.
- Attend as many castings and auditions as possible.
- Act with caution to ensure your safety.
According to Nimisha Dean, a 22-year old model who has worked with brands such as Tanishq and L’Oreal, here are the steps or precautions one must take in the field; “At the start of your career, it’s reassuring to have a family that’s looking out for you – which is exactly what being with an agency feels like.
They groom you a little, try to build your portfolio and they keep track of your auditions. They assign you a manager, who reminds you of the flight you have to catch that day to reach a shoot, or passive-aggressively scolds you for missing an audition. If this still sounds fun and you want to be represented by an agency, your best bet is to email their scouting department. If they’re interested, they’ll invite you to meet them at their office and take a few basic pictures. It helps to reach out to different agencies before finalizing on one, because every agency looks for different things in the talent they represent.”
One must ensure they list down what they are looking for specifically and follow that direction with dedication. Being haphazard in your choices may result in being neglected.
Any agency that asks for money upfront or is sketchy in terms of signing up someone, is possibly going to run off with the money, never to be seen again. A good agency should never lift you up no matter what and understand your personal space and needs. A good agency will never compromise your safety and should treat you as their priority above anything else. Sacrificing yourself is the worst mistake a model can commit.
Getting into the wrong crowd to achieve quick fame and fortune will only result in you getting engulfed in the dark side of the modeling world filled with drugs, alcohol, rape and greed. Never do ‘anything it takes’ to get to the top. You’ll regret it later. Sticking to your own values and principles will take you a long way. There is no straight path to success if you start the ride. It’s a gruesome road but being persistent and not giving up should be your sole inspiration. Association with the right agency will help you climb this tough ladder as they will honour your values and will lead you to a great career.
Keeping it simple when it comes to handling your portfolio will take you a long way in this industry. Recruiters hate over-the-top, fancy portfolios with heavy make-up on and intense photo-touching. Simply tied hair, very less make-up and no photo-touching should be the three main-points to achieve the right mix. Modeling agencies hate photoshopped pictures, makeup, fancy hair styles, or overdone looks. They want to see you in the raw to see if you could be transformed into a variety of looks. Your range of expressiveness should be brought out by the portfolio. Emphasize your personal style and physical attributes. It should give the agency or the casting director an idea of your talents and scope of progress.
Networking is the best tool for models to create contacts that will help them get newer clients and job opportunities. Modeling jobs are not easy to find, therefore meeting people, getting to know them casually and engaging in genuine conversations will help you in the long run. Attend modeling industry events in your area. Mixers, parties, and other events can offer you some great networking opportunities. It is important to be a regular feature at such events for you to be a recognizable figure in the industry. Socializing will help you reach out to the bigger portals and give you a wider range of opportunities in the modelling world. Practise your hand at being an extrovert as the modeling industry is filled with individuals who are confident in their own skin and do not shy from expressing themselves.
Try to meet people who have influential capacity. For example, someone who hires models for a magazine is more influential than someone who has modelled for that magazine.