How to Become a Model

Professional fashion photography by Headshot London. All right reserved. Copying or unauthorised distribution will be reported for copyright infringement.

We’re all fascinated by supermodels such as Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne. They make millions and lead jet set lives. But they are quite literally one in a million. However, that’s not to say that plenty of other women and men make a good living as photographic models. But don’t be mistaken, it is an extremely competitive business.   If you think you’d like to be a model and are just starting out, here are some professional tips that might just give you the edge.

Make the most of what you’ve got

Invest time and money in yourself and your grooming to ensure that you always look the best you can. You need to be toned and fit, with a healthy glow to your skin and shiny hair. This will take hours of dedication, every single day, but you won’t get any modelling calls if you allow yourself to run to seed. Personal upkeep is an essential element of the job.

Be realistic in your aspirations

If you have no experience as a model, you’re not going to get snapped up for the Chanel catwalk. Just as in any other profession, it takes hard work to reach the top and only a very few do. You also need to have the rights look for the right job. If you are not tall enough for catwalk work, you might still be able to do well as a catalogue model. And remember, if you have fabulous legs or beautiful hands, you can build a career on modelling just a certain part of your body.   There are various different types of modelling. Take a look at the list below to see if one of these might be right for you:

• catwalk models are usually at the extreme end of tall and skinny, with small chests
• lingerie models, however, need larger breasts but are still expected to be slim without being bony
• if you are more curvaceous, you could consider plus size modelling
• promotional models need to charm and interact with members of the public at trade shows and events
• editorial models don’t need to be so tall but need a beautiful face and a personality that shines through in pictures
• you might also find work as an alternative model — if your looks are in some way striking you could be used for more avant-garde work

 

If you want to be a professional model, behave like one

Looks maybe everything in the world of modelling but remember there are thousands of pretty girls and ripped guys out there. You can add value to your brand by building a reputation for professionalism. Always arrive on time, if not early; do whatever is asked of you with a smile; be sure to give 100% whole way through the shoot, no matter if you’re tired or bored. In short, if you’re a pleasure to work with, you’re more likely to get repeat bookings. And make a point of building a professional relationship with the photographers you work with — they can often influence which models are chosen for a job.

Start building your portfolio

Before you even approach an agent, you’ll need to prepare a basic portfolio. Agents and potential clients will want to see a range of photos — head shots, body shots and profiles — to get a clear idea of what you look like. It’s your calling card, showing yourself off as a blank canvas with which they can work. These pictures should be your first investment in your career. They do need to be taken by professional photographer, who will be able to bring out your full potential. If you already have some professional experience, choose the best pictures you have to add to your portfolio. Aim to build a collection of photos that are varied enough to show your versatility. Your portfolio should also contain your contact details and your basic statistics — height, weight, body measurements and shoe size.

Find an agent

Once you’ve created your portfolio, the hard work starts. Don’t expect to get a ‘yes’ from the first agent you approach. You will probably wear out a lot of shoe leather before you are taken on to an agent’s books. However, you can increase your chances by doing your homework. Research model agencies in your area and, if you are interested in a particular type of modelling, seek out agencies that work in that field.   Part of your homework should be to make sure all the agencies you approach are genuine and professional. Model agencies take a commission of your fee for each job they send you on — if they ask you for a substantial sum of money upfront, it is more likely to be con. Don’t get involved with agencies like this.   Once you’ve earned your first job as a model, you’ve got your foot on the first rung of the ladder. It will be a long climb to the top — you will need to be determined and hard-working. And of course, not everyone who tries will make it as a model but if you do, it’s an exciting career that can pay well.

 

(c) Headshot London Photography – Fashion Photographers

What Headshots are for?

1. Entertainment Industry
In the entertainment industry headshots are used by the actors, singers, dancers and musicians for castings and auditions. They upload them onto spotlight, equity or casting call pro websites for casting directors to find them. Alternatively, they get an agent to then in turn find castings for them. Whenever suitable casting is on, the agent will send actors headshots to the casting director for consideration.

In the UK headshots are 10×8 spotlight format and are usually black and white. In the USA they are in colour. There several different types of headshots for actors: commercial, theatrical, studio, natural.

2. Corporate Industry
In corporate industry headshots are used for different and varied purposes. Many businesses hire photographers to do their headshots for their websites, press releases, articles in the magazines or national newspapers and book covers. People and clients in general like to know what the business is about and who is behind it, by giving it a personal touch companies / business individuals hope to introduce themselves better to the public. They are called corporate headshots.

Corporate headshots are in colour with business professional dressed in formalwear. Depending on the usage, corporate headshots could be natural (against white background mug shots), studio (studio and more creative), outdoor (shot outside) and artistic (creative).

3. Employment
Professional Headshots could also be used to apply for employment. Many upload their headshots to online profiles on job websites in order to attract more attention to their CV or profile.

4. Modelling
Models photograph modelling headshots / beauty headshots to put in their modelling portfolios or on to their comp cards / z-cards. Modelling headshot shows off their skin and allows the viewer to see model’s face, skin and features much better.

Visit our Actors Headshots photography Page for more information

(c) London Photographers
Tel: 07940 444 641

Fashion Photography Session -What to look out for / What is included (advise)

 

What to look out for prior to the session:

When looking for a professional photographer, first have a look around and see whose photographer’s portfolio and style you like the best. Have a look around their site for prices, what is included in your session, frequently asked questions, and of cause for the style of images that are displayed on the website.

Once you are happy with everything you have seen and want to go ahead with booking your session, give your chosen photographer a call to see if and when they have a free booking slot available for you.

Be careful when you are calling the number from an advertisement. On several occasions we had to report inappropriate advertisements that were claiming to be us and were displaying our imagery, but had no association with us whatsoever. So, always call a number from the website and not from the advertisement you just read.

Also, be careful, when booking a session with a make-over studio. They usually have professional sales teams working for them making cold calls and hard sales. Many claim that you have won a free photo shoot, with free make up. Then charge you just a nominal fee (which many claim will be refunded). Once you went their conveyer belt and had a photography session, the next step is that an experienced sales person will try and sell you all the images for thousands of pounds, charging around £70 for each image taken.

One more thing – If you are just starting in modelling, it is very important prior to the shoot to visit an agent. See what they say and if they like you.
Most agencies will accept you if they like you without a professional photography session. All they need is a snap shot of you that they usually take there and then. After they sign you, they will send you around to different photographers for test shoots – which will help you to build your portfolio.
We therefore, advise you to speak to your agent prior to the shoot! This is not a discouragement – we work with agents in the modelling industry who already have particular jobs in mind for their clients. However, they are not able to put the girls/boys forward for the shoots without a portfolio. They therefore send them to us. This is also common but with reputable agents.

However, if it is simply a session for yourself or your loved one, then skip the previous advice and read on about what the photography session usually consists of.

There are several things that you should expect from the Fashion Photography session you book with Headshot London Photography:

First, on the arrival we are going to have a little chat with you about the required style you are after. We will also have a look through some images that you might have brought with you that inspired you to have a photo shoot in the first place… and naturally coffees, teas, water and other soft drinks will be offered

Second, is clothes styling. It is always a good idea to bring a lot of changes with you, i.e. tops, bottoms, shoes, dresses, etc… and a lot of accessories too! We will have a look at all the clothing you brought with you for the shoot and will help you to style them.

Third, is the make-up and hair styling. We have several make-up artists working for us on a freelance basis. All our fashion sessions include their services. Depending on the length of the shoot, several make up applications will be done during the day. Full day portfolio will have at least 3 or 4 different make-up applications and at least 3 or 4 different hairstyles if required.

Fourth, after all the preparations we start with the shoot! We have many sets and backgrounds and ideas, as well as the outside area, which should give a great diversity to the shoot.

Full day portfolio should consist of :

Full day modelling portfolios  should include at least 4 different styles:

1. Beauty – to show your skin and hair
2. Underwear/Bikini – to show your body shape
3. Fashion – to show your diversity
4. Commercial – to show your diversity and the character

After the session:

1. All our sessions are all-inclusive, i.e. one package and no other costs involved.
2. After the session we will put all the images taken (minus the edits) in your private online gallery on our website, usually within a day.
3. Email you and your agent the link to your online gallery
4. You can have a look at all the images and then send us the codes of the images you would like us to retouch and also if you would like any of them to be in Colour or Black and White.
5. Half day session usually includes 5 (worth £300) free retouches and full day includes 10 (worth £600). Any additional image retouches are charged at £60 each.
6. All images retouched to the highest quality:
• Spots/Blemishes removed
• Colour adjustments performed
• Nip-tuck (if requested)
7. We usually send you a CD within a week after your session.
8. The CD will include
• Retouched portfolio images
• All the images from the photo shoot
• All images are high resolution and ready for printing

On a final note:

We hope you will find this information useful and it will give you a general idea of what to expect and what to do when getting ready for your fashion photography session.

For more information please visit our Fashion Photographers page.

(c) All rights are reserved by Headshot London Photographers at http://www.headshotlondon.co.uk

Should They Kill a Dream?

Fashion Photographers

 

If you are an aspiring model, then read on and we hope that our advice will help you in the future.

We do not want to join the ranks of photographers who happily mislead young wannabe models by implying that they need a professional modelling portfolio before they go to an agency. Those portfolio shoots could cost between £600 and £2500, lining the pockets of photographers who prey on the uninformed.

Instead we advise:

First – If you are genuinely looking for a modelling agency, you only need a very simple picture of yourself. Most agencies will accept that if they are interested. All you need to do is take a simple shot professionally or using your own camera and submit it to the agencies of your choice. This is standard practice.

Second – Once an agency signs you — based on your very simple photograph, the agency will send you out to ‘test’ with their chosen photographers. This will create a portfolio and is standard practice. You therefore will build a portfolio of images free of charge. The photographers get new looks to shoot and you get a shot for the portfolio. It’s been like that for longer than you’ve wanted to be a model!

Our simple advice is to speak to an agency before you approach us or any other photographer. Be careful, look up the model advisory service for your country or area and above all, be realistic. Girls should be at least 5’7″ tall and size 8-10 and guys should be at least 6’ tall if you’re looking for a role in fashion. If you can’t find an agency to take you on, it might be that you are chasing a dream and spending more money on portfolios, will not help.

Useful websites for aspiring models:

www.starnow.co.uk
www.modelmayhem.com

Here you could find, many aspiring and established models together with photographers, stylists and make up artists who collaborate and create beautiful photography. The sites also offer you plenty of advice.

1) So, make sure you see the agency first and see what they tell you.
2) Try visiting several agencies as some prefer specific type of new faces.
3) Remember that all agencies have a section on their website allowing new models to get in touch with them.
4) Before you meet an agent make sure you have plenty of sleep and drink a lot of water to make sure your skin looks healthy and you do not look tired.
5) Be positive and have a great attitude! (that always helps:-))

Have a look around our blog, read though our Articles and Check the useful links section for more advise and information.

Do not hesitate to contact us at http://www.headshotlondon.co.uk  if you have any further questions.

Additionally have a look at our Fashion Photographers page

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