modeling myths and misconceptions
There is a vast abundance of modeling information on the net - some of it valuable - much of it contradictory. Additionally, over the years certain myths have developed - many of which are still being actively perpetuated by companies with a financial interest in their continued existence.
Other myths and misconceptions are based upon practices that were instituted many years ago, but no longer work. Still others have arisen from simple misunderstandings.
One of the areas where beginners experience the most confusion has to do with what kind of photos they will need to get started and/or to work on a regular basis.
Although a Polaroid or a snapshot (as in photo above left) might get you in the door, better pictures (as in photo above right) will eventually be needed - and they will almost always be at your own expense.
IF you are a very tall, very skinny teenage girl and IF you get picked up by one of the top 10 agencies in the world and IF you are willing to sign a long-term exclusive contract with them and IF you are ready, willing and able to move to New York City on a moments notice - and live there on your own - then MAYBE your agency will advance you money for test shots.
If you are NOT the aforementioned very tall, very skinny teenage girl - ready and willing to do all of the above - you will need to cover costs as no one else is going to do it for you.
Someone told you that Donald Trump stands in front of Trump Towers every day handing out $100 bills and free photo shoots to every aspiring model that walks down Fifth Avenue - and you believed them? Contrary to popular myth and lots of wishful thinking, only a very small handful of agencies will occasionally advance money to models and only to those models that have signed long term exclusive contracts with them PLUS the model will be required to sign some sort of loan agreement PLUS the model will be required to pay that money back at some point - PLUS interest - so you will actually end up paying for your materials one way or another.
Many new models make the career killing mistake of going on castings with photos taken by well-meaning friends who are not fashion photographers.
A certain quality and/or energy level in photos is expected - and most friends and amateur photographers simply do not know how to help pose or direct new models to assure that they will come across with a strong, professional look.
Wedding photographers, school photographers, portrait photographers, "photo day" photographers, student photographers and "pin up" photographers usually can NOT produce the proper results.
Believing the myth that someone will actually hire you for real work off of amateur photos or a couple of blurry snapshots is also wishful thinking - and going on castings with such photos will only serve to brand you as an amateur, making it very difficult for anyone to take you seriously.
If you expect to work on a regular basis, you need to visually prove that you can look like a real model.
"photo day" modeling school photo professional photo "Yes," this is the same girl in both photos and "No," she did not lose weight between photo shoots. The right pose, the right lighting, professional makeup, camera angle, background selection and lens selection can make a huge difference.
Agents are perfectly willing to look at snapshots and even Polaroids - as they figure, "What the heck, if the person looks good in a snapshot - imagine what they might look like with professional makeup, good lighting, etc."
IF you manage to get past the receptionist of an actual talent buyer however (someone that can actually make a hiring decision) he or she may not be so patient with you if you walk in with junk photos.
Fact is, the majority of them will not appreciate you wasting their time and they will put a big X through your name after you leave.
(If you don't think this is true, volunteer to assist with a few castings and see for yourself.)
"A 'test shoot' is a photo session to enable the model to get suitable pictures for his/her portfolio. It is essential for a model to build a stong book - so you have to test, test, test and test some more." - Model Talent Bible
These two magazine editors look at pictures of aspiring models every day.
Which of these two girls do you think will be taken more seriously?
You will also need to have a comp with a few strong pictures on it, typically one picture on the front and three or four on the back.
Why do you need a comp card? If you go on a casting and you don't have a card to leave behind, interviewers (casting directors, production coordinators, etc.) are a.) not going to take you seriously and b.) they won't even remember you were there an hour later, much less the next day. (Don't worry, however, as inexpensive 'temporary' cards can be made.)
When business is booming agents MIGHT send you out on interviews with a few snapshots and/or without a card, but when business is slow - guess who will be the last person to be sent out on castings and the first person to get dropped from their roster altogether?
That's right, if you don't have strong materials, it will be YOU.
Another word of caution: TFP is the #1 source of model related horror stories.
There are thousands of TFP (Trade For Pictures) offers on the net, most of which are made by amateur photographers with little or no skill.
With rare exception, TFP is the province of amateurs and a complete waste of time - a classic case of the blind leading the blind. In fact, the term TFP is seldom used in professional circles except perhaps to joke about it.
If you are interested in picking up bad habits and you would like to have a bunch of amateur snapshots in silly, awkward poses in bad hair and bad make up - then TFP will certainly accomplish that for you.
As bad as all that may sound, however, this is not the worst thing that can happen.
It's amazing how grown up models - and even parents - who scoff at the idea of a "free lunch" and hang up on telemarketers who offer a "free cruise" will never ask, "What's the catch?" when some stranger offers a "free photo shoot."
The catch is, the majority of TFP offers are made by so-called "photographers" looking for "dates" and/or "questionable content" for adult sites - and their "something for nothing" offer is simply a way to lure you in.
If you are gullible enough to fall for it, you will probably never hear from the "photographer" again and it is unlikely you will ever receive any prints or CD's as promised and - even if you do - showing these images will do you more harm than good.
The good news is... there are excellent, moderately priced photographers out there that can make you look like a real model.
Never forget: nothing is free and the so-called "free stuff" will invariably turn out to be the most costly - in wasted time, lost jobs and ruined careers.
There are thousands of fake modeling and talent agencies and a relatively small handfull of real ones - especially in the state of Florida - so feel free to send an e mail with your name, stats and a small jpg photo or two and we will try to point you in the right direction. questions and comments are always welcome!
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