Prepare to Model

IMPORTANT: Review

"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
Take advantage of TFP (your Time for Prints) opportunities to practice model skills outlined here and build a portfolio.
Be Safe! Work only with professional photographers with good reputations.
Review the industry Code of Conduct and know the Red Flags that mean leave and report.

We are often asked...

Question: How do I get started in modeling?

Answer: Start by perfecting the basic skills expected of a model, to be ready for the first opportunity.

The greater your model skills, the more valuable you are to clients.
Your services are therefore in higher demand, at higher rates.
The full professional skill list is long, and many techniques can be learned only on the job, working with a variety of others in the business.
With that said, there a several basic skills you should develop before your first fashion show audition or first photo portfolio building test session.

Study and practice the "Squinch" and "Smize" techniques.
Learn how to apply your makeup, adjusted for photography, for basic nautural and glamorous looks.
Become familiar with and practice basic photo poses.
Learn and practice runway walks.
Study the work of models at the top of the profession.
Develop a set of posing routines base on the work of models a the top of their profession
Start sending appplications to model agencies.
Make the rounds to photographers for test shot and portfolio building opportuniities.

Practice, Practice, Practice!
Test, Test, Test!

Use a full length mirror to rehearse poses and facial expressions so that you are ready to get the most from your first auditions and photo test sessions. Models with many years of work experience still benefit from developing new posing routines, then work with a photographer to update their portfolio.

Then Apply to model agencies

The agency will help determine into which of these overlapping categories you fit:

Commercial: All types of print and video marketing jobs.
Fashion: Catalog, editorial, fashion shows and videos, and other clothing marketing.
Fitness: Sporting goods marketing.
Glamour: Nude or implied nudity and lingerie for Pin-Up type projects.
Promotional: In person brand representation in stores, conventions, and at events.