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Models2Hire was created to help models and photographers, (men and women
both younger and older) find work in the fashion and entertainment
industry. It is sometimes difficult as an industry professional to get
linked up with others to find work.
This is where Models2Hire comes in. We are here to help you get the
exposure to get that job. Click here to get started with your free online
portfolio today!
How do I get started in Modeling?
What are the height and size requirements for a high fashion model?
Are there jobs for models who specialize in just parts of the body?
How much do models make?
Can a modeling agency tell just from a photo if I have what it takes to be a model?
Can you give me some advice?
Why is everyone giving different advice on modeling?
1. How do I get started in Modeling?
There is no one way to get started. Different models have reached
success through different routes. Some models have been "discovered" in
public places. Other models have just sent in a couple of snapshots or have
gone to an open call at a modeling agency. Others have arranged test
shoots and built portfolios before an agency signed them. And most of
them have come by way of model searches. There's no better way than to be
posted on the internet and let the photographers, directors and
agencies find you.
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2. What are the height and size requirements for a high fashion model?
This does seem to be the burning question. The general guidelines for
women are; 5'9" to 6', around a size 6, 34B-24-34, and between 14-21
years of age. For men around 6' (a couple of inches over or under,) size
40R. Are there exceptions to this? You bet. Is it fair? No. Are there
petite sizes and plus sizes? Yes. Do commercial, glamour, acting, or
smaller markets care anything about these sizes? No they don't - not in the
least. Only if you want to work high fashion in the major markets, like
New York, are these numbers important. Adult market also doesn't care
about those figures...personality is more important there.
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3. Are there jobs for models who specialize in just parts of the body?
Yes. Hand models are often hard to find especially when you need one.
It has been my experience that many models will have photogenic faces
and good bodies but their hands and feet can be just horrid. Often times
you will use one person for the face and have a hand model reaching
into the picture to provide the hands. Of course the photographer makes it
look like one person but in fact there are two. With jewelry
photography we look for good hands, nice neck, and ears. A good ear is very hard
to find as they have to be shaped just right, the skin has to be very
smooth, and you want them pierced for only one earring not 25.
Unfortunately, paying jobs for jewelry modeling seldom come along. It is best to
find other industries that need good-looking body parts. Parts models
follow similar career paths as regular models. Remember though...this is
deffinitively NOT a way to approach a business that's very photo and
video intensive. Don't expect someone to take photos of your beautifull
breasts and work on hundred of photos to hide your face.
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4. How much do models make ?
What you hear about is the fabulous big bucks that super models make.
Out of all the models in the world, only a handful of them make this top
dollar. Their yearly income can be in the millions. But for most models
it will be far less, assuming you get any work at all. As a general
rule for markets outside of New York, modeling fees will be in the range
of photographer's fees. For a market like Los Angeles, this can range
from $10 to $100 an hour, depending on experience and demand. As you move
to larger markets fees for photographers and models will go up. This
may not bring you the big bucks of a super model but it will give you a
good living if you can find steady work. And that is a big "if". And
that's exactly why we are here.
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5. Can a modeling agency tell just from a photo if I have what it
takes ?
Yes and No. One of the normal screening practices for modeling agencies
is to have you send a couple of snap shots of yourself, usually a head
and shoulder shot and a full-length body shot in a bathing suit or
tight clothes. From these snap shots some say they can tell if you have
what it takes for modeling. They say, "Don't spend money on getting photos
taken, a Polaroid by your friend is just fine".
To respond to the "yes" part of this question requires that you send to
the modeling agency good, clear, properly exposed, properly composed
and with you properly positioned, photographs. They can use these photos
as a screening tool. This means that if they have an opening for
someone with your look, they will be interested in meeting with you in person
to see if, in fact, you look like your picture. This does not
necessarily mean you have or do not have what it takes to be a model. It just
gets you an interview and maybe on to a test shoot.
To respond to the "no" part of the question means most people send bad
pictures, or they may look great but you don't meet the agency's needs
at that moment or the agent guessed wrong. When they talk about sending
a simple snap shot, they are actually looking for at least an advance
amateur level of photography or a wannabe professional photographer
level. Having taught photography for a number of years, I can say that most
beginners have problems with exposure, focus, and composition, let
alone knowing how to position you to look your best. You may not want to
trust your career to your best friend's ability as a photographer unless
they know something about photography.
Normally you will want to try several modeling agencies to see if they
are interested in you. One agency may be full of blue eyed blondes
while another may have none and need someone. Some of this is just being in
the right place at the right time.
Also, we all have our war stories of getting it wrong. One agency or
photographer may say someone does not have what it takes and then they go
to another agency and become a star. So we think exposure is
everything.
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6. Can you give me some advice ?
Maybe. Personally, I think i know the best ways to get discovered, but
that is strictly my opinion. And the most important is a great online
portfolio. How many agencies or photographers do you know? Well, there
are thousands of them out there, all searching for models, new faces,
new bodies. No one will ever contact you if your online model portfolio
is made of 3 tiny blurry photos. So post lots of photos... the more the
better, big enough so they all can see you, and don't forget about the
quality. If you don't have them...make them... contact us at
webmaster@models2hire.com , maybe we can help. Second...take good care
about the prices you ask, especially if you are new to the business.
I've seen too many newbies that ask way too much for the first jobs, so
they can't get any assignements. Remember: outside the supermodels area
prices ranges from $10 to $100 / hour, what is important for you is to
have EXPOSURE. With more exposure comes more money. Also don't forget
there are THOUSANDS of great, gorgeous, hard working models out
there...so competition is tough... one assignment gives you even better
exposure, the work of one photographer will be seen by thousands of people and
hundreds of other phgotographers, so be very serious about your jobs,
very professional, and be a nice person to work with.
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7. Why is there so much different advice on modeling ?
Remember the story of the three blind men describing an elephant. One
man felt the trunk, another the tail and the third the leg. Each had a
different description of what the elephant was like. The modeling
industry is the same way. The modeling industry is big with many specialties.
What I have experienced is quite different from what fashion
photographer Richard Avidon experienced. And what he has experienced is quite
different from what glamour photographer Jeff Dumes has. And what we all
have experienced is quite different from what the modeling agencies are
going to tell you.
Another part that leads to different views on the industry is that we
are all small business people - each one running their own business in
their own way, and hopefully better than the competition. This leads to
a lot of different ideas of how things work and how things should be
done. It can also lead to confusion and present opportunities for
con-artists. There is a set way to become a doctor, there is, however, no set
way to become a model. This leaves the door open for the "expert" to
"guarantee" to make you a top model for only a small, non-refundable fee.
Watch out and try to educate yourself on the many parts of the modeling
industry.
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