Want To Get Into Fashion Modeling?Photo Evaluation And Tips
"Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford."
Ah… the ever elusive fashion modeling business!
I began my career as a model 20 years ago with a local contest in Savannah, Georgia. After interviewing and securing an agent in New York City, I flew to Milan, Italy and began working immediately. I had the advantage of being 5’10” and very commercial… which was popular at that time. I was fortunate enough to be contracted with top agencies for years, Elite and FORD among them… and to work on the runways, shoot magazines, catalogs and TV commercials.
The fashion modeling business is fickle and often unpredictable. There are no magic formulas to “making it” in the modeling business. There are some “rules” but even those are broken time after time.
There are many different types of models in today’s market, such as editorial (fashion magazines), catalog (commercial), runway, athletic, plus size, petite, and life style. If you want to work as a model, it is important to know in what category you fit best… and the basics to be the best you can be!
I believe modeling is an art form… just like any other type of performance. It is based on physical looks… but, also on attitude and expression.
A beautiful face may photograph well… but, a model who knows how to project a desired “look” will get the job!
If you’ve ever watched “America’s Next Top Model”, you have an idea of how grueling a shoot can be… and how you can improve with practice and the understanding of your image. What does your “look” say? What type of products can your image sell? Do you fit into a specific market and/or can you make improvements to be even stronger?
I will never tell someone that they CAN’T be a fashion model. Everyone has a beauty… everyone has something to say! However, I will be honest and tell you the realities of the category that I feel you fall into… and offer tips and techniques to strengthen your image. I just don't want you to get scammed!
So, here are a few ideas for the model evaluation: - grab a digital camera and film a minute of yourself “walking the runway” - film yourself doing a few poses to the camera - then, download the video into a QuickTime format (no larger than 2 MB) - or scan a few of your best pictures into JPEG format (less than 1 MB please) - attach it to your email
- Please make the effort to look your best. Make choices about your hair, makeup (if any) and clothing to best portray your image. - That said, please keep make up minimal… as I need to see “YOU”! Over done hair and makeup are never right for a model evaluation.
The most complete guide to fashion modeling I have found so far (written by a fellow FORD model):
Great articles for your art, life and career!
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