First I'd like to give credit to all those people who go after what they want in life, and make their dreams come true instead of chasing them all their lives. You can sleep all day and night and have plenty of dreams, but when you wake up and get on the move, then dreams can happen!!!!
Yes, I know this is a music business blog, but you can't talk about music without pointing out all the other entertainment industries that are interconnected with it. One of those being the modeling industry. So many women each year embark on a journey to pursue their dreams of being a "supermodel", "video girl", "foot" and "hand" model, etc.. Not everyone is going to make the cut, but for those that do, the rewards of all the hard work is worth it, unless your journey was a little more tragic than most. I've compiled this blog to help those models that are having a rough go of it. I don't claim to know everything, but one thing for sure, you have to protect yourself no matter what part of the entertainment industry you are in.
Now I'll give some tips to aspiring models because just like the music industry, there are many scams and scammers out there that will try and use your face, body, and your willingness to get "in the game" to their advantage to get out of you what you should be getting paid for, totally free.
Getting started, ask yourself if you are serious about modeling..Take an honest look at yourself and decide what type of modeling would be best for you. Find some books on modeling and/or photography. Get some photos taken that you can be proud of and make sure people see them. Get some photos scanned and get some web space somewhere. If you have to, use free web servers like Tripod or Geocities. Put your portfolio on some of the popular modeling sites, like GlamourModels. Visit some modeling message boards and read some posts to learn what you can about modeling. Post some messages with some pertinent info and photos. Be honest, reliable, and enthusiastic. Go for it!
Safety Tips: Keep in mind that the internet, by its very nature, is anonymous. This means you need to take a cautious, informed approach to your modeling. Never put your full address or phone number on any post in a modeling forum or other public area.
ALWAYS PAY FOR YOUR PORTFOLIOS AND PICTURES, AND COPYRIGHT YOUR OWN PHOTOS SO THAT YOU HAVE ALL RIGHTS TO THEM!!!
That should have got you started, but here is the beef of this blog..
So here it is....
Put Together an Impressive Portfolio. No matter how attractive you are, you need to have professional photographs if you are seeking modeling work. Nothing will turn off prospective employers faster than posting grainy or poorly lit photos in your portfolio. The biggest mistake is to submit pictures taken with a webcam, since these are very low resolution and are usually too small to properly judge anyone's appearance. Another common mistake is to only submit nude photos or worse yet, close-ups of one's private parts. As a general rule, photos that leave something to the imagination are the most effective and compelling. You should always include at least one or two photos in your portfolio in which you are neatly dressed in an attractive outfit. For these reasons, it is well worth paying a photographer to create a nice portfolio of pictures. To choose the right photographer, get references and look at his/her previous work. Are the pictures good enough to be found in top magazines or on video box covers, or are they amateurish? Does the photographer seem to have a good sense of how lighting and background can be used to enhance the image? The better the photos in your portfolio, the more job offers you are likely to receive.
Create a Special Look: Make-up and fashion can go a long way in helping you create a special "look" for yourself that will attract attention. You can learn various make-up techniques, such as the proper use of concealer to cover up bags or unwanted blemishes, by perusing women's magazines or by hiring a professional make-up artist to help you look your best for your portfolio. Also, don't show up for an interview or your portfolio shoot in clothes that are too casual or that represent a style that is outdated or frumpy. You may want to hire a stylist to help you craft your image.
Consider Unconventional Jobs: There are many unconventional domains where models can find work to enhance their career above and beyond the standard modeling gig. This could include things like acting, spokesmodeling assignments, Internet performing, magicians' assistant, or tradeshow representative.
Be Graceful on the Runway, Print Ads, etc...: There is an art to posing gracefully on the catwalk. Stand up straight and always look out towards the audience—don't look down. Keep your hands in a natural position. It helps to practice your runway walk in front of a mirror to develop your own carefree style.
Practice Good Etiquette: When you're offered a modeling job, pay close attention to the instructions you are given. Write them down if necessary. Always be pleasant and courteous to every staff member—photographers, make-up artists, etc.— whom you encounter during any modeling assignment. Always be on time to your shoots. Send a nice thank you card to the company after the shoot.
Don't Get Scammed: There are a lot of crooks out there trying to take advantage of model wannabes. If someone tells you that they think you need to go to a modeling school or pay for instructional tips, remember that many successful models have never taken a single class. There are schools out there that exist simply to part you from your hard-earned money; do your homework before signing up. Beware of agents asking you for money to represent you. Legitimate agents make money from commissions, not from up-front fees. Also, stay away from any company that wants to list you in a talent directory for money. Most agents don't even look at these directories.
Ask for References: The prospective employer shouldn't be offended if you ask for references. This could include a list of other jobseekers who've worked for the employer, as well as business colleagues who can vouch for him/her. Ask the references what kind of working environment the employer provides, how long they have known the employer, and get their general impressions and opinions of the employer. If the prospective employer is reluctant to provide references, you may want to reconsider applying to work for him/her
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Bring a Chaperone: If you are going to a new job site for the first time, consider bringing someone with you. This is especially important if you're a model, companion, or actor working as an independent contractor and you're going out on assignments for photographers or producers whom you have never met. If the employer has a problem with you bringing a chaperone, this could be a sign that you may want to steer clear of the job.
Tell A Relative/Friend/Neighbor: Don't go to a new job site without telling somebody where you are going. Give them the contact information of the employer. Let them know how long you expect to be gone.
Demand a Safe Workplace: U.S. law dictates that your employer must provide a safe, healthy workplace. You have the right to refuse any work that might be dangerous to your health. If you feel that your rights are being violated, you can report safety problems to the government. For workers in the United States, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Agency) handles complaints about workplace safety violations.
Do Not Tolerate Sexual Harassment: You have a right to work in an environment that is free of sexual harassment. Despite the pervasive myth of the "casting couch", adult industry jobs are no exception to this rule. You do not have to nor should you do anything you're not comfortable with in order to get a job. If you experience sexual harassment on the job in the U.S., contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Your Health Is Your #1 Asset: No matter what type of career you decide to pursue, your health is of paramount importance. If you feel good about yourself and your body, this will carry over into everything you do, but it is especially important in the adult entertainment industry. After all, this industry is built on the glamour and appeal of the human body. You can't be sexy if you're not healthy. Therefore, as an adult industry worker, you should have an especially strong commitment to maintaining a healthy body. Not only will this make you more likely to be hired by potential employers, but it will also allow you to enjoy your work more and sustain it for a longer period.
Keep Physically Active: Study after study shows that the key to staying healthy is to get plenty of exercise. Our bodies are designed for constant motion and activity. Unfortunately, the modern world with all its technological advances does not require as much activity as we need. Our ancestors had no choice but to stay on their feet all day hunting and gathering, but we can get away with spending hours on end lying on the couch watching television or hunched over a computer monitor. As a result, we must stay in a state of constant awareness that we need to move, move, move. Resist the temptation to become a couch potato! Even simply walking 15 minutes a day can reap benefits. Better yet, stop taking elevators and instead always use the stairway. And of course, there are any number of excellent fitness gyms you can join. You may even want to consider hiring a personal trainer to get you started, or try pilates, yoga, meditation, or stretching. In all truth, the very best way to stay physically fit is to cultivate a sport or activity that you are passionate about, so that it is not a chore to exercise, but rather a joy.
Eat a Sensible Diet: Our society loves to jump from one fad dieting craze to the next, but the fact is that there is no magic, perfect diet. Instead, the key to good health is common sense and moderation. Don't get hung up on the idea that some foods are "bad" and others are "good." The truth is never that black and white. The human digestive tract is built for a wide range of different foods. You want to eat lots of different types of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Remember, variety is the spice of life. It is easy to fall into the same repetitive eating habits day after day, week after week. To break up the cycle, consider visiting a farmers' market and pick out a few exotic fruits and vegetables you've never tried before. It can be fun to explore the gigantic universe of food options, and it will pay even bigger dividends for your health. Whatever you do, make sure to avoid heavily processed foods as much as possible. That doesn't mean that you can never go to fast food restaurants again, but you definitely do not want to rely on them as a primary part of your diet.
Avoid Smoking Cigarettes: Probably the worst thing you could do for your health is to smoke. Of all the substances on the earth, one could make quite a strong case that nicotine is among the most damaging to your body. From heart disease to lung cancer, the health complications from tobacco use are severe and frightening. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, so why would you want to fall prey to a substance that basically enslaves you and lines the pockets of the tobacco companies at the same time? If you've already started smoking, don't despair. The U.S. Surgeon General has an excellent set of consumer tips to help people who wish to quit smoking. The important thing to remember is that much of the damage caused to your lungs by smoking can be reversed if you quit, so it's never too late.
Consume Alcohol in Moderation: Numerous recent studies have documented the health benefits of drinking a modest quantity of beer or wine on a daily basis. That doesn't mean you should become a drinker if you aren't one already, because you can get most of these same benefits by drinking a glass of grape juice every day, too. However, if you are a drinker, you probably don't need to reduce your consumption to zero, you just need to make sure that you are not abusing alcohol. As with everything, the key is moderation. One or two glasses of wine a day is probably okay. Two or three cases of beer a day is not.
Don't Take Drugs: We don't mean to sound like Nancy Reagan here, but we would be remiss if we didn't point out that recreational drugs can be extremely dangerous and hazardous to your health. Drugs may seem like an easy way to run from your problems or alter your mood, but in the long run, they cause more problems than they solve. This is a pill-popping society, and everywhere we turn, we seem to be bombarded with ads telling us that we need to start taking this or that new medication. Social conditioning of this type might make us think that even recreational drugs are okay or even advisable. In reality, we can find so much more fulfillment by addressing our problems and needs more directly. It might take a little bit more work to make the effort to find joy in our outer world by stopping to smell the roses or watching the sunset, but it is ultimately worth it. This world is full of magnificent and uplifting experiences that don't require any drugs at all.
Stay Mentally Healthy: The stresses and pressures of modern urban life can often take a toll on our mental health. We live in a world where anxiety and depression is rampant, and psychiatric medication is given out like candy. Sadly, this dog-eat-dog capitalist world is not very concerned about any one individual's mental state, just about one's bank account. That's why you have to take responsibility for tending to your emotional and psychological wellbeing yourself. Write poetry, have soulful talks with your friends, try a meditation tape, take walks in nature, do yoga, keep a journal—these are all good methods of maintaining your mental health.
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