Modeling today has become one of the most favorite career options for youngsters in our country.
This is one of the most exciting as well as lucrative professions; it attracts males and females equally, though there was a time when females subjugated the field. With the spreading out of consumerism and media there has been a tremendous advancement in the ad industry. These along with expansion in fashion industry have made modeling an attractive career option. It has produced a large and continuing demand for spanking new faces and personas to instigate and promote a variety of branded products or show a garment to its best advantage. Modeling is, undoubtedly a glamorous field that offers tremendous opportunities to travel and meet various classes of people. Moreover once established it is a highly paid job. Even with all these plus points it involves lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance to be successful in this field. It is a highly competitive and short- lived career. Further, stress factor is high and the hours are inconsistent. The job also requires a lot of stamina and patience.
t is a profession where educational qualifications become insignificant and physical attributes and personal qualities presuppose importance. The main quality to become a model is the looks - he/ she should be tall, slender, attractive or good-looking. Perfect skin, good teeth, healthy and well cut hair are assets for those looking forward for a modeling career. Moreover one should be photogenic. Being photogenic is one of the most important qualities to have for a model.
A models basic promotional tool is a portfolio that consists of a series of photographs taken by a professional photographer. Only the best pictures of standard size (9 by 12 inches) must be included in the portfolio. The portfolio should ideally have a casual headshot, styled headshot, body shot, a fashion shot, action shot, an editorial shot and even a catalogue shot. Submit your portfolio to reputed coordinators, Agencies or Fashion designers and set up an appointment. Some Modeling agencies may have a time each week where a new model can go and see an agent. It is advisable to see several agencies before committing or signing a deal to anyone.
Choose an agency/coordinator carefully so you can stay with them for sometime as constantly changing agencies gives you a reputation of being flighty and unprofessional. Once you get a negative reputation it is difficult to sustain in the field, especially in the beginning. Another way to enter into this career is to apply for the contests sponsored by magazines, clothe manufactures, cosmetic companies etc and participating in beauty pageants. Once the agencies approve of the portfolio, they may call you for an interview. They may have a photo session. If they like you they will promote you among the clients and will look after legalities of the paper work for the job.
The agency will charge the client and pay you after deducting their commission. Be professionally at your best on the job that may help you get more assignments from the client. Get the pictures from the session you have done and add them to your portfolio. Keep in touch with your agency/coordinator; visit them once in a while to show you care for them. In the beginning you may have to face rejections. Once you choose modeling as your career, don't give up when you get frustrated and things don't move quickly. You need to be physically, mentally and emotionally strong to succeed as a good model.