How Can You Become a Model?

You want to know how to be a Model?

It's a question we seem to get asked lots of times during a promotion such as our ModelGirl contest. It's a natural enough question to ask, but the answer is unfortunately neither clear cut nor simple.

First, decide what you mean by 'a model'

There are basically three types of modeling work:

• Fashion/Advertising/Commercial modelling
• Glamour modelling in all it's varied forms
• Art/Figure modelling

Urgent update 

If glamour modelling appeals to you, you might like to know that The Sun is currently running their annual 'Page 3 Idol' contest.

As you would expect, this is about Page 3 style topless and mainstream nude work for publication in one of the UK's  popular tabloid newspapers. It can be a viable route to making a name for yourself as a model, leading to other types of work later. While the Page 3 Girl is sometimes looked down upon by fashion models, she will most likely be paid far better and have more long-term career opportunities, too.

You will need good quality Page 3 style photographs to send to the newspaper in order to enter, but you can sort those out by entering our ModelGirl contest - choose the Page 3 category by entering at www.gibsonsphoto.co.uk/page3girl

The closing date for entries is not far off - do it today!

Types of Modelling - What's involved?

Fashion, Advertising and Commercial modelling is as old and traditional as the organised selling of goods. For as long as people have been making clothes, trinkets and other goods to be worn or used, models have been employed to demonstrate them. For example, fashion houses used to employ in-house models so that wealthy buyers could see the clothes they were considering purchasing being worn by a person rather than simply displayed. This wasn't a glamorous or special activity, in fact  models were mainly employed for other tasks, modelling only when a client required it.

Products other than clothes also need to be modelled, of course. Everything from earrings to cars, nappies to holiday locations. Models are used to illustrate concepts as diverse as slimming and financial security. In essence, whenever a product or service needs to be presented visually, a model will probably be required.

It's useful to realise that in all these cases, the models themselves are really not important. The idea is to demonstrate and sell the product or service. The model is just a means to do so more effectively. Any suitable model will do.

This type of modelling work is not particularly well paid, except for those who effectively cross over into glamour territory by establishing their own 'brand'. The few well known supermodels are well paid and can earn a whole lot more from their own merchandising too, but for most commercial models it's really just an ordinary day job.

Glamour modelling in it's modern form grew out of the idea of stardom - the appeal of individual performers above and beyond the performance itself. A glamour model does not illustrate a product or service, but is herself the main or only subject of the photograph or other work. Where commercial models are essentially anonymous and replaceable, glamour models are presented as individuals to be desired or emulated.

It's this personification which really defines the glamour model. The product being sold is effectively the model herself rather than whatever clothes or objects she wears or locations she inhabits.

The trend in recent decades to treat commercial models as 'supermodels', to allow their individual personalities to show through, often to the extent of making the model more important than the product, has significantly blurred the distinction between these two types of modelling.

Most glamour models have a rather short career. It is by it's nature a field where women want to remain girls for as long as possible and even a model in her late twenties will be generally seen as 'mature'.  While it lasts, it can be a fun, well paid job with paid trips to exotic places and loads of attention - stardom if you like. Most glamour models with any ideas about a longer term career will gradually try to extend their activities to acting, TV work or other areas only slightly related to glamour modelling. A few have successfully moved into managing later generations of glamour models.

Art and Figure modeling is where models are used to help visual artists represent humanity within artworks. As with traditional commercial modelling, the model is human but effectively depersonalised - simply a generic human form. It's still quite rare for Art/Figure modes to be known by name. While an artist will often choose to work with one or more models with whom a good working relationship has been established, it's the artist whose name is associated with the work rather than the model. It's not a route to fame for a model.

This type of modelling is not well paid, but work can be steady and may continue to be for many years. There is not the requirement to be young and pretty with a flawless complexion and perfect body in te way there is in commercial or glamour modelling. For many art/figure models, part of the motivation is to be involved in the creation of non-commercial art. If you have artistic aspirations, then you may well enjoy that aspect of this type of work.




Am I the right type?

Physical attributes

Commercial/Fashion models for mainstream work are usually required to be within a specific height range and build. Bluntly, if a woman is not between about 5'8"-5'10" and very slim, she's very unlikely to be successful as a mainstream fashion model. She may find a niche, because there are undoubtedly companies who cater for buyers who wouldn't aspire to the tall, slim look themselves. For those companies, a model is required who more closely matches the physical type of their clients. Such niches will always be tiny though, and it's hard to imagine anyone making a career, much less achieving fame in such a small market.

Art/Figure models can be much more varied in shape and size. The artist is the only person who will usually see them in person, and artists will work with models whose physical characteristics suit their own requirements. Anything from the tiniest of petite models to the largest Rubenesque figure will be required by someone, somewhere, sometime. As with niche commercial models, the career possibilities are unfortunately quite limited.

Glamour models are those who have the best career options. By glamour models, I mean in this instance any model whose individuality and personality are key to any work they do. It's because they have a unique selling point - being who they are - that they command higher rates and a bigger share of the fame than those models who remain essentially anonymous and hence easily replaceable.

Many so-called supermodels do not like to be referred to as 'glamour models'- it's not good for their perceived status to be associated with those models who are more brazen about using their bodies and more particularly their sexuality to achieve their own type of fame. But the truth is, all glamour models make a living from their physical presence and personality.

Conclusions

So, what's right for your career?

The key to making progress in your modelling career is to be brutally realistic about the types of work you are actually likely to get.

You could spend years chasing fashion work without success if you're not the right height or if you have a curvier figure. Conversely, glamour may be unrealstic for you if you are very skinny, though height is seldom a problem. If you are averse to being naked or almost naked, then neither glamour nor art/figure work will suit you, but it's fair to point out that a lot of fashion work these days also involves a degree of nudity.

As general advice, you should choose a category of modelling with which you are comfortable and have the right sort of body and face. After that, it's mainly a question of making yourself known to the huge number of agencies who handle the vast majority of bookings. And sheer, hard work and persistence.