How to become a Model

How to become a model is a step-by-step guideline to help you get started and succeed in professional modeling, fashion modeling, teen modeling. Maybe you have dreamed of walking down the catwalk in Milan, flashbulbs popping all around, hundreds of people focusing their attention on your grace and beauty. The closets of your Paris apartment are stuffed full of expensive designer clothing, and tomorrow you fly back to New York just in time to catch a party attended by all well-known celebrities. Nice dream. Now wake up. The success stories are only few; even models represented by the best agencies in the world often take other work to supplement their income. Now, if you’re still reading, congratulations. You aren’t easily disheartened then let’s see. What it takes to be a fashion model.

You need to have personality

Many beautiful boys and girls have no modeling face and sometime just a normal looking face can outshine in the photos. It takes much more than just pretty face and figure to become a famous model. All you need is the total package of a mix of genetics and personality in the modeling industry. Take some modeling classes and gain modeling skills, and to become masters of your own appearance. You should be somewhere between 15 and 22 years old, though probably closer to fifteen. Agencies tend to want to invest their time in someone young. You should be tall, long-legged, and lean. The minimum height is usually about 5′8″, and average weight for a model is 108-125 lbs. If you’re male. You can start out a little later, roughly between the ages of 18 and 25. They won’t want you to look too childish. The good news is that a man’s modeling career usually lasts longer than a woman’s, and since ten-year-old boys more often dream of blowing things up rather than strutting the Hugo Boss runway, this side of the biz tends to be less competitive as well. Average dimensions for a male model are a height of 5′11″- 6′2″ and a weight of 140-165 lbs. You should also be fit (not bulging with muscles, but absolutely healthy). All right, so let’s assume you’ve got all of these qualifications. You are, for example, a willowy 16-year-old girl who’s on the basketball team, could squeeze her body through a set of prison bars, and causes old men who shouldn’t be ogling you to stumble over their walkers. That’s great. On top of that you have clear skin, perfect teeth, and your own brand of je ne sais quoi. Fantastic. It’s time for the next step.

Build up your portfolio

Do your homework and read up some modeling magazine / books so that you know what to do. Get inside information from models, stylists, photographers, makeup artists and etc. Do some professional photos shooting to create a portfolio. Ask reputable or find a friend photographer or photographer student for test shoots, or no salary model for local magazines. Collect all the photos you can get and put them together into a professional looking portfolio binder. Now you have something to show agencies and clients. The more photo shooting session you can take the more experience you gain and the more comfortable you feel in front of the camera.

Find an Organization

Now you have a good series of photographs and a professional portfolio, it is time to show the world who you are and what you can do. When you go for an audition or photo shooting, leave them a photo so they can remember waht you look like and contact you. The final step is to find an agency (or agent) or become a freelancer. Whichever path you take, you have to keep mailing out your photos, going to casting calls, getting in touch with casting directors and agents to make sure someone hires you. Have your photo with measurements and contact information. Post the photo to all the modeling agencies in your area. You can also make a slide show and put on the to share the world.