TheMightyModel

 Statistically, I should not be a working model. I am 27 years old, 5’2’’, and I have to shop in the juniors’ section/kids section to find clothes my size.

Four years ago, I took some photos for a friend of mine who wanted to get into wedding photography and needed a sample portfolio. From there, I developed a portfolio of my own, sent out comp cards, landed agents in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York City, and started working part-time in the New York area – traveling as far as Delaware for work. I quit my full-time job as a book publicist over a year ago. Today, I am a full time commercial print and parts model…and I’m here to share my secrets and pointers as to how to get into the industry and how to book the most coveted work.

The point and purpose of this blog is simple – people ask me the same questions all the time…How did you get into modeling? How did you find an agent? How do you market yourself? What are some really great photographers to shoot with? Should you retouch/airbrush your photos? And so on…

I am writing to share my experiences, my opinions, and to help guide the careers of those not only interested in doing what I do, but those looking to make money and turn modeling into a full time job. This industry of modeling is unlike many other industries – it is difficult to find answers to tough questions, like how to market yourself or how to tell the difference between legit work and a scam.

Since this is my very first blog entry, I want to begin with the most fundamental advice: be realistic. When you think model, most people think of someone who looks like a Victoria Secret model – someone tall, lean, fit, and of a certain height and weight. If I ever thought I was going to break into the business by being a runway model, I should really have my head examined! Sure, I am fit, I watch what I eat, I could very well model lingerie or a bathing suit, but I will never be hired for that sort of work because of my proportions. The same goes for modeling wedding dresses – I might look beautiful in one, but I am not the right height for the sample size.

The modeling industry is the only industry in the world that can discriminate based on race, hair color, height, weight, and every other physical attribute. For example, I was once hired for a TV commercial and at the last minute, the client decided to go with a blonde instead of a brunette and because of that, I lost the job. Forget the fact that I could have gone to my stylist and become a blonde in just a few mere hours – the client wasn’t interested, no matter how much they liked my personality and work ethic.

Being realistic also means taking a good look in the mirror – what are your flaws and what are your strong points? When I first started modeling, I had a crooked front tooth. Sure, I looked beautiful with a half smile or a serious expression, but when I was up against a room full of women with perfectly straight teeth, I had to be realistic. I was not going to get hired until I shelled out some significant money for invisalign.

There are many forms of modeling – if you’re realistic about your body type, you’ll start to see what category you fit in…and if you’re lucky, you have “range” or the ability to fit into multiple categories. The more things you can do, the greater chance you’ll be hired.

I am a parts model and a commercial print model. This means I do a great deal of product modeling. Next time you flip through a catalog, look at the hands holding a necklace or the feet that are next to a home pedicure product. There is a strong probability that those hands or feet could belong to me.

I also do a lot of lifestyle modeling. I can look like “the girl next door” or the “young mom” or the “business professional” or the “sexy Maxim girl.” I also have an olive skin tone, so sometimes my agents send me for “ethnically ambiguous” castings. If you’re a mix of different nationalities, you can probably fit into different categories and your agent has a greater probability of finding you more opportunities for work.

As far as runway modeling goes, you have to be a specific height, weight, and body dimensions (hips, waist, bust, etc.) and there is no way of getting around that – every agency has the same qualifications. If you don’t match those specifics, don’t waste your time; you will not be hired, there are no exceptions. This also goes for plus size models – if a model loses or gains too much weight, an agency can drop them. (I’ll expand on this at another time.) Like I said, be realistic.

Not every model has the waist of a carrot stick either. For the type of modeling I do, casting directors want to see someone their customers or target audience can relate to. They want someone with a trustworthy smile who can fit a certain description or reach out to a certain demographic. I’ve never been sent to a casting where it is based on body measurements…well, except for that one time I was hired as a photo-double and stand-in for an actress for four months, but that was a rare circumstance.

For commercial print modeling, I often work with kids on ads for Toys R Us and Kids R Us. If you’re looking to get your child into the industry, please please please be realistic. I will dedicate more time to child modeling and child modeling agencies in another blog entry…but what you really need to think about is if you are doing this for yourself or for your child. Does your child follow directions really well? Can they listen and obey complete strangers (the director, the photographer) and smile on command? Commercials and print shoots are planned without your child’s naptime in mind. They will not ask you what day or time works best for you.

I will say that when I work with children, I am amazed at how well behaved they are. These kids break the mold: they aren’t cranky, even though they wait for hours before they are called for their moment in front of the camera.

A lot of parents I have talked to on set say they got their children into modeling thinking it will help pay for college. In some cases, this is true; the money can significantly contribute to college tuition – especially if it is invested in the right savings plan. But with the economy the way it is, even national commercials aren’t paying what they used to, so there are no guarantees; child modeling is definitely not a “get rich quick” plan.

Also, as a parent, you have to be objective and okay with rejection. Even if your child is the cutest kid in the class, he or she might not be picked for the role. I think the key is to treat it like a fun activity for your child without getting competitive. Often, there is little to no rhyme or reason to why one child is picked over another and you have to go into each audition with this in mind.

Lastly, I would recommend making a list of your talents and abilities for your resume. This is called your “special skills.” Although I do not have an acting agent, my modeling agents often call me in for speaking roles for TV commercials, website videos, voiceovers, and so on. Can you speak different languages; can you speak in different accents/dialects? Again, be realistic – don’t tell your agent that you can speak Spanish, for example, unless you are fluent. You don’t want to be embarrassed when you go to a casting call and the client starts speaking to you in Spanish and you only understand half of what he says…they probably won’t even ask you to read the script at that point. You could have gone to another casting that day that you actually had a chance of landing.

Sometimes casting directors are looking for someone who actually performs a skill on a semi-professional or professional level on a daily basis. Do you play sports, do you dance, do you practice martial arts, can you ride a motorcycle, can you cook? Again, don’t list a special skill that really isn’t one, unless you are clear about your proficiency.

I think for many people, the hardest thing about being a model is being realistic. There are times when I go into a casting or go-see and I think I am a shoe-in for a role. Since I have so much experience with hand modeling, it is hard not to think I am going to get picked for almost every audition I am sent to…but hey, sometimes they are looking for longer fingers, a different skin tone, and a million other things I didn’t think would matter.

People always ask me how to handle rejection and not take things personally. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of saying, “Oh well, I’ll get the next one.” Other times, when it’s a matter of missing out on national exposure and the big, fat paycheck that comes with it, it’s harder to handle. I would say the majority of the time, you won’t even find out whom they picked for the role unless you actually see the finished product. And even then, you might find yourself saying “I don’t get it…what did he/she have that I didn’t have?” The key is to stay positive…and of course, never rely on landing a role. When I don’t get a job I really wanted, I find it helpful to vent to a friend. Always remember, ladies, auditions are like men. If one doesn’t work out, there’s a million more waiting around the corner. Now, that’s being realistic!