For models: Getting booked & busy
What a loaded, critical title, eh? But I get a lot of models asking me how to get signed, booked, and busy.
A straight white man, is he about to comment on a woman's appearance?
I want to start by saying this is all very generalist; I've been around this long enough to know that it's often down to luck or because someone gave you a helping hand.
Whether that's your friend's mom at a PR agency, a photographer who absolutely loves working with you (and who is industry recognised), an agent who believes in your talent, or often it might be just deep pockets. We need to acknowledge this isn't an industry that's built on being fair.
The other part of it is, even if you make it, you may hate it, you may realise it's not for you. For many models, it's just a paycheck to get them through uni; for some, it's a step in the right direction for a career in entertainment, media or fashion.
And with all of this, the truth is, there is so much out of your control.
You have to start by viewing yourself as an artwork; I'd say many people say a commodity, as people will comment beauty fades with age, but I do call bullshit on this. I just think we pile on things that make us feel like we're fading, but you'll meet people at many different stages of life who have that glow about them and can move effortless and see themselves as art.
This is a glow you have to protect.
So if any of that hinders that, fuck what I have to say.
I'll focus on what we can control:
A dynamic portfolio: we want to show range and show that you've got experience.
I'd be looking for models who have made it. You have your look or similar features and look at what they're doing and what makes it work for them. Copy that, create it, bottle it, reuse it, and then make it your own.
If you're more beauty or commercial focused, it means the nuances of what the kind of clients who are booking you are looking for. You can niche down and still be dynamic!
Enjoy it, enjoy the work, shoot shit you wanna do as well, not just stuff that gets you paid. It'll keep you passionate if you like commercial, and you're busy, don't sweat not shooting some shithouse magazine editorial with some weird photographer like me. Basically, don't let comparison kill your joy.
A flexible look: Ok, so this one is about being a canvas for photographers, makeup artists, and other creatives in general. I want to start by saying anyone who says you need to starve yourself can get in the bin.
However, there is one thing I'll say, don't overdo your own makeup, easier said than done, but it's always best to bring makeup with you then go overboard at the start.
This parts a sore spot for many, but don't go getting lots of cosmetic surgery done without getting good advice. I don't want to tell you what to do with your face, but please talk to a specialist (plastic, not cosmetic surgeons, there is a vast difference in quality).
In terms of less major appearance changes, we're talking eyelash lift, yes. Still, long fake eyelashes, probably not, it means you may need to ditch your hair extensions, you can't go getting attached to looking a certain way, cutting your hair, dying it, etc. will all be on the table.
You may know best, but don't discount feedback from talented individuals, excellent agents, fantastic makeup artists and incredible hairstylists. I've spoken about this on Instagram before, but freedom is beauty. This means you gotta be flexible; you got to let go of how you think you're meant to look.
High-quality work: you can't just shoot with the hobbyist photographers; you need some editorial work in there: Magazine submissions are great
Some good simple editorials; most models have at least one or two paid tests with some great photographers, usually at their agencies expense. If you look at who those photographers are and how the shoots fit in a models book, you'll see what I mean.
Putting out work that's not at that level can cheapen your look; there are plenty of models who never work with photographers; good quality work doesn't mean paying a photographer a small fortune. It could mean a decent phone tripod, some nice morning light and getting creative with your self-timer.
Social counts: This goes for online on the various platforms, mainly Instagram and, to a lesser extent, TikTok, and Email. But this also means offline; there are plenty of friends to make, parties to go to, and shoulders to rub. It doesn't mean you need to be tacky and tasteless and try to use people, but it does mean we need to acknowledge we aren't alone in this. Shoots take a good team, Makeup, Hair, Stylists, Photographers, and everyone has assistants who are often as talented if not more capable than the people they work with. Pay attention! Show them, love.
Social content counts: The first thing clients will look for is your social channels; what's setting you apart from the crowd? Are your photos more than just a few jobs? You'll see other models who have been elevated to a kind of a status of being viewed as art. That's where I'd say you need to aim. Or at the very least, it looks like you're having fun with it, that what you're doing is something you enjoy. People want to work with other people who love it. It does help.
A good agent: If you're signed, and you feel ignored, your agent might be time-poor; it might be time to consider moving on if you're out of contract.
If you're looking at signing, it might be worth doing a trial period with your agency if they have that option.
Managers, PT, and coaches help, too, especially if you need help with the motivation of all the other things. There is a lot that goes into making this all work, don't discount the support networks you build; paid ones can be significant.
Explore your options, ask them about the clients they're working with, the photographers who update their models' portfolios, ask if you can speak to other models who are signed with them.
Be punctual and passionate: Don't bother turning up if you've been out all night, be on time, reply quickly, be easy to organise, don't cancel last minute. These are all things that could cost you jobs and relationships that will lead to more bookings.
I hope this short checklist helps. These are just things I've noticed doing this a little while, and I know it's vague, but these are just a few things I've seen that make a difference.
Again, the main thing is freedom is beauty, so if you feel free to be beautiful, then at the very least you'll enjoy expressing yourself, which at the very least will elevate the work you do to art. If that makes sense, it probably doesn't, but I've noticed that it elevates whatever job they're doing when someone loves expressing and creating.
