Modelling is a lot harder than you think

There’s this idea that modelling is easy, that anyone can do it, or that being genetically gifted is enough.

Being a model is not a superpower, a gift, or unique; you’ll quickly realise that getting signed isn’t a guaranteed paycheck when you walk into a casting room into a queue of 50 others. There’s a reason that so many models call themselves clothes hangers: You’ll sometimes feel more like a mannequin than a human being.

There are models on Instagram that you’ll see booked and busy, but you may not see the fatigue. It’s like any job where you’re required to interact with many perfect strangers, be in the best mood all the time, and work with people who may not see you as a person but as an object. You’ll have to do jobs you don’t like, you’ll freeze your ass off, look ridiculous in make-up, shoot photos that are great for your portfolio, but then you get your haircut, and they’re useless two weeks later.

You’ll have to go to casting, after casting, after casting. You’ll have to be up at 4 am to go to a location you have no idea how to get to, you’ll have weeks where you make nothing, and there’s where the money will roll in, but then it’ll take your agency six weeks to pay you.

A dear friend of mine had a job that paid well, but they sat in a small bedroom with three other models between showings, with a plate of fruit for 9 hours. Showing off dresses for the rich and famous before being sent away.

That big paycheck will be great, but.. your agency will take 20%, but then they have to charge super and GST on top of that, so it’s around 40% of your paycheck gone before you know it, and if it’s PAYG that can be more like 60-70%.

You’re constantly told you’re not enough, or you’re too tall, too small, not the right fit; sometimes they’ll say nothing at all, and sometimes they’ll say things that are so cruel and unkind you won’t want to work again.

Then, someone will question your weight. Then, someone will question your weight. Then, someone will question your weight. Then, someone will question your weight. Then, someone will question your weight. And you’ll feel awful.

The blame will be on you because of the belief that somehow changing something about you will somehow make this work. When the reality is it is the belief

Maybe if you’re lucky, you won’t face these things, but I think it’s unrealistic to not prepare people for the worst, it doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or a boy, you’ll have to deal with this.

Maybe you’ll get told you’re too young, too old, and the hard part is, in amongst all this, you’ll have to protect the light you have, and for many models, your booker, your agent, your manager, only cares about you while you’re getting paid.

How many full-time models do you know? How many models make enough to live off? How many models have to balance university, a part-time job that requires flexibility to walk out the door to castings, a test, or a paid job?

I won’t lie to you, I won’t tell you it’s easy, I won’t tell you that people in fashion are your friends.

I don’t use the word fashion photographer, I don’t know anything about fashion. In my work, people in fashion aren’t your friends; they’re your clients, colleagues, and acquaintances.

But when you shoot something you love, create something that feels worth it, connect on set, make lasting friendships, and find people who make you feel good, it’s the most beautiful place in the world. There will be people who care and have earnest intentions, but it is discovering that will test everything you know about humanity.

I want to ensure you know that it isn’t easy; I don’t want to pretend that photography is an industry built on good intentions.

I’m happy doing what I do because what I do isn’t fashion; it’s just silly little beach photos in beautiful locations.

Stay safe, be careful, and above all, protect your light because everyone will be out to steal it.

And if you feel it is best to walk away, those who care will follow you all the way. Those who care won’t care that this wasn’t right for you; they’ll still care about you.