How to start modelling..?

D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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Hey guys.

I'm not perfect by any means, but I have had a few people tell me I should perhaps look in to trying modelling, both online and in person. *shrugs*

It's not something I'd considered before but the last few months/weeks it's something I've been considering trying out because, well, why not? It could be fun and interesting and is relatively easy money frankly - plus I'll actually be able to have half-decent pictures of myself instead of crappy self-shot webcam/phone images!

So is this a good idea, even if just to try it out? I mean, I'm not saying I'm dedicated to doing it as a full career path - gaming journalism takes that goal for me - but it may be something interesting to do in my spare time and perhaps even for some spare money. How would someone go about doing this though?
 
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Try setting up a profile on Model Mayhem or a similar site. Mention in your profile that you are willing to do TFP or TFCD sessions to help build your portfolio. This means you will do a free session. No money involved. Just trade - your looks for the photographer's talent. You'll need this in the beginning to build a good portfolio. Choose quality photographers. Don;t just choose any guy with a big camera. Look at their work. Make sure it's impressive - the type of work you'd see in magazine. Eventually, leanr the ins and outs and begin charging WHEN you know how.
 

D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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Okay, I'll check out Model Mayhem and set up a profile actually. Had to look-up what TFP and TFCD meant. That's fine yeah, I assumed I'd probably be doing non-paid shoots to build a portfolio anyway. And okay awesome, I'll make sure I check out the photographer's work before agreeing to do a shoot and stuff.

Neat, thanks man, really appreciate the advice! :D
 

nudeyorker

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I answered this question for someone in the US here http://www.lpsg.com/147598-i-wanna-model.html#post2305133
I would just reiterate that you should run as fast as you can if anyone suggests that you pay money to take classes to become a model it's one of the worst scams in the world. In your part of the world there are fantastic opportunities in London, Paris and Milan. Get some test pictures taken and research or write to the better agencies and find out when they are having an open call for new talent. Take some test photos with you and they will tell you wheter or not you have the look for what their clients are requesting right now.
This is not a business for anyone who is sensitive and can have hurt feelings easily. You have to be very disciplined and have a thick skin because if you enter the modeling and/or entertainment industry you will hear... "You are too tall, you are too short, you are too thin, you need to loose weight, you need to bulk up, you are too pretty, you are too ugly have a nice day drop dead, don't call us we will call you!"
If you decide to go for it good luck there are many rewards in spite of the pitfalls involved in working in a very egocentric industry.
 

D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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Oh, don't worry, I have enough common sense to not buy in to that ol' scam. ;)

London's easily accessible to me so I imagine that's an advantage. Yeah, seems like a good plan of action getting some free test shots taken first and then using those to apply with agencies and stuff afterwards as I have nothing to show at the moment.

And don't worry, I'm prepared to hear criticisms and that's totally fine. I'm not that strongly attached to this that it'd really affect me anyway if I was given really negative comments; this isn't a humongous passion or lifelong dream for me (not that I'd tell them that, obviously).

Thanks for the advice, truly very much appreciate it, genuinely helpful stuff guys.


....not a job for a man.
What, modelling? You serious? There's about as many male models as there are female. Whether it be for portfolios, websites, magazines, posing for clothing etc. there's plenty of work for male models.
 

AnonForever

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I've received very similar comments from various friends and family. Someone I know who works at Abercrombie suggested I try getting started through that since they'd let me in no problem (starting off working in the store normally that is). I'm not quite sure it is something I would like to pursue though. Besides the negative stigmatism involved with being a male "model" I'd imagine many people would automatically assume I'm cocky/arrogant.
 

LaFemme

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I don't know that it's "relatively easy money". I have a couple of friends who model locally and they work their asses off and they really don't get a lot of money. I mean they work locally, it's not like one jumps to superstardom right off the bat. They do print, runway, tv - anything, but modelling is their passion.
 

D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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I don't know that it's "relatively easy money". I have a couple of friends who model locally and they work their asses off and they really don't get a lot of money. I mean they work locally, it's not like one jumps to superstardom right off the bat. They do print, runway, tv - anything, but modelling is their passion.

I imagine for someone where modelling is their passion and full-time job it's hard work and draining, yeah.

Though for me it's just something I'd do infrequently in my spare-time, perhaps eventually for extra money. It's not something that'd ever mean that much to me or I'd be overly passionate about.
 

LaFemme

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I imagine for someone where modelling is their passion and full-time job it's hard work and draining, yeah.

Though for me it's just something I'd do infrequently in my spare-time, perhaps eventually for extra money. It's not something that'd ever mean that much to me or I'd be overly passionate about.

Perhaps it's different where you live, and maybe it's different for men. My friends have to work fairly menial jobs to support their modelling careers so that they're available when they need to be. They also spend a lot of time on self-care. It's so competitive. One moved to Toronto for a year or so, but the streets were practically littered with models, so she came back to work on her portfolio so more. I just didn't think it sounded like easy money. But again, perhaps it's different in the UK and for men. Good luck though!
 

B_Evie

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It is not easy work at all. You work in the cold, rain, snow, heat. You have to work with people telling you what to do all the time. The lights are hot and icky. You have to be willing to keep your mouth closed most of the time and smile when you don't want to.

But it can also be fun and rewarding. Try for some local print work since it's usually the "easiest" to get.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 

D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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It's slightly less saturated here, especially for men, yeah. My female friend has a 'proper' job and then does modelling shoots on weekends occasionally for what is generally amateur photographers and gets a fair bit of extra cash for it.

Even then, I'm not focusing on it too hard or depending on it for cash-flow; it's not my main passion in the slightest so it won't be drastically affecting my life in any way. It'll just be something I do in my spare time. Even if it doesn't end up happening at all, I won't feel too downhearted. It's just something I'd like to try - even if I don't get any paid shoots, it'd be nice to give it a go and having some better quality photos of myself for once wouldn't be a bad thing.

And thanks Evie, much appreciated, I will do! I'm fine with all that really, yeah.
 
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D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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Was unsure where else was appropriate to post this.

Other than a couple of times for personal portfolio work, I've not really done any modeling but have considered trying it out for a while now and have had people suggest doing so, so here I am. However, it seems difficult to get started in and I have no idea where to start; all free model agency groups for my area (I'm in Essex in the UK, but London is fine) seem to be scams and untrustworthy.

I'm not too fussy about what sort of model work I'm looking for at the moment, I just think it'd be a nice thing to finally push myself to get involved in.

If anyone has any advice, if anyone knows of anyone that I'd be suited for or even if anyone's perhaps available to take portfolio pictures for me or something, then please reply. :)
 

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someone2004uk

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My suggestion would be to get a few modelling head shots done and get a profile on modelmayhem.com might not get you tons of paid work, but would at least help you get experience.

Otherwise you'd need to just take the jump and go and apply for the bigger London agencies and hope for the best.
 

D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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Yeah, I tried signing up for Model Mayhem but as I recall my profile was rejected as there weren't any professional grade pictures. I'm not really sure that I have the money to pay for a professional shoot or anywhere to do it.

Of course yeah, I don't plan on including any kind of nude shots like that in my gallery on any sort of model application or audition submission.
 

ladristo

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If you have any friends with an interest in photography or a photography business, you could see if they would want to help you help them by doing shots for you that they could also use.

Regarding the latter, I had a friend that's done wedding photography and she's used me and some of my other friends in her marketing. One friend has actually gotten some opportunities out of it. Nothing major, but it's building blocks I suppose.
 

D_Blue_Barry_Eel

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It'd certainly be ideal if I did as some professional-quality photos are seemingly what I need to kick-start attempting to get into this, but I really don't know anyone in person for it. :/

Thanks for the advice, though! :)