Fashion Modeling: A Primer

Many kids in today's media-saturated world dream of growing up and becoming fashion and print models. Thanks to reality TV, modeling is perceived as something any attractive person can turn into a career if they have the drive, the passion, and as Tyra Banks puts it, the fierceness. Like any job, there are certain steps aspiring models must take to make themselves stand out from the masses and get hired. Agents, portfolios, training, and being in the right place at the right time are all tools every hopeful model must have in their arsenal.

The first step most models take toward getting paying jobs is signing up for representation with a licensed modeling agency or talent manager. An agent or manager is a professional model's go-between with advertising agencies and designers, and they submit models from their roster for jobs in exchange for a percentage of the model's pay. A model should never pay upfront fees for representation.

For a model just starting out, the only photos needed to get representation are one clear, well-lit headshot and one full-length body shot, preferably with the model in swimwear or underwear so that their build can be seen. Once a new model has garnered the interest of a manager or agent, they will then need to start building their model portfolio.

A model's portfolio will evolve as a model's career develops. Building an effective portfolio can be both costly and time-consuming, but still necessary for getting hired as a model. Agents often recommend shooting with photographers that will do a "time for prints" (TFP) photo session. TFP photo sessions are an excellent way for models to expand their portfolio for free. A well-balanced modeling portfolio includes studio and location shots, high fashion, swimwear, and any specialty photos that focus on the model's best assets like legs, hair, feet, or hands.

There are many different avenues a model can follow for training themselves to be at their best when they are in front of the camera or strutting down the runway. The best training available is practically free. Three brilliant training tools a model can use are fashion magazines, a full-length mirror, and a camera phone or friend with a camera. Practice imitating the poses, gestures, and emotions in the mirror or camera. Learn from mistakes and improve on strengths.

For aspiring models, to have the most opportunities available it is vital for them to live in close proximity to one of the major fashion hubs such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, Paris, or Milan. Job opportunities in these cities are abundant, yet the competition can be brutal. Even so, it is better to be a small fish in a big pond than the biggest model in some small town named Middle of Nowhere, USA.

From the photo sessions to the runway to the go-sees to the agent meetings and back again, modeling is a business and a potentially lucrative career for the creative and ambitious. Treating it like a business from the first day onward will set the aspiring model on the right path for success.