1. Join a modeling group
It's safer than just trying to wing it, and you will learn a lot from the other members. I found my modeling group through Meetup.com (a website to find groups or organizations in or near your community), and you can search for modeling/photography groups near your area. Plus you will most likely spend a few hours there, so you will pick up a lot in a short amount of time. You can learn from the other models and photographers, and sometimes Makeup Artists (MUAs) and Hairstylists will be there to help with styling. Please remember to come prepared, already made up (according to the theme) and read to shoot. A lost of models will arrive and have to get made up, so they will need ready-to-shoot models.
You will need an online portfolio so that photographers,
hair/wardrobe stylists, and MUAs can contact you.
You should post your most current pictures and head shots.
If you need to, you can get pictures taken at JCPenney
in order to have professional looking headshots.
3. Be careful of scams.
Watch out for people saying they will pay you a large amount (especially if you're starting out.. No photographer pays a newbie 400 or even 100 for a shoot when they can get a Time for Print (TFP) model who has moderate experience.)
4. Business and/or comp cards
Comp cards are like the model's business card,
only it will have many photos on it and it is bigger.
and only have to pay for shipping, which is about $6.00 right now.
It should have:
your name (or Alias)
your email (if you don't want to give out your personal email create one for business)
Your websites:
Facebook Fan Page link (for your modeling)
Your Portfolio link
Model Mayhem link (also counts as portfolio, which in that case just put that)
Blog link (if you have one)
Youtube link (if you have one)
A current, professional-looking modeling picture of you
5. Actually SEEK OUT opportunities.
On Model Mayhem you can meet a lot of photographers who do Time for Print,
meaning, you don't need to pay them, because you'll both use the photos in your
portfolio. They should send you the images via Email, Model Mayhem, or links where you can save them from. You can try other methods, like Craigslist.com, but be careful, as a lot of them are pervs. Don't give any personal information, like last name or links. If they sound legit (to both you, and a friend/relative, and nothing seems fishy, send 1 or 2 pictures, your first name, age, and size (if they asked about size or measurements.)
6. BE SAFE
A. Don't trust anyone who offers you an unreasonably large amount of money for your first gig or a small shoot, and then they may even tell you that you need to pay part of it to someone else who they say is a designer, stylist, or something.
B. Always take an escort/chaperone (an adult you trust) with you even if you are an adult, preferably a parent or legal guardian, or someone you trust who can protect you if things don't go as planned.
C. Don't send out lots of pictures when trying to find opportunities, send 1 or 2
because you never know if they'll try to use your photo and say it was their own work.
D. Make sure the photographers who take the photos puts their copyright on it, so it can't be stolen, but one reason they might not is so that it can be sold as a stock photo, for which of course you should receive a percentage, but they will have you sign a release for before they can sell it.
E. Just don't do nude photography, you might regret it later on in life.
7. Look for other opportunities.
...like being a movie or tv show extra (extras are people
in the background who make the movie look more realistic),
taking acting or modeling classes (or drama club), makeup or costume classes, etc. You don't need to go to fancy schools for these. Look in the community.
The reason drama helps, is because it teaches you how to act,
which is essential in modeling. Modeling is pretty much unmoving acting.
You need to put on different emotions, poses, faces, etc. and that is where
acting and drama helps. Plus, you can get noticed by a talent scout.
If you have any questions or other advice, please leave me a comment.
Check out the other websites I'm on.
My YouTube : Http://youtube.com/AmyRoseSavage
My Fan Page : Http://facebook.com/AmyRoseSavage
My Twitter : Http://Twitter.com/VeganAmyRose
My Instagram : Http://Instagram.com/VeganAmyRose
