As a fashion photographer and editorial director of a few magazine publications I come into contact with aspiring models several times a day. Many of these individuals are absolutely beautiful with little physical flaws to the average observer. Many would gaze upon them and wonder "why are you not signed to an agency?" Well your good friend SHAMAYIM is hear to shed some light on that question :)
1.You are Girlfriend/Boyfriend cute
fashion model is something totally different then "traditional" beauty, especially in the US and European circuit. read my last blog "the tall and the skinny" for a good explanation on that. Simply put just because you are attractive does not mean you have the infamous"look" that an agency feels is marketable. Most designers want a model with character to represent them in their campaigns. Sorry people but your grandma is perhaps your worst enemy, you know the phrase "baby you are so beautiful, you should be A MODEL" sorry granny but your name is not FORD, ELITE, or NEXT your vision is just a wee bit impaired anyway. Save your little grandbaby the drama and just tell her she's cute lol. basically cheerleader looks don't cut it in this industry. A face like Jessica Simpson's is very forgettable but a face like lily donaldson just sticks in your head making you remember that Gucci ad....see my point.
2.Your Port sucks...big time
Ok it is true that you do not have to have a super port to get signed to a major agency. There are quite a few models who were just magically discovered (Tyra, Adriana, Jourdan, Yasmin,SHAMAYIM (ok maybe not me) but anyways for most models the endless visits to the agencies is apart of the stripes you must earn. Most models approach agencies with two weapons, their port and their character.
Now here is the interesting part. Most aspiring models always tell me that they were told NOT to invest into an expensive port because the agency will just change it anyway....LOL. Mistake one is listening to your competition. Anyways most models pursue this theory and try to build a PROFESSIONAL portfolio for free. Unless you make friends with an amazing team I give you this solid advice...YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. So you show up to the agency and you have a great look and the new face director likes your personality and energy then he/she opens your book and BAM!!! 12 of the cheapest ugliest photos ever. Not because you are a awful model but because you did not invest in a solid representation of your talent. Your images have to be stunning enough yet simple enough that the agency is impressed and interested without being distracted. You work with amateur photographers and you get over-retouched, out of focus, grainy resolution, and lack luster creative shots. Even worst working with a novice team of make up artist, hair stylist, or wardrobe stylist. The teams you get to develop your images should understand what it is that you need to get booked as a FASHION MODEL. The whole "finger in the mouth, booty in the air, baby oiled body, middle of the train track" photos in your port DO NOT CUT IT HERE.
3. You are lazy
Models work hard...very very very hard. It takes time and talent to get to the level of a successful model. Of course you have been catered to for your whole life because everyone says you're cute but in this world I promise you there is always a younger and more focused model ready to eat you alive. Learn how to be professional. Show up to the agencies wearing the appropriate attire. It's simple...white tee, fit jeans, heels, hair pull back, and light make up. Don't show up to the agency over done like you are heading to the club. The agency wants to see what they are dealing with before Photoshop.
4.Know your industry
You can't get signed in NY because you are too short. You can't get signed in Miami because your chest is too small. You can't get signed in Tokyo because you're black lol (just kidding...but not really). The thing is ...know who you are going to see. Different regions want different things. In a major high fashion capital they want super tall and super skinny because RUNWAY is queen in that city. In places like LA or Miami it's all about the body, they want bodies that look good in swimwear. Want to know how to judge a city? stick your head out the window and check the weather (not the temperature).
5.Don't mimic your competition.
I tell my models this all the time "look at the models in the magazines to learn what they are doing , but make it yours" nobody needs two Liyas, Chanel Imans, or Jourdan Dunns. If everyone says you look like a certain supermodel go speak with a image coach and find out what you can do to recreate your look...but keep it chic and stylish. One of my favorite female models is Genii. When I first met Genii I was completely infatuated with her hair bangs...it was her signature and it just inspired me to just shoot shoot shoot. She had a "it" factor because of that signature feature about her appearance...find one that works for you. If you don't have stunning eyes or another pow feature focus your change on your hair. My new muse Kaayla dyed her hair blond and man oh man does it make her stand out. She was already pretty and exotic before the hair but the color made her stand out from the rest of the exotic girls.
6. Just because you are not fat does not mean you are skinny
STOP LISTENING TO YOUR BOYFRIEND. to be a high fashion model it is a REQUIREMENT that you are very very thin. Your legs must be very thin and lean to get signed by a major agency. I can't stress that enough. I work with some amazing girls who simply can not get signed in NY because of their legs. Now in other areas such as Miami or LA they may desire some nice thighs and a little butt, but not in NY, Milano, Paris, or Rome. It takes more then a flat stomach, remember you are competing for a spot in the .2% of the world who make it as successful WORKING fashion models...everything has to be perfect.
7. The Kate Moss myth
Models stop using Kate Moss as your icon for short girls who want to model professionally. It is a fact that no one will ever know that woman's true height, it changes on every single website. use common sense she is one model out of the hundreds who is actually "short". No agency is going to look at you and say "well maybe we can sign her because Kate Moss is short also".
8.The Video Vixen Curse
Name one professional FASHION model who was discovered shaking her behind on a music video? no seriously tell me one. That is not the outlet for you to get "discovered" if you plan to walk for NY, Paris, or Milano's fashion weeks. I have been told by several agency directors that they often deny signing girls who they find out did music videos. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS usually very high profile rappers use agency girls for their videos (Pharrell, Kanye West, P Diddy) and guess what they actually pay them more then $200 and lunch lol.
ok that ends part one of this blog check back soon and I will continue to spotlight more of the mistakes models make in the pursuit of their vanity :)
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