Looking to venture into the world of fashion modeling? Here are a few valuable tips you need to know to kick-start your career as a fashion model.
Want to know how to become a fashion model? Do you dream of being the next Gigi Hadid, gracing the cover of Vogue?
Modeling as a career has become a much-vaunted choice now, with thousands of aspirants chasing the dream of becoming the next supermodel.
Gone are the days when you could depend on your luck to get spotted by an agency or a client. The chances of that happening are one in a million now.
Becoming a fashion model takes discipline, effort, and perseverance. You must plan, prepare, and follow a strategy to stand out and get noticed.
This is for all the fashion modeling beginners out there!
A fashion model is someone who is tasked with promoting and representing clothing and other accessories by either wearing or displaying them to audiences, buyers, or photographers.
What is the main purpose of a fashion model, then? It is to showcase a design's look, fit, and feel in real life so that audiences can picture it beyond a sketch.
Now, it’s also about translating style and emotion, too. How? Well, how the model uses his/her expressions, posture, and presence can really help communicate the mood or emotion that a designer or a brand wants to convey.
Fashion models are basically the bridge between creativity and audience perception. In layman’s terms, a fashion model makes fashion tangible, relatable, and desirable.
Posing is key if you want to become successful as a fashion model. Mastering some of the basic poses can make a huge difference in your career.
See, it is through posing that you can really highlight your confidence, expressions, and more.
Here are a few basic model poses that every beginner fashion model must perfect:
It is a foundation for almost every other pose, making you tall, balanced, and confident.
All you need to do is put your feet slightly apart, one leg relaxed, and your shoulder placed back with your chin slightly up, and there you have it.
For this pose, you need to shift your weight onto one leg, allowing your hip to tilt naturally, creating an S shape in your body - a pose that professional models pull off unknowingly at times.
Make sure you’re keeping your arm slightly bent and your shoulders relaxed for a more natural look. You don’t want it to look unnatural.
If you’re highlighting an outfit, this pose is a no-brainer. By crossing one leg in front of another, you’re creating elegance and movement in one frame.
This model pose involves turning your body away slightly from the camera and looking over your shoulder. A common model pose used during streetwear shoots and editorials.
This is a more dynamic pose because there is movement here, which helps show the clothes' flow.
You need to sit tall with one leg bent closer to you and one leg stretched out slightly. Ensure you don’t slouch, as the posture must feel intentional.
A very casual and cool model pose. All you need to do is keep your hands halfway in your pockets and relax your shoulders. Perfect for high fashion and lifestyle looks.
Experiment by tilting your head to the side. This will help you discover the best angle. Maintaining facial control is key for any model.
This pose highlights assertiveness and is photogenic, a perfect pose to master for portfolio shots or fashion campaigns. Both feet must be grounded with shoulders open and your chin up.
Now that you’re aware of the various poses you need to learn, it's time to practice and gain that practical experience.
Make use of a camera or a mirror and start practicing these poses. This will help you analyze your body movements and posture.
After conversations with several successful models and agencies, we have compiled a list of modeling tips to help you kickstart your career as a fashion model. So here's how to get started in modeling.
Study and understand posing. Practice runway walking. What separates a model from a top fashion model is their posing ability and their walk.
Modeling is an art. Whether it's binge-watching season upon season of America's Next Top Model, scanning the pages of Vogue, watching YouTube tutorials, reading modeling ebooks like glamour shots photography or finding a favorite model.
Have a friend shoot photos of you to get comfortable posing, both in front of a camera and with another person.
Or start smaller, put a camera on a tripod, and practice by yourself until your confidence grows before you start your journey to become a fashion model.
The next step to know how to start modeling is to practice in front of the camera. For this, you need to work with a skilled photographer to help hone your skills.
Both equally skilled in their respective trade, a model will use her posing, facial expressions, and artistic intuition to help create the photographer's vision.
Having the right posing skills is an essential requirement for becoming a model. The photographer will use his knowledge of lighting , aperture, framing, etc., but in the end, it's a choreographed dance, and you need to hone your skills the best way you can.
If you can't pose and don't feel confident in front of a camera, it will be 20 times harder to get a great shot. Work on becoming the best model you can be!
A well-rounded modeling portfolio that showcases your strengths through high-quality, stunning images is a must-have if you want a stable career in fashion modeling.
One of the first requirements from a model that agencies and clients will look at to make a great first impression is the modeling portfolio.
It helps to have an online version, i.e., your fashion modeling portfolio website that you can send to anyone via email, and a printed version that you can show when you meet someone face-to-face.
Posting select images on networking communities such as Model Mayhem can put your work in front of serious photographers and open doors to collaborative test shoots that strengthen your book.
When creating your fashion modeling portfolio website, here are a few things you need to keep in mind:
Every fashion model needs to be signed with a top modeling agency . Getting seen requires a very simple submission: snapshots of yourself. These snapshots are commonly referred to as 'digitals' in the industry (or occasionally 'polaroids')
Modeling agencies are looking for the simplest and most natural photos possible so that they can see you for YOU.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:
Here's what not to do:
Research is the name of the game when it comes to approaching a modeling agency. Try to answer these questions for better clarity:
Once you find the modeling agencies that you feel are a good fit for you, submit digitals to your top picks. After you submit your digitals, if you receive a call to meet with an agency in person, do even more research prior to the meeting.
Brush up on prominent fashion designers, who the 'it' supermodels are, current events from the fashion/beauty/modeling world, etc.
You don't need to be a walking "fashion model encyclopedia" by any means- be aware and informed.
Mentally prepare yourself for rejection- a lot of it. You MUST be able to handle having doors shut in your face without a second thought. Even the most stunning supermodels to ever walk the planet were told "NO."
Rejection is part of the territory. The sooner you understand and accept that, the better off you will be.
Don't base your self-worth on appearance or anybody else's approval. Start practicing now: challenge yourself to shrug off any criticism you receive this week.
See if it was easy or difficult. The harder it was, the more you needed to grow a tougher skin.
Are you offended that you were just told to grow tougher skin? If so, that's precisely the point!
Start practicing the ability to let all criticism roll off your back! But don't worry, everybody is capable of learning this skill with enough practice.
A good mental mantra to keep in mind when it comes to rejection is: "Every 'NO' is just one 'NO' closer to a 'YES.'"
Take care of your skin, hair, body, and health. In short, having a good skin care routine is essential.
Like it or not, modeling is an aesthetically-driven industry, and beauty/appearance is essential. (That being said, you can still make it as a commercial model regardless of physical beauty or body type.)
However, for fashion models, the height/weight standards are more rigid and inflexible than with any other genre of modeling.
There's not much you can do about genetics, but it IS up to you to make the most of the genetics you were given.
To become a model, you must adhere to your thorough beauty regimen. Many supermodels use the following habits as part of their beauty routine or pursue other specialized modeling niches. Many professionals follow habits such as:
Looking and feeling your best will only benefit you, no matter how you look at it – professionally or personally. It is a win-win. But in this case, having your beauty habits nailed down is a career advantage for any aspiring fashion model. If you do not fit the current fashion model requirements (height/weight), there are many other genres in the modeling industry that you can pursue instead.
As a fashion model, you're vulnerable, especially when starting up. So have your guard up and be safe.
Don't fall for phony modeling schools (you DO NOT need to pay money to attend any modeling school or training, period). You shouldn't have to pay for any photos to get started.
Your agency should be the one taking care of setting up test shoots. There are many other scams out there, such as:
Have a sound support system in place. The modeling industry can be an overwhelming place, and it can be easy to fall prey to many other dangers (parties, eating disorders, etc.), especially if you are an up-and-coming fashion model. Keep your friends and family informed of what is happening in your career. They can be a sounding board if anything sounds fishy or unusual. They can encourage you when you face rejection or hit a rough patch. Stay safe, and have a support system!
Regarding modeling tips, professionalism is essential. See, getting into modeling is not an easy task. You have to be a professional through and through.
Answer phone calls, return voicemails, and reply to emails promptly. There is no excuse for being 30 minutes late to a meeting, casting call, or photo shoot.
If anything, you should always be 15 minutes EARLY. This takes planning and time management skills .
Aspiring models make a big mistake when they adopt the mentality: "Well, I'm pretty enough to be a model, so I will just skate by with my looks alone and minimal effort."
Many up-and-coming models of the past never worked another day in their lives in the modeling industry after their unprofessionalism, lousy attitude, and reputation began to overshadow their beauty. Nobody wants to work with a diva.
See, when you book a job, you are representing both yourself and your agency. When you are on set, treat EVERYONE with respect.
If your makeup artist was given a specific directive, which she followed, but you hate the way she did your makeup… well, that's too bad. She did her job, so now do yours.
Produce some killer photos, regardless of your makeup preference, and without saying mean things about the makeup artist to others. Respect and courtesy will take you a LONG way in your modeling career!
Modeling may seem easy and glamorous, but that is not the reality. It will take a lot of commitment on your part to become a model.
You need to be ready for these questions?
These commitments are not meant to scare you by any means – modeling CAN be fun, rewarding , exciting, and glamorous. Just make sure you are aware of the possibilities on both sides, good and bad, and you are ready to commit no matter what!
Build up your social media following and learn to manage multiple social media accounts like an expert.
Believe it or not, it may help get you signed to an agency! Nowadays, modeling agencies will take a model's online audience into consideration when weighing whether to sign them or not.
Advertisers use models all the time, but they increasingly want to use models who already have a built-in audience to promote their products.
A large social media following is not a requirement to be a fashion model, but it is an important attribute. So jump on board as soon as you can. Be wise in your social media strategy and message.
Know what you stand for, show your followers your authentic self, engage with them regularly, and post great photos!
You can even take it a step further and start a blog, a YouTube channel, etc. Many non-intending influencers have turned into professional models because of their large followings.
No matter what, you're a human who's got feelings, thoughts, and opinions. You are so much more than just a pretty face.
Most fashion models accept the jobs they are booked for by their agency, which is fine and quite standard.
But if anything ever crosses the line or makes you feel uncomfortable, you need to learn to speak up and voice your opinion before it's too late.
While we just mentioned commitment as a vital attribute, there is a fine line. You should never become SO dedicated to your career that it becomes more important than yourself and your needs.
What do you stand for? Make it known from the start, and stick to it unwaveringly.
The less you worry about approval and acceptance, the better off you will be. Know when to put your foot down, and always have your own back. After all, if you don't have your own back, who else will?
As you consider becoming a fashion model, a great modeling tip for beginners is to assess and evaluate what type of model you want to be.
Here are some of the different types of modeling careers to pursue:
Think about your strengths and interests. For instance, if you have narrow and slender fingers free of wrinkles or scars, hand modeling can be a great option for you to venture into. Or if you possess an athletic body, fitness modeling can be an avenue for you.
During your journey on how to start modeling, there are certain industry terms you need to be aware of. Here are some popular terms for your first audition (Go-see).
Comp card : The card contains vital information about the model, such as stats, photos, and contact info.
Go-See: Basically an audition. The client might want to see the available options in person.
Square to the camera: When the photographer wants a model's face and body positioned towards the lens.
Tear sheet: A clip from a print job or magazine the model has previously worked on.
New face: A model who is new to the agency and is still in the process of being booked by a client.
One plus one: When the model is contracted to work for a one-hour modeling job, with the possibility of working an additional hour.
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There are many different categories of fashion models. So, the first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of model you want to be. Once you have a category determined, you will need to start setting up a fashion design portfolio , which you will need to submit to various agencies so that you can start landing modeling gigs.
Generally, fashion models are expected to be tall and capable of wearing many different looks and clothing. While maintaining a skinny figure used to be a common requirement, plus-sized models are also increasingly in demand these days.
Obtaining a high school degree can prove useful, but it is not that important. Certain fashion models begin their modeling careers at 16 or younger.
Good mathematical skills and reading proficiency will help models understand technical aspects such as contracts and budgeting.
Between 16 and 60 can be the typical modeling age. However, the age requirement depends on the project and the client's needs.
Having scars or tattoos will not prevent you from becoming a model. Again, it depends on the client's requirements, size, and location of tattoos or scars. If the tattoos fit your style, then you’re golden. Regarding scars, embrace them and don’t think about them too much.