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Your First Steps In Becoming A Model

Being a model can be an exciting career. Depending upon which area of modeling you choose to go into, you could live a glamorous life meeting famous people, pull in boatloads of money, and even get to travel to faraway places. At this point, you're probably already hooked on the idea so let's get started with some basics to get you on your way.

1. Types of modeling

You don't have to look like Kate Moss to become a model. The modeling industry is open to everyone, of all shapes and sizes. Below are the different types of modeling available to you:

· High Fashion & editorial modeling: Campaigns, collections, and magazine editorials are the most sought after jobs and therefore are usually reserved for the top editorial/fashion models. Models of this type are usually 5' 9" to 6' tall.

· Runway modeling: Runway modeling is considered the most glamorous type of live modeling. It requires a lot of confidence and grace because you are advertising in front of a crowd, many times in high heels which can make balancing yourself very difficult. Runway models need to be 5' 9" tall.

· Commercial print modeling: This is modeling a product on billboards, buses, magazines and newspapers. The two sub-sections of print modeling are Fashion Advertising and Product Advertising.

· Catalogue modeling: These models are hired to appear in catalogues such as the ones that come to your home. Catalogue modeling is good work that pays well.

· Children and teens: Children and teens can find work in many different types of modeling including fashion shows, catalogue modeling and commercials. Teen models are generally called Junior models. Junior models must be 5'6" to 5'8" tall, 12 to 17 years old, and look very young.

· Petite models: Petite models get jobs in photography, fit modeling, trade shows, and swimwear.

· Specialty models: If you have beautiful hands, long legs, a gorgeous neck, a beautiful face, luxurious hair, or shapely feet, you can be a specialty model. They model jewelry, cosmetics, nail polish, and anything else you can imagine.

· Convention models: These models are seen at trade shows or conventions modeling automobiles and other products. They usually have great teeth and a beautiful smile.

· Plus models: "Big People" are needed for assignments too, so if you're a plus size don't think you're out of the game.

· Fit models: These are models that our clothes are measured from. Doing this kind of modeling means maintaining your weight and size to keep getting jobs. Models of this type can work in this industry for a long time, and the work is all year round.

2. Find a legitimate modeling agency where you live

They'll want to see photos of yourself to see if you have the look they're in the market for. Some agencies will have an "open call" day to look at fresh faces. Go to everything you can. If they like you, you'll get a "call back." Like it suggests, it means they want to see you again.

3. Submitting photos

Send 2 pictures: a headshot and a full-length picture. Don't go overboard on the make-up. These agencies want to see something natural, not how "glammed up" you can make yourself look. Also, don't go out and hire the most expensive photographer to do your pictures just yet. Ones taken on a digital or Polaroid will work fine for now.

4. Open calls

Open calls are nothing more than you walking into an agency and agents looking you over to see if you're what they want. When you go to an open call, keep everything simple: hair, makeup, clothing.everything. Wear clothing that is flattering on you. Wear colors that you look good in, that match up well with the color of your skin. If you don't know what colors you look good in, get a trusted person to tell you. Remember to bring at least 2 pictures of yourself when you go to the open call.

5. Dealing with being turned down

Don't get frustrated if the agency turns you down. They already have a look in mind before you show up and you might not be it. It won't be the last "go see" you'll attend in your career. Another one is always right around the corner. In fact, it'll take about 10 of these appointments to land just 1 job. Understand this and accept it and you'll save yourself a lot of frustration.

6. Signing with an agency

If the agency likes you, they'll want to take some professionally taken photos of you. Realize that you're going to have to spend some money to start building your portfolio. At the same time, taking a few pictures shouldn't put you in debt.

Never sign up for photos by a photographer unless they have "tear sheets" as proof of their work. Tear sheets are literally pages of their models ripped out of magazines, proving they indeed secured work for their clients. This is the first thing you should look for when trying to get an agent. They should be displayed on a website or available to look at upon your request.

You also want to steer clear of modeling companies that require you to use a specific photographer. Do the math to figure out why. Always compare the work and prices of many different photographers when paying one to take your pictures.

Avoid agencies that tell you there is a "registration fee" to sign up with them. Reputable agencies make money when you make money. They don't get paid in advance to rep you.

Be sure to stay away from agencies that say they are affiliated with any modeling school. Chances are they're only a recruiting office for the school. Their only desire is to make money off the kickbacks, not to get you work.

7. Staying physically fit

Don't starve yourself to get to your desired weight. It's a very unhealthy way of achieving a fitness goal and it could come back to haunt you later on in life if you make it a habit.

Instead try running, biking, or swimming as a good cardio exercise. This should be done at least 3 times a week staying at your target heart rate for 20-40 minutes at a time.

You also don't want to drink excessively. It can cause you to break out and dehydrate you, making your hair dry and brittle-not something you want to deal with when going in for a "go see" or a meeting with an agent.

I hope this helps you in getting started in this extremely competitive industry. If you find that you're not seeing any success in one area, try another. Modeling takes a strong desire, the right look, and a huge helping of persistence. If you possess all of these qualities, you might just end up with a career in this exciting and glamorous industry.

For more information on modeling, go to www.howtogetintomodeling.com or www.modelingagencies411.com.

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