If you were alive during the early 2000s, you are all too familiar with the name Tyra Banks and a little show called America’s Next Top Model. You watched in awe when Tyra asked, “do you want to be on top?” If the answer to that question was yes, you might still be interested in pursuing a career as a professional model. But while it may look glamorous and amazing on TV, there is a lot of hard work and dedication to that specific career path.
Modeling means you are selling your body and your look to help companies sell their products. This means you have to look your best, have a great online presence, and be ready to fight your way into the industry. There’s a lot more technique and skill to it than just posing for a few pictures. But if you think you have what it takes, here are a few things to know about the modeling business and how to break into it.
Modeling is all about your physical appearance.
There are few jobs in this world where the way you look will get you the job or not. Modeling is one of those jobs. For that reason, you need to be very aware and on top of your physical appearance. Diet and exercise aren’t just a part of your lifestyle; they are crucial for keeping your job. finding success as a male model or a female model will require you to put in the work to look your best. You also need to have thick skin in this industry. Photographers and clients can be brutal about your look, and it can feel incredibly disheartening to get rejected constantly. Be ready for that if you plan on pursuing this as a career.
Take care of every part of your body.
Apart from your weight and body type, you need to take care of the details as well. Every part of your physical form needs to look great and put together. Get yourself into pedicure chairs at the salon to get that mani-pedi combination. On the bright side, this can feel like pampering in the comfy chairs with massage backs. Try always to have the most fashionable hairstyle. Keep up with the current makeup trends. Maintain a great hygiene routine. Overall, you must take care of your whole body because that is truly your moneymaker.
Put together a portfolio for yourself.
To get representation or book jobs, you need to have a portfolio of looks and past shoots ready to go. Everybody has to start somewhere. Maybe you want to put on your trendy ruana wrap and a great pair of jeans and snap a few shots. The best outfits and wardrobe already in your closet can give you great content to shoot for your portfolio. Having examples of the work you can do in many different areas will make you more marketable to future clients. It can also be useful to have a strong social media presence where people can look up your work conveniently on their phones.
Understand your niche market.
Models are involved in a lot of different areas. If you want to succeed, you need to find your niche. Do you want to work for print ads, or would you rather walk a runway? Are you interested in doing wholesome commercial shoots, or do you want to get a bit more down and dirty? What do you want to be known for in the modeling world? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you establish yourself in the modeling world and really make your mark.