Should I model? Questions and answers for anyone considering starting a career as a model, and we expose the myth that you have to go through a model and talent agency in order to start your career, which is no longer the case. Career tutorials for models, photographers, and business. Independent Modeling, IndependentModeling.Com. Published in Tampa Bay, Florida.

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Should you model? That’s a good question. When you look into the mirror, do you see yourself modeling? Are you one of the beautiful people? You are? Well, in that case, you should realize that being beautiful can be a handicap in any type of modeling other than fashion modeling, as you are locked into the look of simply being beautiful. The best models, as we will learn, have the best range of looks; they possess a variety of different looks which may appeal to the specific jobs that they attempt to book. Most beauty queens and those who cosmetically enhance themselves are generally limited in the number of looks that they have, and that could limit them in any modeling career. You’re thin and flat-chested. Who cares! Do you really think obtaining cosmetic enhancements such as breast implants will make you a better model? Here is a secret: It won’t. Discover your range of looks and learn to play up to your strengths.
What exactly is modeling? Is it being attractive and posing for magazines? Actually, that is a small part of the business. Modeling, essentially, is marketing, and models become a visual component of the marketing of goods and services for businesses in mainstream modeling. If you have a look that would compliment the vision of an art director or a business creating a marketing campaign, then you will probably be considered to book that modeling job.
So, what about those glamourous, high-paying modeling careers that most dream about? Actually, the odds of working in that category are slim, unless you are at least 5' 8'’ and have one of those drop-dead-gorgeous fashion model looks. If you are at least 5' 8'’ tall (and taller for men) and are one of the so-called “beautiful people”, it still won’t be easy, as most beautiful people (as defined by the majority of the conflicting opinions of mainstream society) are locked in a limited range of looks and your limited scope of looks may not be what the fashion modeling world is look for at the time that you are marketing your look. We say “at that time” to let you know that the fashion modeling, and model agencies, are a fickle lot who are always changing their minds about what is desirable and what is not, and timing has a lot to do with your success breaking into that world. Indeed, there is no consistency with what model and talent agencies deem as a desirable look, and their opinions often flip-flop and they contradict themselves between different people in agencies and in the industry. Many so-called agencies use the 5'8'’ rule as an excuse not to represent models, too, and the height rule is not absolute anymore. As a rule of thumb, the requirements to model are often dependent upon individual opinion and are not set in stone. Most agencies will insist on 5' 8'’ height requirements so they can market the model for fashion, but it has little to do with commercial modeling, and most will not admit that because the height requirement is a very simple way of rejecting people. Do you need further proof about the lack of modeling standards? Look no further than actor DJ Qualls, who started out his career, believe it or not, as a fashion model! Does he fit the definition of a fashion model, and are we saying that you can model no matter what you look like? No. We are simply pointing out that if you have a look that someone wants, they will book you. Also, if they want your look, you can book with them regardless of if you are represented by an agency or not.
Are we down on agencies? No. Despite the fact that agencies are no longer the only career option and they will not be the mainstream way of modeling in the near future, there will always agencies and they are useful for the modeling career as long as they are kept in their place. They are a good source of model jobs, and in busy modeling markets such as New York they may be good for helping the model juggle bookings. For the record, the agency way is not longer the only way, and many models do book work on their own now.
Going back to modeling, there are many types of modeling. The best models have the chameleon-like ability to vary their looks so they stand the chance of having what the art director is looking for. This is a good reason why, as a working professional model, you will need professional tools in order to market yourself. Market yourself? Isn’t that what model and talent agencies are supposed to do? Don’t models join up with agencies and the agencies get the models jobs? Well, pull up a chair. Nothing is as it seems, despite what the general public thinks, or even agencies tell you.
Regardless of if a model is represented by an agency or not, they still have to market themselves in order to book work. The agency really doesn’t “book” a model into jobs (that is, unless their client specifically requests a certain model, in which case they would actually book them into the job; something that would not normally happen outside of fashion modeling). An agency is little more than a middleman who looks for model jobs and refers models to those jobs.
We’re getting ahead of ourselves here, however. We will explore these topics elsewhere in this exclusive tutorial series for Independent Modeling.
Should you model? That depends upon you. Are you insecure about yourself and looking for some way to build your poor self esteem? Are you looking to validate your self-worth by getting involved in an industry which is glamorous and elite in the eyes of mainstream society? If you are, please don’t model. While such poor qualities and ill-placed motivation may qualify you to work in a model agency or to become one of those spineless photographers who kiss butt to work with agencies, modeling has higher standards. This is not an easy business. Models need to know who they are, what they are doing, and need to be able to tolerate rejection.
While we don’t know who you are as an unique person, and only you would know that, we can be a source of information so you can learn enough about modeling to know what you’re doing. That’s where these tutorials and the Independent Modeling site comes in.
If you are interested in being the face of someone’s product or service and are able to keep yourself in a positive perspective while dealing with rejection, by all means, you can model.

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UPDATED 06/22/07

POSTED 11/30/06