Well, you got lots of really stupid comments from some really ignorant people. Just ignore them.
Modeling can be rewarding, and fun, but its a lot of hardwork, and can be very frustrating. You just need to focus on your goals.
Start a profile at www.onemodelplace.com and www.modelmayhem.com, do a search for some local photogs and hair/makeup stylists, and see if any are interested in working with you tfp/cd, which is just trade for pics, on cd. You do your thing, they do their thing, and you get a start on your portfolio with photos from the shoot on cd. Work with as many as you can. Make sure your comfortable with the photog, and that you understand the release you should be given. Everyone has their own "program" for shooting TFP, so make sure your OK with what they want to give you. Change your looks as much as possible, within your comfort limits, and the type of work your looking for.
So for whatever expense you want to put into clothing, costuming, props, etc... you get photos.
Those sites are also good places to learn more about the business, by using the forums found there. Both sites have free membership. Get to know local models and start networking.
Some girls I know model part time, dont bother with agencys, and still make a pretty good chunk of change each month. It really depends on what modeling you do. Some girls do work agencys. Dont let an agency talk you into anything that might limit your work, like being your sole representation. If they get you enough work, you can negotiate with them later.
These days, it's about who you know and how good your agent is.
Check it out, research and don't settle for any less than you really want. Especially if you have what it takes.
Finding success in Idaho or stuck in the middle of no where will not "get" you there. You will have to be public in a larger city where modeling is around every corner:
New York
Los Angeles
Paris
Milan
If you are serious, then go to a serious place and go for it. You have to dive in feet first and be willing to work long hours for small pay in the beginning. Whatever is in your stars will play out for you, hopefully without too much heartache.
You don't do anything to become a model. You're born with the right look and into a family with the right lifestyle. If it were something you could earn by working for it, half of the girls you know would be models, because, in their own eyes, everyone is a model. Even more dudes than would ever admit.
Save up some money, hire a photographer and take some great pictures. Some commercial, some edgy. Look up talent agencys and visit as many as possible. Meet as many people as you can. Find an agent. Have him start booking you thinks and helping you get signed. It is more luck than anything though. You need the look for the moment. But drive and determination will definitley help.
have lots of confidence don't enter into the model industry until you have confidence that way you can only build up more confidence. stick to a healthy diet and please dont think eating one a day is healthy.
also find a real model agency don't enter into anything shady, and find lots of exposure through being versatile like modeling for sports wear, gowns, everyday wearr, and yes be willing to wear bathing suits, but don't wear anything too revealing if you are too young. I know this may sound dumb but watching america's next top model could really help! also I have heard that models really examine themselves in the mirror, pose in the mirror and focus on what poses you should work on and make sure you can WALK IN HEELS!
Start off with the very best images you can - so do your research first! If you show people poor images then you'll attract weaker photographers, especially on places like onemodelplace.com - it's really important to show people good work, and most people are visually illiterate, so you have to be fussy when showing your images to professionals!
Models typically have a very short career window so you need to get the right decisions made at the start - unless you get discovered by a major agency right at the outset, such as Storm or Elite.
If you are trying to jump start a folio then I believe there are not that many images you need - primarily you need a good head shot and a decent body shot. After that variety and quality are paramount: if your images all look like they were taken by one guy on one day it's not ideal. So you also need to change your look and the lighting / style of images. Altogether you need up to 20 or so great shots - not too many, not too few.
I'd put quality above all and when you are researching your photographer look for slightly different things from their folio than you need in your own - the main attribute of a quality photographer is... Quality! Which also means consistency. Anyone can 'dew drop' a decent image, so look for someone who can produce good images time after time... tell them what you're doing and that you need some variety in the work.
Finally be prepared to pay for that quality - it's your shop window! Once you have your images you can consider getting a card made up, though most agencies will do this for you. A card is cheaper than a folio but you need to Do Something with your marketing materials when you have them...
A website (with quality but fast loading images) is important too.
So once you have your marketing mix together, start to contact model agencies. Depending on how confident you are you could contact smaller local ones or bigger ones. Send them out your marketing materials and preferably meet them... it's all about planning and preparation... if you do that you will have more chances of being 'lucky' too.
Meantime volunteer for TFCD (Time for CD) images - with good photographers. It's really important for you to get your experience quickly and I'd suggest you look for real quality people to work with - you'll be less likely to pick up bad habits, and more likely to pick up good tips and good contacts. Lots of girls do the rounds of camera clubs but they are learning off learners and often the peers of the group are weak (or at least not full time professional photographers)... the result is a temptation to put second rate images into the folio - don't do it!
Finally, once you get your foot in the door, out professionalise your competition at every level. Turn up on time, fully prepared, do your homework on posing, read a book on body language so you know what it means and why it works.
There are no guarantees of success - you can only try to make yourself stand out from your competition as best you can...
WELL U CAN MAYBE GO TO NEW YORK AND START U R SUCCESFUL MODELING CARRER IN THE BIG APPLE TAKE U R PORTFOLIO YO SOME OF THE MAJOR MODELING AGANCIES LIKE IMG MODELS,OR FORD MODELS I AM SURE THEY ARE GLAD TO HAVE U I WIDH U THE BEST OF LUCK WITH MODELING AND REMEBER DONT LET ANYBODY SAY THAT U CANT DO ANYTHING!
girl let me tell you....its all about publicity...you have to first get a portfolio...go on additions you have an internet see whats out there.....work on your poses and personality...you can do it....... google successful model
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Don't let others put you down and always believe in yourself when no one does. Get a model mentor
Well, you got lots of really stupid comments from some really ignorant people. Just ignore them.
Modeling can be rewarding, and fun, but its a lot of hardwork, and can be very frustrating. You just need to focus on your goals.
Start a profile at www.onemodelplace.com and www.modelmayhem.com, do a search for some local photogs and hair/makeup stylists, and see if any are interested in working with you tfp/cd, which is just trade for pics, on cd. You do your thing, they do their thing, and you get a start on your portfolio with photos from the shoot on cd. Work with as many as you can. Make sure your comfortable with the photog, and that you understand the release you should be given. Everyone has their own "program" for shooting TFP, so make sure your OK with what they want to give you. Change your looks as much as possible, within your comfort limits, and the type of work your looking for.
So for whatever expense you want to put into clothing, costuming, props, etc... you get photos.
Those sites are also good places to learn more about the business, by using the forums found there. Both sites have free membership. Get to know local models and start networking.
Some girls I know model part time, dont bother with agencys, and still make a pretty good chunk of change each month. It really depends on what modeling you do. Some girls do work agencys. Dont let an agency talk you into anything that might limit your work, like being your sole representation. If they get you enough work, you can negotiate with them later.
These days, it's about who you know and how good your agent is.
Check it out, research and don't settle for any less than you really want. Especially if you have what it takes.
Finding success in Idaho or stuck in the middle of no where will not "get" you there. You will have to be public in a larger city where modeling is around every corner:
New York
Los Angeles
Paris
Milan
If you are serious, then go to a serious place and go for it. You have to dive in feet first and be willing to work long hours for small pay in the beginning. Whatever is in your stars will play out for you, hopefully without too much heartache.
Good Luck and Happy New Year!
You don't do anything to become a model. You're born with the right look and into a family with the right lifestyle. If it were something you could earn by working for it, half of the girls you know would be models, because, in their own eyes, everyone is a model. Even more dudes than would ever admit.
Save up some money, hire a photographer and take some great pictures. Some commercial, some edgy. Look up talent agencys and visit as many as possible. Meet as many people as you can. Find an agent. Have him start booking you thinks and helping you get signed. It is more luck than anything though. You need the look for the moment. But drive and determination will definitley help.
have lots of confidence don't enter into the model industry until you have confidence that way you can only build up more confidence. stick to a healthy diet and please dont think eating one a day is healthy.
also find a real model agency don't enter into anything shady, and find lots of exposure through being versatile like modeling for sports wear, gowns, everyday wearr, and yes be willing to wear bathing suits, but don't wear anything too revealing if you are too young. I know this may sound dumb but watching america's next top model could really help! also I have heard that models really examine themselves in the mirror, pose in the mirror and focus on what poses you should work on and make sure you can WALK IN HEELS!
Good Luck!!!!
Start off with the very best images you can - so do your research first! If you show people poor images then you'll attract weaker photographers, especially on places like onemodelplace.com - it's really important to show people good work, and most people are visually illiterate, so you have to be fussy when showing your images to professionals!
Models typically have a very short career window so you need to get the right decisions made at the start - unless you get discovered by a major agency right at the outset, such as Storm or Elite.
If you are trying to jump start a folio then I believe there are not that many images you need - primarily you need a good head shot and a decent body shot. After that variety and quality are paramount: if your images all look like they were taken by one guy on one day it's not ideal. So you also need to change your look and the lighting / style of images. Altogether you need up to 20 or so great shots - not too many, not too few.
I'd put quality above all and when you are researching your photographer look for slightly different things from their folio than you need in your own - the main attribute of a quality photographer is... Quality! Which also means consistency. Anyone can 'dew drop' a decent image, so look for someone who can produce good images time after time... tell them what you're doing and that you need some variety in the work.
Finally be prepared to pay for that quality - it's your shop window! Once you have your images you can consider getting a card made up, though most agencies will do this for you. A card is cheaper than a folio but you need to Do Something with your marketing materials when you have them...
A website (with quality but fast loading images) is important too.
So once you have your marketing mix together, start to contact model agencies. Depending on how confident you are you could contact smaller local ones or bigger ones. Send them out your marketing materials and preferably meet them... it's all about planning and preparation... if you do that you will have more chances of being 'lucky' too.
Meantime volunteer for TFCD (Time for CD) images - with good photographers. It's really important for you to get your experience quickly and I'd suggest you look for real quality people to work with - you'll be less likely to pick up bad habits, and more likely to pick up good tips and good contacts. Lots of girls do the rounds of camera clubs but they are learning off learners and often the peers of the group are weak (or at least not full time professional photographers)... the result is a temptation to put second rate images into the folio - don't do it!
Finally, once you get your foot in the door, out professionalise your competition at every level. Turn up on time, fully prepared, do your homework on posing, read a book on body language so you know what it means and why it works.
There are no guarantees of success - you can only try to make yourself stand out from your competition as best you can...
Good luck!
Just work with it. Get help from other models. Get a couple modeling contracts. Do some little stuff first then you'll get better.
WELL U CAN MAYBE GO TO NEW YORK AND START U R SUCCESFUL MODELING CARRER IN THE BIG APPLE TAKE U R PORTFOLIO YO SOME OF THE MAJOR MODELING AGANCIES LIKE IMG MODELS,OR FORD MODELS I AM SURE THEY ARE GLAD TO HAVE U I WIDH U THE BEST OF LUCK WITH MODELING AND REMEBER DONT LET ANYBODY SAY THAT U CANT DO ANYTHING!
girl let me tell you....its all about publicity...you have to first get a portfolio...go on additions you have an internet see whats out there.....work on your poses and personality...you can do it....... google successful model