Now is the best time for an older woman, or a commercial print model to pursue. Most ads and commercials these days are targeted for the woman 26-40 which means for models there is opportunity out there, but it all comes down to how you chase it. And your perception.
A girl on Myspace recently asked me::
"How did you start? I feel like everyone starts mad young, which is why they all roll their eyes at me when I walk in on their "scene" at 26."
This was my sort of long novel email back:
Dear ____,
Your perception of modeling is what is wrong.
Remember modeling is not just fashion and playboy.
Have you watched any commercials lately? Spent some time in the magazine section at Barnes and Noble? There are more magazines, products, and brands targeted for women 25 and older than any other product catagory. Just go to Target, everything is for a woman, not just a young toothpick girl.
Now put this thought towards your modeling. Woman of all ages are working, even 35 and up are working more than ever.
Maybe the way you are thinking of modeling is what is wrong. Maybe you think it is just fashion? maybe you think it is just for a certain age? Well you are wrong. Models are needed for so many things, jewelry, tide commercials, McDonalds commercials, nail polish ads, hotel ads, resort ads, technology ads, dipers, tampons. Lenscrafters, ....there is more to modeling than fashion.
If you want to be a fashion model and think modeling is just fashion then you might not ever really start modeling after-all. But if you see that print modeling, commercial print modeling is what a girl who is older can approach and find opportunities then you could try.
When it comes to photos:
No overly sexy photos!
Tame down your sexy photos and make your shots look more commercial. Stop making your shots look so fashiony and start making them look commercial print like.
Your photos have a lot to do with the modeling you might be able to do. You also need to understand that fashion modeling and commercial print modeling are totally different world. A commercial print model has alot more work than a fashion model when it comes to marketing. Meaning: A commercial print model has to make her compcards, mail them out and be a marketer, where as a fashion model goes to an open call, or mails a snap shot in and then the agency directs her in the direction they want to market her. See the difference.
A commercial print model, models for lifestyle products, products most people use, like hair color, or Dove, or cleaning products, or skincare, like Aveeno. A fashion model models for brands that are for a higher end market usually. (runway fashion).
You see commercial print models in Glamour, Marie Claire, Redbook magazine, You see fashion models in Vogue, Elle, etc.
For examples of what a commercial print model looks like, the photos she needs then Google: Gilla Roos, or FFT Models.
As for small towner modeling check out these blogs I have already written on the topic which might inspire you on what you can do:
http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2008/10/improve-your-model-marketing-for-small.html
http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2008/10/creating-your-modeling-comp-cards. html
petitemodelingsource.blogspot.com/2008/04/older-models-modeling-agencies-for.html
I think it is your perception of modeling that needs a change if you wanted to pursue it.
Modeling is not doing a photoshoot, it is working with brands, and until you do you are not a model, but even in a small town, maybe there is a local hairsalon, a local resturant chain that wants to put out a commercial, a real estate company, a car company, a student at a local college that needs a model for his photography class, (a good idea to get a headshot), maybe there are tradeshows, and things you could be involved with....thnk unconventionally.
In a small town there are probably only a few modeling agencies...if that. So don't be narrow minded, what about ad agencies, newspapers, local magazines, marketing companies, pr companies? Why not get a compcard, or put some of your photos together and mail them out to art directors, and photo editors? Sometimes to get an agent working with you you have to show that you can indeed model and that you have a little experience. When I started modeling after I got a few tearsheets in magazines on my own, an agent was more receptive. Even though I am short/petite.
Also consider shoe modeling, accesories modeling, where the shot isn't so focused on your height. There are many shorter models working with brands for haircare, jewelry, and shoes.
I leg modeled for top brands, I am basically the shortest model out there, using my legs to model! (of course I have had photos that are marketable to do this and market myself and I work with great agencies because of it.)
There is plenty you can chase. But change up your perception, the photos you are using to market yourself, and how you are going about it. And do it in a realistic way.
Time to get back to my own work and hustling, :)
isobella jade
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