Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Ten Steps for creating a Model Beauty Shot and podcast recap



On my podcast radio show Model Talk today I talked about Beauty Modeling tips, and
working as a beauty model comes down to two things:

1. How well you can capture your assets on camera

2. How well you can market them

Your compcard should always include at least one beauty shot, which is an image of your face showcasing your assets, like a beauty ad or skincare ad, with a fresh, natural and pretty appeal.

Beauty is an area that a shorter girl can pursue because beauty has nothing to do with height or weight.

Beauty modeling actually does have something to do with the glow you give off in your face and your height is not an issue. So don't think it is.

To market yourself as a beauty model you first need the right photos. A few different variations are best to create. Here are ten steps to creating a beauty shot.

1. Look at examples of where you see beauty shots in magazines and print ad campaigns, (you could also study commercials for skincare, beauty products and hair care), notice the ads, notice the angle of the model's face.

2. Go to the mirror and actually practice posing your face, notice what happens to it when the light hits different parts of it while you move it slowly side to side. Study your face.

3. What are your facial assets? Before you get infront of the camera, be a prepared model and smart model, first try to imagine the photo you want to capture.

4. Seek out professional photographer's, only those who know the craft of photography, and who know what a beauty shot is. Approach them by calling their photo studio or by email setting up a meeting in a public place. When approaching the photogapher send a headshot of yourself and also an example by jpeg of the type of beauty shot you are going for.

4. At the meeting, before you set up a photo-shoot, bring examples of the type of shot your are going for. See if the photographer gets the beauty shot you are going for, and if so work out a time to shoot.

5. Ask about makeup for the shoot, or suggest a makeup artist you know. It is worth paying some bucks for a good makeup artist, or if you are having a hard time, get your foundation down right by visting a cosmetic counter at a department store or Sephora a few days before the shoot and buy the foundation and apply it at the shoot, then add some mascara, curl your lashes, and some natural gloss or chapstick or lipstick, nothing too bold for lips and eyes, natural is the best beauty shot. Again you will see this when you look at ads and editorials in magazines in step 1. Bring these examples with you to the makeup counter or share them with the makeup arist ahead of time.

6. remember NOT to over-do the makeup, it should be natural, it should be the true you, not you coated in makeup. Think airy, flowers, garden, ocean, fresh, not clogging pores with cakey makeup yuck!


7. Bring hair clips and hair ties to the shoot, you may want shots with your hair down or out of your face and totally pulled back. Bring hair spray as well and a brush or comb.

8. Bring clothing! a selection of sweaters, dresses, and be aware of the front of the garment, and notice what part of the garment will be captured during the close up. You could have a pretty dress but if the front of it, when cropped and zoomed in on, looks bad it could ruin the shot.

A beauty shot could have bare shoulders but doesn't have to! So bring clothing. If you want to do something more about body, you could also bring a scarf to wrap around your bare shoulders. Stick to the style of the body and skincare ads you see in women's magazines.

9. A full body shot that is shot at high resolution could be cropped and turned into a beauty shot. Sometimes it is hard for a new model to get a beauty shot she likes if she is anxious and not experienced, so while at the shoot also take some full body shots, and later you could crop the full body into a headshot and use this as a beauty shot as well.

10. I love natural light, out doors light, and keep in midn that lighting is so important when you do a beauty shot, make sure your photographer has skills with lighting. You want the light to capture the best of you. It is not going to look as pretty if you have to photoshop the photo all day to get it looking nice. Focus on getting professionalism. Slow down and let the shots you need become a process not a race. You want the shots to be lasting, professional, beautiful and sell you well.

Creating Beauty Model Photos -some examples here

Working from example can be best so I wanted to share some of my beauty shots. Depending on the atmosphere of the shot, the lighting, the angle, you can create many different types of beauty shots. Some beauty shots have hair in the face even, with a beachy wind blown look, some are airy and light, some straight on, some at an angle or profile, but always make sure your skin and eyes are focus points.



shot by Robert Caldarone


Shot by Michael McCabe


shot by Michael McCabe


Shot by Robert Caldarone





shot by Robert Milazzo


shot by Robert Caldarone

A beauty shot can be super close up, or can be arranged in many styles, shoulder up, waist up, straight on to the camera, side profile, at an angle. The main idea is to capture your assets, highlight your skin, eyes, and facial features. Your hair is also something to consider, if have nice, healthy hair you should consider including your hair in the shot as well. However make sure you produce at least a few shots with hair totally OUT of the face.

Get inspired before you shoot:
Look at skincare ads, hair ads, cosmetic ads, perfume ads, and magazine covers as well. Notice the models facial expressions. A calm, natural, at ease facial expression is best.

Monday, December 28, 2009

A week of beauty on my blog and beauty model marketing tips

I am going to do a week of beauty tips on my blog based on marketing yourself as a beauty model, from photos to beauty upkeep. Also I will share some beauty tips for the "whole body" based on my own on the job lived through experiences.

Also on my podcast Model Talk Radio on Weds I will have a segment based on Beauty Model Advice for your compcard, photo shoots and marketing yourself as a beauty model this week. On the show I will be sharing insight on where beauty models are used and how you can get in the door with a modeling agency with beauty modeling. Using what you do have to get ahead. You don't need to dwell on your lack of height if you focus on your assets which could be your eyes, lips, skin, profile, and the natural glow in your face. :)

Also I will be sharing some of the videos I have made on beauty for AOL's Stylelist.com as well and others I have created on beauty tips as well. (view some below)

A WEEK OF BEAUTY STARTS NOW!

Beauty Model tip # 1. SKIN, FOUNDATION, POWDER.



To work as a beauty model you need to know your face. Know what you will be marketing.

What are your facial assets. Do you have nice eyes, nice skin, a nice profile, nice lips, your hair (hair modeling) also notice your ears and neck for jewelry modeling which can also be considered the beauty area.

However, before you get a beauty modeling job you should know how to do your makeup, enhance your features and keep your skin clear...So to prepare a beauty model compcard, your skin, foundation and powder are # 1 to get right, before you get in front of the lens.

Above all, your skin should be your main focus when it comes to working as a beauty model. Taking care of it is major, and keeping it blemish free. Yes, even in this Photoshop age you do not want to use Photoshop as a crutch to your pimple. If you do not moisturize, tone or cleanse your skin daily you SHOULD and make it part of your daily routine.

Moisturizer is important. If you are on a budget don't worry, you don't have to go broke finding one. I have used: Aveeno, Origins, St. Ives, LUSH, Clinique dramatically difference moisturing gel, Vichy, --all which won't kill your budget and they last a long time.

In the shower for clean and cleansing: During different ties I have used Neutrogena Deep Clean, St. Ives Apricot Cleanser, LUSH rub rub rub (on my face actually)often in the shower. I like a rougher facial salt sometimes on my face and and recently started using a tiny dab of Sugar Body Scrub by C.O. Bigelow on my face and body(nice!) Again don't use too many pro, products on your face all at once. Pick a moisturizer, pick a cleanser, toner, and zit zapper! :)

((Here is an interview on my radio show that I did with the marketing director at Origins, and you might enjoy this:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade/2008/09/10/skincare-with-jenny-belknap-the-vice-president-of-global-marketing-at-origins

Ok, back to the face, if I feel a zip coming on I try to zap it very fast, right at the start with Clean & Clear Invisible blemish treatment for at least 20 minutes if I am home or I will put it on that night, over night, and then use a cleanser when I take it off.

Putting on your Foundation or Powder, First Steps:


When creating your compcard for beauty modeling, if there is not a makeup artist you will have to do it yourself, and actually it can be very basic. Your skin should look soft and natural.

To start: It is actually best to do your makeup NOT in the bathroom. The lighting can be bad, especially when you consider what the camera lens will see. I would buy a handheld large mirror and go to a window or go outside to do your makeup. Try it, you will notice a difference, you will quickly notice how the light is difference and you can get your foundation exsact.



I like to do under my eyes and then in a circle motion put on my foundation on my cheeks, chin, forehead, and then go down my nose. I try to keep the foundation light, let it dry, and then I will add a light powder. I like i.d bareMinerals. I wear Media Beige. Also get a foundation or powder that is SPF 15 if possible.
Here is a video where I share some "putting foundation lightly" tips:

Later, when it comes to attending beauty castings and modeling jobs,- you are usually asked to come without makeup or very little on. Especially, it is best NOT to cake on the makeup for your castings, even for beauty, and I would say some mascara and "light" everything else is best. Light eyeshadow, light blush, go light not heavy or bold, for the lipstick. Get used to NOT wearing a lot of makeup and instead enhancing and highlighting your assets without heavy makeup.

Also foundation and powder tip: If you are really struggling to get the right color of foundation then go to a Sephora, or a cosmetic counter at a department store, get your color tone right. It is worth paying the bucks to get a brand that works for you, but many drugstore brands are very good as well, Revlon, Almay, even Wet n Wild. Spend time to get the right foundation for your skin color. (I test foundation on my lower chin or neck, and make sure the color matches the color of your neck, it looks bad if your neck is one color and your face is another. Not good.)

To get good beauty shots you have to take care of your assets, your skin.

Coming up next are examples of beauty shots to get you inspired. So I would start noticing beauty editorials in magazines, and also ad campaigns involving skincare, haircare, cosmetics and perfume. And I will share my favorite ingredients in beauty items.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas Day to my Petite Modeling Tips readers! :)

Did Santa come? I hope so. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Day & let this be a day to appreciate the things we should.

Christmas time always makes me think of the things that happened during the year and all I've done, and the things I still want to do and I start to get very anxious for the New Year.

I don't know about you but I am a bit nervous to write 2010, (I think it will be a good year, I've got this feeling) it just seems so weird to write, and time has flown by. 2002, doesn't feel that long ago but it was! 2005, 2006, the years just go by.

Strive, grow, prospere,

Isobella

Thursday, December 17, 2009

A reason to Watch 20/20 on Friday: Secret Designs

I want to vomit just thinking about how scamful the modeling business as become since the Internet-age. Or more like, how full of scams "the pursuit of being a model" has become. I made many mistakes as a model, but I thankfully overcame them and my self esteem and confidence and belief in my self did not alter.

I wrote about my early modeling pursuits in my memoir Almost 5'4" honestly and open because I think being honest can inspire girls who are pursuing modeling to skip the scams. I also touch upon modeling scams, and Internet scams and amateur modeling mistakes in my graphic novel Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Size Fashion Warrior.

I can honestly say I am lucky to have survived some of the bad experiences I had during my early modeling pursuits.

Some things to keep in mind when pursuing as a model.

1. Don't be desperate to succeed, so much that you lose your dignity.
2. Don't think ONE person can make you famous or successful.
3. Don't think it happens over night.
4. Beware of online casting calls, scams lerk.

This Friday, December 18th, on 20/20 at 9pm there is a special hour featuring the Rise and Fall of Anand Jon. ((I had a friend who did go to a casting at his studio in NYC, and she was called fat and dissed by him even though she has a fab body.))

Here is the link for more info on the segment:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/anand-jon-fashion-designer-convicted-serial-sexual-assault/story?id=9344417

I suggest watching this feature on ABC 20/20, to hear the sad story of girls falling for the wrong fashion opportunity.

Many of Anand's castings were on the Internet, emails written, also the encounters stemmed from Internet social site communication, Myspace, etc.

The Internet has caused a lot of hype and interest among curious girls who want to be models,-they go to Google and search, upload photos and flaunt, but the truth is They Are Setting Themselves Up For Scams. I believe the Internet is NOT a way that aspiring models can get ahead. It is best to NOT promote yourself on a model on it on random social sites.

It might seem easy, convenient, and normal to find castings, and promote yourself as a model on the web but it is amateur and typically only brings amateur opportunities. I think the Internet is the totally opposite and wrong way to promote your self as a model. Scams and people like Anand are found on the Internet, and you should focus on professionalism and if you want to really find professional opportunities as a model they do not happen on the Internet, it is better to get a comp card made, mail it aggressively to print modeling and talent agencies and aim higher.

Modeling is not showing off, being pretty, or the right size, a model is someone who is "modeling for something" and in a professional environment consistently, and to do it you should not lose your dignity or think you have to sleep with someone to get ahead or put your self in a situation where your worth is tested.

Watch 20/20 at 9pm this Friday, December 18th.

Don't be obsessed with fame and being in the spot light that you lose your dignity. If you are looking for a short-cut, you just might find a scam or even worse.

Also keep in mind
1. you don't need to have sex with someone, make out, or date someone to get ahead.
2. it is possible to get a modeling agency and gete professional modeling jobs but you DO have to work hard for it.
3. Make sure you are comfortable at a casting, on the job, etc, if you are not leave the atmosphere, there will be other opportunities out there.

A reason to Watch 20/20 on Friday: Secret Designs

I want to vomit just thinking about how scamful the modeling business as become since the Internet-age. Or more like, how full of scams "the pursuit of being a model" has become. I made many mistakes as a model, but I thankfully overcame them and my self esteem and confidence and belief in my self did not alter.

I wrote about my early modeling pursuits in my memoir Almost 5'4" honestly and open because I think being honest can inspire girls who are pursuing modeling to skip the scams. I also touch upon modeling scams, and Internet scams and amateur modeling mistakes in my graphic novel Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Size Fashion Warrior.

I can honestly say I am lucky to have survived some of the bad experiences I had during my early modeling pursuits.

Some things to keep in mind when pursuing as a model.

1. Don't be desperate to succeed, so much that you lose your dignity.
2. Don't think ONE person can make you famous or successful.
3. Don't think it happens over night.
4. Beware of online casting calls, scams lerk.

This Friday, December 18th, on 20/20 at 9pm there is a special hour featuring the Rise and Fall of Anand Jon. ((I had a friend who did go to a casting at his studio in NYC, and she was called fat and dissed by him even though she has a fab body.))

Here is the link for more info on the segment:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/anand-jon-fashion-designer-convicted-serial-sexual-assault/story?id=9344417

I suggest watching this feature on ABC 20/20, to hear the sad story of girls falling for the wrong fashion opportunity.

Many of Anand's castings were on the Internet, emails written, also the encounters stemmed from Internet social site communication, Myspace, etc.

The Internet has caused a lot of hype and interest among curious girls who want to be models,-they go to Google and search, upload photos and flaunt, but the truth is They Are Setting Themselves Up For Scams. I believe the Internet is NOT a way that aspiring models can get ahead. It is best to NOT promote yourself on a model on it on random social sites.

It might seem easy, convenient, and normal to find castings, and promote yourself as a model on the web but it is amateur and typically only brings amateur opportunities. I think the Internet is the totally opposite and wrong way to promote your self as a model. Scams and people like Anand are found on the Internet, and you should focus on professionalism and if you want to really find professional opportunities as a model they do not happen on the Internet, it is better to get a comp card made, mail it aggressively to print modeling and talent agencies and aim higher.

Modeling is not showing off, being pretty, or the right size, a model is someone who is "modeling for something" and in a professional environment consistently, and to do it you should not lose your dignity or think you have to sleep with someone to get ahead or put your self in a situation where your worth is tested.

Watch 20/20 at 9pm this Friday, December 18th.

Don't be obsessed with fame and being in the spot light that you lose your dignity. If you are looking for a short-cut, you just might find a scam or even worse.

Also keep in mind
1. you don't need to have sex with someone, make out, or date someone to get ahead.
2. it is possible to get a modeling agency and gete professional modeling jobs but you DO have to work hard for it.
3. Make sure you are comfortable at a casting, on the job, etc, if you are not leave the atmosphere, there will be other opportunities out there.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

On my to do list, see Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart, movies that show striving and doing the best you can inspire me. Stories inspire me. Crazy Heart is about the hard life of a broken down country singer.


Along with seeing Invictus, an Eastwood's film about Mandela with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, I am sure it will rise all emotions.


What inspires you, keeps you going, gets the mind heading in the direction towards your goals? What do you do to get inspired?

Sunday, December 13, 2009

putting that modeling compcard to use and getting ahead

Here are some tips no matter if your live in a big city or smaller town on how to get active with some modeling and put your compcard to use!

If you live in a small city, mail print modeling agencies or talent agencies your compcard or headshot by postal mail, already being prepared with marketing material can get you ahead.

Also it is better to find work locally in your town and it is possible. First get some experience in your town, and pitching agencies in your town is a smart thing to do. Do not pitch agencies in cities you DO NOT LIVE. Agencies typically ONLY work with modeling who are based in the city they are based in. So if you live in Flordia, don't pitch an agency in NYC unless you have plans to move their already set, it makes agencies upset when they call you for a casting you can not make it. Modeling is a pursuit based on being available and if you are not available the agency just won't call you anymore. Don't expect to get room, and food or anything from an agency or think you will be discovered, (that is over) it is all about getting some experience and growing from it and pitching more, and getting more, it takes time it is a process.

So here is the scoop on some smaller city modeling pursuit goals:

If you are very new to the word model then get ready to get active and become a good researcher, to find your own oppportunities. I would start with researching local colleges research their photo department or a fashion schools who might need a model, try to reach local ad agencies creative department who might need a model for small jobs locally, mail your photo and resume and modeling interests and assets to marketing companies. And most important if your live in a smaller city don't think there are NOT opportunities there. Modeling is everywhere these days so you've got to get on it and be ready to take advantage of what might be in your town. Also many large brands are base in smaller cities where rent is cheaper so research to find out what brands, companies are based right in your city. Approach aspiring brands with your compcard, their might be a craft fair, tradeshow, a street full of boutiques, stop in, stop by, pitch yourself, and drop off your compcard. Be sure to write your phone number or email on the card but stray from exposing any amatuer modeling website profile links, (i would skip those all together) and only show professionalism no matter the size of your town.

If you live in bigger city such as LA, NYC, Miami, or Chicago, I would mail by postal mail 50 compcards, by doing so you are bound to hear back from at least one agency. (Again if you can not get to the casting in these cities within 30 minutes or so, do not apply, modeling castings are often last minute and getting to them it important, being available is key to model).

The more your market you the better, of course you need quality compcard and photos and a portfolio for castings but the more you try the more you get. These days there are many smaller size agencies that have been around for many, many, many years, and who are professional to work with but just smaller in size. In a competitive city you must work really hard and be prepared for it. The magazines, top brands, and many agencies are found in bigger cities but a lot more girls these days want to be models and are working as models. Let it be inspiration but be prepared to work hard. You could and shoul submit to agencies of all sizes, the top commercial print modeling agencies, but also the ones that are smaller in size. Getting some experience by working with a smaller boutique size agency is not a bad idea, it is a GREAT idea, get some real professional modeling experience modeling for products or in a magazine and use that experience to beef up your compcard and pitch other agencies you might want to work with. IT really is a marketing game for a shorter print model. You should be active as well pitching your self to aspiring brands and designers: Currently in Union Square and also Bryant Park there is a Holiday tradeshow craft fair and MANY designers are there, if you do not have any experience working with a product, go on, pitch yourself and compcard to some of these designers maybe? Get some experience it leads to more opportunities. And actually getting the experience often means getting off your ass and getting out there, and not relying on the internet to make you a model. That route is typically the road to amatuer land and doesn't lead to real modeling jobs.Showing an agency you can model does involve hands on work of yourself. So get out there! Aim to work with professionals!

Here is an episode on my radio show Model Talk on why you need a compcard and how working non-exclusive with an agency is how it usually is for print modeling, despite reality tv and what you might hear about getting an exclusive contract, it is not the end-all, and many,many,many print models work non-exclusively with print modeling agencies. In fact for print it is very normal.

Good luck! Isobella

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Almost 5'4" my modeling memoir in UK Feb 2010




My memoir Almost 5'4" is coming out in UK in Feb 2010 through The Friday Project an imprint of HarperCollins. Saw the book this weekend, if you live in the UK I hope you can add it to your reading to-do check list. Check out their edition cover above.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

4 things that count as a model


Modeling is a build, it is a process. It is not an overnight success. The more your give the more you get, and also here are some things that count:

1. What are your assets? Do you know what is marketable about you? Could you picture yourself in an ad or editorial in a magazine? What type of product could you model realistically? What type of magazine editorial realistically? What would an agency would think of your photos you send them, and again what types of jobs come to mind that you could do when you look in the mirror and show your personality? If you do not know, then you should think about this stuff before you pursue modeling.

2. Being available, it can mean getting a modeling job or not. Agencies want to know you are available for castings and bookings. Agencies will give you castnigs a week before, a few days before or on the day of.

3. Being prepared. Having your compcard, portfolio, yes, even in this digital age counts. At a casting you MUST leave a compcard and if you don't have these tools you might as well not even show up to the casting. Saying "go to my website" doesn't play out with professional modeling jobs. Also to get a modeling agency interested in working with you, you should mail your compcard through the postal mail. Then if the agency is interested they will ask you to meet them, or send them more compcards, which they will market to their clients, the agency might also ask you to email jpegs of more photos. HOWEVER, it is suggested to mail by postal mail your compcard or photos for the very first submission. Don't be a lazy model and think electronic submissions are best, they are not. We might live in a digital-age, internet-age but mailing your compcard in postal mail is best still for professional agencies.

4. Keep the spirit. Just because an agency wants to work with you doesn't mean all is perfect and done. No way! Most shorter girls will NOT get an exclusive contract and many print modeling agencies freelance or work non-exclusive with their models... working non-exclusive with an agency is a good start for aspiring non-fashion models, but it doesn't not mean the phone will ring every 5 minutes- you must keep working to improve your photos, and portfolio, and strive to gain more opportunities to build your portfolio. Having 'someone to work with' doesn't mean all is done and set. It isn't just about "Who you are with" but also about "what you have done" --- It isn't just about 'the contract' it is about "the right thing for you" and if you ARE getting work as a model with that agency. Focus on getting professional experience as a model. The more experience modeling for 'something' you have the better, and the more you can get. Keeping your positive spirit, energy and drive is a major part of getting opportunities.

MODELING is ALOT OF work, it is not easy, there is no short-cut, and many girls give up. Be realistic and ambitious and get more of what you want.

****ALSO BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN IT
COMES TO ONLINE CASTINGS******
***********AIM HIGHER ***********

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Exclusive and Non-Exclusive modeling agreement Podcast segment: which is best for your modeling pursuits?



Isobella answers questions from Facebook friends on what non-exclusive and exclusive modeling means and the future of working with modeling agencies. She shares how to know what type of agency agreement is best for you.

She will give tips on how to make a modeling compcard and why a non-fashion model needs one. Isobella is the author of Almost 5'4"- her modeling memoir, and her graphic novel "Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Size Fashion Warrior, both can be found on BN.com or in stores, or on Amazon. For more on Isobella visit her website: www.isobelladreams.com.

Tune in here at 1PM EST live or listen to the archive anytime, along with other segments:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade/2009/12/09/modeling-agency-exclusive-and-non-exclusive-101

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Work = rewards for the hustling model

The image in the media of what it takes to model and what IS a model is often wrong.

Being discovered is over. It can be hard to tell the difference to new aspiring model eyes between the scams and the professional, the internet age or having a website doesn't make it any easier. Working as a model, modeling for brands, product, with an agency takes work.

An open call is not something a shorter girl attends, and for print it is all about the postal mail submissions, but when it comes to WHAT to submit, WHERE to submit, and the work that goes into getting your marketing material together (compcard, or a headshot) it could be months before you even mail a modeling agency, then another few months before you hear back, and then you could end up feeling rejected, not good enough, and like you wasted your time.

But hang in there!

Modeling, no matter what you hear elsewhere is WORK, a lot of it. Especially for a girl who is not fashion height and especially in this present day. A very small amount of girls could call themselves models ten years ago, but today modeling is more than fashion, and the commercial print modeling world offers opportunities for all sizes, but it is WORK.

To get the opportunity I believe it takes ALOT of self work, managing your own photography, knowing what you need photographed, making a marketable compcard, mailing it to the right agencies, and it take a lot of time, effort, and study of ones self.

Ten years ago you might not have had to be a marketer, but today a model must be one.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Signed copies of Model Life



There are 5 signed copies of my graphic novel "Model Life" at Barnes & Noble in Union Square (NYC), graphic novel section, you will love Jazmin Ruotolo's illustrations inside! P.s: Union Square shows up in the book as well! Also signed 2 in-store copies of Model Life at the Tribeca store this weekend, if you like signed books. :)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

no one can cut you down to size

When you believe in yourself, no one can cut you down to size, no matter your height.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

not settling for the so-called model life

Today on Bella Petite Radio I spoke about how the goal of aspiring models should be to get infront of the right agents, the right brands, and especially the right professional photographer.

I have had my own share of struggles and write this blog to advocate from what I have first-hand learned and experienced, and my memoir Almost 5'4" and graphic novel Model Life also are a form of sharing insight on overcoming the odds.



Having a profile page on a social site, even on a so-called Model Site, is not professional and will not help you appear professional. It is just a show-off tool, not something respected agents and professionals use.

I do not use my website to market myself as a model. I use it because I am an author and for my brand, for inspiring my readers and those who want to model.

Most of my readers are new to modeling and the best thing I can advise is NOT to use the Internet to promote yourself as a model. To be professional, to get a compcard, headshot, to mail to an agency and to strive for more, to aim higher than the "show off" factor. To really model, to really call yourself one you have to "model" something. A product. A brand, for something.

Unless the editorial in the magazine is about YOU, you should be focusing on modeling "products" and really modeling if you want to.

A website alone will not help your modeling pursuits, most agents still use compcards, or their own website to feature their models, and unless the photos are only professionalthe do-it-yourself method and only using your website, can lead you stuck.... If you really want to model, think about how you can use what you do have to modeling something, and create a compcard that is marketable towards brands and agents, which then leads to modeling jobs.

I wrote about the modeling opportunities I have found through the Internet, and a few were helpful, but mainly looking for work through the Internet castings can be a waste, for me, the REAL quality modeling jobs did not come from the Internet at all.
They come from my agent, or by myself approaching brands and working with photographers who are professional and work with clients and brands and magazines.

They came when I left the Internet behind and focused on marketing my assets to agents and brands. I've been in ad campaigns and product ads by marketing myself with a compcard, and headshot, to the right agents, or approaching the brands when I did have experience and over time built my own portfolio. It is not an over night thing, it comes from pure work, pure effort, pure trying. Knowing what is marketable about yourself and capturing that in photography you use to market yourself. If you are trying to model without a compcard you will not be going far, you need these tools, it is a MUST to work with agents and book quality work.

Isobella

Petite modeling source for advice and tips on modeling and modeling photos and inspiration for the petite models.