Basics
Make sure that you really want to be a model. Don’t mess photographers around by offering to do a shoot, then backing out because of nerves. You will get bad references.
Be prepared for long days of travelling for only a few hours work.
Be prepared to look for work. It will not always come to you.
Always turn up to shoots and be prepared to shoot anything within your levels.
Don’t give up your full time job until you are sure that you can make a full time living as a model.
Ensure that you know how to complete tax returns etc, when you go full time, as you will be self employed.
Market yourself - ensure that you have a good portfolio and profile.
Consider how much you will charge for each level of work that you do.
Portfolio
Only put your best images in your portfolio, as this acts as your shop window.
Always have references available should someone like to know what you are like to work with. Ask the people you have worked with if it is ok for them to act as referees, before giving out their names and email addresses to others.
A poorly written profile gives a bad impression. If spelling is not your strong point, write the profile in Word and copy it into your profile after you have carried out a spell-check. You can always ask someone to check your profile for spelling, punctuation and grammar as this may be your first contact with a photographer and you want to create a good first impression.
Be honest in your description of yourself. A photographer may not be impressed if your pictures are out of date, you have tattoos, piercings etc and have not mentioned them.
Clothing
It is a good idea to make sure that you have a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or something that you feel comfy in to start off the shoot, especially if this is with a new photographer.
Take a dressing gown for in-between sets. Scenes may need to be changed or the lighting altered. Sets can be cold if you have to wait around. You will also feel more comfortable covered up.
Take a few other outfits that you feel sexy and comfy in.
Always carry extra pairs of stockings just in case you ladder any. You also have the basics, as stockings can cover marks on your legs or even flatter your legs.
Choose underwear that fits nicely and doesn’t cut in. Vary the colours and try to have stockings that go with the colours of the lingerie you take.
Remember to cut the labels out of all clothing so that they cannot be seen. Labels are difficult to edit out of pictures after the shoot.
Have a few different pairs of shoes of different colours (black, white, possibly red or silver) all with heels.
Have some funky boots as these can add variation.
Before a shoot wear loose clothes as this will prevent elastic cutting in and leaving marks on your skin.
The night before the shoot
Always get an early night so that you wake up fresh faced and with lots of energy.
Ensure you bathe and wash your hair the night before the shoot and prepare your case with everything that you need. This saves time on the day and stops you panicking that you will run out of time and be late.
Communication
Always get the telephone number of the person you are working with. In case there is a problem, you can let him/her know as soon as it arises.
Before the shoot and, ideally, the night before the shoot confirm that the date and time are still fine.
In messages and on your profile use good English. Sometimes coded messages are impossible to understand.
Text speak puts many off.
Ask the photographer a couple of days before the shoot or at the time of the booking if there is anything in particular that he/she wants you to bring. This will give you time to get the said item, if you don’t have it. Don’t forget to pack it once you have got it!
If you are travelling by public transport, tell the photographer the times etc of the trains/busses. Then if you are late, due to public transport, they will be more understanding.
If you have your own car, invest in something like Tom Tom or check on Google map to find the location of the shoot. You will also have a good idea of how long the journey will take and can tell the photographer.
Diet and Lifestyle
Drink plenty of water.
Eat the right foods.
Get lots of rest. A very busy lifestyle with little sleep etc can affect you on the day of the shoot your looks for example. Tiredness can lead to spots and bags under the eyes, lack of water will make you look washed out and you will also feel dehydrated and tired not the look that a professional model would want to achieve. Also too much alcohol or hangover on the day of the shoot can make you look even more tired and stressed or even change your mood, this is extremely unprofessional, lets face it you wouldn’t be much good if you turned up at an office job with a hangover so don’t do it in this job.
Makeup
Take extra makeup and makeup wipes in case you need to add more makeup or change it.
Always have red lipstick along with a range of others, as this can sometimes alter your look.
Make sure your hair and nails are in tiptop condition. If you are wearing false nails always take spare glue and extras in the style you are wearing in case you lose one.
Take hair brushes and hair styling equipment so that should you need to change your look / hair on a shoot you can.
If you use false tans, make sure that they are applied properly. Otherwise the pictures will show up all of the missed bits!
Security
Ensure that you have made all possible checks before you work with a new photographer.
It is always helpful, in the beginning, for new models to take a chaperone until they get a feel for the industry and know the ins and outs. Every day is a learning curve and you have to be on your toes and be ready for the next shoot.
Always tell someone where you are and who you are shooting with, giving names and phone numbers if necessary.
On arrival at the shoot, send a text message to your family or friend, so that they know where you are. At the end when you are on your way home text them again.
Read references or ask for references of the photographer that you are working with.
Take a chaperone if you do not know the photographer or are at all worried.
Always tell the photographer if you are taking a chaperone, as some do not like them. You do not take one to go to work in any other job, so just be aware of this.
If in doubt about your safety, do not go to the shoot. Tell the photographer that you have a problem well in advance and that you would like to rearrange the shoot. Additionally if you do rearrange, rearrange at a time that suits you and the photographer and the chaperone you will take, if you feel you need to take one.
If in doubt, use a studio where there are others on hand to help should there be a problem.
Think about a suitable name for yourself. You may not want your real name to be published everywhere.
Be wary about setting up profiles on Facebook etc, as they can be there long after you have stopped modelling. It is hard to remove them.
Look at websites like Friends Reunited and check that you are not leaving a trail to them. Something innocent to you may cause you a problem later on.
Be careful about working from home especially if you are on your own.
Posing
Practice posing in front of the mirror at home. In that way you can see what works and looks good and what doesn’t.
Practice facial expressions in the mirror. Yes, it sounds silly but at least you know what will suit and what won’t.
Look in magazines for certain styles and poses. This can sometimes help you get ideas for certain styles of shoots.
Ask a more experienced model if you can tag along to his/her shoots and see how he/she works.
Attend a group shoot and learn lots of things, such as posing styles, how to react to different photographers. Group sessions are also useful for networking with other models and photographers.
There are posing guides available to buy or model training courses available should you need them.
You need to be able to take direction and have your own set of poses and facial expressions just in case the photographer is inexperienced.
Your own ideas can sometimes help on a shoot especially tfcd/tfp shoots as these types of shoot are for the mutual benefit of you and the photographer.
The shoot
If possible, always arrive at a shoot early (at least 10 minutes) so that you have time to relax after the journey. Before you start shooting, you can get yourself in to the correct frame of mind. Don’t bring stress from home to the shoot!
During the shoot relax and be comfy, as you will enjoy it much better and the results will be much better.
If you can chat and joke with the photographer, it helps but dont flirt. An inexperienced photographer will often be just as nervous as you.
Act professionally at all times and if you are unsure of anything just ask.
Stick within your levels and only work to whatever you are comfortable with.
Try to change quickly so that the photographer is not waiting too long in between sets.
Take everything with you so that you or the photographer has plenty to choose from.
Unless instructed not to do so, each time a image is shot you should move slightly, changing your look, each shot should be different so a slight change with the angle of your head or body will insure the photographer gets a good varid set of images. Dont stand there waiting to be told what to do it may not happen.
Extras
Get along to social events that are held and meet others in the industry. Use them to get as much advice as possible should you need it.
Never ‘no show’ on a photographer. Always let them know ASAP if you can’t make the shoot and make sure that you have a valid excuse. Offer to rearrange the shoot.
Find your market and get as much experience in the types of modelling you want to do, as quickly as possible.
Make a good name for yourself and act professionally at all times and your name will get around. You will get more bookings as you will have great references.
If in doubt ask the more experienced.
Last of all
Be safe, use common sense
Should you require any further advice please ask other members, many are very willing and will offer you the help and advice you seek.
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