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How Disabled is "Too Disabled" for Modeling?
Someone had posted a topic a bit like this, but I'm curious about it regarding more apparent disabilities I guess. I'm paralyzed from a spinal cord injury from about the waist down. Are my chances completely shot? I mean, I look completely normal in my physical appearance -- you would never really be able to guess unless you actually saw me using the chair, and although I can't stand or walk I can get out of the chair and position myself however needed. I know there's catalogs (usually department stores) out there that feature an image with someone in a chair/crutches/ETC., but I find those to be rather trite. Please tell me that sort aren't my only option? I don't want that factor to even be known in the photograph. I'm not trying to hide it, it's just that for one, I perceive the chair as merely a tool, and not definitive of me or, more importantly, what I could potentially offer; second, it shouldn't have any significance unless relevant to the subject theme of the shot, you know? Also, what specifically should I say to a photographer and overall etiquette regarding that? I have mention of it on my profile, yet it seems a bit much. I don't want to make it a bigger deal than it is and end up detracting offers because, well, it's NOT a big deal. Concurrently, I don't want to get an offer and after-the-fact have to give an "Oh, by the way...!". Ah, I dunno, just any thoughts on that too would be helpful. I'm rambling. Hopefully someone can kind'a know what I'm getting at and maybe answer me. Thanks! May 09 07 04:47 am Link You asked, so I am answering....you have great opportunities!!!....I recently did a shoot for a hospital lottery...and last year put together a 12-month calender shoot, specifically dealing with your situation....there are so many areas that need someone as pretty and expressive as yourself...dont let any negatives stop you from doing what it is you want to do!!!!!. Best of luck! May 09 07 04:52 am Link there's always artist portraiture - it doesn't pay much but if you're into it it can be a very rewarding experience. May 09 07 05:08 am Link depends on what kind of modeling you're interested in doing! according to your profile, you're interested in having fun and creating art... both of which are very reasonable goals. "art" is a much broader term than "commercial print" or "fashion editorial" - look for photographers in your area whose images you like, and ask them if they're looking for a model. if they are, let them know your situation, and see if they're still interested. good luck  May 09 07 05:12 am Link If I was blind, would I still be able to focus my camera? I am not being mean, but you aren't going to be a bike messenger anytime soon either. What type of modeling arer you thinking of? Do you expect to make a full time living off of modeling? I know of exactly one actor who is paralized and has a career, one deaf woman, and one man who had a glass eye. Modeling involves movement, just as singing involes the use of your voice. Perhaps you see me as being a dream crusher, but I can't even really understand what your question is... Star May 09 07 05:17 am Link I'm new to modeling, and am looking to develop a portfolio. I love art in whatever form it might be, and have been finding ways of creating my own self-expression ever since I can remember. I thought it might be interesting to do just that without being the one behind the sketchbook or camera, and just kind of want to have fun with it. Iâm easy to work with and would really enjoy collaborating with creative, professional photographers (preferably local, unless their style REALLY catches my eye) who like experimenting with new methods and ideas for each creation while I build up my experience. I frequently bounce back and forth between southern and central California and am always looking for new job opportunities. Her goals are definitely achievable, even with her disability. May 09 07 05:19 am Link If you want to model for fun and some side money, there should be no reason why you can't do it. However, commercial and catalog modeling is extremely competitive to begin with. At 5', you do not meet the minimum requirement regardless of your disability. I applaud you for your free spirit but realistically, there is no career in modeling for you. But don't let that stop you from expressing yourself creatively in front of the lens. May 09 07 05:21 am Link Considering you seem more into it from an art perspective is a great start. You'd be surprised the number of girls who think that at 5'3 they're going to walk the runway. I think if you did more art work, you could definitely become successful. Does succesful mean making a career out of it, probably not, but you never know. You seem like a positive person and don't view your disability as a curse.... I think you'll be fine. May 09 07 05:24 am Link Star wrote: Her question is: May 09 07 05:26 am Link Aussie Guevara wrote: Her answer was called for....it's just presumptuous, moderately tactless and wrong. May 09 07 05:35 am Link â
wrote: Poor choice of English words on my part. May 09 07 05:38 am Link Aussie Guevara wrote: But you are correct: It was a knee-jerk reaction on her part that disregarded the OP's actual expectations and intentions. May 09 07 05:39 am Link Star.... is way out of line My dear young lady, I would work with you in a heart-beat and there is no doubt we could create some really stunning images! May 09 07 05:43 am Link Star wrote: Technically yes but composition would be another story. May 09 07 05:46 am Link Star wrote: Why are you even on this site? May 09 07 05:48 am Link May 09 07 05:49 am Link RockyF wrote: May 09 07 06:11 am Link Aussie Guevara wrote: I *like* you! Ditto! May 09 07 06:26 am Link I beleive you can do almost enything you want, of cours you can model, you just can't do shoots that involve staning up! cataloge work is a good starts, they always have pictures of girls/wommen sitting on chairs and laying down, so why shouldn't they use you? I think you have a pretty face, a litle hard to see you body, but I say Go for it! Shoot as much as possible and have fun! Good luck and all the best to you! May 09 07 06:27 am Link There is no doubt about it. I would work with you. You have a nice look and good facial bone structure. Anyone not able to see that and not want to explorer your look is not worth a hill of beans. You keep going, I expect to see some good images of you and from you. May 09 07 06:30 am Link Star wrote: ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? May 09 07 06:36 am Link With a positive attitude like yours, anything is possible! You don't let your disability stop you from doing the other things you want to do, so why should modeling be any different? I can't wait to see your portfolio when it's all filled up May 09 07 06:38 am Link Reading your port and your question demonstrates to me that you really donât have a disability, you have ability. You have already proven that you can deal with the cruelest part of being disabled, the other people on this planet. Dealing with photographers and models will be a cake-walk for you. May 09 07 08:19 am Link Veronica Bee wrote: Actually, she's quite well-versed. If you're going to admonish someone for being misinformed and presumptuous, don't do so while sitting in the same pool of water. May 09 07 08:23 am Link As already mentioned, a positive attitude is everything. You have a lot of good things going for you, and can certainly do some modeling. Will you find frequent assignments? No one can say for certain. Look at the portfolio of Alex N here on MM, she is quadriplegic and still creates some excellent work with assistance in posing. She is very determined and tries hard to give her best. Alex doesn't think she is too handicapped to be a model, and has proven herself as a very capable model. If she can do it, you certainly can too! https://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=222108 I agree that you would be perfect for modeling for artists. If you are comfortable with the required nudity, life drawing or painting classes at a local college or art center would love to pay you to pose for them. I specilaize in creating sets of reference images of a wide variety of poses which artists who have no model available can use to draw and paint from. If you were local and interersted in that type of work, I would definitely like to work with you on a regular basis. May 09 07 08:27 am Link Heather Mills has one good leg, the other artificial. She did an outstanding job on Dancing With The Stars but what if she asked people if they thought she could compete with the Waltz, Rumba, etc? What if they said No Way, are you crazy? I could ask for opinions all day long if I can do this or that but the story would change with each individual. What is the most important question for me is this. Do I Think I can do this? Can I give it my all and make it work in some way? Mind over matter. You are a beautiful young lady and in this world of advertising and art, anything is possible. It's the same with selling a product. You talk people into the idea of how this product can benefit them so they see the potential of what they can make from it. It's the same with yourself. Market the awesome qualities you have and what you can offer and who knows what could happen. I wish you great success and admire you for your strength. Many could learn from you. xoxox Tiffany May 09 07 08:39 am Link One of the models who's in multiple images on my portfolio is paralyzed on the left side of her body, arm & leg both. She does alt, art, and semi nude modeling & has worked with numerous photographers in this area. She doesn't make a living at it but she gets some bookings, some cash, and a lot of cool photos. So it can be done May 09 07 09:36 am Link You're so beautiful I would like to see you put on a couple more pounds , tho Don't get discouraged , tho . after an accident I had to re - teach myself to walk . It has a lot to do with ( hard to explain ) density and confidence . good luck in all Fred May 09 07 09:47 am Link Making a living solely from income derived as a model is probably not attainable for most people in the world, regardless of physical abilities / disabilities. Even those who can do it, usually cannot do it for life - the window on a modelling career is often very narrow. Creating beautiful images on the other hand is completely attainable if you work at it, and choose good people to work with. I was going to refer you to Alex N.'s profile (she is quadriplegic and models), but I see a few people already have. May 09 07 10:00 am Link Playboy did a layout on a girl, some years back, who was paralized from the waist down. I can't remember if she was a Playmate or not. I remember that the spread was beautiful. May 09 07 10:09 am Link I'd be happy to work with you, although since I have no idea where "Clovis" is I'm guessing you're not local. I would think a lot of art photographers would be more than happy to work with you. You just need to do a shoot or two with somebody experienced to get your confidence up and get some experience in figuring out how to work around your injury in a modeling context. May 09 07 11:58 am Link Star wrote: May 09 07 03:04 pm Link One of my favorite male models in my magazine is actually disabled, but he's one of my best friends and we work around it in such a way that people would never know. Next week I'm doing a pin-up shoot in London with a model who suffers from MS. I can tell that she's going to be great and she's really looking forward to it. In the end it's really about what the goal is of the final product and how that can be achieved while working with or around your disability. I say go for it! Heck even Playboy had a disabled Playmate, as someone may have mentioned here. Send me a line and I'd love to work with you sometime. ~ Chris Beyond May 09 07 03:18 pm Link Star wrote: All models that enter into modeling as a hobby or profession need help from working professionals to help them realistically gauge what options there are for them in this industry. That is what the OP is asking and I think your response was a tad callous and not very well thought out. Just ask Stevie Wonder or Heather Mills or Helen Keller or countless others who have overcome disabilities to prove naysayers wrong. May 09 07 03:25 pm Link BLESS YOU GIRL!! I would shoot with you in a heart beat because you are a REAL human being... Your not trying to make a career out of this... so why should ANYTHING stop you... Im never gonna play in the NBA does that mean i should never pick up a basketball and play... Any photographer that says it would be impossible to shoot you isnt creative enough to come up with a way to do it... You are beautiful and you are positive... More power to you in WHATEVER you choose to do... and never let ANYBODY tell you you cant do something... the only limitation is the one in their minds and souls... peace ridwan May 09 07 03:29 pm Link Where is Clovis? My camera is ready. May 09 07 03:35 pm Link Definitely keep it in your profile, 'cause it's part of who you are. And keep shooting and make lots of beautiful photos along the way!!! May 09 07 03:38 pm Link Ridwan wrote: Bravo! Well said. May 09 07 03:40 pm Link Aussie Guevara wrote: I treated her as a human being, regardless of a disability. I think she might enjoy someone being on the level with her. Having a disability does not make you weak, or less able than anyone else. Treating someone differently than anyone else with cell phone pics is a disservice to her and to me. May 09 07 03:44 pm Link GLB Graphics wrote: NorthEast of Fresno May 09 07 03:49 pm Link |
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