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About Models being too short :(
I simply can not believe the different forms of discrimination I have encountered in this industry. Height has never been a requirement for me to photograph anyone or work with or even recommend someone to a client. Some of the most beautiful women in the World are under 5' 3". I have worked sittings with gorgeous people who would be considered too short and they have thrived and found success. Why is the industry so adamant about height? I see no sense in precluding any person who presents a compelling presence or image. Exceptional beauty is not height dependent. Nov 18 05 03:52 pm Link I think you're right... For print. For runway, however, there is an ideal that makes the clothes look best. Currently, our society thinks that is very tall and very thin. Other societies value other things, but that's the way it goes here and now! I feel your sadness though - I am only 5'6"! Nov 18 05 03:56 pm Link Beauty is not the sole requirement of modeling. And there are lots of types of modeling that do not require women to be 5' 10". Nov 18 05 04:02 pm Link Mandie: You are gorgeous. And you make my case in point beautifully. Your image communicates class, charm, sensuality and femininity. Brian: You are right of course on both of your points. Although, as my profile states, I find inspiration in beauty and this is the reason I am focused on it. \/ Pamela \/ Thats so very true. Nov 18 05 04:14 pm Link there's a ton of playboy models who are very short and ridiculously gorgeous. it's a shame that they wouldn't get work outside of "girly" modelling. Nov 18 05 04:17 pm Link This again???? Do a search for height in which the myriad of reasons for height requirements are discussed ad nauseum by several full time pros in both the fashion and commercial realms. It's a shallow industry with shallow rules. Nov 18 05 04:17 pm Link Synergy Canada wrote: Good for you! You are providing modeling opportunities for those who are not genetically qualified to be fashion models. So you're part of the solution to your own problem. Nov 18 05 04:18 pm Link Hi Theda: I'm really not interested in what other so called "Pro's" have to say about height. Regardless of the reasons I will never think it's right to judge on such a useless variant. In ten years I have had maybe 3 or 4 clients who have requested a male or female model be a certain height. I strongly believe that the motivation for this silly perception comes from what Mandie mentioned earlier in the post "Public Perception". And it's dead wrong as far as I'm concerned. Nov 18 05 04:22 pm Link I have been told I was to short for shoots before and I think it wasn't fair. Nov 18 05 04:25 pm Link Synergy Canada wrote: It's the size of the sample clothes and products. I'm sorry if you don't like the reality of the industry, but that's the way it is. Nov 18 05 04:27 pm Link Hi Brian: Yes thats true, if you look at my Port I just recently finished shooting a commercial poster series for Pearl Drums. 3 of my models were 5' 4" or less and only one was over 5' 5". Height requirements are stupid and just plain wrong. If the market can bear plus size models then why the continued harping against height? Silly World. Nov 18 05 04:28 pm Link You're singing my tune... Nov 18 05 04:30 pm Link Hi Theda: Your right Theda, I don't like the reality of the industry. I think it's sucks and it's unfair to alot of good people. You seem like a very intelligent person and I would hate to think that the industry would discriminate against you for being intelligent. Nov 18 05 04:31 pm Link Synergy Canada wrote: I agree 100% Nov 18 05 04:31 pm Link Pamela: My thoughts exactly. Someone once mentioned to me in a passing conversation, that what some individuals lacked in perceived height they made up for in beauty.  Nov 18 05 04:39 pm Link Don't blame the photographers or modeling agencies, they are simply doing what their clients, the ones who pay everyone, what they require. Clothing designers want mannequins, not 'real' women, they want 'clothes hangers' who will not distrct from their clothing designs. Second, they usually provide only a couole of sizes for photo shoots. If you are not in those sizes, then you are out of luck. It's true that commercial work does not have a height requirement, but most model agencies prefer models who can do both commercial and fashion, that's far more lucrative for them. So they stick with the height and size requirements for fashion work. Nov 18 05 04:55 pm Link I'm not necessarily making it, but the argument could be made that it's not fair that the industry discriminates against ugly people, too. Why can't people with terrible acne be in makeup commercials? How about those with giant, crooked noses? Would you blame someone for passing on a model with a lazy eye? The fashion industry found that they can make the most money by using models with certain genetic qualities, and height happens to be one of them. And like it or not, fashion is a business based on profits. You say it's not fair that they don't hire shorter models, but would it be fair for shorter models to cut into a company's profits? Nov 18 05 05:05 pm Link Hello all: It seems as though there is a general lack of faith about how the public, or market if you will, would respond to change. With the push on reality T.V. shows and other types of reality based content you would think that advertising agencies would learn to be more realistic about the human resources they selected. I have worked with a model who had one eye, she had something called a scleral shell in her eye socket. She was stunning. Her eye seemed on the lazy side but the inconsistency made her more unique and interesting. I shot a male model with one leg. For a running shoe ad back in the late 80's. Adidas. He was what the industry would consider short and not particulalry attractive but he had alot of personality. Advertising agencies have used some very unappealing sports figures, look at Don Cherry in all those NHL posters and ads. Yuck. LOL Things have to change! I want them to change. Brian: A large Corporation who has an established Worldwide market making billions of dollars could use a kick in the ass. They could also benefit from acknowledging that they too have been blinded by the self perpetuating image of the so called "Perfect" image. Although your point about them banking on the perfect image rings true, their advertising methodologies continue to propogate a so called ideal which is just not realistic. Real consumers are the key target, the World is changing and consumers are becoming fast aware of all the BS that the advertising industry is propogating in an effort to curry favor. I am just passionately driving for change with the little I can achieve from my own limited position. Nov 18 05 05:19 pm Link I completely agree. I wish the industry would change also. I have been turned down many times because I was too short. Nov 18 05 05:26 pm Link Synergy Canada wrote: So... why don't you exclusively shoot short models? Nov 18 05 05:37 pm Link Hi Mayae: You are beautiful. And so are the other Models who responded to this thread. I think it's shameful and wasteful to turn away people who not only have a desire and passion to promote but have attributes which are so marketable. The performing artists in this industry, and thats what models are, would give their everything for a chance to please a large contractor. This is the passion which makes a person a dynamic choice for a company. This passion is also what gets young hopefuls into trouble when unscrupulous agencies, individuals or agents clue in on this desperate hope, and driving passion. I wish I could dispatch a guardian angel to watch over each and every one of your shoulders to protect you all from these tyrants. Nov 18 05 05:37 pm Link If the industry changes then EVERYONE that is remotely attractive would be able to model then there wont be a demand for fashion models because EVERYONE in the world is a model. Plus I think clothes look better (personally) on tall and skinny you notice the clothes more and your not concentrating on anything else. tall and skinny have been "in" in the fashion industry for over almost 40 years. It obviously works and sells...so sorry its not going to change. oh and one more thing..I've said it once I'll say it again. Modeling is a business if your not qualified then it isnt for you. Thats not mean just realistic... I dont qualify to be president no matter how bad I want to be I wasnt born in this country there for I cant do it..am I mad? no...just being realistic. Nov 18 05 05:40 pm Link Synergy Canada wrote: you must be real new to it then... Nov 18 05 05:42 pm Link JuicyPeach wrote: want fair? Nov 18 05 05:43 pm Link SarahSVET wrote: That appears a lot online... everybody with a webcam is indeed a model. Nov 18 05 05:44 pm Link Nov 18 05 05:48 pm Link Hi UdoR: Yes that does make alot of sense, I'm not privvy to the specifications and technical requirements of the runway scene. But your right, and I have, over the last 3 years, been shooting more and more models considered too short. I don't charge models for portfolios and I never have. It's always been a creative collaboration. My commercial shoots have always paid Union wages at the ACTRA, scale. The equivalent pay scale for the actors union in the U.S. I'm not greedy because I don't need to be. I treat people fairly, equitably and honestly. My equipment has already paid for itself so I have no overhead. I really enjoy working with people and am often surprized at how creative and interesting they can be. Thank you for your kind and informative reply UdoR Nov 18 05 05:48 pm Link There ARE many types, but a lot of these petite girls (or guys) say they want to make it big in fashion/runway. Not gonna happen... Nov 18 05 07:47 pm Link Guys have it worse! /angry face Nov 18 05 07:52 pm Link Beauty is not common, otherwise it would just be plain... that's why there are your average folk, and your beautiful people, and then your tall and beautiful people. All jobs are certain qualifications and modeling has its own set of requirements. Nov 18 05 08:00 pm Link While the norms are the norms and they will probably always be that way whether fair or not, personally I don't think it should matter for print modeling because there are so many ways of making you appear taller if need be. Camera angles, positioning, etc, you can always fake it. Being 5'2, I sympathize with all the shorties. And while we can all complain about the requirements, I'm pretty sure we won't get anywhere. Nov 18 05 08:44 pm Link Dana Nicole wrote: commerical print doesn't care about height..and there are way more commercial print jobs then fashion... Nov 18 05 08:46 pm Link BTW... if anybody cares... although I deal with the tall girls... I find many shorties extremely sexy and could be in a serious relationship with many if all comes together... but that is me as a person... it's different when it concerns my business. Nov 18 05 08:50 pm Link this industry is very discriminatory... Against... 1) short people 2) fat people 3) ugly people 4) people with bad skin 5) people missing limbs 6) people over 40 I could go on but you get the message.... desperation eliminates most forms of discrimination....you can find lots of people to shoot tfp.... GWC doesn't discriminate.......UNLESS you want to keep your clothing on, you may then encounter some discrimination. people with real money and power in the industry are very discriminatory...the more money and power they have the more discriminatory they are. If you don't believe me, go look at the real power brokers work and look at the models they choose to work with. Nov 18 05 08:55 pm Link Nov 18 05 08:56 pm Link Mary wrote: Dear Mary; Nov 18 05 08:59 pm Link newhall243 wrote: Nov 18 05 09:01 pm Link UdoR wrote: LOL! why would you be on my ignore list? Nov 18 05 09:05 pm Link Synergy Canada wrote: I can almost guarantee that if they were marketable, they wouldn't be turned away. Almost by definition--it's a money-driven field on the advertising front. Nov 18 05 11:32 pm Link Mary wrote: Really? Personally, I think there are very marketable short, fat, ugly, and over 40 quite present in the entertainment industry today. Diane Lane, Jack Nicholson, Kathy Bates, Elaine Stritch...? Nov 19 05 12:12 am Link |
