SLE Photography wrote:
I've worked with disabled models, and would do it again, but you have to be aware that your disability will limit you moreso in modeling than in other fields, especially if it affects your physical appearance.

The ADA doesn't apply in modeling.  It's a looks-based business and many will not choose to work with you based on your looks.  Agency and commercial work is not something you should expect, either.

Complaining about the fairness of these circumstances is only likely to make those who MIGHT work with you less likely to do so because they'll expect you to be bitter & have an attitude, and no one wants to deal with that.

Mia Salen wrote:
I hate to be a debbie downer, but it's got to be said. don't let your disability stop you from modelling, but as I would say to any short, chubby, or any other model asking the same question, don't count on modeling to be a full time career. I've had to face the music since I'm a short model. basically, enjoy modeling, but have a "real" job, it's what I do.

Don't forget oversized models, hand models, foot models and such.  ;p

JoJo Suicide wrote:
I don’t see a disabled model, I see a model in a wheelchair. To me there is a major difference.

A disabled car is one sitting at the side of the road.

You are not sitting at the side of life, you are living it. Go for it!

Beautiful point of view.

Lumigraphics wrote:
And at the DEAC shoot, nobody treated her as "the poor girl in the wheelchair." She was there to model and join in the fun and was treated as a peer by everyone else there.

WOW!!! She's local & part of DEAC?? Cool! It would be an honor to model WITH her sometime!

Meghan Anne Gerhart wrote:
My mental health is starting to improve, and I hope it continues to do so, and my physical health is dubious as always, but I'm hopeful.

YAY!!!! You GO, girl!!

Miss Marianna wrote:
but what the hell, just send an email that I'm interested! That's how it started...

And if anyone ever is trying to bring you on other thoughts, just do what you like and follow your heart!

THat's it.

"Shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you will still land among the stars...."

Alex N wrote:

Okay, actually I am making a list. If anyone has any suggestions, or would like to be included on it, or excluded from it please let me know. It's currently the bottom list in my profile.

Anyone who has a disability visible or not, it's more than welcome to be included.

/end thread hijack/

Can I be on your list please?

I have relapsing MS, so I just don't shoot when I'm having a bad relapse (mainly because during relapses I become a depressed moody cow who shouldn't be around people!). Even when I'm in remission I get tired easily and my legs hurt a lot if I stand up for too long. I need crutches to get around but I have a very handy escort/helper who stands by the side just out of shot and holds them for me, and catches me if I fall! (I've had a great laugh with it sometimes, like standing in the sea trying to balance with the currents making it even harder, being terrified of falling in and ruining the dress and makeup, but laughing at myself!) I have one particular photographer, Draken, who is amazing at dealing with my disability, he just picks me up and puts me where he wants me, even if it's up in a tree! Almost every 'tog I've worked with has been understanding and positive about my limitations. I think that since I became disabled I took on a better attitude and became a lot more professional and helpful on shoots (I hate to admit it, but as a teenage fashion model I was a bit of a demanding diva!)

I'd love to go on Britain's Missing Top Model to show the UK what I can do. I'm signed with Rogue Maidens, and I do live events (like Punkstock); as long as my agent explains to a client that I need regular breaks and might struggle with some tasks it's fine. I don't let anything hold me back. (The only thing I'm really gutted about is that I wanted to be a dancer! Oh well,  some things don't work out as planned! The new plan is to work on a seated burlesque routine....lol!)

Miss Marianna wrote:
well, i agree with everyone here. i'm not trying to put people in boxes, but the world just do! holland is not that openminded i guess, 'cause i've talked to a stylist once and she told me that when they do a shoot for something for disabled they use abled models! i thought: my god, why not a real disabled person????? as if we aren't people to model!

It's very true...

I remember when I was pregnant, I wanted to try and do some pregnancy/maternity ads, or audition for movie/tv parts that called for a pregnant woman... Then I found out that a majority of the time, they don't actually use pregnant women. They pop a fake belly onto a model that hasn't gained 15 pounds of water weight in her face and arms....Lol.

I was pissed.... Because, yeah, she looks more like a model because she hasn't gotten a little chubby from pregnancy- But that's part of pregnancy!! If they wanted it to look REAL, they should use a REAL pregnant model..... But unfortunately, they don't necessarily want it to look "real" ... They just want it to look "good".

JoJo Suicide wrote:
I don’t see a disabled model, I see a model in a wheelchair. To me there is a major difference.

A disabled car is one sitting at the side of the road.

You are not sitting at the side of life, you are living it. Go for it!

QFT  - I am hard of hearing but that doesn't stop me from doing what I love and creating art with other people

Alex N wrote:

Okay, actually I am making a list. If anyone has any suggestions, or would like to be included on it, or excluded from it please let me know. It's currently the bottom list in my profile.

Anyone who has a disability visible or not, it's more than welcome to be included.

/end thread hijack/

I want on the list!

Alisha King wrote:
Also, Marianna...

Have you checked out http://www.visablemodels.co.uk/about.htm ...

They're in the UK ... Maybe they represent models in the Netherlands ....

Thanks, I've checked it! There's also one in Germany...I can't find the site at this moment...

Thanks, you're sweet!

DKLEE STUDIO wrote:
we are in two worlds here.

one is the MM world where everyone tries to be PC.  yes, everyone can model.  the question is, are you going to be successful at it.  a model with a disability will be limited to what they can model.  do you think they will appear in the newest issue of vogue?  probably not.  how about a children's catalog  probably not.  Local ad?  chances are, no.

but you will have a few agencies that will need pictures for other magazines, other publications that you can model for.  so yes, a model with a physical disability can find work.  is it easy?  probably not.  but it is always worth doing.  and as long as you are happy, and you turn out beautiful pictures, why not?

yes i agree, i'll never be a catwalk girl, but i will be a model! i don't really want to be professional, it'll also cost me way too much energy!

what i really want is 2 things: have fun and be an inspiration for other girls and maybe boys to take a chance to model! you CAN model with a disability, but for professional modelling you CAN'T have a heavy disability.

JoJo Suicide wrote:
I don’t see a disabled model, I see a model in a wheelchair. To me there is a major difference.

A disabled car is one sitting at the side of the road.

You are not sitting at the side of life, you are living it. Go for it!

Disabled is saying a model is unable to do something, which is untrue, we all have strengths and overcome challenges. More power to those who fight their less strong suits.

Meghan Anne Gerhart wrote:
I signed up here as a "photoshop wizard" but I also do some modeling and photography. I have both mental and physical disabilities and, whenever I got a "real" modeling offer, it would break my heart to say no (I could barely leave the house for a few years). My mental health is starting to improve, and I hope it continues to do so, and my physical health is dubious as always, but I'm hopeful. I love retouching photos but one day I'd like a real photographer to photograph me instead of having to take self-portraits. I think it's wonderful that there are photographers out there that are willing to work with disabled models. It's a little ray of hope. (My first post! Nice to meet you all!)

Congratulations. I also came out of my shell today to actually say, I have a physical disability (I hate the word). I also just have social anxiety so as much as I love modeling it is a fight for me to go through with things. Nice to meet you as well.

Kristin IndustrialG wrote:

WOW!!! She's local & part of DEAC?? Cool! It would be an honor to model WITH her sometime!

Yep! I was totally stoked, Alex did a set with London Andrews and Tracy Jordan, and I got to shoot them together! Lovely ladies all three

SLE Photography wrote:
I've worked with disabled models, and would do it again, but you have to be aware that your disability will limit you moreso in modeling than in other fields, especially if it affects your physical appearance.

The ADA doesn't apply in modeling.  It's a looks-based business and many will not choose to work with you based on your looks.  Agency and commercial work is not something you should expect, either.

Complaining about the fairness of these circumstances is only likely to make those who MIGHT work with you less likely to do so because they'll expect you to be bitter & have an attitude, and no one wants to deal with that.

Yes.