Model
Carmilla Jo
Posts: 276
Oakland, California, US
Hi everyone,
I'm considering travelling to other parts of the U.S. and finding some work while I'm there. Right now, I'm seriously considering Southern California (LA area) and Chicago (because I have a good friend who attends school there). For those of you who have had experience as a travelling model, how do you find work?
Model
Damianne
Posts: 15978
Austin, Texas, US
Post an availability notice and enlist anyone and everyone I know in the area to refer me.
Also post in the travel forum.
Photographer
Kev Lawson
Posts: 11294
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Carmilla, when reading your port, I noticed you have No checked to nudes. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but from what I have seen is the "traveling models" that are successful, are successful because they shoot nudes. That said, you should see first if you can get enough work in an area to cover your expenses AND return home costs so you do not end up stranded somewhere. Also include in that shoots where the photographer backs out at the last minute and you were counting on that money. Just my thoughts. Best wishes! 
Photographer
S W I N S K E Y
Posts: 24376
Saint Petersburg, Florida, US
at 5'4" and not available for nudes, i wouldn't bother if i were you.. ![https://i.imgur.com/m8TQi.png]()
Photographer
Park Avenue Pin-ups
Posts: 654
Waverly, New York, US
S W I N S K E Y wrote:
at 5'4" and not available for nudes, i wouldn't bother if i were you.. I think Swinskey is correct in his assessment unless you are already famous.
Model
Aly Catt
Posts: 402
Oneonta, New York, US
If your modeling as a hobby, almost any genre is open to you.
If you want to be able to travel and find work, then there are only 2 ways to go about that. Playboy or vogue.
Nude modeling has no height requirement, and is much easier to find freelance work in, you dont need an agency.
Fashion modeling(paid anyways) is best found with an agency. Its incredibly hard to freelance in fashion. Fashion modeling has a height requirement, 5'9. If you have an amazing look you might get by at 5'8. Fashion agencies do not accept petite models.
If you dont shoot nude and your 5'4, both options are out. You will not be a traveling model. Its not about your look; as with any job, if you dont fit the job requirements, you wont get the job.
Model
Nat has a username
Posts: 3590
Oakland, California, US
S W I N S K E Y wrote:
at 5'4" and not available for nudes, i wouldn't bother if i were you.. Yes, most models I know (myself included) that did well as traveling models specialized in nude work.
If you're not open to nudes I'd advise building up the best portfolio possible locally, then finding others in a new area to test with. See if there is a meet and greet in that area. Be OK with the fact that you might not make a lot or anything at all for non-nude work and be able to fund your own trip worst case scenario.
I did short trips to NYC from Boston for a while to get used to it, and to build a network of people to work with/ stay with/ barter with. Branch out little by little.
Model
S. Stark
Posts: 13614
Los Angeles, California, US
traveling model recipe: 1 killer portfolio 1 solid business model 1 solid online presence nudity to taste if no nudity in stock, substitute with any of the following... one amazing , unique talent lots and lots of latex agency representation These are things they typically have, at minimum. Only when you're killing it at home base should you take the show on the road. Right now, you should ask yourself exactly why you believe your product is worth paying for. If you and I tried to book work in the same city at the same time...why should someone choose you over me? Why should they choose you over every other model in their area? Every single one. When you decide what that thing is, for you, get quality pictures of that thing that everyone will want, and push forward. You're short, and you don't do nude work- both of these things work against you, but don't have to be dealbreakers. I see you can do this: ![https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/120426/22/4f9a2cabe1525_m.jpg]() ...and the splits. Get a photographer to take a picture of you doing the splits! Can you do backbends? Breathe fire? Hoola hoop? Before traveling, if you really want to make money... You need to build your personal brand (find your niche), and then market it.
Model
B R E N N A N
Posts: 4247
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Shandra Stark wrote:
traveling model recipe:
1 killer portfolio
1 solid business model
1 solid online presence
nudity to taste
if no nudity in stock, substitute with any of the following...
one amazing , unique talent
lots and lots of latex
agency representation
These are things they typically have, at minimum. Only when you're killing it at home base should you take the show on the road.
Right now, you should ask yourself exactly why you believe your product is worth paying for. If you and I tried to book work in the same city at the same time...why should someone choose you over me? Why should they choose you over every other model in their area? Every single one.
When you decide what that thing is, for you, get quality pictures of that thing that everyone will want, and push forward.
You're short, and you don't do nude work- both of these things work against you, but don't have to be dealbreakers.
I see you can do this:
![https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/120426/22/4f9a2cabe1525_m.jpg]()
...and the splits. Get a photographer to take a picture of you doing the splits!
Can you do backbends? Breathe fire? Hoola hoop?
Before traveling, if you really want to make money...
You need to build your personal brand (find your niche), and then market it. +10000000. This.
Model
Jen B
Posts: 4474
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Carmilla Jo wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm considering travelling to other parts of the U.S. and finding some work while I'm there. Right now, I'm seriously considering Southern California (LA area) and Chicago (because I have a good friend who attends school there). For those of you who have had experience as a travelling model, how do you find work? Hi Carmilla,
While my reply is probably not the one you are looking for. I travel as a different type of travel model.
Mine are all TF shoots with me covering my travel. Actually two of my shoots were even my travel and my pay too, (one was a total dud though due to miss matched expectations.)
Being in Alaska...I enjoy taking mini vacations away from the frozen darkness which is what is at my town of residence. We only have 3 hours of daylight now and the temps go to -30F.
So far I'm new but, have just tried to find photographers who'd be willing to shoot and then contact them when I am in the area or before.
I had a LOT of cancels and reschedules when I did this last and anticipate that it will happen when I do it next.
Jen
p.s. will post availability notices again too, that helped me a little tiny bit...finding the shoots was a lot of work, and that was for TRADE!!!
Photographer
Rp-photo
Posts: 42711
Houston, Texas, US
S W I N S K E Y wrote:
at 5'4" and not available for nudes, i wouldn't bother if i were you.. Park Avenue Pin-ups wrote:
I think Swinskey is correct in his assessment unless you are already famous. Perhaps a bit harsh, but very sage advice.
Photographer
Abbitt Photography
Posts: 13562
Washington, Utah, US
One thing to be aware of is the supply and demand of the areas you wish to travel to/through and what the demand is there.
I often check travel notices, but often the traveling models will only be in my area for one specific day. That's limiting right there. To be me worth my while, they need to offer a value I don't get from local models - A better look, more affordable pricing, nude modeling experience, etc.
I booked one traveling model who didn't do nudes. She had a great look and her goal wasn't to make a profit, but rather to offer rates that were competitive with what I find around here, and help her with some gas money for at trip she was doing anyways.
Model
Nym Faea
Posts: 650
San Francisco, California, US
Ditto what many have said: height, nudes, hard work, killer port, plus a little bit of crazy. You also have to be ready for the responsibility and work of being on the road - but you're at UC Berkeley, so you're probably a smart cookie.
I would say, you should emphasize your alternative niche and gothiness. It will make you a more valuable and unique asset. Play to your strengths.
Photographer
Paolo D Photography
Posts: 11502
San Francisco, California, US
B R E N N A N wrote:
+10000000. This. 10000001
Everything Shandra said is spot on, also the stuff Indefinite Anomaly said. They're both pros at this. Thats probably why i have shot with both of them before when they were in my area. They brought something new to the area and its a talent they've mastered.
They both are awesome!!!!!!
...as is Carmilla Jo ( i shot with her too everbody!  )
Jo,
have you asked yourself what your goal is?
what do you want to accomplish by traveling?
Both LA and Chicago markets have no shortage of models.
(earning potential very low for you, but fun experience!)
Perhaps you could travel to a less saturated market and bring something new?
(better earning potential)
either way it doesnt hurt to put out some feelers, contact some members in those areas, or put up a travel/availability notice for those areas if youre ready.
Photographer
Dean Johnson Photo
Posts: 70925
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
 Moderator Note! Shandra Stark wrote:
traveling model recipe:
1 killer portfolio
1 solid business model
1 solid online presence
nudity to taste
if no nudity in stock, substitute with any of the following...
one amazing , unique talent
lots and lots of latex
agency representation
These are things they typically have, at minimum. Only when you're killing it at home base should you take the show on the road.
Right now, you should ask yourself exactly why you believe your product is worth paying for. If you and I tried to book work in the same city at the same time...why should someone choose you over me? Why should they choose you over every other model in their area? Every single one.
When you decide what that thing is, for you, get quality pictures of that thing that everyone will want, and push forward.
You're short, and you don't do nude work- both of these things work against you, but don't have to be dealbreakers.
I see you can do this:
![https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/120426/22/4f9a2cabe1525_m.jpg]()
...and the splits. Get a photographer to take a picture of you doing the splits!
Can you do backbends? Breathe fire? Hoola hoop?
Before traveling, if you really want to make money...
You need to build your personal brand (find your niche), and then market it. I hereby declare this the Post of the Day!
Thank you Shandra.
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
paid models tag/message/friend me all the time. you might get backlash on that from some photographers, however.
Model
Jordan Bunniie
Posts: 1755
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
S W I N S K E Y wrote:
at 5'4" and not available for nudes, i wouldn't bother if i were you.. Swinskey is correct.
Photographer
AJ_In_Atlanta
Posts: 13053
Atlanta, Georgia, US
You need to be able to offer something that local models don't. If you have that you need to highlight it and promote it and then you may stand a chance at success; it will be hard work even then.
Perhaps ask in feedback to see if people would be interested in hiring you if you were a traveling model. Best to get a direct response from those whom you would be marketing yourself to.
Model
Jessi June
Posts: 183
Miami, Florida, US
Dean Soapbox Killer Photo wrote:
I hereby declare this the Post of the Day!
Thank you Shandra. ... Damn Teachers Pets!
 Lol.
Photographer
Nature Coast Lightworks
Posts: 1955
Tampa, Florida, US
Jordan Bunniie wrote:
Swinskey is correct. The Bunniie speaks the truth.
jf
Model
Jen B
Posts: 4474
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Model
S. Stark
Posts: 13614
Los Angeles, California, US
Dean Soapbox Killer Photo wrote:
I hereby declare this the Post of the Day!
Thank you Shandra. I didn't know that was a thing! Hooray!
You're very welcome!
Model
S. Stark
Posts: 13614
Los Angeles, California, US
Paolo Diavolo wrote:
10000001
Everything Shandra said is spot on, also the stuff Indefinite Anomaly said. They're both pros at this. Thats probably why i have shot with both of them before when they were in my area. They brought something new to the area and its a talent they've mastered.
They both are awesome!!!!!!
...as is Carmilla Jo ( i shot with her too everbody! )
Jo,
have you asked yourself what your goal is?
what do you want to accomplish by traveling?
Both LA and Chicago markets have no shortage of llamas.
(earning potential very low for you, but fun experience!)
Perhaps you could travel to a less saturated market and bring something new?
(better earning potential)
either way it doesnt hurt to put out some feelers, contact some members in those areas, or put up a travel/availability notice for those areas if youre ready. Thak you for the support, and kind words! I remember the bubble rap, fondly!
OP, everything Paolo has said is valid. Traveling to a saturated market with the same offerings as everyone else, will not get you booked. If you're offering less than the local market? Forget about it.
Figure out what you have that no one else does.
|
Moderator Note!
) 
Lol.