Recently, I was critiqued by a friend who asked me how I would continue modeling once I got my braces. (Unfortunately had to get them again at 23 and invisalign wasn't an option for my particular case). I got the clear braces of course and I find that no one notices them unless they are really close. I've had a few shoots and haven't noticed them at all. That also could be thanks to photoshop. lol I think it would be silly to suggest someone would have to stop modeling because they have to correct their teeth. I hardly show my teeth in most photos anyways. *shrugs*
Sounds like your problem is solved then! Or like you didn't really have one in the first place. It says a lot that you're able to get past what some others might see as a challenge
291
Posts: 11,911
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, California, US
for picture taking and going through the motions of modeling via the internet, braces are often overlooked due to one simply showing up. at the professional level pertaining to client bookings through an agency, models are told to come back when they are removed unless there is a specific client request which is few and far between. those are the choices and reality for those with braces.
vbabe wrote: I think it would be silly to suggest someone would have to stop modeling because they have to correct their teeth. I hardly show my teeth in most photos anyways. *shrugs*
Wow. Well, It's presumable that smiling falls under a model's job description. So unless you're modeling for a dentist office ad your teeth should be corrected. (ps- please do not take braces as a sign of "ugliness", thats not it.)
If you're shooting for fun then who cares. Just know most professionals will pass on you. As far as not noticing them at all... trust me... photographers can see every last single pore on your face, let alone braces.
Those pictures are beautiful! You can't tell at all!
That's an example of how braces can be worked around.
My teeth ARE crooked, but they aren't exactly all that bad. I have AWFUL candid shots of me laughing/smiling, where yes, if my teeth were perfect they would be WONDERFUL portfolio grade shots, but because the bad side of my jaw was captured, I cannot use them.
I cannot afford to get braces however. So I try to work around it and do shots and expressions that barely show any teeth.
There are tons of expressions I think that show mood or amusement or whatever where you don't need to show your teeth and are just as good. But if you're doing like boudoir/fetish type stuff, I guess you can't use the more silly expressions, unless of course.. it's all part of the master plan... >> Yes that's it.
Dont' worry about it. I model and I apparently have a mouth that will keep me from getting paid.
I'm glad you are continuing to model even if braces may seem to almost pose a roadblock. That's ambition! There are always ways to bend the rules a bit, and photo shop is one of them.
After all, you know what they say, "life's problems wouldn't be called 'hurdles' if there wasn't a way to get over them!"
Sounds as if you are doing well with your braces. I do not have a problem with braces ... in fact sometimes they may actually enhance the photo. Now I do have a problem with tattoos ... especially if they are large and gaudy ... I despise tattoos.
Brittany B Bell wrote: Ive seen alot of models who become ugly as soon as they smile. At least you are fixing the problem! Keep on modeling you're fine!
Exactly! My teeth weren't horrible before braces (as I had them when I was younger), but there were flaws in my front teeth I really despised. Not too noticeable, but noticeable enough in a close up photo. My bite was the major concern as it could lead to health issues later on. Ultimately braces are better than a crooked smile and thankfully we have wonderful things like Photoshop. :-)
My height actually makes professional modeling difficult (as far as joining an agency), so most of my shoots are for fun.
Thank you all so much for your support!
Here is a recent photo from a shoot I did with braces:
I used to model while I had braces ( I still have them). They were never an issue for me, and depending on the work you are seeking, they may also get you more work.
In most cases, they will just influence what facial expressions you use: )
I wore braces, and continued modeling. I didn't let them show, however there is a market for "braces showing" photos. I don't think you would've known I was wearing them if I didn't tell you. http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15576283
Maybe it was forgiven due to her nakedness, but one example of a pro model with braces that didn't seem to hurt her career at all.
Leanna Decker could have been toothless and it wouldn't have hurt her career at all lol.
To the OP, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Most individual photographers won't notice, won't care or may even find it an appealing feature. I personally think women with braces are adorable...maybe it's the unavoidable pout or the shy/self-consciousness that creates a vulnerability.
Could it affect more commercial or mainstream work where the requirements are more constrained, sure. You probably won't get a Crest White Strips commercial for a while.
I'm new so my opinions are mute but you can check my pictures since I'm wearing braces in all of them. I'm going to be very happy when they come off though.
natural beauties of qld wrote: braces are a non-event. I cannot imagine turning down a model because she had braces. I wish the same applied to tattoos.
Good point. I think braces (depending on type you have and also the photos you are doing) can be easier to hide. I think it also depends on what the photographer is looking for. If the model is covered in tattoos and it's not exactly the look the photographer is going for there isn't much you can do I guess. I think also since braces are usually a medical necessity and tattoos are not, that may also be another reason.
I'm actually so amazed so many people find braces attractive and are a big hype in places like Japan. I actually would have gotten invisalign, but my ortho said it would probably only correct 85% of my biting issues.
my best friend is a published alt/tattoo model who is extremely successful, and she never stopped modeling when she got her braces at 24. She even does shoots showing them. But its not hard to conceal them for the time you have to wear them. I think that would be a silly reason to quit.
I've shot with this model many times, and she's always been great, with or without them.
Love it!
Twila Jean wrote: my best friend is a published alt/tattoo model who is extremely successful, and she never stopped modeling when she got her braces at 24. She even does shoots showing them. But its not hard to conceal them for the time you have to wear them. I think that would be a silly reason to quit.
291 wrote: for picture taking and going through the motions of modeling via the internet, braces are often overlooked due to one simply showing up. at the professional level pertaining to client bookings through an agency, models are told to come back when they are removed unless there is a specific client request which is few and far between. those are the choices and reality for those with braces.
+1
vbabe wrote: lol I think it would be silly to suggest someone would have to stop modeling because they have to correct their teeth.
In the sector I work in, you will not book work unless your teeth are perfect.
It's modeling. You MUST have clear skin. You MUST have nice hair. You MUST have nice nails. You MUST have straight, white teeth. Everything not perfect makes you less desirable and less marketable when up against the other MODELS.
To ask if you can realistically work without these things (in my sector) is a no brainer.
Not a concern for me as my height already restricts me from being part of an agency. This is mostly a hobby for me. In other cultures, such as Japan, a lot of models do not have straight teeth and non-straight teeth and braces are the hype. I hated the way my front teeth looked before braces and now that that is mostly straightened out, I think braces IMO look better than crooked teeth. Thankfully we have this wonderful thing called Photoshop for imperfections, because everyone has them. I wear clear braces so they are not as noticeable.
Harbor Images wrote: Personally, I wouldn't care if the model I was working with had braces. Then again, I don't really like those "cheesy, smiling" photos.
vbabe wrote: Thankfully we have this wonderful thing called Photoshop for imperfections, because everyone has them.
For your line of work, it may not matter and yes, everyone has imperfections. However, the amount of perceived "imperfections" to edit in post-production are relatively small for a working industry model than compared to say an average girl who decides to pursue modeling as a hobby.
I see threads like this all the time asking if it's "OK" for stretch marks, scars, cellulite, crooked teeth, yellow teeth, braces, tattoos, acne, poor skin, etc, etc, etc... the answer is always the same: "If you expect to find work in the "industry", no, these things aren't "OK" -- they make you less marketable". I would argue that even some freelance work and hobby models should take these things into consideration, because I'm not sure why anyone would use a "model" with a bunch of these things when there are so many models who don't have them.
We're obviously talking about two separate worlds, but I'm just wary whenever I see anything indicating that these things don't matter or Photoshop can just be used as a fix all. It can lead others to think that it doesn't quite matter as much what goes into it, only what "comes out" -- but there's an old saying that goes "Garbage in, garbage out". Photoshop is best used to fix minor imperfections/touch-ups. Using it to remove braces or correct crooked teeth is too much, IMO. Best to just find a model with straight white teeth if that's what's needed.
Anna Adrielle
Posts: 17,002
Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
vbabe wrote:
Exactly! My teeth weren't horrible before braces (as I had them when I was younger), but there were flaws in my front teeth I really despised. Not too noticeable, but noticeable enough in a close up photo. My bite was the major concern as it could lead to health issues later on. Ultimately braces are better than a crooked smile and thankfully we have wonderful things like Photoshop. :-)
My height actually makes professional modeling difficult (as far as joining an agency), so most of my shoots are for fun.
Thank you all so much for your support!
Here is a recent photo from a shoot I did with braces:
well, to be honest, it's very clear you have braces on in that shot . But that's okay, nothing wrong with that!!
missvan
Posts: 5
Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines
I have braces, too and would have to wear them for about 1 more year. It does get in the way of getting booked since what I have are metallic ones. All agencies that I went to told me that I could only book fashion photoshoots and runway...I'm like, "That's what I want!" Those jobs are few and competition is high.
I had to learn how to pose and relax my mouth without showing those metal wires. It does add a cute pout but one cannot always pose pouting, I guess.
Anyway, good thing is I still get booked. Don't lose hope. =]
As I do the casting for our modeling agency I can tell you the following:
When girls ask if it is a problem, my answer is:
"NO, you are working on getting beautifull teeth... how can I object"
I do see in photographs that the mouth shapes differently when they wear their retainer, so it can be an issue in photography...
But for catwalk, I don't see the problem, and 50% of the photoshoots neither... so keep going... and yes, you might miss out a few times... but know that after they come out, you'll have a set of the most beautifull straight pearlywhites... increasing your changes greatly.
missvan
Posts: 5
Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines
sybarite photography wrote: As I do the casting for our modeling agency I can tell you the following:
When girls ask if it is a problem, my answer is:
"NO, you are working on getting beautifull teeth... how can I object"
I do see in photographs that the mouth shapes differently when they wear their retainer, so it can be an issue in photography...
But for catwalk, I don't see the problem, and 50% of the photoshoots neither... so keep going... and yes, you might miss out a few times... but know that after they come out, you'll have a set of the most beautifull straight pearlywhites... increasing your changes greatly.
Valerie Kelly wrote: Recently, I was critiqued by a friend who asked me how I would continue modeling once I got my braces. (Unfortunately had to get them again at 23 and invisalign wasn't an option for my particular case). I got the clear braces of course and I find that no one notices them unless they are really close. I've had a few shoots and haven't noticed them at all. That also could be thanks to photoshop. lol I think it would be silly to suggest someone would have to stop modeling because they have to correct their teeth. I hardly show my teeth in most photos anyways. *shrugs*
Visible braces is a problem for me, since I usually shoot nudes, and they're associated with adolescence in a lot of people's minds. But, if the braces are inconspicuous, that helps. Plus, very few of my images show teeth anyway.
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