|
Forums >
Model Colloquy >
Come Back
I left modeling last summer. I was absolutely drained and feeling like my creativity was shot. So I took a break for about 10 months. And it honestly felt so good to do that. I think I really needed it. But now I'm trying to get back into "model mode." And I feel a little lost. A lot of the people I used to see on this site, aren't here or aren't that active. And a few of my favorite photographers to collaborate with locally aren't photographing models anymore. It's a huge turnover. I'm wondering if I'll be able to make a comeback or not. I'm sure going to try! Has anyone else taken a break? If you did, how did you make your comeback?  Jul 10 13 08:10 am Link The best way for me to sum it up would be: Think of it like you're new, except you know now what you didn't know then. Jul 10 13 12:12 pm Link Turnover is a part of the business. Start hitting the email and you'll be connected again in no time. Jul 10 13 01:11 pm Link Welcome back Nicole... I have to switch hats frequently owing to my marketplace... Doing much more architectural work now than catalog or portraiture... Market dynamics drives the equation... and likely the same for many others here... Diversification of client mix has worked well for me... Food for thought: Several of my associates who did a lot of catalog are now brand ambassadors i.e. promo models... seems it's working well for them... enjoy your journey... Jul 10 13 02:06 pm Link Everybody needs some down time, and being involved in creative endeavors requires those breaks. If you do the same things over and over, even if there are differences in the creative energy, the style, the photographer, eventually you'll just get TIRED. I take breaks all the time and go shoot something different, sometimes even in areas that I've never tried before. I used to announce my "retirement" about every six months, but I always come back. You'd be surprised how quickly you'll bounce back, and if my own experience is any indication, you'll come back stronger than ever before, though with a new eye and new clarity of purpose. And welcome back. Jul 10 13 02:30 pm Link I have to do the same thing in a different industry. My advice is to network. Send your post to every photographer you've ever worked with. Then do a Search on every photographer in a 50-mile radius and send your note to any of those you haven't yet contacted. Network. You've definitely got the look, won't be long. Jul 10 13 04:06 pm Link To Nicole Dawes -- Nicole Dawes wrote: Well, you're addressing two things -- returning from a hiatus and the site's lack of activity. Jul 10 13 04:08 pm Link I took time off from modeling when I got pregnant and had my daughter. Coming back I felt the same way you described. But I just started talking to new photographers and making new connections. You just have to start finding new talent. You have the experience where it won't be as hard as if you were just starting out but it can feel at times like you are brand new all over again. Jul 10 13 08:25 pm Link I never really left or took an intentional break... Life happened and I wasn't able to shoot for like 6 months at a time. I'm hoping to shoot on a more regular basis now. I've redefined my goals and priorities. Jul 10 13 08:31 pm Link I took almost two years off, but instead of slowly building up to traveling again, I didn't waste anymore time, and am doing two big trips, possibly three. I'm not sure what happened, other than after a long time, I woke up one morning a month or so ago and thought, "I want to hit the road again. I'm restless." That was pretty much that. I had the first trip set up by that afternoon, along with a place to stay and an itinerary. *shrug* I thought getting back into it would be a process, but no, it's always been so natural for me. I think it depends on how networked in you were when you initially stopped shooting. I'd already put in some years at the time I decided I was done for awhile. Jul 10 13 08:45 pm Link Thomas Van Dyke wrote: Oh yes. I have been doing promotional work since 2009. It pays well and they just want pretty, energetic girls. I do however miss the actual modeling work from time to time. Jul 11 13 08:30 am Link Leland Ray wrote: Very true. Well we shall see. Can a model bounce back at 23 years old? I feel like I'm way past the modeling prime. But I sure will try! Jul 11 13 08:31 am Link Lynn Elizabeth wrote: Yes, I definitely am all squirmy like a newbie. Haha. It's a weird feeling to go from people knowing me, and modeling consistently, to now feeling like nobody and having to build back up. Jul 11 13 08:33 am Link |
