NicoleNudes wrote:
That all depends on what genre you want to do.

thats something im trying to figure out maybe petite model  or commercial. fashion ideal but i know im two short. i

Elle Leighton wrote:
i would appreciate so much if i had a review on my profile. DO you think i have  a future as a career.
im 21 but i look like im 17 im 5'5 i weight between 103-105  italian irish.

First off, per site rules, we're not allowed to give critiques outside of the critique forum.

That said, basically you can either get paying jobs through agencies or by working freelance.  To work with an agency, typically they want taller girls, but you're certainly free to apply to them and you may get lucky.   Otherwise, freelance, maybe you can work events/promotions, or get hired for some bikini work from time to time, but otherwise most shorter models have the best success at getting paid by shooting nudes.  I don't say that to be crass or disrespectful, simply stating a reality that is usually how it goes.  If you're against that, it would limit your options somewhat.

Now, you asked about a career.  To have a career as a model, that would imply (at least to me) that you're modelling full-time making more than enough money to pay all of your bills and save money to build up savings, pay your college loans, but ultimately it typically needs to be a stepping stone leading you to a different long-term career, rather than it being a long-term career in itself.

So, without saying anything specific about you, a "career" in modeling is, at best a temporary job to use as a means to an end, not a long-term career.

If you're interested and you're able to make money at it then fantastic, and if you want to have it be a huge part of your income, be ready to work your ass off way more/harder than any full-time job you've ever worked, but what would it hurt to try?

Just don't stop working on whatever it is that you want to be your "real" career, either in addition to or after modeling, and make sure that it would/will be compatible with any modeling you may do.

Hope this helps, not looking to crush any dreams, it just depends a lot on your personal limits, and even then, there are no guarantees, and it may not pay as much as people think it does.  Having heard all that, if you're still interested, go for it, just don't put all your eggs in one basket.

DougBPhoto wrote:
First off, per site rules, we're not allowed to give critiques outside of the critique forum.

She is asking in the critique forum
https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=903817

Images by MR wrote:
She is asking in the critique forum
https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=903817

That still does not impact this thread, where it is still not permitted to be given in this forum, thus providing her with general information about what is commonly true for shorter girls and the reality that even for tall girls it isn't normally a life-long job/occupation.

DougBPhoto wrote:


Hope this helps, not looking to crush any dreams, it just depends a lot on your personal limits, and even then, there are no guarantees, and it may not pay as much as people think it does.  Having heard all that, if you're still interested, go for it, just don't put all your eggs in one basket.

I will also throw in a bit of my own, some of it will probably echo what has already been said.

Being a successful model depends on a few things, knowing what you consider successful is the biggest one. And you may not know the answer to that yet. It took me a while to figure it out for myself and it has still changed a few times.

For example, at first, I was happy just to have people interested in shooting me. Then I was happy to be offered pay. But the getting paid thing got stressful very quickly due to transportation issues and depending too much on the cash in a poor market. I think most of the successful paid models (who do so as a full time job) either live in a very good market or travel. Now I see success every time I see a photo of me in an exhibition or I shoot with a new photographer (or new to nudes) and they are super happy with the results. Or when a photographer compliments me on my posing and how I am easy to work with. I also feel successful when I get a good check from Zivity (which means I got a lot of votes and people liked my sets).

So for me, it is really about getting myself out there to be seen and the attention (yes, I said it), and being able to create art. The financial bit comes after all that, which was totally okay for me once I decided I needed to depend on other avenues for my finances.

I have done fashion. I did not get paid and they were very small shows, but I did walk a runway once and modeled for a designer a few times. If I pushed and did not mind the drama that seems to come with it, I could probably do more of that, I suppose, and I am 4'10".

I would recommend taking a little time and shooting different styles. See what you actually like doing and get a feel for your limits. Good luck ^_^