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Do you ever doubt yourself?
Asking this question as an aspiring model, but would love answers from anyone. I modeled in high school and am now trying to get back into the industry as a college senior. Sometimes I question myself: if I can do this, will I be "good" enough? Should I just stick with the "college plan." I finally convince myself that this is something I need to do, for me. But I was just wondering how others feel and how you get past those feelings of self-doubt. Thank you! Jul 15 14 10:24 am Link Way back when I was your age and even younger I was told by many that I should be a model. I took modelling classes, but doubted that I could do it well enough, so I didn't try. Later on in life at age 35, I worked up the courage to do it, and I have always regretted it that I didn't push myself harder when I was 17 or 19 and had opportunities to model offered to me. At least once I started, I realized that it was a good thing, and went forward from that point in time and still model now, at 61 going on 62. You are really a beautiful young woman, and of course you can model. Can you make a career out of it? That's very difficult, closer to impossible given the amount of competition, but anything can happen if you meet the right people. However, being a part-time hobbyist model works well for a lot of people and gives you opportunities you might not have had otherwise, as well as being a lot of fun. You can definitely do that, and in quite a few different genres. Figurative art modelling has worked perfectly for me, but it's not for everyone. Jul 15 14 10:35 am Link Most modeling careers don't last that long. So stick with finishing school and do modeling during the breaks or part time. I think you have a shot at being a success, but don't stop school right as you are about to finish. Jul 15 14 01:25 pm Link I do this full-time as my bread and butter, and I still doubt myself every day. That won't end unless you see yourself on the cover of every magazine on the newsstand. Stick with school - education will last you longer than your looks. Model when you can. Take a leap if you REALLY want this, but do your research and commit. It is not usually a glamorous lifestyle, despite what you might think. Things you have to consider: Illinois is not a modelling hub. You will have to move to cities full of other aspiring artists and find a way to stand out from that crowd. I am certainly not saying to not follow your dream, just know what you are heading into. You're about to complete your college education. Finish it! Jul 15 14 01:39 pm Link there are lots of models who shoot for fun and/or spare change. but are there that many that make a full-time living doing it (without doing nudes)? i'd say do your homework and be realistic about the opportunities, at least if you are hoping to pay the bills with modeling. check out Yoanna House. now there's a model (celebrity?) who seems to be getting the job done and i don't think she does nudes very much. Jul 15 14 01:58 pm Link I'm a perfectionist and I doubt myself a lot. I know how to pose, I am creative when expressing in front of the camera, but I don't have the standard beauty, which is the point that makes me doubt myself. However, I consider I have a special beauty, and a strong personality which I know how to reflect on my pics. These points remind me my value as a model. Jul 18 14 04:29 am Link Filles de Pin-up wrote: Sorry about the misinterpretation. I was not thinking about quitting school Jul 18 14 07:30 am Link everyone should be confident in the branch, my MUA said: "if u dont give a f*** about urself, no one will!" Jul 18 14 08:05 am Link Jul 18 14 08:08 am Link Well, I have checked your portfolio and I think you're beautiful and lively  Jul 18 14 09:34 am Link Post redacted.  Jul 18 14 11:36 pm Link Your skin has nothing to do with not being able to model. It does take time to retouch skin, but studio lighting will bring out every pore and imperfection even with good skin. It's the photographer/retoucher's job to make it go away in post-production and make your pictures look like you on your best day. I've never shot anyone's portrait under studio lighting where i did not have to retouch their skin. Jul 18 14 11:51 pm Link Filles de Pin-up wrote: You didn't screw up, unless by "screwing up" you mean you "... chose a great look, but one that required more work than I anticipated". The look you were going for required extensive retouching when it was brand new, and it requires extensive retouching today. Nothing has changed there. Jul 19 14 06:51 am Link Jul 20 14 02:14 am Link Doubt myself? Never! If I doubted myself, how could I expect anyone else to have confidence in me? Jul 20 14 03:06 am Link Melanie783 wrote: Jul 20 14 03:16 am Link Jul 20 14 03:18 am Link OP says"...Sometimes I question myself: if I can do this, will I be "good" enough? Should I just stick with the "college plan." I finally convince myself that this is something I need to do, for me. But I was just wondering how others feel and how you get past those feelings of self-doubt." If you were given a one word reply from me it would be "Proceed!" What would you do with it? Just livin" is scary - Welcome to Life. What scares me, disappoints me more is dying without LIVING. The planet Saturn is closer to where I am than my photographic dreams as a shooter and a model, and you may feel the same. This only means there is no time to waste. I get my moxie from my faith in God and myself and my choice to forgive myself for the mistakes I make along the way. Choose Faith & Surround yourself with supportive people. Jul 20 14 04:24 am Link If you're doing something professionally, it has to be with a level of confidence or else you won't be accomplished. But a certain layer of self-doubt is mighty helpful to keep yourself honest and motivated to improve. Photography is my passion, not my job, fortunately for me. The main times I doubt myself as a photographer is when I have a camera in my hand. But the only way to get it done is to keep working through it. Jul 20 14 05:43 am Link Jul 20 14 10:12 am Link Jul 22 14 11:34 am Link Jul 22 14 11:35 am Link Oooh, that old chestnut. i think in any freelance/artistic career where you don't really control the odds that sell your product ("you", that is) one is prone to self doubt. This will always be there, to greater or lesser degree and no matter the level of your achievements.the trick is to NOT compare yourself and NOT give in to those doubts. You are here, now. Make the best of it. Kick yourself in the butt for doubts. Look how lucky you are, young, healthy, beautiful. Succombing to doubts makes things worse so find a more fun way to spend your free time, seriously! ! Been there, done it, got the t shirt. Now time to get busy, girl!!! ) Good luck Jul 22 14 01:10 pm Link So, this weekend I had this shooting and the photographer looked disappointed when he met me. He wanted to shoot with me and he was seduced by my acting. However, I am curvy and not tall, and my style is more inspired on theater than on "traditional" modelling. He said it was difficult to shoot with an actress and, at the end of the shooting, I was sad because he seemed unhappy. However, when he edited the pics on his computer he was glad about the job we did together. My expressivity and my way of posing creates different, interesting pictures, and that's my virtue to exploit. Jul 23 14 09:56 am Link whats wrong with curvy women like u? i find them hot LOL (im not into women though) every photographer likes a different type, go for the ones that like ur body type and dont let him get u down. who is he to judge?! right? Jul 24 14 09:31 am Link also even some professional photographers find it ur ability to express urself more important than a perfect body and i would agree! Jul 24 14 10:37 pm Link ArtsAdele wrote: I doubt myself daily. I'm nervous on every shoot, I compare myself to other models, I let evil "pro" photographers tell me I'm too fat, ugly, ghetto, etc...but then I look at my portfolio and my fans and realize I'm top shit and anyone that thinks otherwise can go play in traffic. Jul 25 14 12:49 am Link right on! good attitude! Jul 25 14 12:56 am Link Jul 25 14 12:57 am Link "Rather and oh well, than a what if." " A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms." Jul 25 14 01:42 am Link Magda Kulpinska wrote: <- This. Jul 25 14 01:59 am Link ArtsAdele wrote: Sometimes we go through life where you may think you are getting to old or simply have had a hard time with self esteem issues. I think that you will do great dont let anyone stand in your way just keep checking for the types of scams around to make sure you are not a victim. Apart from that hun follow your dreams and i can tell you just looking at you, your a stunner :-) Jul 25 14 08:55 am Link A friend of mine described me as seldom right but never in doubt. Pretty good slam if you asked me. I had to laugh but they got me. I seldom doubt myself but I should judging by the outcome of many of my quests. Jul 25 14 02:20 pm Link I never doubt myself, others seem to have that covered for me!:-))))) Jul 25 14 02:32 pm Link Danielle Reid wrote: +1 Jul 25 14 02:51 pm Link Never. otherwise people pick up on it and unconsciously it projects lack of confidence and sureness. I always go in confidently, with everything I do. Even if I fall on my rear, at least I went in blazing It's not entirely a question of how good a person is..there's photographers on here who are epic at what they do, yet can't sell their work for the life of them. I wouldn't drop out of college for modeling. It's an industry that chooses you, you don't choose it. Do both, except use it as a hobby and to meet people. Who you know will carry you further than anything Jul 25 14 02:59 pm Link Everyday, but I keep on trying my best! Jul 26 14 05:45 pm Link |
