LaurenElyse  wrote:
How to get modeling jobs?

By having something to offer worth paying for that a photographer can't get via TF

Jay Farrell wrote:
hmmm...

double hmmm

Tony Lawrence wrote:
OP,   you haven't been here long so you have to give this some time but... and while I know some people on this site love to tell models their is all this non nude work.   Their just isn't.   Even for taller models.    Another member has posted a similar question.   MM isn't a modeling agency.   Many if not most of the photographers who do pay are paying for nudes.   Some may pay when they have clients paying them but most of that work seems to be in bigger cities.   My suggestion is to have fun with this.   Work on your portfolio.   If someone offers some cash, great.

If you are focused on making money as a non nude model.   This may not be for you.

This really is the reality of it, Lauren.  Even with the girls who have fashion stats and who are in the major markets so they can pursue work on a daily basis, and who do the occasional nude or near nude fine art or fashion shoot, it's still a very rare few who actually make anything approaching a living wage with any sort of regularity or for any length of time.  And for every one who does, there are several hundred who don't.  Your nearest major market is Chicago, about a full day's drive away from you, so even if you [i]did[/u] get the jobs, the expenses involved in getting there would eat up most if not all of your income.

Making a living as a model depends on a combination of experience and skill, appearance, size, location and market, luck, and a willingness to do what the job calls for.  The model doesn't pick the job, the job picks the model.  Then, sometimes, if she's very lucky, the model may have a few to choose from.  It's much easier, as far as I've seen and for most of the people I've seen drawn to modeling, (and generally far more satisfying as well), to model first for the sheer fun of it and the fun people you will meet, and let any paying jobs just be the cherry on top of the sundae.  If money is the prime motivator, it's almost always a disappointing experience.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the models who do make a living from it told you the same thing.

So my suggestion would be to relish the paying jobs you do get, and enjoy the trade gigs as well.

All IMHO as always, of course.

Rays Fine Art wrote:

This really is the reality of it, Lauren.  Even with the girls who have fashion stats and who are in the major markets so they can pursue work on a daily basis, and who do the occasional nude or near nude fine art or fashion shoot, it's still a very rare few who actually make anything approaching a living wage with any sort of regularity or for any length of time.  And for every one who does, there are several hundred who don't.  Your nearest major market is Chicago, about a full day's drive away from you, so even if you [i]did[/u] get the jobs, the expenses involved in getting there would eat up most if not all of your income.

Making a living as a model depends on a combination of experience and skill, appearance, size, location and market, luck, and a willingness to do what the job calls for.  The model doesn't pick the job, the job picks the model.  Then, sometimes, if she's very lucky, the model may have a few to choose from.  It's much easier, as far as I've seen and for most of the people I've seen drawn to modeling, (and generally far more satisfying as well), to model first for the sheer fun of it and the fun people you will meet, and let any paying jobs just be the cherry on top of the sundae.  If money is the prime motivator, it's almost always a disappointing experience.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the models who do make a living from it told you the same thing.

So my suggestion would be to relish the paying jobs you do get, and enjoy the trade gigs as well.

All IMHO as always, of course.

What's IMHO mean?

Tony Lawrence wrote:
OP,   you haven't been here long so you have to give this some time but... and while I know some people on this site love to tell models their is all this non nude work.   Their just isn't.   Even for taller models.    Another member has posted a similar question.   MM isn't a modeling agency.   Many if not most of the photographers who do pay are paying for nudes.   Some may pay when they have clients paying them but most of that work seems to be in bigger cities.   My suggestion is to have fun with this.   Work on your portfolio.   If someone offers some cash, great.

If you are focused on making money as a non nude model.   This may not be for you.

why is nude modeling so big?

What's IMHO mean?

In my honest opinion.

LaurenElyse  wrote:
why is nude modeling so big?

Rather than sugar coat this, I will just lay it out for you:

Because lots of guys will pay money to be close to an attractive nude woman and look at her for a while, and they've learned that a camera is a socially acceptable piece of gear that facilitates this.

I don't say that these guys are in the majority here, but if they aren't they're likely to be a large minority.

Jay Farrell wrote:
hmmm...

mhmm

Ken Warren Photography wrote:

Rather than sugar coat this, I will just lay it out for you:

Because lots of guys will pay money to be close to an attractive nude woman and look at her for a while, and they've learned that a camera is a socially acceptable piece of gear that facilitates this.

I don't say that these guys are in the majority here, but if they aren't they're likely to be a large minority.

But you have to add in, from the model's side, that it's one of the easiest ways to actually make money from modeling, for the reasons stated above and, in addition, it's fun to get naked, just to experience the freedom of it.

All IMHO as always, of course.

LaurenElyse  wrote:

why is nude modeling so big?

You're kidding right?   Men like to see women nude.   They can see pretty girls in clothes everywhere they go but they can't see them nude all the time.   That doesn't mean you can't make money as a non nude model.   I'm constantly told their is plenty of work here for petite clothes only models.   Members have told me they've made hundreds a day doing promo work and a few have said thousands.   Good luck, I'm sure you'll do well.

Rays Fine Art wrote:

But you have to add in, from the model's side, that it's one of the easiest ways to actually make money from modeling, for the reasons stated above and, in addition, it's fun to get naked, just to experience the freedom of it.

All IMHO as always, of course.

What about your friends and family seeing nude pix of your or not being taken seriously as a model? I've always thought nude modeling was a step up from porn or that models did that when they couldn't get jobs anywhere else, or to "sex things up" as a last resort.

RTE Photography wrote:
For one thing, your portfolio would do little to interest a prospective client. All of your shots are of you in basically the same outfit and your expression in several of the shots is fairly dour. You need to greatly expand your portfolio with different looks, and post only two or three shots from each look.

lmao that's a good point. I have more pix on FB, but I tried to add some on here and not only is there a limit to how many pix you can add, but they have to be a certain size and I already resized them and some of them still wouldn't upload. I do have a link to my FB if potential clients want to see more of me, but the question is if they would take the time to go to it.

LaurenElyse  wrote:

What about your friends and family seeing nude pix of your or not being taken seriously as a model? I've always thought nude modeling was a step up from porn or that models did that when they couldn't get jobs anywhere else, or to "sex things up" as a last resort.

Friends and family is a valid consideration. If something is online, it's possible that people you don't want seeing it will find it despite your best efforts. Put differently, the Internet is forever, pretty much. There are some things you can do to minimize the risks, though. For the most part I tell models to use common sense: use a pseudonym for modeling, don't connect your real life persona with your modeling persona, don't tell people you're "a model" if you want the information kept private. And prepare in advance for the inevitable slip-up.

"Step up from porn": I resent this, and many models who choose to pose nude most or all of the time will likely also chime in. The figure in art has a history thousands of years long, and such a statement tars many brilliant artists no their models with a broad brush. You may not like nudes, and you may not want to be involved in the creation of nudes, but please refrain from projecting your issues with them onto others.

LaurenElyse  wrote:

What about your friends and family seeing nude pix of your or not being taken seriously as a model? I've always thought nude modeling was a step up from porn or that models did that when they couldn't get jobs anywhere else, or to "sex things up" as a last resort.

Nude modeling is as legit as any other avenue of modeling. It is the primary revenue generator for models under about 5'9.

As freelance models go, I feel I've been taken more than seriously by the online networking community, developed a name for myself and a "brand" as a professional traveling model.

I ENJOY working nude far more than working clothed, though clothed work is necessary occasionally to keep one's portfolio diverse and interesting. I do get paid clothed work now, though often I get those gigs primarily because the individual hiring me liked my nude work.

As for your friends and family, if you are over 18 and support yourself, it's no one's business what you do with your body. That's why I said that part of being successful at modeling in general is just saying "fuck you" to the world, and doing what makes you happy.

LaurenElyse  wrote:

What about your friends and family seeing nude pix of your or not being taken seriously as a model? I've always thought nude modeling was a step up from porn or that models did that when they couldn't get jobs anywhere else, or to "sex things up" as a last resort.

Lauren you are a real cutie but your portfolio both here and Facebook are extremely limited.   Nudity isn't for everyone but nudity isn't  porn for thousands of professional fashion, art and glamour models.   It may not be for you and that's understandable.   Especially in small towns and cities or with conservative friends and family.   Making money from all this is NOT easy.   Its even harder given your location, size and limitations.   I suggest working with more photographers.   The selfies and photos you have on Facebook may not generate any interest in hiring you.

Browse the photographers in your area by zip code.    Ask if they will shoot you.   Most will not pay and the really good ones may be insulted if you ask so ask everyone right now for TF.   This next part is not to get into your business.   Well it is a bit because I'm a dad with daughters.   Are you in school?   If not and you don't have a degree I encourage you to go.   Modeling, singing, acting and dancing (non strip) are hard as hel* to make money in.   Even tall models who live in cities with modeling work struggle to make money and that includes those who do nudes.   Some get lucky and sign with major agencies but the average models career lasts less then one year.

Don't be fooled by folks who bs  about all the money they make and how they have a friend who makes thousands a day and is 5'4".   Some may tell you about how they make hundreds a day doing what is called Fit modeling.   Others may talk about promotional modeling or commercial.   The sad truth is even in cities like NY, Miami and Chicago the work when available means competing with hundreds of other pretty girls.   I'm not saying give up.   I am saying be realistic.   Have fun with this and go to school.

Ken Warren Photography wrote:
Friends and family is a valid consideration. If something is online, it's possible that people you don't want seeing it will find it despite your best efforts. Put differently, the Internet is forever, pretty much. There are some things you can do to minimize the risks, though. For the most part I tell models to use common sense: use a pseudonym for modeling, don't connect your real life persona with your modeling persona, don't tell people you're "a model" if you want the information kept private. And prepare in advance for the inevitable slip-up.

I have to agree with all of this. After my first implied nudity shoot, my mother saw the photos and freaked out!!! And that's not even full nudity! However, it's a choice you have to make for yourself. You are old enough to make your own decisions. And using a fake name is definitely a must if you'd like to keep your modeling work separate from your personal life. That doesn't mean, like Ken stated, that no one will ever find those photos of you, since it is the internet after all, but it lessens the chances of you being so easily found by people you know.

I have to say, I am not 100% comfortable with doing full or even partial nudity. It's just not my preference, like you. However, 3 out of 5 of my first shoots here on Model Mayhem involved nudity. It may not be what I want to fill my portfolio entirely with, and it may not be something I'm really looking to get into, but I found that taking the chance and going for it helped expand and diversify my portfolio, and I've gotten several requests for shoots since that do not include nudity. TBH, it's hard to find photographers that are going to be willing to shoot you fully clothed right off the bat unless they feel they are getting something great in return for their portfolios, and as mentioned by others, your current shots are not going to give photographers that impression. I'm not saying you HAVE to do nudity to get started... if you really don't want to, don't! It's your body. There are commercial opportunities for petite girls where nudity is not required, but you will have to work harder to get jobs. But just being open minded and working out of your comfort zone sometimes can be a great help in many aspects.

Also, if you DO decide to take a chance and do nudity, be strong and stay true to yourself. Getting nude doesn't translate to porn, or a "step up from it", but if someone tries to get you to do something you're not comfortable with, be strong enough to politely say no. Also, make sure you're checking references and reading through any release forms you may be asked to sign before shooting. Make sure you are not signing your life away. One of the photographers I recently worked with and did nudes with wants to publish my photos - woo hoo! However, I am very skeptical about full nudes of myself being public, and I made this very clear to the photographer. He was kind enough to work on a release form with me that made us both feel comfortable moving forward and gave me some say in which photos of myself are to be published or not. Being honest, polite and explaining yourself can never hurt you. If someone doesn't like it, I say move on to the next.

Finally - even though it's already been said, I do agree that it's super important to be realistic and make sure you have a back up plan. There are millions of girls trying to get into the modeling industry, and unfortunately it happens for very few. Work hard and don't lose sight of your dream, but understand that this is probably something you won't be making money off of for a long time, if at all. Be smart, stay strong, stay in school and best of luck!

Ally Nicole NYC wrote:

. . . .
Also, if you DO decide to take a chance and do nudity, be strong and stay true to yourself. Getting nude doesn't translate to porn, or a "step up from it", but if someone tries to get you to do something you're not comfortable with, be strong enough to politely say no. Also, make sure you're checking references and reading through any release forms you may be asked to sign before shooting. Make sure you are not signing your life away. One of the photographers I recently worked with and did nudes with wants to publish my photos - woo hoo! However, I am very skeptical about full nudes of myself being public, and I made this very clear to the photographer. He was kind enough to work on a release form with me that made us both feel comfortable moving forward and gave me some say in which photos of myself are to be published or not. Being honest, polite and explaining yourself can never hurt you. If someone doesn't like it, I say move on to the next.
. . .

Let me expand on this point a little bit, because it's an important one.  It's been my impression that most photographers (at least the serious ones) will be quite willing to work with a model who has these concerns, to make her comfortable and thereby to improve the shoot, so long as she is reasonable and presents her case like an intelligent adult, without a lot of moralizing and denigrating of photographers and models who do shoot nudes, and who clears the matter with him when agreeing to the shoot.  After all, if you've been shooting nudes for a few years you will certainly have hundreds, if not thousands of pictures filed away that will never see the light of day, so why not set a few aside as unpublishable?  I do it all the time and have even taken entire shoots off the publishable lists for models who've had problems with family or significant others.  And I've also done a model's first nude with the understanding from the git-go that the pictures would never be seen by anyone else.  That's one of the benefits of doing TF work.  It makes it easier to find people you can trust when these hard issues arise.  You might be well advised to seek out such photographers and work with them on a trade basis to expand your range and and when and if you do decide to take the plunge, discuss your need for restrictions in advance and make sure that you're both on the same page.
     One of the saddest things I see here in the forums as the model (or photographer) who shoots himself in the foot by assuming that the person on the other side of the camera is some sort of enemy.  We're not.  We're teammates and teammates take care of each other.

All IMHO as always, of course.

Jay Farrell wrote:
hmmm...

same

Rays Fine Art wrote:
Let me expand on this point a little bit, because it's an important one.  It's been my impression that most photographers (at least the serious ones) will be quite willing to work with a model who has these concerns, to make her comfortable and thereby to improve the shoot, so long as she is reasonable and presents her case like an intelligent adult, without a lot of moralizing and denigrating of photographers and models who do shoot nudes, and who clears the matter with him when agreeing to the shoot.  After all, if you've been shooting nudes for a few years you will certainly have hundreds, if not thousands of pictures filed away that will never see the light of day, so why not set a few aside as unpublishable?  I do it all the time and have even taken entire shoots off the publishable lists for models who've had problems with family or significant others.  And I've also done a model's first nude with the understanding from the git-go that the pictures would never be seen by anyone else.  That's one of the benefits of doing TF work.  It makes it easier to find people you can trust when these hard issues arise.  You might be well advised to seek out such photographers and work with them on a trade basis to expand your range and and when and if you do decide to take the plunge, discuss your need for restrictions in advance and make sure that you're both on the same page.
     One of the saddest things I see here in the forums as the model (or photographer) who shoots himself in the foot by assuming that the person on the other side of the camera is some sort of enemy.  We're not.  We're teammates and teammates take care of each other.

All IMHO as always, of course.

You and Ally Nicole make some excellent points.

I for one love this. I truly enjoy trying to capture beauty, nude or otherwise and I am very comfortable with all this. I don't feel the need to hit on a model. Actually I get so focused on the moment, that I might capture that one image I can't get over, that leaves me breathless. I enjoy it so much that to me tf is the perfect idea. I do not need to get paid to do what I love. Then I reserve paying models for when I want that specific look, that assurance that she can bring it so to speak.

If I might add a few things to models who are contemplating nudes, topless or erotic work. Using an alias is a good idea but keep in mind if you really want to not have your family or friends see your nude images do not use your regular email address for anything related to Model Mayhem. Not even for your membership. Get a new google or yahoo email with your alias. Then never use your real name in the forums, in anything here. People can google your name and find you. Do not link your facebook page to here. Gotta have a Facebook link, start a new one with your alias tied to your alias email address. Don't post your phone number anywhere either.

Good luck

Koryn wrote:
I shot nudes from day one, and it still took me close to two years of building a portfolio through trade work, to begin getting paid offers. Even at the point my portfolio was diverse, interesting, and my reputation as a traveling model secure, 99.9999% of my work was still art nudes, glamour nudes, light erotica and fetish video content. In other words, even to get paid for that sort of work (nudity and slightly more explicit material) takes a tremendous amount of hard work, perseverance, and patience. Modeling has made up the most prominent source of personal income for me, for a number of years, and it was NOT easy to reach that point. People didn't just magically start handing me money.

I had to show I was versatile, dependable, open minded, and often willing to shoot stuff no one else would. I had to learn how to ignore people with bad social skills, trust total strangers, sleep in the homes of total strangers, meet strange men in parking lots, airports, hotels beside the interstate, at their private homes. The first couple of years, I maybe had two total shoots in a legit studio, with almost everything being outdoors or in someone's house, and had a total of one shoot in the first two years that even had an MUA present. I've been doing this for a LONG time, and it's still a treat to get a makeup artist, so I have to know how to do all that stuff too.

By 2009, I was driving 300-500 miles weekly to shoots, and frequently flying cross country to work with people I'd never met before.

It's not a job for people who expect to just chill out and cash in. It takes a LOT of balls, a lot of guts, boldness, hard work and just not giving a fuck about what society, or anyone else thinks of you.

That's interesting and congrats on your successful career. I din't mean to offend anyone when I said I didn't want to do nudes. I can see myself doing lingerie or sexy clothes, etc. but something about being nude seems so...final. Like there's no adjusting your clothes or showing just the right amount of cleavage. Once you're naked, you're naked. And I have other careers to think about and I can't have nudes out there. I look great naked, but I think that's something only your husband should see. I didn't mean nude modeling was like porn in the sense of the word that it was trashy or whatever. I meant it was like porn because like porn, sometimes nude modeling is a last resort if no one else will hire you for anything else. I know that's not the case and many models choose nude modeling first, but for me personally as a petite model that's been doing a little modeling here and there for the past few years, I feel like if I went to doing nudes now, it would be like selling out my values and doing something I was against for money.

Lin Mei wrote:
Before you can even start to THINK about getting paid, you need to start thinking about how to build up your portfolio and how to improve in order to be a model people want to hire. I see you've only just started out, and there are a lot of other models out there with more experience, better portfolios, etc, so you should start focusing on how you can make yourself a competitive model before you focus on how to get paid. Either pay some great photographers to get you exceptional photos or start Tfing with some to get more pictures and more experience.

MM may not be the best place to look for paid work. I model full-time but I don't use MM for paid shoots, I use it to find great photographers that I can collaborate with to build a stronger book. I suggest you do the same. When you have that, you can go to some commercial/talent agencies who have clients and from there, you can start to think about getting paid gigs.

T fing? And which agencies do you usually apply to? I've applied to some, even Maxim. Now, I know Maxim has nude models, but they also film bikini and lingerie shots which I'd be cool with.

Tony Lawrence wrote:

Lauren you are a real cutie but your portfolio both here and Facebook are extremely limited.   Nudity isn't for everyone but nudity isn't  porn for thousands of professional fashion, art and glamour models.   It may not be for you and that's understandable.   Especially in small towns and cities or with conservative friends and family.   Making money from all this is NOT easy.   Its even harder given your location, size and limitations.   I suggest working with more photographers.   The selfies and photos you have on Facebook may not generate any interest in hiring you.

Browse the photographers in your area by zip code.    Ask if they will shoot you.   Most will not pay and the really good ones may be insulted if you ask so ask everyone right now for TF.   This next part is not to get into your business.   Well it is a bit because I'm a dad with daughters.   Are you in school?   If not and you don't have a degree I encourage you to go.   Modeling, singing, acting and dancing (non strip) are hard as hel* to make money in.   Even tall models who live in cities with modeling work struggle to make money and that includes those who do nudes.   Some get lucky and sign with major agencies but the average models career lasts less then one year.

Don't be fooled by folks who bs  about all the money they make and how they have a friend who makes thousands a day and is 5'4".   Some may tell you about how they make hundreds a day doing what is called Fit modeling.   Others may talk about promotional modeling or commercial.   The sad truth is even in cities like NY, Miami and Chicago the work when available means competing with hundreds of other pretty girls.   I'm not saying give up.   I am saying be realistic.   Have fun with this and go to school.

I'm in school now for psychology. I have my hands in many pots. I'm a video blogger, a writer, and soon I'll have my own psychology practice in addition to this modeling thing. I hope I have plenty to fall back on lol. I was realistic with modeling like I was with acting and I definitely have a full time 9-5 job because show biz type jobs may or may not pan out.

Ally Nicole NYC wrote:

I have to agree with all of this. After my first implied nudity shoot, my mother saw the photos and freaked out!!! And that's not even full nudity! However, it's a choice you have to make for yourself. You are old enough to make your own decisions. And using a fake name is definitely a must if you'd like to keep your modeling work separate from your personal life. That doesn't mean, like Ken stated, that no one will ever find those photos of you, since it is the internet after all, but it lessens the chances of you being so easily found by people you know.

I have to say, I am not 100% comfortable with doing full or even partial nudity. It's just not my preference, like you. However, 3 out of 5 of my first shoots here on Model Mayhem involved nudity. It may not be what I want to fill my portfolio entirely with, and it may not be something I'm really looking to get into, but I found that taking the chance and going for it helped expand and diversify my portfolio, and I've gotten several requests for shoots since that do not include nudity. TBH, it's hard to find photographers that are going to be willing to shoot you fully clothed right off the bat unless they feel they are getting something great in return for their portfolios, and as mentioned by others, your current shots are not going to give photographers that impression. I'm not saying you HAVE to do nudity to get started... if you really don't want to, don't! It's your body. There are commercial opportunities for petite girls where nudity is not required, but you will have to work harder to get jobs. But just being open minded and working out of your comfort zone sometimes can be a great help in many aspects.

Also, if you DO decide to take a chance and do nudity, be strong and stay true to yourself. Getting nude doesn't translate to porn, or a "step up from it", but if someone tries to get you to do something you're not comfortable with, be strong enough to politely say no. Also, make sure you're checking references and reading through any release forms you may be asked to sign before shooting. Make sure you are not signing your life away. One of the photographers I recently worked with and did nudes with wants to publish my photos - woo hoo! However, I am very skeptical about full nudes of myself being public, and I made this very clear to the photographer. He was kind enough to work on a release form with me that made us both feel comfortable moving forward and gave me some say in which photos of myself are to be published or not. Being honest, polite and explaining yourself can never hurt you. If someone doesn't like it, I say move on to the next.

Finally - even though it's already been said, I do agree that it's super important to be realistic and make sure you have a back up plan. There are millions of girls trying to get into the modeling industry, and unfortunately it happens for very few. Work hard and don't lose sight of your dream, but understand that this is probably something you won't be making money off of for a long time, if at all. Be smart, stay strong, stay in school and best of luck!

Valid points. Obviously broadening my horizons would get me more exposure. I want my next set of pix to be lingerie and I'll post them here (if I can since I can only post so many, Elite Petite Models, and FB).

Lin Mei wrote:
Before you can even start to THINK about getting paid, you need to start thinking about how to build up your portfolio and how to improve in order to be a model people want to hire. I see you've only just started out, and there are a lot of other models out there with more experience, better portfolios, etc, so you should start focusing on how you can make yourself a competitive model before you focus on how to get paid. Either pay some great photographers to get you exceptional photos or start Tfing with some to get more pictures and more experience.

MM may not be the best place to look for paid work. I model full-time but I don't use MM for paid shoots, I use it to find great photographers that I can collaborate with to build a stronger book. I suggest you do the same. When you have that, you can go to some commercial/talent agencies who have clients and from there, you can start to think about getting paid gigs.

You are in a place where commercial and fashion work exists.   You also are taller then the OP and without giving her a critique have a look that is very appealing to photographers.   That isn't to say she isn't attractive.   Location, over all look, portfolio all play a important part in any work a model might receive.   Some members may mention nudity as a way to earn cash.   Even that tends not to work out unless you travel.   Other members give new models the wrong impression.   Their just tends not to be a lot or much work in smaller cities and towns.   

As you note.   MM may not be the best place to look for paid work.   It can be to find good photographers but that also means being honest with yourself and your chances.   I have a cousin who has a bit of talent as a rapper.   Its funny that he talks about being from the streets, drugs and crime when he grew up with his mom and dad in a middle class home.   Anyway...  We were talking about the music industry one day and I let slip he should go to school and get a degree in music so he can make money off helping other no talent artists.   That didn't go over well.

Learn how all this works.   Be honest in any self appraisal.     The OP should check out promo agencies.
Some like Push Models have work in lots of places:   http://www.pushmodels.com/   Work on a varied book.   If you are willing to do swimwear and lingerie and want to be paid for it.   Get some samples together and post them.   Be willing and ready to travel to other nearby cities.   If that's not possible then scout around for cool areas close to you and tell photographers you know great locations.   

Be proactive.   Show a varied book and look.   Learn about how this works.

Tony Lawrence wrote:

You are in a place where commercial and fashion work exists.   You also are taller then the OP and without giving her a critique have a look that is very appealing to photographers.   That isn't to say she isn't attractive.   Location, over all look, portfolio all play a important part in any work a model might receive.   

As you note.   MM may not be the best place to look for paid work.   It can be to find good photographers but that also means being honest with yourself and your chances. 

The OP should check out promo agencies.
Some like Push Models have work in lots of places:   http://www.pushmodels.com/   Work on a varied book.   If you are willing to do swimwear and lingerie and want to be paid for it.   Get some samples together and post them.   Be willing and ready to travel to other nearby cities.   If that's not possible then scout around for cool areas close to you and tell photographers you know great locations.   

Be proactive.   Show a varied book and look.   Learn about how this works.

Yes, you are right. I failed to mention that getting paid work may also mean moving or traveling to areas where work exists. I travel to different areas for short periods of time for work. If there isn't much work in your area, or you aren't in a major city, there won't be many paid jobs going around to begin with.

I forgot to throw in promo modeling as well! I didn't know there were any promo agencies! But a lot of commercial and talent agencies do focus on providing models of other genres outside of fashion to clients. So you don't need to be super tall, etc, to find paid work. But the frequency of getting jobs is uncertain. There is really no way to depend on it when you're first starting out. Make sure you have a back up plan or another means of income on the side as it does take a while to break into the market.