What type of model do you really want to be?
This article is written by a member of our expert community. It expresses that member’s views only. We welcome other perspectives. Here’s how to contribute to MM EDU.
I spent over 30 years working with aspiring models, not just as a photographer, but mainly a fashion show producer. I interviewed, trained, rehearsed and traveled around the country with hundreds of models. The one thing they all had in common, aside from being runway models, was a desire to also be fashion, commercial, swimwear etc. print models. I got into photography shortly after I started producing shows, mainly because I always had beautiful subjects to shoot. The entire experience gave me an opportunity to talk to models and listen to their frustrations and successes in the modeling industry. Because of my association with them and photography, I developed relationships with local and state modeling agencies and helped get many of them representation.
Models: Braun and Lauren
When I retired from producing fashion shows, I continued to photograph aspiring models and learned a lot about how they went about trying to break into modeling, for instance by getting on sites like Model Mayhem. I learned by joining Model Mayhem and by communicating with models across the country that many do not have a good idea of the actual type of model they want to be, or an awareness of the type of model that they could possibly become professionally.
Models: Jada Stoudemire and Hannah Stoudemire
People have pictures of themselves taken for different reasons. Some were told they have a nice look and should pursue modeling, others because they always wanted to be a model. Some just want to network with like-minded people. Some take pictures for “art” sake and others do it just for fun. Whatever the reasons, people take pictures and enjoy posting them online for others to look, comment on and possibly get them work.
Models: Dominique Whitten and Karolina Mitka
I always ask people on this site what type of model they specifically want to become. Many seem to hope that something magically will happen just by virtue that they posted pictures online. Maybe someone will “discover” them and offer them modeling work. It’s sort of a “throw it up against the wall and see what sticks” mentality and it has been known to occasionally work.
Models: Mellisa and Khaloud
But knowing specifically what type of model you want to become is very helpful in setting the direction you should go when taking pictures, and setting the tone for your portfolio. Plus, it attracts the type of photographers, makeup artists, hair stylist etc. that are looking to work with that type of model. It especially helps if you have a desire to model professionally. Decide if your interest is Fashion, Commercial, Fitness, Glamour, Swimsuit, Lingerie or Hair modeling.
Models: Ang Marie, Jessica Graie and Denise Pace
If you are not sure what type of model you are best suited to be, or have questions, ask photographers and models by going into the Model Mayhem forums and getting their opinions.
WARNING: You may not get exactly what you were hoping to hear, but chances are you will receive honest appraisals of your potential and what direction is best for you to go in modeling.
December 14, 2015 at 4:41 pm, Gary Seewald said:
We are looking for new and existing models for print and general advertising photo-shoot projects …models should be 18 years or older to apply contact me [email protected]
July 04, 2013 at 12:46 pm, James Scolari said:
Hm, 4/5 here on the glory of the author’s resume, 1/5 devoted the the topic.
January 08, 2012 at 9:06 pm, Tonya Burch said:
thanks this has helped alot! although I know what kind of model I want to be.
December 07, 2011 at 12:20 am, Kayla Nault said:
What about versatility?
November 01, 2011 at 1:32 am, Chris Pickrell said:
If you’re lost and don’t know where you want to be, then you aren’t putting yourself out there enough and actually trying them. If you want to be a glamor model, shoot with a glamor photographer. If you want to be a nude model, shoot with a nude photographer. This isn’t rocket science.
Don’t ask in forums of social network sites, don’t look at pictures, get out there and do it.
I learned what type of photographer I wanted to be by actually going out and shooting what it was I thought I wanted to shoot. I didn’t turn down requests for certain types of shoots because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to shoot it. I just did it, learned I loved it, or realized I didn’t.
That’s all the advice you need to find out what you want to do. Go out and do it. Because you’ll never know if you don’t try.
October 31, 2011 at 5:44 pm, Tscelzi63 said:
If you will take a look at mine and let me know what you think. MM2244156
October 31, 2011 at 11:18 am, Jeremy said:
I definitely agree with this. The strongest portfolios are the ones that put across a clear, consistent and specific image for the model.
A lot of good models water down their portfolio with images in a genre that is just plain wrong for them.
I think any model will get to where they want to be faster by selecting a genre in which they can really excel, and staying focused on it. This results in a strong, clear image that makes them stand out from all the “bob each way” portfolios.
October 31, 2011 at 3:39 am, Wbrianmurphy said:
Thanks for taking the time. Another helpful article might b one that describes the various type of model genres (perhaps with sample images) so new models have an idea what they mean.
October 29, 2011 at 9:06 pm, JustEden said:
How very true…. 4 years in I am doing fetish mostly and glamour. Happier with fetish but always wonder if I should have opted for something else maybe… mmmm Who knows? Feedback anyone? Would love it
October 28, 2011 at 2:29 pm, Monkeemg said:
I want to be a Tattoo Model… I am lost and do not know where to begin.
December 05, 2011 at 1:19 am, Beautiful Success said:
If you are a female you need to shoot w/ a glamour photographer and wear a bikini, or jeans and a tank or bikini top something that shows off your tattoos. You then need to submit or the photographer submit you to tattoo magazines such as Inked Mag and magazines like that.
October 28, 2011 at 7:44 am, Nellymostadim said:
I think you are so right I been modeling for 2 years now. I still not where.I want to be!! Check out my page if u don’t mind and give me some advice ? It’s nellzotika
October 28, 2011 at 1:06 am, Gregg said:
I think commercial modeling is what I do best. I was doing a lot of commercial print ad modeling for Fleet Farm, until they just starting having pictures of the clothes without models wearing them. The ad doesn’t look nearly as attarctive as it did before, but the company is saving by not having to pay for models every week. So I am looking for another company who wants to use me as a print ad model.
October 27, 2011 at 10:55 pm, Bill Brennan said:
A lot of words that say… what? Figure out what you want to do? Wow. Groundbreaking.
October 27, 2011 at 2:31 pm, Brian Kung said:
A followup post on how to choose what type of model you want to be would be very helpful – what the differences are, how to choose what works for you, what questions to ask in the MM forums.
Best,
Brian
October 26, 2011 at 9:05 pm, Love_lee12 said:
i would be one of those girls who’s getting swept up with a hurricane… a lot of us creative people generally never show an exact direction in are entire lives, as to leave room for most any experience or possibility. i work with a photographer with the same sort of loss in an exact direction. he told me he would never shoot nudes and last month the locals almost chased him with pitch forks for a shoot he did with me. i do have achievements id like to obtain but not all in one direction. i would like to work with a designer. and i would also like to accomplish playboy status. i wont do any other mag. but playboy has my respect for some reason? so if we leave the field open and don’t label are self’s one exact brand of model we can achieve menny of are personal goles also, how do you make a portfolio only for one line of work? fashion, yes i understand that. However the lines of making a clearly defined portfolio is hard because… artistic models need all elements. hair make up clothing. and then, one persons art is another persons trash. what looks like creative work to you could be feddish to someone else. or whats feddish could just be art to others. everything hear is creative. even in fashion… i’ll tell you what check out a 6teen or an teen mag. and look at the perfume adds with models my got its fashion art feddish and hair all in one and its insatiable!
October 26, 2011 at 7:17 pm, Scigirl543 said:
It’s interesting, but I’m not sure how applicable it is in smaller markets. If your location is determined by something other than your modeling work, you need to choose multiple niches in a lot of cases, if you can afford to choose niches at all.