Model
Leia Kiana
Posts: 1
Virginia Beach, Virginia, US
Please someone help. I'm 19 and short. 5'2 to be exact and I live in a state in whih most anything as far as llamaing can be achieved. Virginia isn't the state at the top for fashion. I have been working my ass of for over a year trying to be represented by an agency and nothing. I haven't and won't give up. I understand I will never be runway but I have a sense for fashion and the whole fashion shooting is what I dream.
What advice can you give me?
Thanks
Model
Nicolette
Posts: 12718
Houston, Texas, US
Honestly, at 5'2"... fashion work is not gonna happen. At least not mainstream fashion.
Hit up local designers, see if they have pieces you can rent and shoot in.
Also, hit up Mickle Design Works and Shon D. They're close to you and awesome.
Model
Anna Adrielle
Posts: 18763
Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
you are close to Shon D. I am officially jealous, he's amazing  if you are serious about making this into somewhat of a career, chances are you'll have to venture into nudes at some point. if you're just in it for the fun and have nice pictures, then just do whatever you want to do good luck!
Makeup Artist
ArtistryImage
Posts: 3091
Washington, District of Columbia, US
Leia kiana wrote:
...whole fashion shooting is what I dream.
What advice can you give me? T.H.E. Artist Agency is the only legitimate agency in your market...
Their Petite models are between 5’1" – 5’5" and sized 2P – 8P
here is their submission page...
Now and again I'll have a clothing designer client (rare these days) albeit they are typically looking for taller talent... that said, I have done fashion editorial narratives with models of your height... but there is no client in the mix, thus no recompense... little if any incentive for the team other than publication... to be honest after you have a few tear sheets they aren't much value or merit... paid work is what matters...
btw, would think very carefully about doing nudes... this could be a significant career limiting move... Leia at 19 you have no idea where your career is going... albeit implied is oft seen in fashion editorials... use good judgment here... be certain you are on the same page as the photographer's aesthetic before agreeing to implied... hope this makes sense...
Photographer
Art of the nude
Posts: 12067
Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
Leia kiana wrote:
Please someone help. I'm 19 and short. 5'2 to be exact and I live in a state in whih most anything as far as modeling can be achieved. Virginia isn't the state at the top for fashion. I have been working my ass of for over a year trying to be represented by an agency and nothing. I haven't and won't give up. I understand I will never be runway but I have a sense for fashion and the whole fashion shooting is what I dream.
What advice can you give me?
Thanks Talk to Morgan. She's a little taller, but not enough to matter for fashion. She's also awesome.
Photographer
Rob Photosby
Posts: 4810
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
You might also benefit from the sort of advice that is available if you post in the critique section.
Model
Van Ray
Posts: 22
Detroit, Michigan, US
On the bright side...the market for shorter female models is a lot better than the market for shorter male models.
Im 5'9.5 and I hate it everyday.
Photographer
Images by MR
Posts: 8908
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Leia kiana wrote:
Please someone help. I'm 19 and short. 5'2 to be exact and I live in a state in whih most anything as far as modeling can be achieved. Virginia isn't the state at the top for fashion. I have been working my ass of for over a year trying to be represented by an agency and nothing. I haven't and won't give up. I understand I will never be runway but I have a sense for fashion and the whole fashion shooting is what I dream.
What advice can you give me?
Thanks In the real world there are ZERO legitimate fashion / commercial agencies willing to sign anyone 5'2" or under 5'7".
http://www.newmodels.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5XuVTFu0k
Just my thoughts ~ MR
Model
Justin Choriki
Posts: 6
Billings, Montana, US
The reality that people will throw at you is that the industry is set on a specific "standard" that they look for however I'm 5'7 I know I'll never do a lot of things industry wise bcuz I'm not tall enough however I've landed projects bcuz I know how to position my body. Get infront of that mirror and work on your angles and know your body how can you make yourself seem taller, my former manager used to say if it kills every muscle in your body but the pose looks amazing then kill every muscle in your body bcuz you have to compete with models that are taller and "bankable".
Model
Echo_
Posts: 286
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Hey I'm short too Just be realistic of what you want out of this and you should be fine. Being represented by an agency is good but not the only option for models, especially ones that don't fit the standard requirements. Network super hard and see what happens. Another option that I would give is, start blogging. You can use the shoots you want to do and hopefully get a following (of course this is hard to do too). Best of luck
Model
Echo_
Posts: 286
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Images by MR wrote:
In the real world there are ZERO legitimate fashion / commercial agencies willing to sign anyone 5'2" or under 5'7".
http://www.newmodels.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5XuVTFu0k
Just my thoughts ~ MR This is an exception and not a rule but, this is wrong. Viva, marylin and pricilla in Sydney have short girls below 5'7
Model
ChaiNoir
Posts: 345
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Try not to strive towards something that is causing you stress and work with the talent you have
Model
Echo_
Posts: 286
Paris, Île-de-France, France
FlirtynFun Photography wrote:
I'd highly suggest you read this- http://www.newmodels.com/
Specifically THIS part- http://www.newmodels.com/height.html
...those who are advising you here to "buck the norm" or that somehow "you'll be the exception to the rule" are simply blowing smoke. Not suggesting that shell be the exception, just saying speaking in absolutes is usually wrong. But yes I agree with reading that to get realistic expectations as to what she can do
Photographer
AJ_In_Atlanta
Posts: 13053
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Please just stop with the nonsense. 99% of girls who try don't make it and those are the standard size (i.e height is only part of it). There is little more the OP can do but model as a hobby.
Model
Louisa-
Posts: 19
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Modelling as a hobby is really the only thing to do. Either that or lads mag style modelling might work (they have pretty short girls in them sometimes.)
I'm 5'6, and I find it extremely difficult.
Unfortunately fashion modelling is out of the question, and even though commercial models can be shorter (good agencies in my area have a 168cm minimum) you are unfortunately too short.
Model
Kendra from Canada
Posts: 447
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
don't do nudes get into the fashion industry, become a stylist and get involved in shoots that way, you just might find it rewarding
Photographer
Harold Rose
Posts: 2925
Calhoun, Georgia, US
Leia kiana wrote:
Please someone help. I'm 19 and short. 5'2 to be exact and I live in a state in whih most anything as far as modeling can be achieved. Virginia isn't the state at the top for fashion. I have been working my ass of for over a year trying to be represented by an agency and nothing. I haven't and won't give up. I understand I will never be runway but I have a sense for fashion and the whole fashion shooting is what I dream.
What advice can you give me?
Thanks Get off that Pity me for I am small wagon! Small ie short is good. You fit very well in a picture series on a classy Yatch. If you were tall the boat would look small.
Here is a suggestion (and it comes from my years in advertising photography).
Put together a head sheet: that is a single 8x10 sheet with a good head sheet on one side, and 2 or three full length on the other side.. With "Of course" with you info.. Two or theree line is all that is needed for now..
Work up a good mailing list.. 200 mile radious is enough. Ad agencys, TV stations (yes TV stations are very good, and often overlooked). Keep the mail cost down to the very minimum. Another trick is to mail the head sheet with no envelope, and just a address block.. Did you ever know just how many people see that uncovered photo.. (well the polititions do it!)
Direct mail ssure beats a computer image.. It is still there when the power goes off.
Photographer
Images by MR
Posts: 8908
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Kendra from Canada wrote:
don't do nudes Why shouldn't the OP shoot nudes ?
Model
P I X I E
Posts: 35440
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nicolette wrote:
Honestly, at 5'2"... fashion work is not gonna happen. At least not mainstream fashion.
Hit up local designers, see if they have pieces you can rent and shoot in.
Also, hit up Mickle Design Works and Shon D. They're close to you and awesome. This!!!
I wish I was closer to these guys.
Photographer
M Pandolfo Photography
Posts: 12117
Tampa, Florida, US
Leia kiana wrote:
What advice can you give me?
Thanks Find an area outside of modeling to pursue your interest in fashion. There are many careers that involve fashion where, unlike modeling, don't require very specific attributes (and then, even with the perfect industry attributes, the odds of success are quite low).
You already know that at 5'2" there is absolutely no chance of signing with any legit agency who deals with fashion.
Dreaming is wonderful. Working hard is great. But working toward something you know is a physical impossibility is just wasted time...time that could be better spent pursuing realistic and attainable goals.
Photographer
Rp-photo
Posts: 42711
Houston, Texas, US
Nicolette wrote:
Honestly, at 5'2"... fashion work is not gonna happen. At least not mainstream fashion.
Hit up local designers, see if they have pieces you can rent and shoot in.
Also, hit up Mickle Design Works and Shon D. They're close to you and awesome. For the type of shoots I've been doing lately, shorter is better.
Photographer
M Pandolfo Photography
Posts: 12117
Tampa, Florida, US
Kendra from Canada wrote:
don't do nudes
get into the fashion industry, become a stylist and get involved in shoots that way, you just might find it rewarding With all due respect, you're 17 years old. I'm confident that you've never shot in that arena or worked on any nude project, ever, in any aspect. And yet you're making that statement based on what?
Do you think you're in the best position to make such an absolute statement regarding another model's path?
Or do you just think nudes are icky and since you would never do it, nobody else should either? You're advice would have been fine without your personal agenda.
Photographer
Rich Burroughs
Posts: 3259
Portland, Oregon, US
Images by MR wrote:
In the real world there are ZERO legitimate fashion / commercial agencies willing to sign anyone 5'2" or under 5'7".
http://www.newmodels.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5XuVTFu0k
Just my thoughts ~ MR You just can't say zero. I've worked with one model who's 5'3" and is represented by a very legitimate agency. She's also a freak of nature, she has an amazing face for editorial work and great proportions, she photographs taller than she is.
Is it going to happen often? No, the model I know is maybe one in a million. Do I think it is likely to happen for the OP? No. But I don't think it helps when making these arguments to say it never happens for anyone, because there are examples when it does.
To the OP: I think the "keep the dream alive" thing doesn't really apply in areas where your results are largely determined by genetics. I was never going to play shortstop for the NY Yankees or center for the LA Lakers. That was ruled out when I was conceived. I don't have the natural athletic talent for the former or the height for the latter.
There are areas where a 5'2" model can work but fashion isn't likely to be one of them. You can keep beating your head against the wall and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, or you can focus on areas where your height is less of a hindrance. There are a lot of shorter glamour and art models, for example, although I think it's hard to be successful in either without posing nude.
I think posing nude is a very personal decision but I don't buy the argument that it hurts people as a model. It depends some on what you do and who with, but my friend I mentioned had done a lot of killer art nudes before she got signed with an agency and it doesn't appear to have hurt her in the least.
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
I would shoot with you (gratis) for portfolio development - a full team fashion shoot if you pick up the tab for the hair / makeup / wardrobe -
There are indie magazines which accept non-agency-standard models for publication submissions if you are looking for tears.
For my own work I need an agency standard model with a marketable / publishable look. I offer pay if there is a client and trade for tears (I provide the production team) to suitable models.
Model
CamiAnn
Posts: 794
Los Angeles, California, US
Rich Burroughs wrote:
You just can't say zero. I've worked with one model who's 5'3" and is represented by a very legitimate agency. She's also a freak of nature, she has an amazing face for editorial work and great proportions, she photographs taller than she is.
Is it going to happen often? No, the model I know is maybe one in a million. Do I think it is likely to happen for the OP? No. But I don't think it helps when making these arguments to say it never happens for anyone, because there are examples when it does.
To the OP: I think the "keep the dream alive" thing doesn't really apply in areas where your results are largely determined by genetics. I was never going to play shortstop for the NY Yankees or center for the LA Lakers. That was ruled out when I was conceived. I don't have the natural athletic talent for the former or the height for the latter.
There are areas where a 5'2" model can work but fashion isn't likely to be one of them. You can keep beating your head against the wall and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, or you can focus on areas where your height is less of a hindrance. There are a lot of shorter glamour and art models, for example, although I think it's hard to be successful in either without posing nude.
I think posing nude is a very personal decision but I don't buy the argument that it hurts people as a model. It depends some on what you do and who with, but my friend I mentioned had done a lot of killer art nudes before she got signed with an agency and it doesn't appear to have hurt her in the least. +1 I've done art nudes and some glamour nudes and implieds and it hasn't hurt me at all... my dreams are realistic for the most part though. I'm only 5'2" and I'm 53 and have been modeling since 2004...I know fashion won't happen... but glamour, art, implieds...can be done...I have signed with an agency before for print work...but have been promoting myself for the most part...I have had some success but it won't ever be fulltime for me as it probably isn't for a lot unless they do nudes, etc....again, being realistic. I haven't delved into only nudes but I do some for the right project. If the OP's heart is set on fashion, then she needs to re-evalute if she wants to model or work in the fashion industry.
Photographer
KMP
Posts: 4834
Houston, Texas, US
Have you considered a related field? If you love fashion, have you thought about fashion design? There's a lot of creativity that happens before the cameras are pulled out.
I have a niece that is gorgeous. She has the face and body to model but like you, she's too short. She recently graduated from FIT. She was chosen as one of the contestants in a design competition with Parsons School of Fashion.
Honestly it's more dynamic and I say, offers a lot of opportunities that would not be available if her only interest in fashion was modeling.
I'll qualify the suggestion with the following:
She's been in to fashion design for years and is an amazing artist. Her drawings have gotten her a lot of attention and it was the quality of her art as much as her design, that caught the eye of some folks at Michale Kors.
She lives in NYC and is pursuing her dream of fashion design.
Her road is no less challenging than yours but in her case, her height is not an issue.
Photographer
john_ellis
Posts: 4375
Spokane, Washington, US
Leia kiana wrote:
Please someone help. I'm 19 and short. 5'2 to be exact and I live in a state in whih most anything as far as modeling can be achieved. Virginia isn't the state at the top for fashion. I have been working my ass of for over a year trying to be represented by an agency and nothing. I haven't and won't give up. I understand I will never be runway but I have a sense for fashion and the whole fashion shooting is what I dream.
What advice can you give me?
Thanks Advice? Dunno. I'm still trying to figure out my local commercial market myself, so what I'm learning here probably won't apply to your market.
Anyway, just keep shooting and doing what you love. In 20 years for now, you won't care whether you were paid or not back then... you'll just dig the fact that you took all of these amazing photos when you were younger.
Model
Lynn Elizabeth
Posts: 1336
Palm Beach, Florida, US
At 5'2 you have basically have no agency potential. I'm 5'2 so I know this personally. You can basically just freelance until you don't want to do it anymore.
Photographer
karenjerzykphotography
Posts: 1756
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Look up Rachael Dashae and Kacey Wilson, they are (for starters) VERY well respected models who are around 5'nothing. You wont get runway or fashion work, because clothes look better on taller figures (the way it hangs, etc), but that AT ALL doesnt close the doors to modeling as a job.
Model
Dekilah
Posts: 5236
Dearborn, Michigan, US
You can shoot fashion if you have realistic goals. There are plenty of starting designers and alternative designers (such as those you might find on etsy) who might be willing to work with you.
There is also the option of designing your own clothing and modeling that. That would have the added bonus of providing you with something further beyond modeling as well.
I am 4'10" and I have done a runway show. It was not a high profile thing, just a little show at a club, but it was a runway show. I have been approached for other events as well, but it just does not feel like my thing.
Something else that I think you might consider since you mentioned actually having a sense for fashion (versus wanting just the spotlight and such) is a fashion blog and shooting outfits you put together. I know there are a lot of girls/women who do that and also spread their images about on blogs, Tumblr, fashion sites, etc. I do not know a ton about it, but you could probably find a lot by looking into it. A lot of those women seem to have a pretty nice following and I am pretty sure there are no height requirements.
Model
B R E N N A N
Posts: 4247
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Kendra from Canada wrote:
don't do nudes
get into the fashion industry, become a stylist and get involved in shoots that way, you just might find it rewarding Huh? Have you looked at a fashion magazine? Ever?
If OP has any hopes of making it as a full time model, she will have to do nudes.
Model
B R E N N A N
Posts: 4247
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Leia kiana wrote:
Please someone help. I'm 19 and short. 5'2 to be exact and I live in a state in whih most anything as far as modeling can be achieved. Virginia isn't the state at the top for fashion. I have been working my ass of for over a year trying to be represented by an agency and nothing. I haven't and won't give up. I understand I will never be runway but I have a sense for fashion and the whole fashion shooting is what I dream.
What advice can you give me?
Thanks The best advice I can give you is to give it up. Aint gonna happen.
You can shoot fashion all day long for fun/hobby, but the chances of you making it as a fashion model or getting signed with a legitimate agency are zero percent. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but nobody is doing you any favors by blowing smoke up your ass. And getting signed with an agency and actually booking work are two different things.
That doesn't mean all doors are closed to you. Build a good portfolio, network your ass off, and become an internet model. Most do nudes though......
Model
IDiivil
Posts: 4615
Los Angeles, California, US
I shoot nudes for money and stable work/fun and occasionally I get paid or hit up for something fun in fashion.
5'3'' and otherwise sample size, but the reality is what it is.
Photographer
AJ_In_Atlanta
Posts: 13053
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Kendra from Canada wrote:
don't do nudes
get into the fashion industry, become a stylist and get involved in shoots that way, you just might find it rewarding At 17 I am sure you have figured out the entire BC Canada fashion industry already but given that you can't even consider doing anything with nudity I think the OP may want to decide for herself. She is after all two years older then you and if she learns at you pace no doubt has already leaned the meaning of life.
There is nudity in fashion perhaps you should read a fashion magazine once or twice...
Model
Stormee
Posts: 2463
San Antonio, Texas, US
Model
Nylon
Posts: 414
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Kelly Anne-Marie wrote:
I was told by some members on this site that short people can't do fashion. Well 'some people' are probably ill adviced. ;p LOL.
Anyhooo, at 5'2" realistically speaking that is only so much Fashion modeling you can do unless you are willing to explore the alternative fashion scene. If you mean general modeling per se, then I would say so you still stand a pretty good chance. You just need to find your niche and network around.
Model
P I X I E
Posts: 35440
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
B R E N N A N wrote:
Huh? Have you looked at a fashion magazine? Ever?
If OP has any hopes of making it as a full time model, she will have to do nudes. +1
For realz...
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45195
San Juan Bautista, California, US
FlirtynFun Photography wrote:
I'd highly suggest you read this- http://www.newmodels.com/
Specifically THIS part- http://www.newmodels.com/height.html
...those who are advising you here to "buck the norm" or that somehow "you'll be the exception to the rule" are simply blowing smoke. In regards to fashion, that section on height is correct, but there are plenty of options for shorter models in other areas. I have been shooting many more "shorter" models and paying them. In fact Nicolette, who has posted here, is one of those models. But then I don't shoot much in the way of fashion either.
Model
Babalon Salome
Posts: 3499
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
B R E N N A N wrote:
Huh? Have you looked at a fashion magazine? Ever?
If OP has any hopes of making it as a full time model, she will have to do nudes. This.
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