So you Want to be a Fitness Model?

Well I'm certainly not a real fitness model myself, but I've helped several people establish themselves as professional models. I've been a part-time professional photographer since around 1990 when I worked for a fairly large local studio and lab. I got more involved in the industry a few years ago when I started several of my own projects, including the FitDaily.com daily fitness web site.

Along the way toward cataloging thousands and thousands of photos, I've helped several girls find the path toward modeling success. These days with the right help much of it can be done online.

The first place to start is by getting some professional photos taken. A typical photographer will charge a fair amount of money for a studio sitting, but if you pick the right photographers you can usually work out a deal when you're starting out where you exchange your time as a model for a nice set of starter photos.

Find an established photographer who is willing to take work on a TFP (Time for Prints) or TFCD (Time for CD - digital photos copied to a CD) basis. If you're really an aspiring model, this is solid way to start out. You will need to sign a model release, so the photographer benefits by getting some photos he or she can use in his or her professional work, campaigns, and portfolio. The model benefits by getting photos that can be used in a modeling portfolio. It should be noted that as the model you will typically have no right to use or publish these photos except for use in your personal portfolio.

In such an arrangement make sure you ask the photographer (in advance preferably) to make some time to take the photos you want for your portfolio. If you want to be a fitness model, for example, make sure to get some photos in fitness attire.

A couple of words of warning for new female models. First, always bring an escort with you to your photo shoot with a new photographer. Bring someone you're comfortable with so you don't end up alone in a situation with a potentially creepy and unprofessional person. It may not bode well for photographers out there, but I've heard lots of stories of these types of situations from models. Be safe and always bring a friend with you.

Understand also that there is a huge market for racy, topless, and nude photos. Don't let a photographer talk you into taking your clothes off for free. If you choose to do this sort of modeling make sure you get the payment you deserve (generally $50-150 per hour).

Also it's important to note that some photographers are willing to pay women to model for them even though they have no intention of using the photos. They merely enjoy the time spent and collect such photos for whatever purpose. This is fine if you just want to collect a paycheck, or possibly get some photos for your portfolio, but it's not especially useful in becoming a big star. With that said, some of these folks are extremely talented and will dedicate lots of time to creating high quality TFP images for you to use in your portfolio.

To find out the photographers who are selling their photos ask for tear sheets from advertisements they've sold, or some sort of proof that their work is being used in publications, on web sites, etc.

Always work out your arrangements with a photographer in advance. Tell the photographer up front if you want copies of the photos and come to an agreement as to when they'll be delivered. Let them know your limitations up front, and any unusual information they should know before the shoot, such as strange body art you may have, or any illness, rashes, or similar things that develop just prior to a shoot.

Open communication will deliver the best sessions and thus the best results. If you are honest with the photographer up front, are cooperative in so far as the limitations you expressed, and give good feedback, you'll develop ongoing relationships with photographers who want you back for future projects.

I'll be honest, some people are difficult to work with. They don't take direction well. They don't give any feedback. They seem very uncomfortable throughout the session. This tension tends to produce poor results. Try to relax and remember that the photographer is responsible for getting shots he or she can sell, so just try to go with the flow.

Once you're ready to get started as a model, the first real step is to create a profile on one of the major modeling sites. I'd suggest you go with either One Model Place or Model Mayhem. Both are free to models and will give you a good place to start out. You can post some basic photos until you find a photographer who will help you out. Make sure to post the best photos you have and give honest measurements and information (including your age) so there are no uncomforable surprises.

As a photographer I find much more consistency on One Model Place. One benefit here is that photographers have to pay $10 to join (or more for upgraded memberships), whereas it's free for everyone on Model Mayhem. I've found models who pay for upgraded profiles on OMP tend to be much more reliable than those on Model Mayhem, but I have found some good talent there as well. Any aspiring model needs to have a profile in both places.

Pick out a photographer on either site who is local and advertises TFP/TFCD sessions for new models in your style of modeling. Contact the photographer and ask if he or she would be interested in working with you on a TFP basis. Make sure to specify that you expect there to be no fees whatsoever. Some photographers try to milk fees or upsell additional services to new models. The only fee you that you should be paying in a TFP session is for actual paper prints of photos (because each print can cost significant money).

Once you have some professional photos and you get some experience learning how the shoots work and how to pose, you can start charging for your modeling time. With more experience and a larger, more diverse portfolio you can start trying to get into the top modeling agencies who book shoots for shows and big ad campaigns.

Don't forget to look for casting calls and other modeling events on these web sites. Get involved with the community, make friends online, and look at the photos other people are posting to get ideas for your own portfolio. Don't be afraid to ask photographers to try some of your suggestions. You'll quickly learn which ones are willing to work with you in this manner and which are not.

Finally let me address fitness modeling. There are essentially two types of fitness modeling. One encompasses the genre as a whole, and includes poses in fitness attire, holding water bottles, sports props, and so forth. The other is actually performing fitness-related actions and holding difficult poses, such as exercises or yoga positions.

Most of my fitness shoots involve some of both elements. They include some staged/posed shots, with and without props, and also some actual demonstration of exercise concepts for my web sites. For those wanting to engage in actual exercise work, make sure you're in good shape beforehand. I've encountered quite a few so-called fitness models who couldn't do even the simplest of exercises, had poor balance, below average flexibility, and didn't even use good posture in most cases. Try not to be one of these models who relies on youth and natural beauty instead of hard work.

Any model really needs to be in shape and take good care of him or herself. Make health a priority, and be sure to exercise, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep. Work on your flexibility, posture, and balance, in addition to working on your strength, muscle tone, and fat burning. Yes, I've a had models come in with bags of steaming McDonald's food and a big soda to a fitness shoot. It's perhaps not the most professional way to make a first impression.

As a model it behooves you not to take things too seriously. Newer models have little control over the final images that are released. Choose to work with professionals and maintain open communication with photographers. Ask nicely if you don't like a certain image and work with the photographer to get one you do like.

Remember, it is possible you'll be portrayed in a manner you don't feel is appropriate, so take care when you sign the model release.

For more photos of fitness models in action, go to the exercise library at fitdaily.com.
This is also a good place if you need help with your exercise program, or need general fitness advice.

Read more about daily fitness goals and regimens.

All of the photos here are my original work. You can find more of my general photos at photo.jeffmims.com.

Happy modeling. Be safe, have fun on your photo shoots, and ... SMILE!