Become a Successful Model

Tip #1

The first tip that I can give is...... be absolutely sure that this is what you want to do. Are you able to go in front of a panel of judges that will critique what you look like? Can You walk in front of hundreds of people who are focused on you alone? are you flexible enough to hop around the globe when the calling comes? Are you dedicated enough to wakeup for a photo shoot in the wee hours of dawn in the middle of winter for a photo shoot outside?Are you willing to give up what has always been a part of you eg. your hair or look that you prefer? Do you have a lot of humility? This is an industry that will teach you a lot about your humility. whilst the Masters of this industry promote your career in the most glamorous way they are the first ones to notice when your humilty is in question. So if you want to last in the industry. be considerate of others. There are truly, a lot of beautiful people out there looking for the same opportunity constantly, and make no mistake, the industry is constantly out there looking for new models to satisfy the appetite of the audience. I firmly believe that reaching out for inspiration is always a good thing to do. It gives you a chance to reach out for what you are really looking for.. your inner spirit. I like to meditate each morning I set out a time to read the bible and I also look for words of inspiration. My favorite being...."The Invisible Force http://www.Drwaynedyer.com This is a must have book, it will realy make you feel good and you need that in high and low moments.

Tip #2
Know what Category of Modeling you want to be in. there are lots of opportunities in modeling and they can fall under several categories such as High fashion, Commercial, Editorial, Catalog, Print and Artistic Modeling. I cannot tell you which category best fits you however the best way to find out would be to go to several audtions or put your self on the website and see what the casting agents think of you.
Some of the ones I've used are as follows:

http://www.newfaces.com/shamiso http://www.graceo.searchcasting.com

You will get back honest feedback that will give you direction into what area you should pursue in modeling.

Tip #3

Find a modelig Agency that works for you. As you attend more model calls, castings, and auditions you will find that not all modeling agencies represent all the categories of modeling. You will have to do your own homework to find out which ones work for you, for example you will find some modeling agencies will tell you that they strictly only work with High fashion models only, some do Commercial Print and Editorial and some are only for Promotional models.
A good way to start off is to start locally, if you can afford it then by all means accelerate your potential by going for audtions and castings to the larger cities of fashion such as Paris, Milan, New York and Los Angeles
a link that I find resourceful and has reputable agencies recommended by Supermodel Tyra Banks is:

http://models.com/agencies/ another great link is

sending your profiles, compcards or uploading your pictures online instantly to these agencies. Getting feedback from them is invaluable. Sometimes what they may tell you is not what you what you want to hear, but take it constructively and listen to the comments that you think you can use to improve yourself. No one can ever tell you what you can not be it is all up to you.......Be creative find ways that you can gain exposure in the right way. Remember no reputable agency wants tI represent a model involved in indecency. I don't have to tell you which models ruined there careers this way. We'll discuss this topic in more posts to come.

Tip #4 Get good pictures.

A little small investment in good pictures can make a big difference to the selection process of who should be picked by an agency. I am not saying go and spend hundreds of dollars for pictures. Do a little research on fashion photographers with in your area. make appointments with them and you will be surprised to discover that they are so many photographers who would take your photos for free so that they too can add your pictures to their potfolio this is what is known to be a Test Shoot. Always, Always do your research about photograpers before you make appointments with them there's a lot of predators out there that come under the disguise of photographers. Make sure you always go with someone when you go to meet them, Start by going to:

http://www.yellow pages.com
http://www.freephotogallery.info

these links will usually have a bunch of registered, licensed and bonded photographers.
When the pictures are taken get Comp cards made by print companies they are many companies that will make them for you for under $100 eg:

tip #5
Your portfolio should show the modeling category you are marketing yourself. It doesn't make sense to have you in high fashion poses if you are 5ft. 2in for example. As a petite model you can market yourself in the commercial modeling area. So you would need to get a photographer who is experienced in commercial photography, I can't stress how important that is. Some photographer's will obviously say yes they do commercial photography because who will turn a paid job down? In this case you have to be prudentand use your own discretion, check your yellow pages for bonafide commercial photographers. or check the links mentioned in Tip#4