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Article Submitted By: The TMB TEAM |
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To maximise your chances of success as a model it is vital that you identify which type of modelling you are most suited to. Please find below summaries of the different types of modelling which can be used as a rough guide.
Fashion: When people think of modelling they usually think of fashion modelling. However, fashion modelling is just one of many commercial types of modelling work.
Nevertheless, fashion modelling is the most competitive and desired modelling work. Competition is fierce. Unless you are of a particular size, height and weight your chances of becoming a successful fashion model are limited.
As a guide, you should be somewhere between 15 and 24 years old. Models do not have very long careers and so agencies tend to want to invest their time in someone young. You should be tall, lean and long legged. The minimum height is about 5'8", and the average weight for a model is 106-126 lbs.
There are always exceptions to the rule: Kate Moss is 5'7" but, in general, the closer you are to the industry ‘norm’, the better your chances of success.
Glamour: Despite its reputation, glamour modelling in not always about capturing ‘sex’ or expressing sexual themes. However, it should be noted that this type of modelling does carry with it a social stigma. Although anyone vaguely involved on the industry knows that glamour modelling is about much more than jest busts and blond hair, it is an unfortunate fact that some people working with in the pornographic industry consider their work to be ‘glamour’. Therefore, make sure, before you attend a glamour shoot, that you know exactly what you are letting yourself in for.
There is not the same height and size restrictions in glamour modelling as in fashion modelling. The style of good glamour modelling should be as its name suggests. Glamorous locations, themes and makeup are often integral parts of a glamour shoot.
Beauty: The term ‘beauty modelling’ usually describes ‘makeup photography’. The most common beauty models are young, starting at the age of 14, and have almost flawless skin. Beauty photography usually uses extreme close ups of the face and can also be focused on areas such as the lips or eyes. Remember, regardless of your model type - should you have good facial features and good clear skin - do not rule out beauty modelling as another option.
Swimwear and Lingerie: Swimwear and lingerie modelling is similar in many respects to glamour modelling, but the emphasis is more focused on the garments as well as the model.
It is often the classic body shapes that are most in demand i.e. a large cup size, small waist and curvy hips.
Child, Teen, Mature and Character: This type of model is mostly in demand within the commercial print industry where advertising campaigns require character models such as infant’s teens and older models.
Commercial: Commercial print offers work for models that encapsulate a modern working ideal or stereotype. This work requires a ability to appear natural in front of the lense.
Commercial Print work is a style of work used for promotional and advertising style photographs. It usually captures, lifestyle shots of happy couples in their new apartment, or the image of a successful male enjoying a new car.
Plus sizes and Petit: Consumers want to see what clothes or beauty products look like on someone "just like them." As a result, there are modelling opportunities for people of all shapes and sizes.
However, demand for plus size and petit models is mostly within the commercial market; where specialist clothes manufactures need to promote their product to a target audience.
Parts modelling: Body parts modelling is mostly required for the promotion of products and accessories, for example a choker on a ladies neck or a watch on a man’s wrist. If you feel that you have an exceptional characteristic or feature such as elegant, well-formed hands or long thin legs then part modelling should definitely be considered (in addition to any other style of modelling you feel suits you).
Fortunes have been made for having long legs and landing a tights campaign.
Promo and Events modelling: It is not uncommon for companies to hire models for use during exhibitions to showcase their new products. One of the most common examples of this is at car shows and prestigious parties. This kind of modelling requires the ability for models to interact on a social level while maintaining a happy smile.
Look-alikes: There is an incredible demand for look-alike models. There are literally thousands of look-alikes earning a living from their coincidental physical resemblance of a famous person. As well as obviously having the physical similarities, you also require the skill of impersonating a persons’ voice, mannerisms and in some cases, singing ability.
Video and film: Video and film is not an exclusive medium for actors. Models are often hired to make appearances in music videos and television commercials. For this work models may only need ‘the right look’ and should not be required to act dialogue.
If you have the confidence and ability to appear natural or extravert in front of a camera then this type of work should be considered.
*Art and Nude: The major difference between this and any other type of modelling is that a model may be required to sit in the same pose for many hours and even return over a period of a few days or weeks until a fine artist or client is satisfied with their observations.
*Please note that nude should be understood as artistic nude and not be confused with other more sexually orientated nude |
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