Skip to main content

Passion

In my opinion, what separates the good models from the other regular, run-of-the-mill models, is passion. When you're passionate about what you do and give your all each time, you will become a master of your craft.

I can't stand to watch models pose on a shoot who just go through the motions. When you're trying to build your portfolio and strengthen your ties with others in the industry, you can't afford to slack.

Lack of interest in what you're doing, going through the motions and just being plain fake about it will show through in your photos. To the untrained eye they will look great but to someone in the modeling field, whose input counts, they won't be impressed.

Many people make fun of Tyra for always going on about having "dead eyes" and how you need to have fire in them when you pose. There is so much truth to these statements. You can tell when a model's eyes look "dead" or vacant. You never want that. No matter how spectacular the outfit is or how amazing the background looks, just that one factor alone can make an image useless.

When I was shooting for my 2007 calendar, there were instances where I just had to take a break, walk away, take a breath, and come back to the set and refocus because I would lose my fire. My stylist called me on it everytime. I'd shake it off and try again until I got it right.

There is so much expression to be found in your eyes...and this is where having a passion for what you do really comes into play. You can look bored in a photo as part of the theme but still have drama in your eyes. You can pose as an innocent schoolgirl but possess a seductress's "come hither" stare. It's all about finding the right balance.

In order to be serious about this field, you have to have the passion and attitude and it needs to be "on" at 100% everytime you step out in front of a camera.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Want to Be a Victoria's Secret Model?

(*Due to the number of comments and questions I get from aspiring models about working for VS, please be sure to read my post on this very carefully. If you don't meet all of these requirements then you cannot become a model for VS. If you are not tall enough, if you are not signed to a top agency, your chances are not good.  If you don't meet the requirements, please don't be too upset about it. Find another field of modeling you may be good for. There are plenty of other modeling opportunities for models outside of being a VS angel. They may not be as good or as well-known as VS but it's better than nothing.) I know I’d jump at the chance to be offered a gig modeling for Victoria’s Secret (although I think they’d be irritated by Photoshopping my stretch marks HAHA, yeah, I said it, I’ve got stretch marks!). All silliness aside, the gals of Victoria’s Secret are probably the inspiration for a majority of aspiring models out there. Not only do they get to wear the s...

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It...

How Old is Too Old to Model?

It’s no secret that the media has made a big deal out of youth. Think about it: how many people have you heard say, “Gosh, I can’t wait to get wrinkles!” Worldwide, selling the idea of youth has made many companies billions of dollars. Without the models, however, they wouldn’t get very far. So that’s the obvious stuff but what about the question of age and being older in the modeling industry? Well, for starters, if you plan on being in the fashion and runway field, the younger you are the better. The longevity for this type of modeling is extremely short for the majority of models involved. Agencies sign girls as young as 13 years old and tend to hesitate if a model is over 18. This topic, like the height issue, is a reality of the industry that you don’t have to agree with but you will have to accept or at least get used to. It’s just a plain fact that agencies and their clients can get more work out of youthful models than those who already show the signs of aging. Sadly, this...