Skip to main content

Limitations & Personal Boundaries in Modeling


This post will best serve models over 18. Younger models will not have to deal with the following topics due to their age and the law.

When it comes to what type of modeling you will or will not do, just know that no one will force you to do anything, especially your agent if you have one. When you get signed to an agency, you will be asked what type of work you will do and what you won't do. This may be a hard copy form with boxes you have to check or you may be asked to do it online for your profile.

The modeling you'll be asked about includes but is not limited to:

- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Fur
- Nude
- Glamor/Implied Nudity

You will never be submitted for work that you have explicitly stated you will not do. So any worries you may have about turning down work or disappointing your agent will not be an issue in this case. This is one of the rare instances where your own personal/moral/ethical beliefs will be taken into consideration. With that being said, think hard about how you want to portray yourself as a model and what your boundaries are.

Even if you are freelance, there is still a need to state your limitations. Many models do this on their websites, on their profiles online through modeling community sites, etc. And that is perfectly fine. It is much easier to avoid any unnecessary situations if people know upfront what you will or will not do.

As for myself, I have stated through my agent and everywhere else that I will not do nude work, wear fur or do gigs involving cigarettes. Alcohol is fine with me as well as glamor but only if it is for a tasteful publication and is done by a credible photographer.

It all boils down to what you feel comfortable with and as long as you keep the lines of communication open, you shouldn't run into any problems.
Labels:

Comments

pinup_girl said…
Well I am under 18, so I don't have to worry just yet. But I definately agree with your decisions. I'm SO glad you choose not to wear fur, I would never. And as for nudity, I certainly wouldn't either. I believe there are countless ways to take a beautiful, even sexy or sensual picture without taking your clothes off.
May 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who ...
6 comments
Read more

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...
37 comments
Read more

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks ...
4 comments
Read more