Skip to main content

Patience Isn't Just a Virtue--It's a Necessity in Modeling

Do you hate waiting? Are you one of the most impatient people on the planet? Does it irk you to have to wait around for other people to get things done? When waiting around do you have the tendency to fidget or get irritated? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you will have a difficult time succeeding in the modeling industry.

"Hurry up and wait" is a popular saying not only in the modeling industry, but the entertainment world as a whole. Model or actor, the nature of the work entails being in a rush to...wait. You may even be hassled in the makeup chair to hurry up and get done, then report on set and...wait around for 15-30 minutes.

It can be a confusing concept to grasp if you're not used to it. I think it is important to touch on this matter briefly because until you're in the situation, it can be hard to imagine what it's like to be on set for a photoshoot and why certain things take so long to get done.

First off, if the shoot consists of a crew of people, then chances are you're going to have to wait around for things to come together (this obviously isn't the case if it's just you and the photographer)--and if there is more than one model being shot, you'll have more than your share of waiting around to do.

Models are required to be on set/location early, often without anything in place yet. Doing a shoot isn't as simple as the model showing up, getting hair and makeup done and then walking onto the set to start shooting--if only it were so!

Each part of putting together a photoshoot takes time and when you break it all down, it can add up to a long workday. Most models' call times are hours before they are ever required to be in front of the camera. This is where the patience comes in. For one, makeup and hair tends to take a long time (this isn't always the case for every photoshoot but I'm going to speak in broad terms to make things simple).

From start to finish, it isn't uncommon for a model to sit in the hair and makeup chair for 1-2 hours--and if you've got multiple looks, you may as well get comfortable. Then it's onto wardrobe, which can take some time. And even after you've gotten all dolled up, you may still be required to wait around while everything is being set up. It may be a 10-15 minute wait but it could also be an hour or more. Additionally, each time a new look or location is needed, the photographer will need time to prep their equipment, redo the lighting, etc.

If you're unaccustomed to this type of work routine, it can be a culture shock at first. And if you're an impatient person by nature, you'll probably be ready to tear your hair out by this time. That's why it is so important to understand the way things work in the modeling industry. You are on someone else's clock--not your own. And while it may seem unfair that you're ready to work and everyone else isn't, that's just how it goes. Remember: "hurry up and wait."

My best advice is to always bring something to help you pass the time, whether it be a book, homework or a handheld video game. I would avoid bringing a laptop or talking/texting on your cell phone simply because those are the type of items that can be more distracting to your work than helping to pass the time (btw, cell phones should be on silent or turned off and left in your bag or purse!). Some people get way too engrossed in email or a phone/text conversation and it can be like pulling teeth to ask them to refocus on something else so don't tempt yourself.

Downtime is also a great time to get to know the people you're working with, whether they are models or not. This can also be a good opportunity to network. There's nothing wrong with being social and getting to know others--it really makes the time fly by. Or if you'd prefer to be left to your own devices, that's fine, too.

Patience is vital in being a professional and personable model to work with. No one wants to deal with a whiner or someone who is in a rush. If you know the photoshoot is going to last a while, don't make plans later on in the day--chances are you'll be late. Anytime I have a photoshoot planned, I clear my whole day/evening of plans. Even if I happen to get out early, I'm more than likely going to be tired anyway. So keep your schedule free on shoot days and use the time afterwards for a little R&R.

If you have a serious problem with being patient and waiting around, then I wouldn't suggest modeling, freelance or otherwise.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

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...
358 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

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...
95 comments
Read more