Answering a Reader Question #287

Anonymous Wrote:


Hi,
I might ask you questions too :)
There are two of these:
1. I've to go to a casting the 14 January. There'll be a test shoot in studio. Should I bring some accessories with which I could pose?
2. I'm trans/genderfluid (though most of the time I'm a teenage boy) but not out, going to castings as Max would out me to my family. I don't think modeling will trigger much dysphoria as it is more like impersonating characters you pose as, but *once I'll be out* I want to know if it'll pose any problem in the modeling world? (The only thing that would trigger dysphoria IMO is if they asked me to draw attention to my breasts, but I think it'll be rare and that I'll be able to handle it since it'd be "impersonating characters".) 

Hi, Anonymous! To answer your first question, it is best to leave the accessories at home unless you are told to bring them. In test shoots it's all about capturing "you" and focusing on yourself as the model so there should be little to no distractions that would take away from that.

As far as your second question, I hope I'm understanding this right: are you submitting yourself to a modeling agency as a male but you are biologically a female? If that is correct, it all depends on the type of modeling you're trying to do. For example, if it's fashion/runway, modeling as a male could pose issues because oftentimes male models are asked to go shirtless in shoots and in fashion shows, as well as pose in outfits that sometimes are form fitting and/or made of fabric that could make it difficult to properly disguise your chest (not all the time of course). In photoshoots, models do pose as characters but in fashion shows it's another element entirely. As long as the agency is aware of your trans/genderfluid status and is okay with it, they'll work with you to find the appropriate castings where there will be little to no risk of dysphoria occurring.

In many cases clients have no problem hiring models with an "androgynous" look because the models are simply impersonating the opposite sex. Not everyone in the industry knows how to feel or deal with transgendered models but there are a few that have become quite successful so at least there is a positive precedent for it, which could work in your favor. Again, it all boils down to the agency that you're submitting yourself to and if they feel they could market you effectively.

Hope that helps but if you'd like further assistance, you can send me an email directly at: daniadenise@gmail.com.