Be Vain...Look in the Mirror!

Well, I don't really want you to be vain...there are enough divas out there, that's for sure! But what I am talking about is getting comfortable with yourself and knowing what expressions and different looks your face makes, as well as your body.

The best practice any model can do is practice posing and making facial expressions in front of the mirror...in the privacy of your own home, of course, we don't want people thinking you're nuts!

Practice smiling and not smiling in front of the mirror. Note things that bother you and see if there is any way you can fix or tweak it so that you feel comfortable making this facial expression in front of a camera. Or note things you like...maybe you'll come across a facial expression that you like and it could end up being your "signature" look. Maybe you're self-conscious about the way your facial expressions are.

You won't really know unless you are aware of the way you look, smile, mug (not smiling), when you pose. Play around with different angles: tilt your head down, tilt it up, to the side, etc. Note how your profile appears. Maybe you have a larger nose that you're concerned about, but by practicing in the mirror, you may find an angle that's more flattering to your nose. This knowledge will help you feel more at home in front of the camera.

A great way to make this exercise seem less silly or intimidating is by doing your facial expressions in the mirror while playing music. Create different playlists so that you can change up the mood or feel of the expressions and emotions you're trying to convey. Being able to switch the expressions up will be a great asset for you as a model.

If you're busy worrying about how you look or how a certain smile may appear, you'll be too distracted during your shoots to produce quality pictures. Get to know yourself and grandstand in front of the mirror, pose silly, pose seriously...it doesn't matter. All of this is a fun way to assure yourself that when you strike your pose, you know the results will be great!

Comments

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

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

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

Modeling 101 - A Model's Diary

Search This Blog