tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67687966563318063902024-03-12T15:57:17.829-07:00Modeling 101 - A Model's DiaryWritten by a model for models. Whether aspiring or pro, this blog offers advice, information, resources and real-life experiences from a working model that's been in the industry for 25+ years.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.comBlogger1169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-71903175199662537262024-02-16T10:26:00.000-08:002024-02-16T10:26:55.412-08:00Poll Update!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBzSLjAqEbdypXsV0T3oQnrtRKGFQIo6TQ-IajFNgjjUFiV2bjtF_Lwui6mwkFtWXeBdvjTOPcMbkNaCFpnUav3X1cu9hyphenhyphenJjkaSxfqYFxbnk07STW6RrjgIo2-50LP5bYo-4997ZXIQ0cLAdPhcdKi3H8A0hC0vuKtuyK5hMSisbYvRXRA54RmJHoIJlx/s770/update-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="770" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBzSLjAqEbdypXsV0T3oQnrtRKGFQIo6TQ-IajFNgjjUFiV2bjtF_Lwui6mwkFtWXeBdvjTOPcMbkNaCFpnUav3X1cu9hyphenhyphenJjkaSxfqYFxbnk07STW6RrjgIo2-50LP5bYo-4997ZXIQ0cLAdPhcdKi3H8A0hC0vuKtuyK5hMSisbYvRXRA54RmJHoIJlx/w400-h210/update-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Happy February, Readers!<p></p><p>Just a quick note to let you guys know that the poll I posted last month about the possibility of turning this blog into a combination of modeling AND acting content is going well but I still need your help because...</p><p><b><i>...the results are literally split 50/50!</i></b></p><p>That's right, half of those who voted want acting content mixed in, while the other half prefer to stick to modeling content only.</p><p>So what's a blogger to do? Well, that's why I'm posting. </p><p>For those of you who haven't voted yet, please do because I need a tie breaker to make this decision!</p><p>Here is the link to the poll. It's free to add your vote and there's no sign up for anything required:</p><p>https://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2024/01/attn-modeling-101-models-diary-readers.html</p><p>I really want to jump start new content moving forward and having your vote will make my job a lot easier so thank you in advance for reading this and for participating in the future of the Modeling 101 - A Model's Diary!</p>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-51020483470416920342024-01-08T13:21:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:27:11.637-08:00ATTN: Modeling 101 "A Model's Diary" Readers - New Poll!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieznKxcEDInamSRgAGsKgQzvqDhMRakjo6uuwcNWR1vBMA2ir2Y-QBWOILELsEmOmL_SH8XW29IaRBOIRZMpVwLIMiMsw0WYYiExKGwBB8WOoH26xc7a2pPZ44a8kuAbpDY-YQLchp24Og78ndkF6kwcwpzRjzOpUqDcgYkQ7tcHq2EYCMYsWQ51MAKu2z/s1920/Modeling%20101%20%E2%80%9CA%20Model%20&%20Actor%E2%80%99s%20Diary%E2%80%9D%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieznKxcEDInamSRgAGsKgQzvqDhMRakjo6uuwcNWR1vBMA2ir2Y-QBWOILELsEmOmL_SH8XW29IaRBOIRZMpVwLIMiMsw0WYYiExKGwBB8WOoH26xc7a2pPZ44a8kuAbpDY-YQLchp24Og78ndkF6kwcwpzRjzOpUqDcgYkQ7tcHq2EYCMYsWQ51MAKu2z/s320/Modeling%20101%20%E2%80%9CA%20Model%20&%20Actor%E2%80%99s%20Diary%E2%80%9D%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Happy 2024, Modeling 101 Readers!<p></p><p>I don't know about you, but I've been busy since the new year started and I couldn't be more excited for all that this year will bring. I also want to make good on my promise to keep the momentum going with this blog. </p><p>For now I'm going to aim for 1-2 posts per month and I felt the timing for the beginning of the year was right to ask you guys to respond to this poll below to help me determine the direction this blog should go in from here on out. I'll keep this as a running poll for now with no set deadline...if I get at least 20-30 replies, that'll make the final results much quicker to gauge. </p><p>Thank you in advance for taking the time and feel free to vote even if this is your first time visiting my blog or if you haven't checked it out in a while. All your votes count!</p><script type="text/javascript">
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Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-44739629337678363562023-12-13T20:40:00.000-08:002023-12-13T22:10:13.945-08:00Dania Denise & "The Modeling 101 - A Model's Diary" Blog Is Back!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-v5IbQ-A1EoCh_JNiimEf35X5UFPSBX7QbeU61u6ZhBRxCopTTQV04i2OFVHxZVZ1YNQKfSwX3lPCZG6z0cWFdJgULNvTpvo8al68algYQL0VcPU8XGHDEKSKMzE2fe3YE5Nqs7i3uFM5YITcQj6niQjgdpBPMoBuj0xWDSGP4lcf8p96K8JGBq-4ZP9/s3276/2021-07-15%20DANIA%20DENISE%20(199)%20A002_copy_2185x3276.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="2185" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-v5IbQ-A1EoCh_JNiimEf35X5UFPSBX7QbeU61u6ZhBRxCopTTQV04i2OFVHxZVZ1YNQKfSwX3lPCZG6z0cWFdJgULNvTpvo8al68algYQL0VcPU8XGHDEKSKMzE2fe3YE5Nqs7i3uFM5YITcQj6niQjgdpBPMoBuj0xWDSGP4lcf8p96K8JGBq-4ZP9/w213-h320/2021-07-15%20DANIA%20DENISE%20(199)%20A002_copy_2185x3276.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>Did you guys miss me? 😄</p>Okay, I know I've got some explaining to do, haha. Even though I haven't posted in a long time, as you can see, I've kept my blog active and I've also continued answering reader questions and <b><i><a href="https://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">publishing responses via my other blog dedicated to that very purpose.</a></i></b><p></p><p>I'm sure you've got questions so I'll make this post an easy one to digest as far as updates in my world goes...</p><p><b>Why Didn't You Keep Your Blog Updated?</b></p><p>Not gonna lie: I was simply too busy. Being an entrepreneur, managing projects, teams, deadlines, and maintaining my own on-camera career had me moving in a million directions. I wasn't in the right mindset -- or had the energy -- to craft the informative, candid, and quality content I used to. </p><p>The last thing I wanted to do was put out subpar posts. That would be a disservice to my readers, many of whom have been following this blog since it was first started all those years ago. I always knew I was going to come back to this blog, the timing just had to be right and I decided now is that time.</p><p><b>Where The Heck Have You Been?</b></p><p>Great question! Since launching my indie film production company, <b><i><a href="https://runawaymillproductions.com/" target="_blank">Runaway Mill Productions</a></i></b>, I've been spending my time wearing the filmmaking hats of Producer, Writer, Director, Editor & Actor. I've directed several short films, been through the film festival circuit and am currently working on my first feature film, <b><i><a href="https://www.youwerejusthere.com/" target="_blank">"You Were Just Here,"</a></i></b> where I'm the writer, director, and lead actor. Making movies is my passion and I've been loving every step in this journey!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="884" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NwphQDZXi_Bsn9WQuvzrMZYOYGlxRHZvewt6v_hQ4naRtgWdkMLcwP-sn7bbU5kBax9OZpXOtKTXRSzfIpSM_vYtc0WGajSi6Lu8BwCvhACiE1B0B-yNQqd7Dy5EHUFBGU9JLyaRMRkB-hw1uIVw_Q5aimj3KUeZI66yUc_86G6fRQX482hrzivXhGx9/s320/Capture7.PNG" width="320" /><br /></i></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Had the pleasure of receiving my first directing award for the short film, "Yvonne Speaks"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="704" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbV3j7jL6WxCdMojd5CmuWB_DTQpS30rPYsKBYbYMTpfwPKHS9ts27cSBXj_Z7P6TQ6ZE0B4HgCjtTm9dX5pRoB2I_VOy4sqf-YAS8noWxUJkTYZ1Wb9E_bft1plejC08qNhWAlN3Uo64IYZGCVrkci5yCx_71svlVKo9oChQllrBZi0-zGH4q9fu1xhZ/s320/Capture5.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>BTS on-location directing a film trailer.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAUvLsoC2c2uuAgNays_FGaa8Q_hi0h4pzrVDELQqGlTk5ww9JbPAN7Bjhyphenhyphen34ncESq-gez12gTJPbaYcJgXu2Xo_J7xru2kcr6hlvXotkkxzzZcxirWYk_ecHcYcVSk7e0-XfpT_s6kRqpR6jm1hXdzjkJTNVFC9o3GghJB5SW_qVnJ0w5783wl3NKHrV/s884/Capture9.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="884" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAUvLsoC2c2uuAgNays_FGaa8Q_hi0h4pzrVDELQqGlTk5ww9JbPAN7Bjhyphenhyphen34ncESq-gez12gTJPbaYcJgXu2Xo_J7xru2kcr6hlvXotkkxzzZcxirWYk_ecHcYcVSk7e0-XfpT_s6kRqpR6jm1hXdzjkJTNVFC9o3GghJB5SW_qVnJ0w5783wl3NKHrV/s320/Capture9.PNG" width="320" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>BTS directing rehearsals for the short film, "Yvonne Speaks"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y8naBaSA_ebnpA6WnCc4nqSYh5mHeS0Bz1ennIZSFXz2LdIgbJzgpwVgzw9RPbn2ZQJy_sdNUHiLSx5fFNMYzIKs7wdVUrvpqxcQbvx6XCUHBlP1FAneN-rHRFx1RSQT-6U1IM0J3t6qlkJF5nJWNMjPZf5iXeyJy6ufsRiu0sXoSfYmdMOI0sxeVy0x/s880/Capture6.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="880" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y8naBaSA_ebnpA6WnCc4nqSYh5mHeS0Bz1ennIZSFXz2LdIgbJzgpwVgzw9RPbn2ZQJy_sdNUHiLSx5fFNMYzIKs7wdVUrvpqxcQbvx6XCUHBlP1FAneN-rHRFx1RSQT-6U1IM0J3t6qlkJF5nJWNMjPZf5iXeyJy6ufsRiu0sXoSfYmdMOI0sxeVy0x/s320/Capture6.PNG" width="320" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>BTS working with my actors and cinematographers for the short film, "Yvonne Speaks"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Are You Still Modeling?</b></p><p>Absolutely! I'll never "retire" from modeling. Aside from being busy with acting work, I've been doing print campaigns as well for various brands from wineries and businesses to travel/tourism campaigns. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ItbrrVEKKcLhX1R6FJtvRpSNcFhyZdsjQ46a8ibUcvLpNQmeGUzONe1sRQokkn4m4mRDIr7-iWdZVrEYPTa5g91QqkI3w2oV8XNnjwrbckVZ6SYDBt_cp7FNzGSBbY_LkywtLCBZuLqT_BGwfvtl7p1MPN89BilX5LWS4ROj8frPnttcbhyVPkFxtlE0/s882/Capture3.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="882" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ItbrrVEKKcLhX1R6FJtvRpSNcFhyZdsjQ46a8ibUcvLpNQmeGUzONe1sRQokkn4m4mRDIr7-iWdZVrEYPTa5g91QqkI3w2oV8XNnjwrbckVZ6SYDBt_cp7FNzGSBbY_LkywtLCBZuLqT_BGwfvtl7p1MPN89BilX5LWS4ROj8frPnttcbhyVPkFxtlE0/s320/Capture3.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of several winery brands I shot print campaigns for.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TZSfzXHtUulUce_RnTsUo5ZvbncObvWMqUI1RJcQ27pWLfVzTOwyffN5Fep2_cGFJe38Ly5xKn4BjWtrzQ9e9pfTd68NkkSAyObdlqYuCiNm4IvCuobnAEr2sZcvzgmZJiNpYElFwwA5Il5e69uai54mZwPlI5AUBQeXNGU9XYo2lNHXyCMPYelNNEes/s881/Capture4.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="881" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TZSfzXHtUulUce_RnTsUo5ZvbncObvWMqUI1RJcQ27pWLfVzTOwyffN5Fep2_cGFJe38Ly5xKn4BjWtrzQ9e9pfTd68NkkSAyObdlqYuCiNm4IvCuobnAEr2sZcvzgmZJiNpYElFwwA5Il5e69uai54mZwPlI5AUBQeXNGU9XYo2lNHXyCMPYelNNEes/s320/Capture4.PNG" width="320" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>From the same winery print campaign as above.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSghuaCT2fnUrF63fh-oQB96L2pBQdrgjaFdcPJReGmq_QgWJx6uQvyT0Nt7CFakJrzFVZYz-0E4Y52W2j6JS_Bw5GNnO0G38Jbkxb5rKaofFDyXd46n9_pC-H3Yxbn4vUJGuxGp81kiImUqaFgeh4v-dkd_AFQymx6zX9SyWPH2MFYqHMKua9n05ipS5R/s1252/Screenshot_20230404_131307_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSghuaCT2fnUrF63fh-oQB96L2pBQdrgjaFdcPJReGmq_QgWJx6uQvyT0Nt7CFakJrzFVZYz-0E4Y52W2j6JS_Bw5GNnO0G38Jbkxb5rKaofFDyXd46n9_pC-H3Yxbn4vUJGuxGp81kiImUqaFgeh4v-dkd_AFQymx6zX9SyWPH2MFYqHMKua9n05ipS5R/s320/Screenshot_20230404_131307_Instagram.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Digital Tearsheet from Sugar Bowl Ski Resort Campaign</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GGxU3IvI_V8cHFk4UxJmZjPOGZejgcoWtsfM8DeWqJo4c-i7UXPgodbZIDQKxZK2fXf1cUTmc3obJbeUuk-k01zAfxR5ugQ6rSAOlhRZ9aeV_47ggZQCm187cbYveOFgMrI0pYknRIhqmvCRPlMWwMw82O32Uxj3avVjFEdDscjhEyM4qPIPjD2TrN6h/s1219/Screenshot_20230404_131321_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GGxU3IvI_V8cHFk4UxJmZjPOGZejgcoWtsfM8DeWqJo4c-i7UXPgodbZIDQKxZK2fXf1cUTmc3obJbeUuk-k01zAfxR5ugQ6rSAOlhRZ9aeV_47ggZQCm187cbYveOFgMrI0pYknRIhqmvCRPlMWwMw82O32Uxj3avVjFEdDscjhEyM4qPIPjD2TrN6h/s320/Screenshot_20230404_131321_Instagram.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Digital Tearsheet from Sugar Bowl Ski Resort Campaign</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpK0Z5O6lSWsWbsJjeuB5oTmDbUM62OOtIUZVT5ayw34qjwSzgK-DqeEvGTofzOm_-qoNNZ8KL7CLxRcO3WmZkFlUSajBxal7OUNIPoBBCyOxcORlvRS_PnteT1Ju3OQ3jSVV-cce_a66MoAJFUfqv1vZezefpi03hcbbwOaocWyGg0UOiODBEVJ3ZaJq/s1080/Screenshot_20230404_131409_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1080" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpK0Z5O6lSWsWbsJjeuB5oTmDbUM62OOtIUZVT5ayw34qjwSzgK-DqeEvGTofzOm_-qoNNZ8KL7CLxRcO3WmZkFlUSajBxal7OUNIPoBBCyOxcORlvRS_PnteT1Ju3OQ3jSVV-cce_a66MoAJFUfqv1vZezefpi03hcbbwOaocWyGg0UOiODBEVJ3ZaJq/s320/Screenshot_20230404_131409_Instagram.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Digital Tearsheet from Hot Springs Print Campaign</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindUngpfXannaocATbCGJW4iJ1AeF-ofFAoHNsC_ulhAY0fvnwpmyILr6p_NMG40kdTIhHpFMGPzx9_C6oKlp-YCO6QwYgsW1W3PRpvL4jp9L9P3eWf1C1E0FVh6ucvMq2HAwVdN_e3YFFhNbsgqAy2gz2kkiF3fe-Hdbeb8dT8KZuGuDmH0HqqERuOiLf/s1080/Screenshot_20230404_131441_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1080" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindUngpfXannaocATbCGJW4iJ1AeF-ofFAoHNsC_ulhAY0fvnwpmyILr6p_NMG40kdTIhHpFMGPzx9_C6oKlp-YCO6QwYgsW1W3PRpvL4jp9L9P3eWf1C1E0FVh6ucvMq2HAwVdN_e3YFFhNbsgqAy2gz2kkiF3fe-Hdbeb8dT8KZuGuDmH0HqqERuOiLf/s320/Screenshot_20230404_131441_Instagram.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Digital Tearsheet from Roman Hot Springs Resort Print Campaign</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxlhq7yFN1ge5VD6Tv1oLYrxVh5TmsfQgIffFWo8zt-wMObq0_h_9S82mwEQP-gTxJh2trFVl1S4nkiTHMeg3Rsj8FaUFx2bVtJLQ0zOkr268SjpfL4pDKYJHSU9SxJEcNjKCHvLupRvPOGCAlH-V47fBaAqMnfvE1hFGQygJs8yZrJ5hhJ376mOJ5Sxo/s1080/Screenshot_20230404_131508_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1080" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxlhq7yFN1ge5VD6Tv1oLYrxVh5TmsfQgIffFWo8zt-wMObq0_h_9S82mwEQP-gTxJh2trFVl1S4nkiTHMeg3Rsj8FaUFx2bVtJLQ0zOkr268SjpfL4pDKYJHSU9SxJEcNjKCHvLupRvPOGCAlH-V47fBaAqMnfvE1hFGQygJs8yZrJ5hhJ376mOJ5Sxo/s320/Screenshot_20230404_131508_Instagram.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Digital Tearsheet from Roman Hot Springs Resort Print Campaign</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I also had the pleasure of doing an editorial magazine feature, which I was the Creative Director and stylist for. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mvqI_on5c5hOxECp8VD2g456mtCPGPIsN8F2WsYR8lcbjlLeg7wTr3o6B2rnXxBAMqFZo4JLYjTPKQ2xCsQU9AVRS7sXkpLp8Xr7ju6xFTn-CSq7Cg70SOb6MB1L4G3C_n_jm8MUeSg4bOoTSGFEogrM7BPcGU3jTbO4jnba54hspocPixonpTavHY-V/s882/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="882" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mvqI_on5c5hOxECp8VD2g456mtCPGPIsN8F2WsYR8lcbjlLeg7wTr3o6B2rnXxBAMqFZo4JLYjTPKQ2xCsQU9AVRS7sXkpLp8Xr7ju6xFTn-CSq7Cg70SOb6MB1L4G3C_n_jm8MUeSg4bOoTSGFEogrM7BPcGU3jTbO4jnba54hspocPixonpTavHY-V/s320/Capture.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Editorial feature for First Magazine.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATcq-m44haHEOMvpTIgFGqSxgxOxbcuz5r8VycboENeK9M7HlaOz_8yOpcru67MffD_Ujc5remxWOWF2zco1gm3jsGPiZw34aBKK0b-s3bCI4tKjFdietJIzjHAr2vy0Sb28-lu0xvHl0u8afAWfViIEJiUqkAiqLP6GC_CSowobrOb5g9REmQxMU7TCq/s887/Capture1.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATcq-m44haHEOMvpTIgFGqSxgxOxbcuz5r8VycboENeK9M7HlaOz_8yOpcru67MffD_Ujc5remxWOWF2zco1gm3jsGPiZw34aBKK0b-s3bCI4tKjFdietJIzjHAr2vy0Sb28-lu0xvHl0u8afAWfViIEJiUqkAiqLP6GC_CSowobrOb5g9REmQxMU7TCq/s320/Capture1.PNG" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tearsheet from First Magazine.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi8kz8fOZjQhHjuodm6u1spozk3RzSAxdJTrVmtnivOVA6AsM076JFDN8DRf9ex-HuWIV1Z2EFRYFxIswNslUkhxCi0D-EyR7fn4ryp-PwrJVX5Z_Q4w8s_uzCqEdP8hVeZKFngOoOvJhdOJgh245ai2F4K9prTt0IbHt480mnE6FABUhKJ2RK1uzE9W-/s883/Capture2.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="674" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi8kz8fOZjQhHjuodm6u1spozk3RzSAxdJTrVmtnivOVA6AsM076JFDN8DRf9ex-HuWIV1Z2EFRYFxIswNslUkhxCi0D-EyR7fn4ryp-PwrJVX5Z_Q4w8s_uzCqEdP8hVeZKFngOoOvJhdOJgh245ai2F4K9prTt0IbHt480mnE6FABUhKJ2RK1uzE9W-/s320/Capture2.PNG" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tearsheet from First Magazine.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge00kcwMzLdwh-ZmzYqKmzjmQBvi3b_cJ2iZBgFvEjYurR44fWeudw9g2j0sRaZ5FD1XRuNzigHC1mik7rzTUyFtednj0vo4mr054K_zDPuR3vieRNNafp-hdLlfVIBgC-o6_IsO9XyKl6Mfn2OFMrWIE0s-3blsmRsUDcwQQ_i8gKc0yp0gr2G00yIL9W/s1391/Screenshot_20200824-094949_Messenger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge00kcwMzLdwh-ZmzYqKmzjmQBvi3b_cJ2iZBgFvEjYurR44fWeudw9g2j0sRaZ5FD1XRuNzigHC1mik7rzTUyFtednj0vo4mr054K_zDPuR3vieRNNafp-hdLlfVIBgC-o6_IsO9XyKl6Mfn2OFMrWIE0s-3blsmRsUDcwQQ_i8gKc0yp0gr2G00yIL9W/s320/Screenshot_20200824-094949_Messenger.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cover Tearsheet from Penida Magazine</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfCpDCELtmrjbCBuObmEcAtsNc4W3pp-_NDewk4qCFmKKTOL_QyZKUJZ2yxbj7t6e_-ie0dFjDnxfm81_rCMEFH6XEnbHEhf8sdMHq_-5Ypc01wFY6QzeAa2CuG6k9L6oGMfw6dK_TnCiWi_RaCX451ifARj2htAy_EWvpkTvHHjI4W5oCYh3ccOTVpPp/s1391/Screenshot_20200824-095223_Messenger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="1076" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfCpDCELtmrjbCBuObmEcAtsNc4W3pp-_NDewk4qCFmKKTOL_QyZKUJZ2yxbj7t6e_-ie0dFjDnxfm81_rCMEFH6XEnbHEhf8sdMHq_-5Ypc01wFY6QzeAa2CuG6k9L6oGMfw6dK_TnCiWi_RaCX451ifARj2htAy_EWvpkTvHHjI4W5oCYh3ccOTVpPp/s320/Screenshot_20200824-095223_Messenger.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Back Cover Tearsheet from Penida Magazine</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWQAM6v_jJoWA9ZTd65ZkorZVu2VYAVX6v1vK9Pl1c7li6HkRn1EkqyidtXX37GlhqO7cCXvex_TYQdHyVv087PnStr-c4ZUZnB5yacctdZ8Ana_bkNdpT2XYpJRl_OHJ3aVZ_Cgffsxg9UYhpOT9UKhhkBciF8KMexJ2TW496rhyphenhyphenVs3J7Y8sEBq6pAzY/s1023/Screenshot_20200821-185140_Messenger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1023" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWQAM6v_jJoWA9ZTd65ZkorZVu2VYAVX6v1vK9Pl1c7li6HkRn1EkqyidtXX37GlhqO7cCXvex_TYQdHyVv087PnStr-c4ZUZnB5yacctdZ8Ana_bkNdpT2XYpJRl_OHJ3aVZ_Cgffsxg9UYhpOT9UKhhkBciF8KMexJ2TW496rhyphenhyphenVs3J7Y8sEBq6pAzY/s320/Screenshot_20200821-185140_Messenger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tearsheet from Ossma Magazine</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRHQKQlzvg32dJDPo-S0e-SmOI4ppWjDlv92KPLlacSa7TAn9x-do1OxZ0zTtsK0b3HH0kNstRCb8acv9j5-TOzRJ5dmGRs1SspFL4yLp2Xz65T3XUyTqYEioHqqLhtE1OcyadKar3LwUsb60zK6DQwrvwRctlrf58b9AmF-VSP806WFzwyleUKLMsHVb/s1021/Screenshot_20200821-185201_Messenger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1021" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRHQKQlzvg32dJDPo-S0e-SmOI4ppWjDlv92KPLlacSa7TAn9x-do1OxZ0zTtsK0b3HH0kNstRCb8acv9j5-TOzRJ5dmGRs1SspFL4yLp2Xz65T3XUyTqYEioHqqLhtE1OcyadKar3LwUsb60zK6DQwrvwRctlrf58b9AmF-VSP806WFzwyleUKLMsHVb/s320/Screenshot_20200821-185201_Messenger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tearsheet from Ossma Magazine</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Fashion shows aren't as plentiful as they were before the pandemic and while I'm always up for opportunities to walk a runway, they haven't been a priority for me. But that doesn't mean I'm not open to that kind of work anymore because I am, it just depends on the designer and opportunity being offered.</p><p><b>Are You Still Coaching Models?</b></p><p>Yes! These days, I'm mainly consulting with models related to things like branding, social media marketing, finding agency representation, etc. The main coaching I've been doing these last few years, however, is acting and pageantry. </p><p>I love coaching actors because of the deep dives we get to do when it comes to topics like getting into character, breaking down scripts/scenes, monologues, you name it. The pageant season really jumped off since last year and I was equally busy spending my time doing zoom sessions with pageant competitors from around the county, as well as doing in-person walking and posing sessions with those local to me.</p><p>I spent almost every weekend this past June in Southern California cheering my Queens on. It was quite a summer and I already have ladies lined up to prep for competitions in 2024. It's a never-ending cycle!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAFzqHCF8ryNXQlWUz4xbP5B3LPG1R-EmvVTA7Uj4oeTtDpvZGWxdY_QaXtGXQxaA60qf_B1ErBuOmpnSL3gWjFA5H7p2JeBcNpiSVZFvRqZnNJfNLIGOuIROxqBbJmCs90qhNFTityYjVzgtJGKW0R6H30iQrE-IMpAkg8Ee5Lds5Bc4AYxZoWY41jnS/s1340/Screenshot_20181210-123504_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1077" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAFzqHCF8ryNXQlWUz4xbP5B3LPG1R-EmvVTA7Uj4oeTtDpvZGWxdY_QaXtGXQxaA60qf_B1ErBuOmpnSL3gWjFA5H7p2JeBcNpiSVZFvRqZnNJfNLIGOuIROxqBbJmCs90qhNFTityYjVzgtJGKW0R6H30iQrE-IMpAkg8Ee5Lds5Bc4AYxZoWY41jnS/s320/Screenshot_20181210-123504_Instagram.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My triple threat pageant protege, Jennifer.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmoxD2f2KD1lKSpIAeWYozaeQVJ0sdoV4QqYXp2p0UlAWNcEbENO8cd8gf4GQaQGQKu_HqoGz768VRPEotxjZcUbC2jxrRZ88czYebWsCMr-o6XeXw2w_gW73ik4JNTlG7mAGVheHlceaeEQUlyEDxPC1PJPwaCTwowMxsQw-DjW9lW6fRPFQFsV5_d-y/s881/Capture11.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="881" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmoxD2f2KD1lKSpIAeWYozaeQVJ0sdoV4QqYXp2p0UlAWNcEbENO8cd8gf4GQaQGQKu_HqoGz768VRPEotxjZcUbC2jxrRZ88czYebWsCMr-o6XeXw2w_gW73ik4JNTlG7mAGVheHlceaeEQUlyEDxPC1PJPwaCTwowMxsQw-DjW9lW6fRPFQFsV5_d-y/s320/Capture11.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Celebrating my teen queen, Angellee's performance</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PUdjOqi2tHxRhCS68yPvHIxSWn-BrhG_22n6zyUglx1cV9PYAV-rhM-3WlRwsQHSiEnJaj7fq8Uyo7J3xOP2JkiGPD_hU2OKTvzCnOI4hwcFqhF67wsHcWrdSQrBsczgd8IQNC3QKtvHECHUu3NvuwMfG1WFpzXXMSV7CyXhTqdXxF5D_rSuKdG005T6/s874/Capture12.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="663" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PUdjOqi2tHxRhCS68yPvHIxSWn-BrhG_22n6zyUglx1cV9PYAV-rhM-3WlRwsQHSiEnJaj7fq8Uyo7J3xOP2JkiGPD_hU2OKTvzCnOI4hwcFqhF67wsHcWrdSQrBsczgd8IQNC3QKtvHECHUu3NvuwMfG1WFpzXXMSV7CyXhTqdXxF5D_rSuKdG005T6/s320/Capture12.PNG" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Attending Miss California USA with my gal pal, Ally, who used to be a state titleholder when I was a pageant director in the Miss Petite USA system</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuS5a8s7Lo8VkeH8Wk-FAVsQRcioFPCSRRp2Jq5QHMvj7WTZV-y5CoSqYhuuutYBT-cdst-2ecW0yFDPzToVAyn45-NfHjJz5P-KTOLMs_S7-_NmgF1n-Pi0dzojFWzCseW6rD7FbTlGH3-nMPydmJ6aDAdox5_te4dMIESUzO3tSZnnGwN3ZKd0jy6yI/s796/Capture13.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuS5a8s7Lo8VkeH8Wk-FAVsQRcioFPCSRRp2Jq5QHMvj7WTZV-y5CoSqYhuuutYBT-cdst-2ecW0yFDPzToVAyn45-NfHjJz5P-KTOLMs_S7-_NmgF1n-Pi0dzojFWzCseW6rD7FbTlGH3-nMPydmJ6aDAdox5_te4dMIESUzO3tSZnnGwN3ZKd0jy6yI/s320/Capture13.PNG" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Celebrating my teen queen, Jennifer's prelim performance, at Miss California</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1BoLpLzhhIV_vH4y_WFT21wLiMCv-npD5ZBErBrNv50k1w_6plw-8I9azn9PTJf6PdgBucVO044bAak-ZZkwMyjQ84Oe_xuUIEa25NX1EExK14IEpKB4h9JjaIVKSIAe3ybBdBQFk2wFufF_UTu_GewPp0bie7uLYs-oGvvITttfwSpLs8ItJb9jPGPC/s816/Capture14.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="494" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1BoLpLzhhIV_vH4y_WFT21wLiMCv-npD5ZBErBrNv50k1w_6plw-8I9azn9PTJf6PdgBucVO044bAak-ZZkwMyjQ84Oe_xuUIEa25NX1EExK14IEpKB4h9JjaIVKSIAe3ybBdBQFk2wFufF_UTu_GewPp0bie7uLYs-oGvvITttfwSpLs8ItJb9jPGPC/s320/Capture14.PNG" width="194" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Celebrating my queen, Alyssa's performance at Miss California<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYS867tgZ_7RZLBAEU3UiknLtgP0PIZV3CUMofrh0qD_RLS4pNLmLUDcIbt0d0FdzwqpLw697RibIyRaUyOEYHdS2vECfgRR636NCQ1DLs9BWme_G0NybzL2NBG72tnYNshjihMRlTqRBhl0MqXxTHrdflehRpyJMJEwMpDRNuSL7FIMaNW_v6YHZ0F-j/s784/Capture15.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYS867tgZ_7RZLBAEU3UiknLtgP0PIZV3CUMofrh0qD_RLS4pNLmLUDcIbt0d0FdzwqpLw697RibIyRaUyOEYHdS2vECfgRR636NCQ1DLs9BWme_G0NybzL2NBG72tnYNshjihMRlTqRBhl0MqXxTHrdflehRpyJMJEwMpDRNuSL7FIMaNW_v6YHZ0F-j/s320/Capture15.PNG" width="204" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Celebrating my queen, Olivia's performance at Miss California<br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fBkNus2jbzJM9x35ia4yljQ5gOwuDpC7iR4ijLFo5J37WXEX-445U0E6Jf0CyaEBMg3oMiqC902uzqn46KOoLmx3fwnCs3LwMlVGBM9WL545JrEKtj4VKIVGuf8qTzMYaiXwKSwdfmDmWme_HRQ9_nf68iHbdw392Ab8PSMOnFqoB4LTRTEjf26nSCkV/s785/Capture17.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="491" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fBkNus2jbzJM9x35ia4yljQ5gOwuDpC7iR4ijLFo5J37WXEX-445U0E6Jf0CyaEBMg3oMiqC902uzqn46KOoLmx3fwnCs3LwMlVGBM9WL545JrEKtj4VKIVGuf8qTzMYaiXwKSwdfmDmWme_HRQ9_nf68iHbdw392Ab8PSMOnFqoB4LTRTEjf26nSCkV/s320/Capture17.PNG" width="200" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><i><div style="text-align: center;">Social media shoutout from my queen, Alexis, on placing 1st RU at Miss West Coast</div></i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe6Zwm1jOIzGu0yylSh22NIR3Z45bVaHD4UzVuJps9y7moyOaXjGwp9XMgujHX3PBzGa3zQjpq1jOEN-4ePstj44lTQbdDOk7-UYZoEJ29_ShLSFQJsRzpnyvzdxhjQbBwTk1PVsmQfI90kV4wsXAOrm834O9Ca10sfwWTsLAJdkBGTLTlgnw8NMxkPOd/s815/Capture16.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="494" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe6Zwm1jOIzGu0yylSh22NIR3Z45bVaHD4UzVuJps9y7moyOaXjGwp9XMgujHX3PBzGa3zQjpq1jOEN-4ePstj44lTQbdDOk7-UYZoEJ29_ShLSFQJsRzpnyvzdxhjQbBwTk1PVsmQfI90kV4wsXAOrm834O9Ca10sfwWTsLAJdkBGTLTlgnw8NMxkPOd/s320/Capture16.PNG" width="194" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My triple threat queen, Jagdeep, at Ms. World America</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>What Can Readers Expect From Your Blog in 2024 & Onwards?</b></p><p>Aside from the obvious (new content!), I plan on revisiting previous select modeling post topics and giving them a "refresh" of sorts. Not everything in the modeling industry has stayed the same over the years and with the world finally starting to move on after the pandemic, I wanted to make sure you aspiring models out there continued to have the most accurate information.</p><p>I'll also continue to share the highlights of my career and various opportunities as they come about. Additionally, I've been thinking about ways to keep this blog relevant and going strong for the foreseeable future and I'm toying with an idea that I'm hoping you, my dear readers, will be able to help me out with. After all, this blog is for you and I want to make sure you're still getting some value from it.</p><p>That being said, my next post will be a simple one: a poll that I'm hoping you'll all participate in so that I can get a better idea of what moves to make going forward.</p><p>Apologies again for the long absence but I'm back and better than ever and I hope you'll join me for the ride into 2024. Happy holidays to all of you and I'll see you in the New Year!</p>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-66170246258151688062021-05-18T16:23:00.001-07:002021-05-18T16:23:55.240-07:00VLOG: Tips to Keep Your Modeling Clients Coming Back<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9qiXfGj_Bfk" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>As we all know, repeat business is good business. Once you've impressed a client the first time around, it makes their decision a lot easier as to who they'll want to consider for other projects down the line. </p><p>Not only does this mean money in your pocket but a surefire way to establish a solid reputation as a model everyone should work with. </p><p>Below are some easy tips to wow clients every time and keep your name in their mouths (in a good way) long after you've clocked out.</p><p><b>TIP #1: BE ON TIME!</b><b> </b> </p><p><span><i>"Early is on time, on time is late and late, you're fired."</i></span></p><p><span>I have lived by this motto my entire career and it has never failed me. In fact, it isn't unusual for me to be at a gig before the client. To be praised for something that should be common practice says a lot about how other models conduct themselves.</span></p><p><span>Arriving 10-15 minutes early affords you the opportunity to prepare mentally for the work ahead. Who wants to get to a gig late, stressed out and feeling rushed?</span></p><p><span>Are you chronically late all the time, no matter where you're going? Then you're going to have to step up your game. Make a concentrated effort to set your alarms earlier, heck, set your actual clocks for 30 minutes ahead if you need to. </span></p><p><span>Whatever it takes. If that's too much to ask, then your modeling career isn't going to get very far.</span></p><p><b>TIP #2: ARRIVE PREPARED</b></p><p>No client is going to have you in the dark when it comes to what to bring or how to prepare for the gig you've been booked for. Whatever instructions/guidelines you receive, follow it to a tee. If you have questions or if there's info missing that you need, reach out asap to whoever your contact person is to get answers. </p><p>If you're told to arrive "camera ready," that means your hair, makeup and wardrobe is done and you're ready to work once you get to your gig.</p><p>Received wardrobe requirements? Don't wait until the last minute to put together the options you have. In fact, all the stuff you need to bring to the shoot -- if asked -- should be organized, packed and in your car the day/night before. </p><p>Knowing everything is where it's supposed to be will ensure you not only arrive on time but decreases any chance that you might forget something important.</p><p><b>TIP #3: STAY IN YOUR LANE</b></p><p>I don't care if you've been modeling for years and have seen it all -- never arrive to a modeling job acting like you have all the answers and are the smartest person in the room. That'll only guarantee you'll be the most obnoxious person in the room.</p><p>Newbies: it's okay to be inexperienced. Clients have likely worked with models of all experience levels and if they know you're fairly new to the game, they'll instruct you accordingly. No one is going to expect you to have it all figured out so don't let intimidation cause you to make mistakes that could easily be avoided.</p><p>Sometimes we try to be helpful by offering advice or chiming in on certain conversations. But there might be times when that isn't necessary, although your intentions are good. In most cases, it's best to just stick to focusing on what you need to do as a model and having casual conversations that don't center on you trying to tell someone how to do their job.</p><p>If something changes that wasn't originally on the agenda, don't complain and make a fuss. Go with the flow and be flexible. Putting together any kind of production/shoot/show is stressful and involves a lot of moving parts. </p><p>Don't contribute to the client's stress by becoming difficult to work with. Chances are, you aren't the only one being inconvenienced so be considerate of others.</p><p><b>TIP #4: BE NICE</b></p><p>Seriously. It's terrible that I even have to say this. I've been on too many projects where I saw models acting like divas or simply not know how to be kind when speaking to others. I've been doing this for a long time but I will never act like I'm some superstar who can talk to and treat people any way I want. </p><p>Being nice goes such a long way. Saying, "Please" and "Thank You," not only shows people the caliber of your professionalism but who you are as a person overall. </p><p>Who would you rather work with: the model who is rude, condescending and acts like everyone there is doing him/her a favor? Or the model who is pleasant, kind and that you feel totally comfortable talking to?</p><p>It irks me when I see certain models still get booked despite their bad attitude and in cases like that, it is what it is but I will always advocate for being nice. To me, that's what makes a model the "total package."</p><p>That's my story and I'm sticking to it!</p><p><b>TIP #5: LEAVE THE DRAMA AT THE DOOR</b></p><p>Is it helpful to vent and let out whatever's bothering you? Sure, it's healthy. But there's a time and a place for such conversations and being onset isn't it. Even if something happened right before you walked in, evaluate your emotions and do what you can to push past it, refocus and put your energy into the work.</p><p>Even if you know the people you're working with, sometimes jumping into a venting session or recounting the latest drama in your life can alter the energy of the environment around you. It's safer to avoid any kind of drama or toxicity altogether by not addressing it.</p><p>Wait until after the work is done and you can properly let your hair down and speak freely. Ideally, the client won't be around, of course. You want to be remembered as being polite, professional, easy to work with and fun. You don't need to showcase other aspects of your personality that could cause a client to feel uncomfortable (or unfairly judge you).</p><p>The key is to get them to hire you again so leave the drama where it belongs: outside of the job you've been hired to do.</p><p><b>TIP #6: ASK BEFORE YOU POST!</b></p><p>One of the fun things about social media is being able to share all aspects of your world, including BTS moments. However, it's crucial to first make sure you have permission to take photos/video and to post them online.</p><p>Never post content from a modeling job unless you've been given the green light by the client or whoever is in charge of the project. It's ideal to ask before you pull out your phone. Businesses have competitors and some things have to be kept secret until the finished product is out.</p><p>Don't be the one to let the cat out of the bag prematurely. This can lead to very serious consequences and definitely won't guarantee you an invite to return for future projects.</p><p>Put your client's needs before yours in this instance. If they tell you that you can take BTS video/photo but you have to wait until they say it's okay to post it, accept it without complaint. Needless to say, if you've signed an NDA for the project, that automatically means you are not allowed to take photos/video or share it. </p><p>Breaking an NDA is a huge no-no. I don't care how many followers you're trying to impress, always honor contracts/paperwork.</p><p><b>TIP #7: THANK EVERYONE AFTERWARDS</b></p><p>I've been on modeling gigs where models left without saying a word to anyone. It was the definition of awkward and, unfortunately, whenever I think of those individuals, I automatically go to the disappearing act instead of the actual work they did.</p><p>Don't be that person. It isn't "sucking up" or "being extra" to acknowledge the people you've worked with with a simple, "Thank you." It's common courtesy and goes back to the notion of being nice. In addition to verbally giving everyone their props, it doesn't hurt to network and follow each other on social media.</p><p>If you feel compelled to send an email to the client afterwards to briefly thank them for selecting you for the project, that's totally fine, too. But keep the message short and sweet. And don't be afraid to remind them that should they ever need your services again, that you'd be more than happy to oblige.</p><p><b>THE BOTTOM LINE</b></p><p>Practicing the basics when it comes to presenting yourself as a fun, dependable and professional model is what makes for the best reputations in networking circles. Even the largest modeling markets are tight knit. Whenever your name gets brought up, you want nothing but genuine, positive comments to be part of those conversations.</p><p>When people know you're a joy to be with in a professional setting, it will do the majority of the work for you and make it that much easier for them to determine who they'll want to book for future projects, as well as develop an ongoing working relationship that could lead to even bigger and better opportunities for your modeling career.</p>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-62747766138252462182021-04-18T18:37:00.001-07:002021-04-18T18:41:14.953-07:00The Modeling 101 Blog Poll Results Are In!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="401" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JwoMIuhmyzE" width="558" youtube-src-id="JwoMIuhmyzE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-15805342569704461882020-12-19T15:19:00.001-08:002020-12-19T15:19:59.877-08:00Modeling Tips: How to Stay Productive During Slow Times<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23DsMvFHE0hcqhsPfxzgDin5IujYEX5Bs3KL3btmYSkrjlpfP21hs9ypIExQcamNv7TxiKmwgs7sPUZDhmZ00eaKGL58vvPZPgmRW6v5oMefEkaWi_KZBlwd9Hmgxt9VNv734gV6u3R5g/s1280/productivity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23DsMvFHE0hcqhsPfxzgDin5IujYEX5Bs3KL3btmYSkrjlpfP21hs9ypIExQcamNv7TxiKmwgs7sPUZDhmZ00eaKGL58vvPZPgmRW6v5oMefEkaWi_KZBlwd9Hmgxt9VNv734gV6u3R5g/w400-h225/productivity.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It's always been normal for models to experience slow seasons but with the pandemic still making itself at home out in the world, many of us have been grappling with how to stay productive during a slow year.<p></p><p>The modeling business is still thriving--just at a much slower pace and with the holidays now here, many agency offices have either closed for the rest of the year or dramatically reduced its activity since the clients they typically work with have also gone into holiday hibernation.</p><p>Are you wondering just what to do with yourself in the meantime? Allow me to throw some ideas your way if you've been feeling stuck lately (or for a while):</p><p><b>LEARN TO DO YOUR OWN MAKEUP</b></p><p>Being self-sufficient is a wonderful trait for a model to have, male or female. Thanks to IG, Tik-Tok and YouTube, being a DIYer couldn't be easier.</p><p>Playing around with makeup and hair for fun is one thing but step it up a notch and focus on mastering these skills as it relates to modeling. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean learning how to become a professional HMUA but I believe female and male models should know the basics of makeup, application and tools.</p><p>It isn't uncommon for some modeling jobs to require models to arrive "camera ready" because there is no HMUA onset. With COVID protocols the way they are, many projects are already pressured to have as few people as possible present and sometimes that means sacrificing a makeup artist and/or hair stylist.</p><p>Hiring someone to do your hair and makeup before arriving to a gig is totally acceptable and oftentimes unavoidable if the look required is particularly unique or extraordinary. However, if it's a lifestyle shoot or something where you need just a bit more than daytime makeup, it wouldn't kill you to know how to achieve those types of looks on your own.</p><p>Male models obviously aren't in the same arena as the ladies when it comes to this but, fellas, you should know important factors, including but not limited to:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How to take care of your complexion</li><li>Understanding how to use concealer for hiding blemishes or patches of discoloration</li><li>Color matching foundation & knowing what foundation type you need (if applicable)</li><li>How to choose the right clear pressed powder for combating shine </li></ul><p></p><p></p><div>For the ladies, there is a lot more to makeup but some of the basics you should know and understand include but are not limited to:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Applying foundation</li><li>Understanding proper contouring </li><li>How to apply false lashes</li><li>Color matching foundation & knowing what foundation type you need</li><li>Picking the right concealer</li><li>How to apply liner and mascara without looking like a vampire</li><li>Eye shadow application (not every shoot requires a smokey eye!)</li><li>Selecting the proper makeup tools</li></ul></div><div>Not only is dedicating yourself to mastering the basics of makeup going to make you more skilled as a model overall, it will save you money and stress when it comes to gigs where you're responsible for hair and makeup. </div><div><br /></div><div>Paying someone for HMU every single time you have a shoot is going to add up quickly so save yourself some funds, that way when you really need a HMUA for the major projects, you'll be able to hire a pro without severely impacting your bank account.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PRACTICE YOUR RUNWAY WALK</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It doesn't matter if you consider yourself a runway veteran, get in those heels and do "laps," as I like to call them. Find a suitable walking environment in or around your home (i.e. a flat, paved, smooth surface--no carpet!) and start doing your runway walk back and forth. </div><div><br /></div><div>Male models, this also goes for you. Just because heels aren't part of the territory for you, I would still implore you to maintain your skills when it comes to your walk.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grab a full length mirror if you've got access to one. It's extremely helpful to watch yourself in a mirror and make adjustments/corrections accordingly. Record yourself on your phone or laptop if you don't have a full length mirror handy. These are ideal ways to catch bad habits or weird stuff we tend to do without realizing it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because most of us have been cooped up in the house for months, that means few occasions to even put heels on. I recently slapped my stilettos on for a zoom training with a client and I couldn't believe how much my feet hurt because it'd been so long since I had them in anything other than house slippers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't let yourself get rusty! Newbies, this is also the prime time to work on your walks. Find videos online of different fashion shows and walking tutorials and get to struttin'. For more blog posts about runway walking in general, check out this link: </div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/search?q=runway+walk">http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/search?q=runway+walk</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>What better way to feel confident than knowing you've used this time to work on your walk, body posture and posing? This will be especially beneficial to newbies preparing to start their agency searches and submissions come the new year.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>STUDY YOUR CRAFT</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Models of all experience levels should do something on a regular basis to keep them connected to the modeling business but also expand their knowledge. The more you learn, the better equipped you'll be navigating the industry moving forward.</div><div><br /></div><div>Continue practicing poses in front of the mirror. Watch videos about what goes on in front of the camera and behind it. Follow agencies on IG and other social media and see what they're doing. Check out what your favorite models are up to. Read blogs and articles about the modeling industry and how it's changed over the years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Work on your confidence and connecting with the camera. Have fun at home with impromptu photoshoots. Start recording videos of yourself so you can become comfortable with that form of media. These days there are video components to fashion shoots and runway shows, not just the still photography. The more you know how to move in front of a video camera as a model, the stronger you'll be as a professional and the more marketable you'll become.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>CONNECT/NETWORK WITH OTHERS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The specific activities allowed during this time vary from state to state (I can only speak to the US since that's where I live) and before the latest uptick in COVID cases, people were getting out and shooting again. That's probably slowed down considerably in the last few weeks and if you're wondering how to stay connected, well, that's what social media is for. </div><div><br /></div><div>Start thinking about what you want to do in 2021 as far as shoots go. Maybe there's a creative idea or theme you've always been wanting to shoot. Or perhaps it's time to update your portfolio or get new headshots. Have you been procrastinating on putting together a team to create photos to submit for magazines? </div><div><br /></div><div>Now's the time to reach out to photographers, makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, local designers, etc. to see who is working on what and when. Find out if you can be part of the action or ask around to see who wants to help you create some action once it's safe to do so. </div><div><br /></div><div>Communicating via email, text, Zoom, etc. and discussing ideas or even just talking shop are all productive ways to stay connected to the industry as well as to other professionals. Get active on the modeling groups you belong to on Facebook and DM the people on IG that you've always wanted to work with. Start the conversation and see what opportunities come of it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF 2021...</b></div><div><br /></div><div>...but most importantly: be prepared to take action to get what you want!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ready to get those digital snapshots you've been procrastinating on?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Are you ready to put together a modeling website and put your professional foot forward?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Is your goal to finally get an agent?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Do you need to reach out to photographers to put together a portfolio?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Tired of waiting around for someone to discover you and want to strike it out on your own as a freelance model?</i></div><div><br /></div><div>These are all things you can pull the trigger on and start setting up for the new year. Don't wait until it's almost 2-3 months in before taking any action. </div><div><br /></div><div>We can't predict the future and don't know what things will look like BUT that doesn't mean you can't still make plans or create goals for yourself. As a model, take time to reflect on where you're at, where you've been, what you've yet to do and where you want to be at. Then trust in yourself enough to do what it takes to bring those goals to fruition. </div><p></p>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-7832222761770435032020-09-26T19:57:00.002-07:002020-09-26T19:57:44.312-07:00Submitting to Modeling Agencies During a Pandemic: What to Expect<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiggZpl9J68Zeqn9lP-EWQ4sRorRG51TRn5AGTK2geTvU9dEhABSNdfa8RZ8K6pA_rSEnf1ew90MKG1drKcCNENT4hFRJjniDSlDjMQrHszQQah009_9hZTOVPpmkTYEX54MxFcWuVv4m/s1140/pandemic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1140" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiggZpl9J68Zeqn9lP-EWQ4sRorRG51TRn5AGTK2geTvU9dEhABSNdfa8RZ8K6pA_rSEnf1ew90MKG1drKcCNENT4hFRJjniDSlDjMQrHszQQah009_9hZTOVPpmkTYEX54MxFcWuVv4m/w400-h176/pandemic.png" width="400" /></a></div>Ever since COVID 19 decided to make itself at home, every industry and business known to man has had to make changes. <p></p><p>I already did a post about modeling during this difficult time but it's also important to highlight some useful information for aspiring models on the search for agency representation.</p><p>Unfortunately, this isn't such a hot time right now for agencies when it comes to finding new faces. Not all agencies operate the same way and each market has its own guidelines for how to pursue "business as usual," so your experience submitting to agencies will vary widely depending on where you live, what market the agencies are located in, the type of modeling you want to pursue, etc.</p><p>To help curb any anxiety or confusion, below are a few things to keep in mind to prepare you for what to expect:</p><p><b>NO OPEN CALLS</b></p><p>A majority of modeling agencies have suspended all open calls until further notice. This announcement is a common one splashed on the homepages of many agency sites. When that will change is anyone's guess but it would be wise to not call or email them to ask. When the agencies feel it is safe to resume having open calls, they'll be sure to shout it from the rooftops. So for now, don't expect to attend any open calls anytime soon. </p><p><b>OFFICES CLOSED OR AT LIMITED CAPACITY</b></p><p>For markets where pandemic case loads are still high, agencies have closed their offices. As a result, bookers and other agency staff are working from home. That means they're still answering phone calls, emails and conducting business but there's no one in the actual office building. If there is, it's at a limited capacity and they might only be seeing people for interviews (not open calls) so if you show up, you better have an appointment.</p><p>Many businesses, including modeling agencies, completely shut down once the pandemic hit hard and reopening means not only picking up where you left off but digging yourself out of tons of missed calls and emails and other backlogged workloads. And that means...</p><p><b>DELAYS IN REPLYING TO SUBMISSIONS</b></p><p>Even though the pandemic halted business for countless companies, its highly likely the new model submissions continued to roll in. It typically takes between 6-8 weeks for an agency to respond back to models they're interested in (remember: they will only reply if they're potentially considering representing you). With this snag in the business timeline, it goes without saying that being backlogged and playing catchup could cause delays. </p><p>Even for agencies that tend to respond faster than 6-8 weeks, respect the fact that they've got a lot on their plates...more than usual. That means you'll have to learn to be extra patient while waiting for your submissions to be replied to. Again: do NOT call or email them to follow up and check whether they've received your submission or not!</p><p><b>DOING ONLINE/VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS</b></p><p>Before the pandemic, it was highly unlikely for reputable modeling agencies to conduct their interviews online via Skype or Zoom. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for such a request to be considered a red flag of a potential scam.</p><p>Now agencies are making some tweaks to the recruiting process, including having online interviews with potential models. Not all agencies are doing this and I don't know if it will grow to be commonplace but for now it is a compromise of sorts for those actively signing new models. </p><p>It is still very important to exercise caution when receiving, accepting and moving forward with a request for an interview with an agency. Signs it is a legitimate opportunity include but are not limited to the following:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The agency is responding to a submission you sent. Getting an online interview request from an agency completely out of the blue that you weren't expecting is a huge red flag.</li><li>If contacted via email, the sender's address ends with the name of the agency (i.e. @elitemodel.com or @nextmodels.com).</li><li>If contacted via DM/social media, the sender's profile is verified.</li></ul><div>When in doubt, call the agency directly with the name of the person that contacted you to make sure they are a real person who does work there. In instances such as these, the agency won't be upset about you calling and will appreciate the heads up.</div><p></p><p><b>NOT ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS AT ALL</b></p><p>Believe it or not, COVID has been such a nuisance, it's caused some agencies to post on their websites that they're not accepting new talent until further notice. While the reasons aren't listed and vary from agency to agency, it isn't surprising. With the workforce shutting down and slowly reopening across the country, agencies have lost clients or had things placed on pause until people can figure out their next moves. </p><p>When the workflow is unsteady and unpredictable, oftentimes it's easier (and less costly) for agencies to not take on new models and instead focus on managing the ones they currently have. It's a smart business decision and you can't be mad at them for that. Similar with the pause on open calls, once the coast is clear to start taking submissions, the agency will post those updates on their social media profiles, as well as on their websites. You'll just have to keep checking back.</p><p><b>JET SETTING IS A NO GO</b></p><p>New fashion models freshly groomed and trained to hit international markets might be sad to learn they've been grounded due to the pandemic. COVID is hitting each part of the globe in different ways and while some countries are fortunate to have flattened their curve, that doesn't mean they're eager to accept out of town visitors and open themselves up to risk of new cases.</p><p>Travel restrictions are all over the place and differ depending on the destination. If you've gotten signed as a runway model and the plan was to originally have you country hop for work, try not to be too discouraged if those plans have since been cancelled.</p><p>Your agent is still going to be working their butt off to get you go-sees and bookings so do what you can and work with what you've got.</p><p style="text-align: center;">____________________</p><p style="text-align: left;">Patience is going to have to be a huge virtue for you newbies wanting to get signed to an agency. Although scouting is still happening and new models are being brought onto rosters, the frequency and time frame for these things to unfold is going to continue to be affected by the pandemic. No one at this point can predict when or if things will ever go back to the way they were before. </p><p style="text-align: left;">As a result, we're all operating under special circumstances and have to go with the flow. There will always be clients in need of agencies to help match them with models who can get the job done so don't worry, the modeling world isn't going anywhere.</p>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-90516000204509112942020-08-07T09:57:00.001-07:002020-08-07T09:57:09.648-07:00Tips for Modeling in the COVID Era<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCVFz3snxdat7hFHDo2TSQDdT-7nqFHtcx15mB2dNzkbDAtKIHIuWyxLT_iKbV7yBhibIbLJVrZ32MDW_MpdymmSlHI9PHd4sjuM8bG7YWrfscZp2fgr8v4DcpMTiK0Kket-G2NCrFF4L/s1200/modeling+during+covid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCVFz3snxdat7hFHDo2TSQDdT-7nqFHtcx15mB2dNzkbDAtKIHIuWyxLT_iKbV7yBhibIbLJVrZ32MDW_MpdymmSlHI9PHd4sjuM8bG7YWrfscZp2fgr8v4DcpMTiK0Kket-G2NCrFF4L/w512-h269/modeling+during+covid.jpg" width="512" /></a><i></i></div><i>***This post is not the place to stir up debate, debunk safety measures or air out your stance on the pandemic. It is for informational purposes and not intended to be taken as medical advice. Any negative or inappropriate comments/links will be automatically deleted.***</i><p></p><p>Whether we like it or not, there's a lot going on that has taken all of us out of the norms, routines and habits we've all come to enjoy. When life throws you lemons, you make lemonade and every industry in existence has had to learn to overcome unexpected hurdles, do damage control and adapt to conducting business in an entirely new way.</p><p>The modeling industry, both the freelance world and at the agency level, is no exception.</p><p>Navigating the best way to conduct business safely should be the main priority for everyone and you should never be subjected or pressured into coming out of a comfort zone that you have established so let's make the clear up front. </p><p>By the same token, it is also crucial to consider the people around you and respect their boundaries as well, whether you see eye-to-eye or not. Only by being mature, professional, courteous and kind can we hope to come together to continue to create beautiful work while having everyone's health and best interests at heart.</p><p>That being said, I wanted to do a post to address some helpful tips and things to keep in mind as models of all experience levels begin slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things. The information below isn't absolute or set in stone but should more or less serve as helpful reminders and not all might apply to you, which is totally fine.</p><p><b>AGENCY REPRESENTED MODELS</b></p><p>One of the perks of having an agent in your corner is their ability to take the lead on subjects such as resuming bookings and scheduling models for castings, go-sees, direct bookings, etc.</p><p>Make sure you are in touch with your agent and find out what their plan of action is, if they haven't sent out an email announcement in regards to this already. Follow whatever their recommendations are and if you have questions or concerns, don't be afraid to ask. Keeping the lines of communication open during this time is essential. Agencies understand that people are worried and they'll do their best to answer any questions and keep everyone on their roster updated.</p><p>Touch base with your agent as well if you have upcoming bookings to find out if they will still happen as scheduled or if it'll be postponed/cancelled. If those assignments will be moving forward as planned, your agent will forward you information from the client with details related to the safety precautions you'll need to follow when you arrive and what to expect (i.e. temperature checks). </p><p>Your agent's job is to make sure you're properly prepared so if you haven't heard anything from them for whatever reason, drop them an email to inquire and take things from there.</p><p><b>FREELANCE MODELS</b></p><p>It is important to keep the lines of communication open with all clients, photographers and other industry professionals you are currently working with or were in the process of working with. Review your calendar of appointments/castings/bookings and touch base with each person to find out what new arrangements need to be made, if any.</p><p>Make sure to have everyone on the same page and don't be afraid to ask those you're working with what safety precautions they'll have on-hand when you arrive to work together. In the event that they cannot provide or do not have access to basic safety resources, you might want to reconsider working with them until a safer environment can be setup. In this instance, your health, safety and peace of mind (along with everyone else who would be involved) should be priority.</p><p>Depending on your comfort level, it is entirely up to you to decide when you want to get back into modeling. Clients and photographers who value you and are reputable will understand wanting to reschedule or postpone things until you feel ready. </p><p>If they decide to go with a different model, that is their decision and you shouldn't take it personally. There will be other gigs. So be prepared for either outcome and respond professionally at all times, even if things don't go in your favor.</p><p><b>THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND</b></p><p>In the beginning of the pandemic models and photographers/clients were much more hesitant to do business but these days more people are getting comfortable with shooting indoors and outdoors, as long as the proper precautions are taken. </p><p>If you fall under that category and are ready to start working again, it is important that you take personal stock in your safety by equipping yourself with basic PPE (personal protective equipment). These items should be with you at ALL times: in your car, bag/purse, etc. so you don't run the risk of being without in the event that PPE cannot be provided for you:</p><p>- <b><i>Masks</i></b> (cloth masks are ideal due to comfort and the ability to toss them in the laundry for reuse)</p><p>- <b><i>Gloves</i></b> (they come in bulk so it's easier to stock up on, while leaving enough to go around for other customers...opt for the kind without powder inside)</p><p>- <i style="font-weight: bold;">Hand Sanitizer </i>(in the event that you aren't wearing gloves, hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing are known to be very effective in keeping yourself safe against COVID)</p><p>- <b><i>Disinfecting wipes</i></b> (these are still out of stock in many places but definitely try to grab some if you can)</p><p>Never assume these materials will be provided for you, just FYI. It is everyone's responsibility to be accountable for themselves. It would be nice for PPE to be on-hand at every shoot but sometimes that isn't possible and isn't necessarily the fault of the photographer/client. As long as you have what you need, you'll always be in a winning position. </p><p>The same goes with not having the proper equipment to do temperature checks. Bigger budget shoots tend to have these but they can be pricey and in short supply so don't expect them to be available at every gig you book.</p><p>When it comes to doing shoots, talk to your photographer about expectations. It's entirely okay to ask them to wear a mask while you're shooting or ask them what their policy is when it comes to PPE and how they do their shoots.</p><p>I've asked many photographer colleagues of mine about this and the majority of them said they have no problem wearing a mask to ensure a model is comfortable--especially considering that the model him/herself wouldn't be wearing one while the shoot is happening. </p><p>Others said if the shoot is outdoors and they are six feet or further from the model, then they likely wouldn't wear the mask but would immediately put one on in between shooting or if they needed to get closer to the model. For indoor shoots, a large majority said they wear masks.</p><p>If you have a photographer who doesn't believe in wearing masks or who has an opposing view of the precautionary measures that should be taken, it is up to you to decide whether or not that is someone you want to work with. It is important that you shoot with photographers who are on the same page as you and will respect your comfort level and health concerns.</p><p><b>WAYS TO STAY PREPARED FROM HOME</b></p><p>As agencies and clients work to adapt to doing business during a pandemic, you might find yourself dealing with new approaches to submitting for castings, such as self taped submissions. Actors have already been diving into this new normal but for models it might not be quite as familiar.</p><p>Whether this will end up applying to you or not, it's still helpful to get an idea of what you might expect should you be asked by your agent or a potential client to send in a self tape.</p><p>As the name implies, a self taped submission is a video of yourself that you put together at home. That doesn't mean anything goes, however. It is your responsibility to create a professional looking, good quality video to the best of your ability. </p><p>The basic guidelines are very similar--if not identical--to the ones you'd follow when creating non-professional snapshots aka "digitals" to send to an agency:</p><p><i>-</i> <i>Shoot against a plain background.</i></p><p><i>- Make sure you have good lighting. Natural light is ideal but make sure you aren't standing in front of a window or you'll be completely dark.</i></p><p><i>- Film your self tape in a quiet environment (i.e. no TV noise in the background, dogs barking or people talking).</i></p><p><i>- You should be the only person in the video from beginning to end.</i></p><p><i>- Unless told otherwise, shoot your video horizontally and make sure you're properly framed (your head and feet shouldn't be cut off).</i></p><p><i>- Use a tripod or stand to hold your cell phone if you use your phone. A friend or family member with steady hands will also do.</i></p><p><i>- Unless told otherwise, dress in fitted clothing (swimsuits usually are not necessary and you should NEVER send self tapes of yourself in underwear, semi-nude or nude...EVER). Clothing should be solid in color with no graphics, logos, brand names or tight patterns like stripes or polka dots.</i></p><p><i>- Hair should be worn the way you normally have it, unless told otherwise, and makeup should be natural.</i></p><p>Exactly what you will need to do in the self tape will vary from project to project so follow exactly what each one requires. Some might ask you to do a closeup of your face and introduce yourself by stating your name and then turning to show both profiles. Others might ask you to do this but using a full body frame. </p><p>For requests to showcase your runway walk, you'll need to get creative and identify a spot in or outside of your home that will give you the proper space to demonstrate this. I'm sure the client/agent requesting this will give much more detailed instructions but a YouTube search is a good resource to give you an idea of how you can tape yourself doing a walk.</p><p>In the instance that you don't have someone to help you put a self tape together, that's when taking initiative and setting aside time to do trial and error will benefit you greatly. Don't simply give up and decline to send anything in because you can't do it by yourself. You can! I've done last minute self taped requests where I was in the middle of traveling between airports and let the client know I would get them my submission once I touched down and checked into my hotel. And, yes, I made that deadline and shot my video in the hotel bathroom!</p><p>If you really want to get booked, taking the steps to learn these new approaches and master them so you can be a strong contender (whether you have extra hands to help you or not) will show resilience and make a great impression on the client/agent and show you're the type of model who is not afraid to do whatever it takes to send in your materials on time.</p><p>Instead of letting the pandemic scare you out of working, embrace the change and learn to adapt so you become a stronger and more competent model than you were before this all began. Your career will thank you for it in the long run. If this all sounds like too much "work," then I'm sad to say, this may not be the career for you.</p>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-78947249447341521382020-07-09T18:51:00.001-07:002020-07-09T18:51:23.658-07:00Let's Break Down a Modeling Scam, Shall We?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskGHatuH1vqGP1x0pTTNAU7G4UYQiSxx-t_5uVHwyeGCKOuta16De-j_ionkjauIyFxKcr7BWUqgdKOupsT1INxkFBKOtR-hRG1HykuWGNEjoqm0gh93fV5sI65mQk_BW8_c9fx-OOp_T/s1200/scam+alert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskGHatuH1vqGP1x0pTTNAU7G4UYQiSxx-t_5uVHwyeGCKOuta16De-j_ionkjauIyFxKcr7BWUqgdKOupsT1INxkFBKOtR-hRG1HykuWGNEjoqm0gh93fV5sI65mQk_BW8_c9fx-OOp_T/w400-h210/scam+alert.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It's been a while since I've received a modeling scam email so I felt pretty special about receiving this one earlier this year, mainly because I felt it would make for a good blog post. <div><br /></div><div>I meant to post about this sooner but it happened in March and COVID decided to hang out so...you know the rest.<div><br /></div><div>I've written about modeling scams in the past but because they tend to change over time I figured why not see what this latest fraudster has to offer? Below are the telltale signs that immediately signaled to me that this clown was one to add to a long list of shady individuals looking for a gullible model to take the bait: </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>FORMATTING ISSUES</b></div><div><br /></div><div>You know when you copy and paste text from different sources into the body of an email or a program like Microsoft Word and the result is a bunch of text of varying sizes and font styles? Super annoying, am I right? </div><div><br /></div><div>So why on earth would anyone in the professional realm of the fashion/modeling industry send out an email where none of the fonts are uniform?</div><div><br /></div><div>I've included screenshots of the original email below and while I couldn't get the entire email in one screenshot, you'll see the inconsistencies I'm talking about, especially in the first paragraph and the latter part of the message.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>EMAIL ADDRESS</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrnxP112MkTmVX__uAzLhHd13BKAsEJXjnocQta8Sof51amDn2XiSkADDCvkVT62iLiEzXew5o3cK_T9xb5nnIzJc4gZWj4LZdz2EtDk490fbU2zKx-Lgjm6xGHmpIkUW_waEdIeT-7C9/s630/email+address.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="630" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrnxP112MkTmVX__uAzLhHd13BKAsEJXjnocQta8Sof51amDn2XiSkADDCvkVT62iLiEzXew5o3cK_T9xb5nnIzJc4gZWj4LZdz2EtDk490fbU2zKx-Lgjm6xGHmpIkUW_waEdIeT-7C9/w500-h88/email+address.png" width="500" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible for people who work for major companies or famous individuals to have a generic email through a platform like AOL, Gmail, Yahoo, etc? Of course. BUT when it comes to business opportunities and modeling job offers, I pay more attention to the email address of the person contacting me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sorry but the fact that <i>anyone </i>can create an email account on the sites I mentioned doesn't spark confidence or trust in me when it comes to modeling jobs and trying to figure out if people are who they say they are. The same goes for when you get contacted by someone claiming to be working at a modeling agency but their email address doesn't end in the name of the agency.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NO SALUTATION</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This email had no "Dear Dania," "To Whom It May Concern" or even a "Hello." It just went straight into who this person was, what they do and what they wanted.</div><div><br /></div><div>It might seem like a small thing but believe me, any industry professional will at least start off their email with a salutation (maybe not all but most--at least the ones I work with do). They likely didn't include a basic salutation because it would be one less thing to worry about messing up on when copying and pasting their bogus modeling gig. </div><div><br /></div><div>It also goes to show they have no idea of the names of the people they're emailing--they're just waiting to see who responds and will go from there.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HOW HE FOUND ME</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TwBd6P_GiUP8BR_AkR3euaNSRHc-B1g3VX7VO2JyRbFdnkZzKsPzCsu7gQd-wJTzsGfg_rYLB_IkKgWCTZMbA3d5T22BPGgpW-DsBEcLM7qs19fKySoSXcKfowAIray0Kl0c19jcrKkB/s991/how+he+found+me.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="991" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TwBd6P_GiUP8BR_AkR3euaNSRHc-B1g3VX7VO2JyRbFdnkZzKsPzCsu7gQd-wJTzsGfg_rYLB_IkKgWCTZMbA3d5T22BPGgpW-DsBEcLM7qs19fKySoSXcKfowAIray0Kl0c19jcrKkB/w781-h108/how+he+found+me.png" width="781" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mr. Humphrey claims he and his "boss", Sergio Zambon, found my resume on the modeling site Models.com. <i><b>That's pretty funny because I do not have a profile on Models.com.</b></i> I'm on a lot of similar sites and platforms but that's not one of them.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>THE PAY RATE</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXGbkQH-J8_O7wDP7BCDfFVA0QtrwwH4-q9xujLcr_iTYWpqXjG4UIHTy7v7c5fXm5WuHk86ISFJ7olx6e2AnMCDvwB2TO20Cj8UyaXcRV6sYiWT9AVf0jKe6ZOHxZabv_pZ2KpqTWHxA/s551/pay+rate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="551" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXGbkQH-J8_O7wDP7BCDfFVA0QtrwwH4-q9xujLcr_iTYWpqXjG4UIHTy7v7c5fXm5WuHk86ISFJ7olx6e2AnMCDvwB2TO20Cj8UyaXcRV6sYiWT9AVf0jKe6ZOHxZabv_pZ2KpqTWHxA/w500-h98/pay+rate.png" width="500" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Offering $2,400 for a 2-day shoot with a $500 per diem and all travel expenses paid? Yes, please! Oh, wait...you have no idea who I am, don't know my name, "found" me on a site I'm not on, yet you're inviting me to participate in a modeling job that will pay me an exorbitant amount of money? If only it were that easy!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am not famous (yet) and my name recognition alone isn't one that would command a pay rate that high. Are there modeling jobs that pay this much? Certainly but that's few and far in between and that's a rate that would be negotiated and handled by a model's agent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Simply put: this pay rate is as fake as the opportunity itself.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE JOB DETAILS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>They are looking for male and female models to showcase a line of streetwear...mmkay but that description is extremely broad. No height or weight requirements? For a major brand/company like the one mentioned in the email, they're almost always going to have some details about the types of models they're looking for, especially clothing sizes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Additionally, the information they ask for is info they would have found listed on my Models.com profile...if I had one. I also know that agencies register their models on that site (you as a model cannot create your own profile page...you can sign up for an account to use their resources but an agent has to actually set up/request that you have a profile page on there) so if they were to go about this casting the right way, they would have obtained my agent's info and contacted them with the offer--not me directly. </div><div><br /></div><div>While I'm sure there are exceptions to this, the point I'm trying to make is that you can't take these types of correspondence at face value. You've gotta get the stars out of your eyes and really see what's in front of you.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>DON'T BE FOOLED</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkopSJqbobBlGBXGGlnQXRqcuRyVhdzwo89Ms34XcnUJre4vBfcRA3y4hyphenhyphenpkvA_L7FBofBaZTr00qA7m5HBtfjQ385UMzR2iU5j3xh9fWj2Gc6sLab_nX3I9J07kQCJfB90fVd6Uok4JjI/s513/apply.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="513" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkopSJqbobBlGBXGGlnQXRqcuRyVhdzwo89Ms34XcnUJre4vBfcRA3y4hyphenhyphenpkvA_L7FBofBaZTr00qA7m5HBtfjQ385UMzR2iU5j3xh9fWj2Gc6sLab_nX3I9J07kQCJfB90fVd6Uok4JjI/w400-h366/apply.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of you might be thinking to yourself, "But they state there's no nudity, so that's good, right? And they're not asking for any money upfront so that means it could be legit, couldn't it?" </div><div><br /></div><div>To that point, I say yes, that's true BUT the way scams work evolves over the years depending on what the scammer is trying to do. This email doesn't strike me as the traditional money wire scam where they ask you to send a deposit for a photography studio in your city to secure your big time, high paid shoot, only to pocket the real money they receive from you and disappear.</div><div><br /></div><div>This one, if you can believe it, is worse: identity theft and catfishing. While the information they asked for above isn't enough to open up a bank account or credit card in your name, it is plenty to set up fake social media profiles, post on dating sites and basically pretend to be you...and you would never know. At least not right away.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the flip side, this is the same type of information you would provide at a traditional model casting call for either a gig or for an agency but again, remember, this is you sending a total stranger your stats, location and a photo, where they are then free to do with those materials as they please.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though the email claims I would be contacted with more info in a follow-up email, all the other red flags make it very clear that I either would never hear from them again or they may send another email asking for more photos and more information. Maybe even money. Who knows? </div><div><br /></div><div><b>THE END RESULT</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't respond. It's simply not worth my time. Even if I wrote back saying I knew they were trying to scam me, that's not going to make them grow a conscious or be scared. There is not much authorities can do to track down someone through an email address either (despite what you see on TV or what your friend's mom's sister's coworker said). </div><div><br /></div><div>What I did do, however, was contact the company named in the email. I sent a message through their website to the corporate office, alerting them that I received an email from someone using their company/brand fraudulently. I also offered to send them the original email if they requested it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whether I hear from the company or not is yet to be seen but I always feel an effective course of action is to report this kind of scam to the direct source. Chances are they have the resources and pull to try and investigate the matter further and put a stop to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is and the modeling industry is no exception. Be smart, triple check everything and use the internet to find out what makes sense and what doesn't add up. </div></div>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-46846832006573395682020-06-16T13:20:00.000-07:002020-06-16T13:20:59.590-07:00How Much Does Freelance Modeling Cost?<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-jWjPclLH1AxbDKtFBVyCjXfECwgz5pZXMGMnDipS6F97miigd8xE7fgvTh_6hTOjp7pN7eh_M47P7qsMTk1mEcq4iyHn83kjRYIEvjBKfLOviCDcAlhyFeGKFdft8kOjDyWTB3nofX8/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="690" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-jWjPclLH1AxbDKtFBVyCjXfECwgz5pZXMGMnDipS6F97miigd8xE7fgvTh_6hTOjp7pN7eh_M47P7qsMTk1mEcq4iyHn83kjRYIEvjBKfLOviCDcAlhyFeGKFdft8kOjDyWTB3nofX8/w400-h233/freelance+modeling+costs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Freelance modeling isn't for the faint of heart. It takes time, dedication, networking, luck and know-how to establish a professional career in the freelance world. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although models who work for themselves don't have to pay commission like agency represented models do, that doesn't mean this approach is free. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's difficult to say exactly what the price tag of freelance modeling could be due to the variety of factors, not to mention that no two people's journeys are exactly the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a few basic ways to break down certain expenses as a starting point. Keep in mind any price ranges mentioned here are not set in stone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also consider the fact that the actual expenses/costs incurred will be different from market to market.</div><div><br /></div><div>To get the gist of this type of scale: New York, Los Angeles and Miami are considered examples of "large markets" in the US. The industry professionals you may encounter will have their own set price ranges based on their portfolio, years of experience, market/location, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SUBMITTING TO MODELING GIGS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>There are several ways to submit for modeling gigs completely free of charge, while others require membership to a casting site or other online resource.</div><div><br /></div><div>A few examples of ways to find and submit to freelance modeling jobs that don't involve your wallet include: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Facebook modeling groups </li><li>Networking sites like Model Mayhem <i>(the free profile version allows you to use their Casting section for no cost)</i></li><li>Instagram postings for model castings <i>(make sure it actually is free and doesn't require an upfront cost or similar fee)</i></li><li>Sites like Craigslist <i>(I do NOT recommend using this site to search for legit modeling work but it is a free resource that lists castings so I included it for common courtesy).</i></li></ul></div><div>Examples of casting sites that give you the option of a limited, free profile or the opportunity to upgrade to a paid version include but are not limited to:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Casting Networks</li><li>Actors Access</li><li>Casting Frontier</li><li>Backstage</li></ul><div>Although some of these sites may seem geared towards acting jobs, there are modeling castings listed as well. The key is to create and maintain a strong profile and search for/submit to castings at least once a day. Upgrading to a paid membership on these sites is recommended simply because it gives you much more access to quality castings, unlimited or expanded portfolio photos you can upload, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>Free versions almost always charge you a small fee (like $0.99) to submit to each gig. That might not seem like much money but if you're actively submitting on a daily basis, it's more cost-effective to upgrade and get unlimited submissions.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The costs for paid profiles/memberships on these sites vary widely but range anywhere from $15/month to $75-$100 per year. The good news is you can upgrade anytime or revert back to the free profile, with the option to upgrade again in the future, if finances end up being a challenge later on down the line.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PORTFOLIO BUILDING</b></div><div><br /></div><div>You can't be considered for modeling jobs if you don't have a solid portfolio to showcase. The beauty of test shoots is that they're commonplace in the industry and don't cost anything. Networking with quality photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists and local designers is crucial to a freelance model's career. Setting up a handful of test shoots is a great way to build a portfolio with little to no upfront costs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course there may come a time when you have to pay a photographer and hire additional pros to help with certain shoots and that's totally okay. The cost of a photographer is going to range widely and will depend on factors such as the type of shoot, duration, location, number of looks/outfits, etc. The market you're in will also be taken into account. A professional photographer in New York is going to have a very different pricing structure than a professional photographer in Seattle, Dallas or San Francisco.</div><div><br /></div><div>In most cases, you can expect to pay $150+ for photography services.</div><div><br /></div><div>Makeup artists and hair stylists also have a wide range of pricing. You have to factor in how long they'll be needed for (i.e. are they just doing your hair and makeup and then leaving or do you need them to stick around for touch ups or to change your hair and makeup?). There are also "kit fees," which cover the costs of their products, which they often have to repurchase/stock up on.</div><div><br /></div><div>In most cases, the price range for a professional makeup artist can be anywhere between $90-$500.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hair stylists (unless you get lucky and find someone who does hair and makeup) can charge between $60-$100, depending on what you need.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PHOTO PRINTING</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It helps to have a hard copy portfolio (aka "modeling book) but these days it isn't mandatory. If you're on a budget, you don't have to make this expense a priority. It is totally acceptable (and free!) to post your portfolio images on social media. Got a modeling website? Then obviously you'll need to post your portfolio photos on there as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>But if you're in the market to start printing, there are online services that specialize in printing quality photos at affordable prices. Sites like Mpix.com charge very reasonable rates based on the size and quantity you want. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would not recommend going to a photo printing machine (like the ones found at FedEx Office, Walmart or other drugstores). The prices might be cheap but the quality isn't always the best and anything you put in your modeling book should be top notch quality from the paper stock to the finish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or you could invest in a photo printer. The most basic ones typically start around $150 (there are plenty of sales to look into!). The upfront cost isn't always pleasant but you'll save a ton of money in the long run, not to mention the convenience of printing on demand what you want, when you want.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MARKETING MATERIALS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The costs of printing comp/zed cards and business cards is also much more affordable than they used to be. Because you don't need to print a ton of copies, that will also cut down on costs as well. Sites like Vista Print and PS Print charge less than $20 for up to 100 business cards (you definitely don't need that many, however). </div><div><br /></div><div>Many online comp card printing companies charge less per comp card if you order a higher quantity. For example, you can choose to pay $6.95 for one comp card or $1.75 each if you order between 10-15.</div><div><br /></div><div>To keep costs down it helps to do a lot of shopping around and price comparisons.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>WARDROBE</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Certain gigs require models to bring their own wardrobe options. This is especially the case for print models. It's a good idea to start purchasing basic wardrobe items that can fit the various roles you could be portraying for shoots and other related modeling projects.</div><div><br /></div><div>The costs for wardrobe obviously vary from store to store. It's always a good idea to look at places like Walmart, Target, Ross and even the local thrift shop. This isn't about purchasing designer brands--in fact, you'll want to stay away from logos, brand names and graphics/patterns in general. A model's clothing for gigs should be solid colors or simple patterns that aren't super busy/distracting and free of advertisements for brand names.</div><div><br /></div><div>Freelance models specializing in fashion/runway/editorial are an exception to this rule and can have a few outfits that don't follow some of the rules of thumb listed above. However, it's still important to have neutral, basic outfits, including "the model uniform": skinny jeans, heels and a solid color, fitted tank top for female models and jeans, loafers/boots/rubber soled dress shoes and a solid color, slimming tank top or t-shirt for male models. These wardrobe items also don't have to cost you an arm and a leg.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MAKEUP & HAIR PRODUCTS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Unless you never wear makeup and don't style your hair, chances are you already have makeup items and hair products you use in a regular basis. Budgeting for those shouldn't be difficult when it comes to modeling, especially for male models since most don't require nearly the same amount of hair and makeup attention as their female counterparts do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Female models keep in mind that the more castings you attend and the more work you book, you'll eventually wear down your makeup inventory over time. Same with the hair products.</div><div><br /></div><div>When it comes to skin care products, both male and female models should have an established and effective daily beauty routine. You will be using these items frequently so budget wisely because only a model with healthy skin (not perfect...there's no such thing!) has less to worry about when it comes to their money maker.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>TRAVEL COSTS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The expenses that come with getting to and from castings and booked gigs will depend entirely on your mode of transportation and where you live. Freelance models living the city life will undoubtedly save on transportation and parking costs because they're more than likely just a bus, subway or train ride away. Those living in the suburbs or rural areas where you have to drive everywhere will need to learn to budget for gas, parking and any applicable tolls.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are other miscellaneous fees I'm sure I could include in this post but I wanted to focus on the major ones. As you can see, freelance modeling isn't free. But that doesn't mean you can't have a thriving career that won't break your bank account. With time and experience, you'll master the tips, tricks and shortcuts that will allow you to have the best of both worlds professionally and financially--especially once those paid bookings start adding up!</div>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-86338882827060791452020-05-26T09:16:00.000-07:002020-05-26T09:16:35.865-07:00If They See It, They'll Believe It: Modeling Portfolio Tips<i>*This post will be especially beneficial for freelance models.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Fo6wB9jdGT6lPPAnzmGFh0k0gPHUOasmOctprJT4wLmy3AqmBhVVA5O3JaSQhJpl2nBwU2beZi5VkHAZWyBp6_Vt9Jl4_2kA921P-AAUhLjXAUFcoMCTF2WpdNurmj3R0SgAuUFZB5y/s320/model+portfolio+2.jpg" width="320" /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P7yrlIkiNRAyqA-IpGjUh_S9-9_QIMUwLtj7cPICOHnCUdXUO-_beiRRSm9x9csl2csr7Wp4czEuIQ-4V6Mlw_CWE9cr8QWlHd0lX67SDiov0dlG28Co5MjXBeaqkPVo5efxyh6FTMlU/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="741" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P7yrlIkiNRAyqA-IpGjUh_S9-9_QIMUwLtj7cPICOHnCUdXUO-_beiRRSm9x9csl2csr7Wp4czEuIQ-4V6Mlw_CWE9cr8QWlHd0lX67SDiov0dlG28Co5MjXBeaqkPVo5efxyh6FTMlU/s320/model+portfolio+1.jpg" /></a></div></i><div><br /></div><div>The modeling portfolio is what helps clients determine whether a model has what it takes to sell their product/brand/idea/concept. Even the most basic project casting could result in a client reviewing dozens of portfolios. One of the best ways to stand out is to make sure your images are relevant.</div><div><br /></div><div>By "relevant," I mean the photos in your portfolio should showcase the types of modeling work that matches what clients are casting for. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do you want to be a swimwear catalog model? Then your portfolio should have several pictures of you not just in swimwear but posing in the style that a catalog model would, both in studio and on location.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is bridal modeling your dream? Then your portfolio better have you in a wedding dress at some point. See where I'm going with this?</div><div><br /></div><div>The very first line of this blog post mentions freelance models and I stated that for a reason. Models with agency representation already have support and guidance as far as having test shoots set up to obtain the looks and styles of photos needed to effectively be marketed out to clients of various types. This isn't the case with freelance models. You act at your own agent and as a result, you've got to be in the driver's seat when it comes to the direction you want to drive your portfolio in.</div><div><br /></div><div>You might be thinking to yourself, "But I've got a great look and I meet the physical requirements for the types of modeling I want to do. As long as I've got good photos in my portfolio, clients should know that I can do any type of modeling, right?" </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>WRONG.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If they don't see it in your portfolio, they're going to automatically assume you don't do that type of modeling. This also works vice-versa, which is the point of this post. It might seem silly to not be considered for a particular type of modeling job simply because it's not in your portfolio but clients make business decisions all the time and don't have the luxury of assuming/hoping a model can deliver even if the looks they want aren't displayed in a portfolio--especially when the competition has examples of the images/looks needed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would you hire a doctor for a specialty that's not listed on their resume? I would hope not. Just because the person is a doctor doesn't mean they can handle just anything. The same goes for the position clients are in when it comes to reviewing modeling portfolios and selecting the models they want to hire.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what does that mean for you, the freelance model? </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>NEW FREELANCE MODELS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Haven't even put together a modeling portfolio yet? That's good because this is the perfect stage in your budding career to plan things out. In order to build a portfolio you have to do test shoots with photographers. Just like with my doctor example above, choose photographers that specialize in the types of modeling you want to be hired for. </div><div><br /></div><div>The idea of working with people who have proven experience displayed in their portfolios also applies when searching for photographers to shoot with. The process of getting the images you want will be much more effective if you're looking at photographer portfolios that contain the types of pictures you want in your own portfolio. Ah, I just love it when teaching moments come full circle!</div><div><br /></div><div>The question you need to first ask yourself is: what kind of modeling do I want to do and what types of images do I want? Online image searches, Pinterest and social media profiles are all ideal resources for finding reference images. Create a folder with those inspo photos because they'll not only help you organize the looks for your portfolio, they're ideal to send to photographers to give them a more accurate understanding of what you're aiming for.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>WORKING FREELANCE MODELS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Have you been submitting for various modeling gigs but not having much luck when it comes to certain categories of modeling you've been dying to do? Then it's time to evaluate your portfolio and see if anything is missing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remember: if they don't see it, they'll assume you don't do it. Think about the modeling looks that aren't in your portfolio. The solution is the same as mentioned above: set up test shoots with photographers that have proven experience shooting those types of looks. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can you work with a photographer who doesn't have that kind of work in their portfolio but--like yourself--has always wanted to get into that type of photography? Sure! There is a good chance you'll both come away with solid results. </div><div><br /></div><div>I usually advise working with someone who already knows what they're doing simply out of convenience. It's quicker to knock out a quality shoot with someone who does that type of work all the time and cuts down on the trial and error of shooting with someone that's learning the ropes. In general it's always good to work with a variety of photographers anyway, so you can have the best of both worlds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you have images already that reflect the types of modeling you want to do but still aren't getting any hits? Then it might be time to do fresh test shoots with different photographers. Quality is everything. It's really easy to tell a photo that's amateur quality compared to one that isn't (i.e. lighting, setting, posing, etc.). Amateur quality pictures of the looks you want will not get you hired by clients that need to see professional quality. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>COMMUNICATE</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The majority of photographers will know exactly what you're in need of but never assume anything. Be organized, be thorough, have inspo photos to share and make a plan. Leaving things up to the photographer simply because they're the "pro" can easily lead to miscommunication and images you may not be able to use (or want to use). </div><div><br /></div><div>Do your due diligence and practice posing! It's important that you not only pull off the look(s) you're going for but that you know and understand the posing, facial expression and attitude that comes with each one. Posing for a beauty shot is not the same as posing for a bridal shot or editorial. Know the differences and you'll be way ahead of the competition.</div><div><br /></div><div>Achieving beauty shots, editorial shots, high fashion shots, parts modeling shots, catalog shots, lifestyle shots, etc., etc., etc. isn't impossible and depending on your brand and the way you want to market yourself, you can easily show clients through your portfolio why you're the ideal pick. It just takes time, organization and follow through.</div>Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-62697452516498956792020-04-29T10:34:00.000-07:002020-04-29T10:34:06.665-07:00Modeling in 2020 Pt. IV: What to Keep & What to Leave Behind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWlT4qZt4hZRLV2wLSffWEsEjXDUWevX6p6FuSWn3iphPhyphenhyphen9IvL_EvV6PILX-FmrLhQ6s5hYZTt2pSoE_J89hni22b_xdjlnZhdl4MtvTjM_hXRKwhP_V61FDH6ciObEulA0-RR-ek-WK/s1600/modeling+website.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWlT4qZt4hZRLV2wLSffWEsEjXDUWevX6p6FuSWn3iphPhyphenhyphen9IvL_EvV6PILX-FmrLhQ6s5hYZTt2pSoE_J89hni22b_xdjlnZhdl4MtvTjM_hXRKwhP_V61FDH6ciObEulA0-RR-ek-WK/s400/modeling+website.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Let's see where we're at so far in this mini blog post series:<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2020/04/modeling-in-2020-pt-i-what-to-keep-what.html" target="_blank">1st Installment - Modeling Portfolios</a></i></b><br />
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<i><b><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2020/04/modeling-in-2020-pt-ii-what-to-keep.html" target="_blank">2nd Installment - Comp/Zed Cards</a></b></i><br />
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<i><b><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2020/04/modeling-in-2020-pt-iii-what-to-keep.html" target="_blank">3rd Installment - Modeling Vouchers</a></b></i><br />
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So what are we looking at for the 4th and final installment of what to keep and what to toss in 2020?<br />
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That would be modeling websites! I feel like you already know the answer to this one so I'll make it easy for you...<br />
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<b>KEEP IT OR TOSS IT: <i><span style="color: lime;">KEEP IT!</span></i></b><br />
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Although this one is a no brainer, there might be those of you who want to know why or how relevant it still is to have a modeling website when social media is king and a lot easier to create and maintain? Well, I have an answer for that.<br />
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Anyone who has been a reader of this blog for a while knows I take modeling as a business very seriously and believe in taking certain steps to establish your brand to stand out from the rest. The care you take to craft who you are, what you do and what you want out of your career is essential in attracting clients of the caliber you want to work with.<br />
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Social media is also essential to branding and should be part of a model's career moves. But that is just one aspect of your online identity. The only way people know you exist is if you create enough content that is good quality and uniform with your brand. A modeling website, in my opinion, is the foundation of that. The social media profiles are an extension of that foundation.<br />
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Can you survive as a model with just Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, etc? Sure, and many do just fine without a modeling website. For those out there who really want to build their brand and go above and beyond, having a modeling website showcasing your work, resume, biography and anything else you want to share is a great way to introduce yourself to potential clients/agencies in a way that is professional, polished and well put together.<br />
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But it is a personal decision that each model has to make for him/herself. Already have a website but don't update it much and are more comfortable with social media? Do you see the costs involved with running and maintaining your website to be a bit too much and want to simplify things overall while saving a few dollars? Are you just not thrilled at all by the idea of creating a modeling website? That's okay! Having a website set up is not mandatory, it's just a great booster for marketing and promoting yourself and your brand.<br />
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Wanting to keep things simple and more cost-effective by sticking with social media is a popular approach. The purpose of this post is to not scare anyone into thinking they have to sign on for a website they aren't prepared for or interested in. It's just an informative way to get the point across of how beneficial having a website is. It might look like a bunch of content just sitting there not being updated the same way your IG profile is but think of it as an anchor that represents you and serves as a solid stopping point when potential clients are searching online for new faces to work with.<br />
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Having a well put together modeling website can't hurt, it can only help but the only way it will succeed is if <i>you want it</i> and it's not as difficult to throw together as you may think.<br />
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Reading through these four posts, you probably noticed one thing: there were no items mentioned that should be tossed. However, that's not entirely accurate so I wanted to mention at least one item (so far) that came to mind. I may add to this list over time and if it gets long enough, I'll revive this mini blog post series with a 5th installment but for now...<br />
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<b>BLACK & WHITE HEADSHOTS - </b><b>KEEP IT OR TOSS IT: <i><span style="color: red;">TOSS IT!</span></i></b><br />
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This can actually be applied to actors, too. No one really does black and white <i><b>headshots</b></i> anymore--I'm specifically talking about the headshots used in a model's portfolio or comp/zed card. That went out in the '90s. It's all about color now for the most part.<br />
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Does that mean you can't have a headshot in black and white at all or elsewhere in your portfolio? Of course not. You <i>can </i>have photos in black and white <b>BUT</b> you don't have to use a black and white photo for the headshot you would typically submit for modeling jobs (freelance models) and modeling agencies these days often use color headshots to market the female and male models on roster.<br />
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Are there exceptions to this rule? Are there agencies who do have black and white headshots of models on their websites? Sure, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Think of this as more of a rule of thumb. Classic black and white headshots are still in use but more or less as a regular image in your portfolio, not the main image to market yourself. At the end of the day it won't kill your career and if you prefer to roll with the black and white, by all means do so. I'm just the messenger. :-)Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-67381059770152378442020-04-19T11:46:00.002-07:002020-04-19T11:46:40.376-07:00Modeling in 2020 Pt. III: What to Keep & What to Leave Behind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfXotzPeJuT5OCUOn0eyuWP3KZtXIqxZm9Qjtxvm7EKJFpgzAqlltlfHiBus7mJBOTZFlY3Zw40szadsFPj-xryi_mhJxiTKJYCOUFDBUqVEm9bda_XTfMkc0CDOsgbEogcEvPiVcDidC/s1600/payment+vouchers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="512" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfXotzPeJuT5OCUOn0eyuWP3KZtXIqxZm9Qjtxvm7EKJFpgzAqlltlfHiBus7mJBOTZFlY3Zw40szadsFPj-xryi_mhJxiTKJYCOUFDBUqVEm9bda_XTfMkc0CDOsgbEogcEvPiVcDidC/s320/payment+vouchers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In the <b><i><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2020/04/modeling-in-2020-pt-i-what-to-keep-what.html" target="_blank">FIRST INSTALLMENT</a></i></b> of this mini blog series, I talked about modeling portfolios. The <i><b><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2020/04/modeling-in-2020-pt-ii-what-to-keep.html" target="_blank">SECOND INSTALLMENT</a></b></i> covered comp/zed cards.<br />
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For this third entry, let's tackle the subject of modeling vouchers. To catch you newbies up on what modeling vouchers are, check out this blog post I wrote about them: <a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2007/05/vouchers.html" target="_blank"><b><i>M<span id="goog_1198041632"></span><span id="goog_1198041633"></span>ODELING VOUCHERS</i></b>.</a><br />
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The use of modeling vouchers to receive payment from clients is pretty exclusive to agencies, meaning 99.9% of the time you, as a model, will encounter or deal with these types of vouchers is if you're signed to an agency.<br />
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<b>KEEP IT OR TOSS IT: <span style="color: orange;">IT DEPENDS</span></b><br />
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I know...that's not definitive answer but hear me out. Models signed to an agency that still uses vouchers will likely keep using vouchers. The decision to discontinue their use is entirely up to the agent so if you've been using modeling vouchers and haven't been told otherwise, then these will keep being part of your life in relation to your modeling career.<br />
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Freelance models don't have to use vouchers, however, it's purely based on personal preference. The more updated and convenient way to get paid is by sending an invoice.<br />
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Both modeling vouchers and invoices serve the same purpose: to make sure you get paid by the client/recipient. The main difference is the layout/design/template of this document. Some freelance models may swear by using vouchers and aren't interested in the slightest with switching over to invoices and that's totally fine.<br />
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There are blank voucher templates online for customization and even booklets with blank voucher forms that can be purchased online or found at office supply stores so if that's more your speed, there are options to choose from.<br />
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The reason invoices are popular is because it's a simple 1 page document you can create in Microsoft Word or modify from a free template online and email directly to the client or print and bring onsite to submit.<br />
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Both modeling vouchers and invoices create a paper trail that makes it easy to keep track of in regards to processing, is ideal for tax filing purposes, keeping track of income earned and also serves as documentation if any legal issues ever arise and proof is required.<br />
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What is considered more "convenient" or "user friendly" is different for each person so pick your poison and stick with it. But when it comes to the specific subject of modeling vouchers and whether they still have a place in the modeling world of 2020, the answer is they do but could be considered a dying breed thanks to the popularity of digital invoicing and emailing as well as payment platforms such as PayPal, Venmo, Zelle and Square, among others.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-33440890911403979312020-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:002020-04-19T11:34:25.623-07:00Modeling in 2020 Pt. II: What to Keep & What to Leave Behind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHJTCN8ZkzCWfhS7bTVtZ4XCIafCsRQFsqCSteEj9cwqppzi7N22KiV2LCKrTD9mBz6BVhDp101i4O8c1Q8-ZQrdlDiJthTZsijQ9QyWJ5JLj5_hoal2p1hosZWfVd9oJxd6m13Ad3B2V/s1600/male+comp+card.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="626" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHJTCN8ZkzCWfhS7bTVtZ4XCIafCsRQFsqCSteEj9cwqppzi7N22KiV2LCKrTD9mBz6BVhDp101i4O8c1Q8-ZQrdlDiJthTZsijQ9QyWJ5JLj5_hoal2p1hosZWfVd9oJxd6m13Ad3B2V/s320/male+comp+card.png" width="320" /></a><br />
In the first entry of this mini blog post, <b><i><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2020/04/modeling-in-2020-pt-i-what-to-keep-what.html" target="_blank">"Modeling in 2020 Pt. I: What to Keep & What to Leave Behind"</a></i></b>, I talked about modeling portfolios.<br />
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In this second installment, let's talk about modeling comp/zed cards. For a crash course on what this tool is, check out the blog post I wrote on the topic: <b><i><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2007/04/compzed-cards.html" target="_blank">Comp/Zed Cards</a></i></b><br />
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<b>WHAT IS A COMP/ZED CARD?</b><br />
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Think of this as a model's business card but larger and with more information on it. Agencies use them to conveniently promote their models to current and potential clients. Freelance models also use it as a networking tool. Because it has photos, contact info and the model's statistics (height, weight, clothing sizes, etc.), it quickly tells the person looking at it what they need to know.<br />
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<b>KEEP IT OR TOSS IT: <i><span style="color: lime;">KEEP IT!</span></i></b><br />
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When it comes to modeling agencies, the use of comp/zed cards is still a common occurrence, especially in larger markets and at agencies specializing in fashion, runway and editorial work. New models signed to the roster will still have these marketing tools set up for them in addition to the creation of their modeling portfolio via professional test shoots.<br />
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So regardless of what year it is, chances are that won't change very much in the business world of agencies. For those of you with agency representation, it's the agency's job to maintain that so you can relax because it's one less thing you've got to worry about.<br />
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Freelance models, however, must be in charge of creating their comp/zed card. But the main thing to focus on is having a <i>digital comp/zed card.</i><br />
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Truth be told, having a standard business card with your headshot and contact info/social media handles on it will be enough to suffice when it comes to networking in general. Utilizing a digital comp/zed card that you can post online and email to potential clients (or agencies you want to submit to if you've got modeling experience already) is a great asset.<br />
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Already handy with Photoshop? Then you can easily create your own design. Not very savvy with tech and graphic design stuff? There are online companies that specialize in comp card design that allow you to pick from any number of templates or even create your own (if they offer a customization tool).<br />
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When it comes to the file formats you'll want to have a version of your comp/zed card in a PDF and JPEG form. The great thing about digital comp/zed cards is that you can easily update the information, switch out the photos, etc. anytime you want, depending on what route you choose to create the card.<br />
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What about hard copies of the comp/zed card? The good news is you shouldn't go out and get 100 printed. If you need a physical comp/zed card, play it smart and only print the smallest quantity. Most online printing sites set the minimum at 25. That's more than enough to have on hand. Those with photo printers at home can simply print on demand the quantity needed.<br />
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To find a few examples of online options you have for printing and design, visit the link for Comp/Zed Cards near the top of this post.<br />
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This modeling calling card is still used in the industry but having a digital version to send out definitely makes the creation and implementation of the comp/zed card much more convenient to have around into the 2020s.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-24150402923789759122020-04-02T11:29:00.000-07:002020-04-02T11:29:23.564-07:00Modeling in 2020 Pt. I : What to Keep & What to Leave Behind <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMVf8sdV_6tSEGjY7bmUeoHxY3fdG2Td_y3T0LOwa9BdT7pwibTB78XS-N7tRZquYu_3-SNKKSekXyu6zkXG36iNoBVCWj2vF55umiMJzPwGmyyFfJKs_fkqOeAM2JOVzZ6NLDZAsm19b/s1600/model+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="452" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMVf8sdV_6tSEGjY7bmUeoHxY3fdG2Td_y3T0LOwa9BdT7pwibTB78XS-N7tRZquYu_3-SNKKSekXyu6zkXG36iNoBVCWj2vF55umiMJzPwGmyyFfJKs_fkqOeAM2JOVzZ6NLDZAsm19b/s400/model+book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Growing and evolving is a natural occurrence in life. If you don't grow and evolve, you get left behind. This applies to nearly all businesses in all industries, modeling included.<br />
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With the Internet, social media and the way in which we all connect and network across borders, it makes sense that the modeling world has had to reinvent itself or at least tweak a couple of things to stay relevant with the times.<br />
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So what does that have to do with you as a model? Whether freelance or agency repped, the tools commonly used in the day-to-day activities of your modeling career should probably be evaluated to see if they are still necessary, obsolete or at least something to have around just in case.</div>
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Let's start off this mini blog post series with modeling portfolios.</div>
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<b>WHAT IS A MODELING PORTFOLIO?</b></div>
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Also known as a model's "book," a portfolio is a hard copy collection of a model's strongest images, including tearsheets from published work. It is organized to showcase a model's body of work in an easy and convenient way. </div>
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Over the years, no model entered a casting, go-see or agency open call/interview without their portfolio in hand (newbies/inexperienced models are not required to have a professional portfolio, just FYI).<br />
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<b>THE TREND</b><br />
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Because so many things are now done online, seeing models carrying their books with them is becoming less and less common in some markets (not all). Agencies and clients alike now easily look up a model's work on social media and any other online platforms so they've got access readily at their fingertips. Bringing a model book to a go-see, casting or open call/interview could be viewed these days as a formality and not exactly a necessity.<br />
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In some castings, clients don't have the time to meet each model and look through their portfolios individually. In an effort to manage time efficiently, not requiring modeling books is a more convenient way to speed things along and maximize how many models a casting can accommodate. If they want to see more of you, that's what a search on social media is for.<br />
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<b>KEEP IT OR TOSS IT: <i><span style="color: lime;">KEEP IT!</span></i></b><br />
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Why? Despite what I just said above, having a hard copy modeling portfolio is an essential tool that celebrates your body of work. Even if you hardly bring it out anymore, don't take the risk of not being properly prepared. As with most things in life, it's that one time you think you don't need something that all of a sudden you're asked for it and end up in panic mode to scramble and put something together.<br />
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But it's also important to keep in mind where you're at in your modeling career and take action accordingly. For example if you're a(n)...<br />
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<b><i>Newbie/Inexperienced Model Seeking Agency Representation.</i></b> As mentioned briefly above, you don't need a professional modeling portfolio if you are a first timer submitting to modeling agencies. How can someone who has never modeled before be expected to have this type of tool to showcase? Agencies know we all have to start somewhere. That's why they're totally fine with accepting non-professional digital snapshots. It's after getting signed that the test shoots are scheduled in order to create the photos that will make up your portfolio.<br />
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<b><i>Freelance Model (with no agency representation). </i></b>Since freelance models act as their own agent, it is important to have a modeling book on hand. Having an online portfolio is essential but a hard copy portfolio you can grab on the way to castings is a great way to make sure all your ducks are lined up.<br />
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<b><i>Experienced/Professional Model.</i></b> Working models can make the determination whether to keep their portfolios updated or not based on how often they've been required to bring them to castings.<br />
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I can't tell you the last time I brought my portfolio to anything. As a result, it hasn't been updated because that would involve time and money printing out new images as I do shoots over time. But that doesn't mean I'm going to toss it out. I already know what to do if I end up needing it for whatever reason (I already have my tearsheets organized in it and if I have to print new images, I go to mpix.com for fast, quality prints).<br />
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There are plenty of print on demand sites out there and if you happen to own or have access to a photo printer, that makes things even easier. So as long as you plan ahead and know what steps you need to take if a modeling portfolio is required, you won't have to go into panic mode to stay properly prepared.</div>
Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-42549680708865963222020-03-18T19:15:00.001-07:002020-03-19T09:48:32.235-07:00Model Talk: The Importance of Confirmation & Check-In Emails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99eKCqUpePO5q2U05AIS_icsA5oxPXgZMigMErlJ0Q7PtK5iNOZVT63dHVVkkG5yWnw1xDvNCXn2qhEk6Ff4d6mfYYS3s5Kfk6m2A_BreAwYeeyNMuXvoMqvGvm14RFOMRiNVquRcCB2D/s1600/emails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="811" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99eKCqUpePO5q2U05AIS_icsA5oxPXgZMigMErlJ0Q7PtK5iNOZVT63dHVVkkG5yWnw1xDvNCXn2qhEk6Ff4d6mfYYS3s5Kfk6m2A_BreAwYeeyNMuXvoMqvGvm14RFOMRiNVquRcCB2D/s400/emails.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><b>***This post was scheduled to be published several weeks in advance and not meant to be applied in real time among what's happening with the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone should be taking all precautions to be safe, including practicing social distancing and staying indoors. This post is not meant to encourage people to move forward with shoots, fashion shows, booked gigs, etc. Keep yourself and those around you safe!***</b></i><br />
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<i>(This post will be especially beneficial for freelance models.)</i><br />
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It can be a pain but to ensure each shoot goes according to plan but it helps to go the extra step of learning how to implement confirmation and check-in emails with the people you choose to work with.<br />
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This isn't rocket science--just common sense.<br />
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Life gets busy and oftentimes things come up at the last minute that could cause the cancellation of a scheduled shoot, meeting or related appointment. Sometimes the other person will actually <i>forget</i> they had a scheduled obligation. Oops.<br />
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To avoid getting left high and dry at the last minute--or the day of--it helps to try and decrease any unexpected surprises from happening by embracing the routine of sending out confirmation and check-in emails to make sure everyone involved is on the same page.<br />
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Sending this same information via text is also an option but I like to focus more on emails because it creates a more reliable paper trail for both parties, not to mention it forces you to keep your writing and communication skills sharp and presents you in a more professional light. If the person you're working with prefers text to email then switch over to accommodate that. As long as you're maintaining contact in some way, shape or form, that's what's most important.<br />
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To keep things simple for the sake of this blog post, I'll use your run-of-the-mill photoshoot as a prime example of how to put this type of correspondence into play.<br />
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<b>YOU'VE BOOKED THE PHOTOGRAPHER</b><br />
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The next step is to discuss the details, such as date, time and location. Other details like wardrobe, makeup/hair, looks, etc. will also be covered but let's just focus on the logistical stuff for now.<br />
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It is easy to pick a date, time and place to shoot and put it on your calendar BUT this shouldn't be the only time you ever communicate with the photographer, aside from the shoot date itself. <b><i>There should be some form of correspondence ideally one week before the date you've confirmed.</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>SEND A CHECK-IN EMAIL</b><br />
<br />
Already been in touch regularly with the photographer back and forth to work out details related to your upcoming shoot together? Great! Chances are you'll both be on the same page leading up to the shoot.<br />
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Haven't really heard from the photographer or have you been so busy that you haven't thought about reaching out since the last time you set up the shoot date, time and location?<br />
<br />
Then it's time to send a check-in email. It should be short and sweet and to the point (but still professional and personable, of course). Simply tell the photographer you wanted to send a short note to check that you're still on track for the shoot at the chosen date, time and location. <i><b>Include this info in your check-in email even though you've both shared this with each other already.</b></i><br />
<br />
Schedules change, projects come up, some weeks tend to be more hectic than others and restating the basic info about your shoot will help jog the photographer's memory. Don't make them have to fish for the info or sort through their inboxes to find it.<br />
<br />
Also use the check-in email to ask any questions or concerns you might have or to update them about anything on your end (i.e. wardrobe choices, changes, etc.).<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>SEND A CONFIRMATION EMAIL</b><br />
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Haven't gotten a response from the photographer in regards to your check-in email? Don't panic just yet. It can take people a while to return messages, especially if they're traveling or otherwise super tied up with work.<br />
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If you sent the check-in email a week before your scheduled shoot and haven't heard back in at least 24-48 hours, then shoot over another email to follow up (or text). Let them know you want to make sure they got your last message and can confirm the shoot and the details already discussed.<br />
<br />
As a way to cover all your bases, in this latest message also add in that if you don't hear from them by a certain date and time (ideally 2 days before the shoot), that you'll assume something has come up on their end and the shoot will need to be rescheduled.<br />
<br />
In other words: if they don't confirm, you won't show up--but instead of saying that outright, what I described above is a nicer way of putting things. Adding in this little bit of information is a polite way of letting them know how important it is to you that they confirm sooner than later or if they need to cancel or reschedule, then now is the time to do so.<br />
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I use this as part of my professional communications with others all the time and it gets results for those who tend to be flakey or don't respond in a timely manner. It still allows you to get the point across without looking like you're being difficult. Remember: there's always a way to say things without being overly dramatic or <i>extra</i>.<br />
<br />
If the deadline for them to confirm comes and goes, then make plans for one of two things to happen:<br />
<br />
1) You'll never hear from them and they'll totally flake.<br />
<br />
2) You'll hear from the photographer at the last minute saying they're either still down to shoot at the originally scheduled date and time OR they have to cancel/reschedule.<br />
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It is up to you to decide if you will still work with the photographer if the second scenario is what you end up dealing with. Weigh the pros and cons. If you've already booked something else, then go with that and tell the photographer you're committed to another project since you didn't hear back from them. If you still have that date and time open and want to shoot, then go ahead and let them know you're still on board.<br />
<br />
What if the photographer ends up reaching out to you days or weeks after they flaked on your original shoot, wanting to still work with you? Well, to me, that would be a red flag and I wouldn't be interested, unless their reason for flaking was a total fluke that couldn't be helped or was out of their control...and if their work was really good and they don't typically have a reputation for being flakey.<br />
<br />
<b>DO YOU REALLY NEED TO SEND BOTH A CHECK-IN & CONFIRMATION EMAIL?</b><br />
<br />
That all depends on how responsive your communications have been with the person so far. As stated earlier in this post, if you've been in regular contact with the photographer to work out details and plan the shoot together, chances are you'll only need to send a quick confirmation email a day or so before, simply letting them know how excited you are for the shoot coming up. Simple as that.<br />
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But if the communication has been almost non-existent or the photographer is hard to get a hold of, then doubling up with a check-in and confirmation email would be in your best interest because you're giving that individual plenty of opportunity to reply back and solidify the plans OR cancel/change them.<br />
<br />
Not taking action or assuming they'll show up since you've both picked a date, time and location will increase the odds of miscommunication and a possibility of someone getting upset that things didn't go according to plan. Avoid the hassle, stress and drama by taking this extra step as a professional to make the people you're working with accountable for their actions (or lack of). Even if they end up being sour about how things played out, you can come away from the situation knowing that you laid everything out for them--it's not your fault if they choose to flake or not take your time into consideration.<br />
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If you're putting together a shoot at the last minute where a check-in email a week before doesn't apply, then simply send a confirmation email or text at least 2 days before and go from there.<br />
<br />
Professional courtesy goes a long way. It also goes <i>both ways</i> so if you end up on the receiving end of getting check-in and confirmation emails/texts, step up and respond in a timely manner. Those who can't (or won't) do this, don't tend to make it very far in their careers for a reason. Don't be <i>that </i>person.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-82435601655578424452020-03-11T18:32:00.000-07:002020-03-11T18:32:01.350-07:00Tips for Establishing Your Comfort Zones in Modeling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are many success stories when it comes to modeling.<br />
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There are just as many--if not more--horror stories or at least stories that might make some hesitant to get into the modeling world.<br />
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When it comes to establishing what you will and won't do as a model, you'd be surprised just how easy setting this up is.<br />
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The concept of a new, fresh-faced female or male model eager to make it in the "Biz," only to find out they have to compromise their values to reach those goals is a tale as old as time. However, that doesn't mean it's one you have to follow. In life overall you should never compromise yourself in order to "make it." So let's put that out in the forefront right now.<br />
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Models signed to an agency do not have to feel pressured to do things they don't want to do. What's cool is that when you first sign with an agent, they have you fill out paperwork. In addition to signing the contract, there are things they want to know about you and the types of work you're interested in. While it's the agent's decision how to market you, there is the opportunity for conversation and they do care about what interests you as well.<br />
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Whether on paper or online, there is usually some form of a questionnaire that helps agencies know what their models will or won't do. Those categories include but are not limited to:<br />
<ul>
<li>Fur Products</li>
<li>Cigarettes/Vaping Products</li>
<li>Alcohol</li>
<li>Nudity/Semi/Implied (if you're under 18 in the US, you will not be submitted for projects that call for this type of modeling)</li>
</ul>
<div>
All you have to do is fill out the questionnaire (if one is provided) or make it a point to discuss with your agent where you stand when it comes to these major categories. Once that's settled, the agent will have a better understanding of how to move forward and which projects they'll submit you for and which ones they won't.<br />
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Freelance models can also make it clear where their comfort zones are but they'll have to incorporate it into their brand, portfolios and the platforms they use to promote themselves online. I harp about the concept of branding so much because it is so essential in letting people know what you're all about. </div>
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What people see is what they'll use to build an idea of who they'd be dealing with. In modeling, your values and interests should be reflected in not only the images you post but the content you write as well. </div>
Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-31176774083033935912020-03-03T12:33:00.000-08:002020-03-03T12:33:39.547-08:00Direct Bookings in Modeling: It's a Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbJYn26a2i2ZnNZizlfCBZXqTU8YYwaiXqZJT47ynO6ECiXg-cmtZaVXAL2bRoAEw3EU0k_FIVwZn7UbK-VRZM7GA8DBJiRVFil5Lq2WayOqS6ItBhrmQ36JN29aPpCf1La8hOS1LPsM-/s1600/we+want+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="877" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbJYn26a2i2ZnNZizlfCBZXqTU8YYwaiXqZJT47ynO6ECiXg-cmtZaVXAL2bRoAEw3EU0k_FIVwZn7UbK-VRZM7GA8DBJiRVFil5Lq2WayOqS6ItBhrmQ36JN29aPpCf1La8hOS1LPsM-/s320/we+want+you.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
A big part of a model's life is attending castings and go-sees. For both freelance models and agency represented models, getting in front of clients is the best way to showcase the personality that goes with the photos they've seen and hopefully lead to a booking.<br />
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However, there is an additional way of snagging work and that's through what's known as a "direct booking."<br />
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This term is commonplace in the acting world but does apply to modeling projects, too. Direct bookings basically mean a client has seen your work (i.e. portfolio, comp/zed card, published work) and wants to hire you without the need for a casting or go-see.<br />
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In case you're wondering if such an arrangement is too good to be true, I can assure you it isn't but there are some very important precautions to consider whenever you get a direct booking offer from a potential client.<br />
<br />
<b>AGENCY REPRESENTED MODELS</b><br />
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Agency websites host photo galleries of their models to make it easy for potential clients to view images and persuade them to contact the agent to inquire about working with a model. It isn't uncommon for a client to see a model's gallery/portfolio and decide he/she is perfect for their upcoming project.<br />
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Happens all the time.<br />
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This is also why photo galleries are organized a certain way or has filters people can adjust to weed through the roster and get a select demographic of models, based on what they're looking for.<br />
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Clients who reach out to an agency about a model and decide to do a direct booking is a situation where everyone benefits, not to mention that the model chosen didn't have to attend a casting or go-see. This type of circumstance is ideal and chances are that everything will go off without a hitch. The agent will do their due diligence and make sure the client is legit and reputable--no respectable agency would ever risk putting their models in harm's way or associate them with shady individuals/companies.<br />
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<b>FREELANCE MODELS</b><br />
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To gain the exposure needed to attract potential clients, freelance models have their portfolio and resumes listed on any number of online platforms: official website, social media profiles, networking sites, etc.<br />
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The same premise described above can also be applied here but because there isn't an agent to act as the middleman, it is crucial for freelance models to do their homework and not jump on just any direct booking offer they receive.<br />
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Any offer of modeling work should be thoroughly vetted before committing to anything--even if it's a paid job. That means communicating with the potential client and getting every single question answered, detail ironed out and having things in writing. Never just accept a direct booking with no questions asked.<br />
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<b>UNDERAGE MODELS</b><br />
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In the U.S., any direct booking offers or interest from potential clients to a model under the age of 18 should be directed to the parent/guardian (if there is no agency representation) or the agency if the minor is signed. Parents of freelance minor models should heed the advice given above.<br />
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<b>THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SAYING "YES"</b><br />
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<b>Who made the first move?</b> Did you submit to a modeling job and got a direct offer in response or did you receive a direct booking offer out of the blue? If the direct booking was for a gig you submitted to, was it mentioned in the project description that models would be booked directly or was there a mention of a casting/go-see? If there was a casting mentioned but they're offering you a direct booking instead, that should give you pause and lead you to ask a lot more questions before giving them a decision.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Where was the project listed?</b> Casting sites and social media networking platforms are popular resources that list modeling jobs of all types. If a client is interested in doing a direct booking, it will often be stated right in the body of the project description. Because it's the models submitting themselves for consideration, this means they're making the first move in the process, which results in getting a response about the direct booking and whether they made the cut.<br />
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<b>Who is the company?</b> Try to find out as much as you can about the client/company/individual who posted the casting. The goal is to make sure they actually exist and aren't some creeper pretending to be someone they aren't. Look for websites, social media profiles and make sure they all match. If they email you or direct message, are they doing it from a personal account or the company's account? Are things not matching up? Well, then those are major red flags of a project you shouldn't undertake even if you are offered the job as a direct booking.<br />
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Is the client a major brand known by virtually anyone who doesn't live in isolation? Chances are 99.9% of the time they will NOT offer direct bookings to models out of the blue, especially if you didn't submit to any of their castings. This is SCAM 101 and oftentimes the brands/companies themselves are completely unaware this is happening. So while getting a DM or email from a major magazine, company or designer might be thrilling, unfortunately, it's probably not real.<br />
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<b>Ask questions.</b> Don't just take a direct booking offer at face value. Open dialog with the client and find out all the specifics of the job. They shouldn't have any problem answering all of your questions or setting up some kind of phone call or in-person meeting to discuss the details once you've been hired. If they cop an attitude or don't have solid answers, that's a red flag and you should politely decline the offer.<br />
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<b>Be wary of requests to send additional photos.</b> Obviously, you should never submit images of yourself in underwear, in various stages of undress or nude to any client that requests them. Even modeling agencies don't ask for these so it goes without saying that no client should, either. A direct booking shouldn't require further images anyway, if you think about it--the whole point is that they want to hire you based on what they've already seen online so why would they need more photos?<br />
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<b>REALITY CHECKS</b><br />
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Direct bookings are a real thing in the modeling and acting industry and aren't too good to be true BUT if you get a direct booking out of nowhere and without submitting to anything, that's what will 9 times out of 10 be too good to be true.<br />
<br />
Play it smart and be realistic. If you're fairly new to modeling and have a few images up to promote yourself and network but the quality isn't exactly the best and you suddenly get an offer for a direct booking for a gig, I'm sorry but chances are that person is reaching out because they want to play into your inexperience. It's easy to overlook or miss red flags when you're so excited about an opportunity and scammers and shady individuals know and understand this type of naivete all too well.<br />
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While realizing you might be dealing with a scam artist or shady person can be disheartening, embrace the fact that you have the power to decline the offer and make it known you aren't one to be fooled.<br />
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Legit direct bookings <i><b>will</b></i> come along when you've established your brand, portfolio and reputation as a professional model, whose values and skills a company will see right away and want to take action on to make sure they get an opportunity to work with you.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-81634756594335083952020-02-25T18:09:00.001-08:002020-02-25T18:09:21.659-08:00Demystifying Modeling Agency Boards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0PBU-lr6wgF3IM9GwGuUfgLKx7A1EJJzPN8BnNOco1uiXEP1yKrUfwHP9r6gzD4SUNMkZM79E-Uhx9ErnUOSx4Gw_1kAeCCKOmJ6QE8atjshYzPGeC0M0ZjuUd1fSIBD49BXyS8m5Hc3/s1600/model+agency+boards+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="334" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0PBU-lr6wgF3IM9GwGuUfgLKx7A1EJJzPN8BnNOco1uiXEP1yKrUfwHP9r6gzD4SUNMkZM79E-Uhx9ErnUOSx4Gw_1kAeCCKOmJ6QE8atjshYzPGeC0M0ZjuUd1fSIBD49BXyS8m5Hc3/s320/model+agency+boards+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Shout out to one of my readers, Tom, for inspiring me to write this blog post based on his questions about agency boards!)</i><br />
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Visiting modeling agency websites is a great way to get familiar with how these companies present themselves, the divisions they specialize in and view photos of the models currently on roster, not to mention learning how to submit yourself for representation.<br />
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One thing you might have noticed on these same websites--<b>namely fashion agency sites</b>--are terms like <i>Main</i>, <i>New Faces</i>, <i>Development</i>, <i>Images</i>, <i>Direct</i>, etc. What does this mean and does it apply to you?<br />
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<b>MODELING AGENCY BOARDS</b><br />
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Similar to the concept of Pinterest, the use of boards by agencies is a way they organize and classify which models belong where, according to experience and where they are at in their modeling career.<br />
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It also serves as a convenient way to communicate to clients visiting the site as to which models they may be interested in, based on project needs.<br />
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When a model gets signed to an agency, it is up to the agency to determine which of these boards they'll be placed on.<br />
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It is important to note that some agencies use these terms interchangeably, such as <i>New Faces </i>and <i>Development</i>. Others may not have boards at all or might only have <i>New Faces</i> listed as a board and the other models in regular galleries (i.e. Men, Women, Youth,).<br />
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Ultimately, how boards are used and labeled varies from agency to agency and market to market but is mainly reserved for high fashion and runway models/agencies.<br />
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<b>NEW FACES BOARD</b><br />
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Models that appear on an agency's website under the <i>New Faces</i> board are the newbies to the industry. They have no previous training or modeling experience so they don't have a portfolio or comp/zed card to showcase to clients. Snapshots/Polaroids are usually submitted instead and are displayed with their profile on the agency website. Clients considering someone from the <i>New Faces</i> board know upfront that the person they're hiring is new to the game.<br />
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Models on the <i>New Faces</i> boards are typically in the process of setting up their test shoots in order to create their portfolios and comp/zed cards. We all gotta start somewhere, right?<br />
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<b>DEVELOPMENT BOARD</b><br />
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Models on the <i>Development</i> board are similar to the folks in the <i>New Faces</i> category except they're a bit ahead of the learning curve. They've likely already done their test shoots and have a starter portfolio and comp/zed cards for clients to view. So they're not technically professionals but they've got some shooting experience under their belt and aren't a stranger to the camera.<br />
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<b>MAIN BOARD</b><br />
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These are your models who are actively working and available for castings and go-sees for various projects. They're experienced, have a large body of work and tearsheets to show they've been published. It's not so much how long they've been modeling that reflects their placement on the <i>Main</i> board, however. If a model is popular and starts booking work left and right, they'll be in this category, whether they've been with the agency for 3 months or 3 years.<br />
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<b>IMAGES BOARD</b><br />
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Many fashion models are represented by several agencies in different countries. As a result, they can't be everywhere all the time. When clients are interested in a model listed on an agency's <i>Images </i>board, they automatically understand that female or male model is not available to attend castings or go-sees.<br />
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Does that mean they wouldn't be considered for an assignment? Not necessarily. Models on the <i>Images</i> board have experience, tearsheets and a strong portfolio clients can view to help them make their decision in place of meeting in-person.<br />
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<b>DIRECT BOARD</b><br />
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Models on the <i>Direct</i> board are there because they can be "directly booked" for modeling work without a casting or go-see because the client loves their look and knows they can deliver based on the portfolio and other agency provided materials they've seen from that individual. Clients who want to work with a model on the <i>Direct</i> board simply have to let the agency know the details and if the model is available, the booking will be confirmed and details finalized.<br />
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<b>CAN MODELS BE ON MORE THAN ONE BOARD?</b><br />
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Sure. But remember: not all agencies use the same types of boards. Many just have <i>New Faces</i> or <i>Development</i> and that's it, while others have <i>Main</i> and <i>Direct</i> boards. A model could technically be on an <i>Images</i> board and a <i>Direct</i> board but chances are agencies would rather pick one or the other to put on their site and not both since they can be used interchangeably.<br />
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<b>HOW DO I GET ON A MODELING AGENCY BOARD?</b><br />
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You need to be signed to an agency first. As stated above, it's the agency's decision whether to include you on one of the boards and which ones. Not being listed on a board isn't a bad thing or a reflection of your potential as a model. Any number of factors play into those types of situations but as long as you have a reputable agency who knows what they're doing and has a proven track record in the industry, you'll be in good hands and can enjoy the ride and all the new experiences it brings.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-9850706039426639382020-02-18T11:30:00.001-08:002020-02-18T11:44:55.060-08:00When Will I Get Paid for My Modeling Gig?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To this day, many newbies don't take into account that the payment aspect of modeling isn't immediate.<br />
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In fact, even with an agency it can take time to receive the money owed to you from paid bookings.<br />
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Why is that?<br />
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Ultimately, it's the efficiency of the client's payroll department that plays a huge role in determining how long it will take to get paid, especially if the form of compensation is by check.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>FYI: cash is NEVER the form of payment from a gig booked through your agent...this is more commonplace with freelance modeling gigs.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
Let's take a closer look at the way payment is handled and broken down in the modeling industry for both agency represented and freelance models.<br />
<br />
<b>GETTING PAID AS AN AGENCY REPPED MODEL</b><br />
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Having an agent means securing the best paying gigs and dealing with reputable clients and brands. But agencies and the companies they work with are businesses and that means following protocol when it comes to payment terms.<br />
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In agency contracts there is always mention of how long it can take to receive payment. It varies from a general range but is often listed between 30-90 days. When you sign an agency contract, you are agreeing to all of the terms, including the fact that you understand it can take a while to get paid.<br />
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<b>Vouchers. </b>It is still common for some agencies to give their models blank vouchers. When a job is booked, the model takes the voucher with them to the gig and after the client has filled it out, the model then returns the voucher to their agent, who processes and invoices the client.<br />
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<b>Direct Invoice. </b>A popular course of action is for the agent to bill the client directly. That means no vouchers or action required on a model's end. This is the most convenient approach for obvious reasons.<br />
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<b>Modeling Invoice.</b> There are some instances where the model is required to submit their own invoice to the client directly (typically via email) and then send their agent the commission amount owed when the payment is received. The form in which you give your agent their cut will depend on their preference so don't forget to ask how they'd like their money to be sent.<br />
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To find out how to set up your own modeling invoice, click on the blog link below:<br />
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<b><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2008/09/modeling-invoices.html" target="_blank">Modeling Invoices</a></b><br />
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<b>GETTING PAID AS A FREELANCE MODEL</b><br />
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A benefit to being a freelance model is having total control over how you get paid. BUT that doesn't always mean you'll get paid any faster. It will totally depend on the arrangement between you and the client.<br />
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<b>Cash. </b>Because of the freelance situation, it isn't uncommon for clients to pay their models in cash after the shoot/assignment is done. Clearly, this is the best because who doesn't love cash?<br />
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<b>Check (Personal or Business).</b> You might be provided with a check onsite that same day or you may need to invoice the client, who will then mail you a check. Clarify who the check should be made out to. If you're using a model alias, make sure to tell the client to write your legal name on the check. It will be difficult to cash or deposit a check that doesn't have your name listed the same way it is associated with your bank account.<br />
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<b>Invoice.</b> See the "Modeling Invoice" section above. If the client doesn't provide basic guidelines as to what your invoice should have on it, it's okay to ask for that information. This includes but is not limited to:<br />
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<li><b>Invoice/Job #:</b> Sometimes there isn't one but it doesn't hurt to ask just in case</li>
<li><b>Specific Contact Name the Invoice Should be Addressed To</b> (<i>i.e. "ATTN: John/Jane Doe"</i>) <b>OR</b> <b>Specific Department Name</b> (<i>i.e. "ATTN: Payroll Processing Dept"</i>)</li>
<li><b>Job Name:</b> To make it easy for payroll to identify which checks go with which gigs, having a designated job name on the invoice helps them keep everything organized (<i>i.e. "Dot Spring Catalog 2020"</i>)</li>
<li><b>Rate:</b> Definitely make sure you've got the correct rate!</li>
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Failing to double-check these items could result in delays with processing the invoice and no one wants that.</div>
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<b>VENMO/PAYPAL/SQUARE/ZELLE</b></div>
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It goes without saying that getting paid through an app is popular, fast and convenient. Anytime this is an option for receiving compensation for modeling jobs, that's great. Your agent may even send you funds this way. Again, also great. :-)</div>
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<b>ETIQUETTE </b></div>
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Be on your best business behavior when it comes to payment terms and how those arrangements are handled. </div>
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In most cases, the payment rate and form of compensation is listed in the job description. Sometimes clients will state if cash will be provided the same day. But if it isn't mentioned, pick the right time to bring that subject up if you end up getting booked.</div>
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After being hired, freelance models and clients communicate the job details via email, on the phone or at an in-person meeting. This is where those questions can be asked and addressed. Use tact: be polite and ask if payment will be provided the day of or if you need to invoice them. From there, the rest of those details can be ironed out so everyone's on the same page.</div>
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Modeling gigs booked through an agent are handled between the client and the agency. Your agent will then bring you up to speed on the payment part of it. Chances are you'll also be signing release forms and/or other similar paperwork that will have this information for you to read and review as well.</div>
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Basically, whether you're a freelance model or agency repped, you're not going to be in the dark about how much you're getting paid, how you'll be paid and when.</div>
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<b>WORST CASE SCENARIOS</b></div>
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Unfortunately, there might be times when you run into issues with getting paid in a timely manner...or not getting paid at all.</div>
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When it comes to gigs booked through your agent, they will make sure to follow up and do everything in their power to make sure they (and you!) get compensated. Although it can be a bummer to wait and wait for funds you really need, sometimes all you can do is be patient and let your agent tackle those hurdles.</div>
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If you're the one who invoiced the client and payment is taking too long or somehow is delayed, it is your responsibility to reach out and inquire about the payment status. This doesn't mean going on the attack, however. </div>
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From the moment you get booked for a job, find out what the time frame is for getting paid. If that date/time frame comes and goes, follow up via email, text or phone (whichever method of communication you had going with the client previously). </div>
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Let them know you wanted to follow up on the status of payment for [insert name or description of the project you worked on to help jog their memory] and any update would be greatly appreciated. Then give them time to reply back. Between 2-3 days would be ideal. Still no word? Send another follow up, mentioning that you wanted to make sure they got your first message about the status of payment.</div>
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9 times out of 10, the client will respond back and things will be taken care of. Have a nightmare situation where the client ghosted or they keep putting you off and making excuses but still haven't paid you? Then you're going to have to decide whether to take legal action or not, such as filing a case in small claims court. </div>
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Another alternative could be to contact someone else at the company (if possible) to try and jump start a conversation that way. Or visit the client's office to see if you can get answers from someone in-person. In this case, use common sense and play it safe: don't go to their home (even if it's a "home office"), conduct this business in the daytime and bring someone with you.</div>
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Generating income from modeling is a huge benefit and while some of those worst case scenarios can happen, it tends to be few and far in between. As long as you keep the lines of communication open and get all the confirmed payment details in advance, chances are you'll be just fine when it comes to enjoying the monetary fruit of your labors.</div>
Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-30264599727035377192020-02-11T13:17:00.000-08:002020-02-11T13:17:01.135-08:00How Much Does Modeling Cost with an Agency?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROAPAqfs87bjdlcv-h3GOD-HlxoIt5VCbNeRx-aV8Fa9vJWETiVOxV7JPO5FyeLHy3Phoc9XrzzG6ZZy15Hon42DW5uj_6lPds8LobucJwmp5-qubA-XzcZkUbXmtPTE7KxtCMjIqBFWk/s1600/cost+of+agency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROAPAqfs87bjdlcv-h3GOD-HlxoIt5VCbNeRx-aV8Fa9vJWETiVOxV7JPO5FyeLHy3Phoc9XrzzG6ZZy15Hon42DW5uj_6lPds8LobucJwmp5-qubA-XzcZkUbXmtPTE7KxtCMjIqBFWk/s320/cost+of+agency.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
There is a lot of misinformation when it comes to the subject of getting into modeling and the cost factor when it comes to being agency represented.<br />
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It's difficult to say exactly what the price tag of modeling could be due to the variety of factors, not to mention that no two people's journeys are exactly the same.<br />
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There are a few basic ways to break down certain expenses as a starting point. Keep in mind any price ranges mentioned here are not set in stone.<br />
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Also consider the fact that the actual expenses/costs incurred will be different from market to market.<br />
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Small markets have very different costs for operation compared to a medium or large sized market.<br />
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To get the gist of this type of scale: New York, Los Angeles and Miami are considered examples of "large markets" in the US.<br />
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<b>SUBMITTING TO AN AGENCY</b><br />
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The cost of submitting your snapshots and information to an agency or attending an open call costs zero. Period. There should be no application or processing fees to send your materials via email, agency website or postal mail for consideration or a charge at the door for an open call.<br />
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<b>SIGNING WITH AN AGENCY</b><br />
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Legitimate agencies will not require you to pay any kind of "upfront fee" before offering you a contract to sign. Making models pay for classes/workshops/training, etc. as a condition to offering a contract for representation is a huge no-no. Unfortunately, there are agencies who find legal loopholes that allow them to technically pull this off.<br />
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This is common in smaller markets, where the work isn't as plentiful for agencies so they have to find additional means of generating income aside from the commissions they receive from the booked gigs they get for their models. It's one of the reasons why some agencies become affiliated with modeling schools and conventions or institute their own modeling school as part of the agency structure.<br />
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Does this mean they shouldn't be considered? If money is a major concern for you, it might be best to consider agencies in this category as backup options if the more traditionally structured agencies pass on your submission.<br />
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<b>TEST SHOOTS</b><br />
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This is one of the biggest controversies when it comes to modeling and working with agencies. Are you supposed to pay for test shoots? The answer is: it entirely depends on the agency and how they operate. As mentioned above, as long as any fees related to the test shoot aren't required <b><i>before</i></b> signing a contract, then an agency is within its right to have a model cover any expenses related to the test shoot.<br />
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I've already written a blog post that breaks down the options available to newly signed models in regards to test shoots so if you want to read up on that in terms of potential costs, click the link below:<br />
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<b><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2008/07/deal-with-agencies-test-shoots-for.html" target="_blank"><i>THE DEAL WITH AGENCIES & TEST SHOOTS FOR PORTFOLIO BUILDING</i></a></b><br />
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As a reminder: when signing to a new agency, test shoots are necessary for creating the images that will make up a new model's portfolio, headshots, comp/zed cards and other marketing materials.<br />
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<b>CASTINGS</b><br />
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A normal part of a model's routine is attending castings and go-sees. When your agent sends you out to a casting or go-see, there will be costs, mainly related to gas and parking or public transit. Of course, if you end up getting something to eat while you're out there, that's also on you.<br />
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When it comes to castings, no agency is going to give you spending money or a stipend. It's not possible, nor is it realistic. Having to cover transportation costs to get to and from castings is--and always will be--a model's responsibility.<br />
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Now if you get hired/booked for a modeling gig, that's different. If there is travel involved, such as airfare and hotel accommodations, those expenses will be factored in and covered by the client.<br />
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So if you think about it, paying for gas/parking or a commute to castings isn't that big of an issue when you know the client will cover everything moving forward once you're hired. If you don't snag the gig? Then it's on to the next casting!<br />
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<b>PHOTOSHOOTS</b><br />
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In addition to getting tearsheets from published work to build a portfolio, it is important for model's to do photoshoots to update their look and make sure the images their agency has are the most current.<br />
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There is no hard and fast rule as to how many shoots a model should do when it comes to updating a portfolio but needless to say, you shouldn't go more than 3-6 months without doing at least one photoshoot to have new photos to showcase.<br />
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Many models have photographers they regularly work with and in those instances, it could be free of cost in the form of a test shoot. Both the photographer and the model benefit from that but if you don't have such a luxury at your disposal, then there will be costs involved with hiring a photographer to work with.<br />
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I certainly can't list exactly what photographers charge because it varies extremely. But $150+ is a fairly common starting point, price-wise. Need to also bring on board a makeup artist and/or hair stylist? Then you're going to have to factor the costs for those services as well, if they aren't open to doing it for free. If you can manage to do your own hair and makeup (and have it look good!), then you'll definitely save some money in that sense.<br />
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<b>WARDROBE/MAKEUP/SKIN CARE PRODUCTS</b><br />
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When it comes to having the right wardrobe for castings (this is especially the case for commercial/print models), that's a cost you'll have to budget for. Of course, that doesn't mean you have to spend a small fortune on clothes. Below are links to help you afford a casting-ready closet for any budget:<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-stores-like-target-walmart-ross-tj.html" target="_blank">WHY STORES LIKE TARGET, WALMART, ROSS & TJ MAXX ARE A MODEL'S BEST FRIEND</a></i></b><br />
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<b><i><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2017/02/wardrobe-tips-for-male-commercialprint.html" target="_blank">WARDROBE TIPS FOR MALE COMMERCIAL/PRINT MODELS</a></i></b><br />
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<b><i><a href="http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2017/01/wardrobe-tips-for-female.html" target="_blank">WARDROBE TIPS FOR FEMALE COMMERCIAL/PRINT MODELS</a></i></b><br />
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Similar to the situation with attending castings, models are responsible for any wardrobe purchases, makeup and skin care products.<br />
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When it comes to wardrobe, if you're booked for a paid gig and there is a wardrobe stylist, chances are you don't have to worry about buying anything. At most, they'll ask you to bring clothing options you already have in your closet. If you don't have an article of clothing they ask for, that's okay, they'll purchase it--that's their job!<br />
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<b>AGENCY WEBSITE FEES</b><br />
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In today's age of technology, many agencies have fees associated with the operation and maintenance of having a website. Hosting photo galleries and having its models displayed sometimes means charging a small fee. Those costs vary from market to market and agency to agency.<br />
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Although not all agencies have these types of fees, that doesn't mean the ones who do are trying to get over on you. However, what you <i><b>do</b></i> want to be on the lookout for is the cost and how often they want you to pay.<br />
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If it's an annual fee, the cost could be anywhere from $50-$300. Big range, right? Again, it all depends but in my opinion, the higher the fee for website maintenance and having your photos on the agency site, the more skeptical I would be.<br />
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I've been signed to agencies where the annual website fee was $100. I've heard of others that were only $50 or $75. For monthly fees, the cost could hover somewhere between $10-$15.<br />
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You won't know for sure what those specific costs are (if applicable) until you have a contract in your hands, which is one of the many reasons why it is SO important to read agency contracts and go over it with a fine tooth comb before signing anything.<br />
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Better yet, having an attorney who knows entertainment law is one of the best ways to make sure you understand the meat and potatoes of the contract, including whatever expenses/fees you'll be responsible for. That's optional and not mandatory, however.<br />
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<b>TERMINATING A CONTRACT</b><br />
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Whatever the reason might be for ending an agency contract early, 99.9% of the time, there is a clause that explains the model's responsibility to pay the agency any outstanding balances before honoring the termination of the contract.<br />
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What does this mean? Let's say you signed with the agency and they opted to cover the cost of your test shoot. How do you pay them back? By getting modeling jobs. The commission taken out of each booking gets applied to the overall balance you owe the agency. Think of it as a short term loan.<br />
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But what happens if you have X amount left to pay back and the contract is being terminated? Well, the agency can't guarantee you'll get additional paid work by the time the contract is about to be kaput. That means you've got to pay the difference. In the unfortunate instance you didn't book any work while you were signed, you are still legally on the hook for the entire amount owed.<br />
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This is also the case if a model hasn't paid the agency the commission from booked gigs. 9 times out of 10, the clients pay the agency directly but there are some exceptions where the model receives the payment and has to set aside the specified commission amount to then send to the agency.<br />
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Regardless of the details, if any money is owed to the agency when the contract is set to be terminated, the model has to make sure they can make good on that debt to avoid the agency taking legal action.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-57517294723578486652020-02-04T09:36:00.000-08:002020-02-04T09:36:42.177-08:00Separating the Personal From the Professional in Modeling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfaFttqP5Jnav2MUIyhrrPCydcFV1H2AT5bXFXNNPRQ8l0WuqCeDdVvWkRLjLQzMqRRMWtvJgKogciBHEp45Wgt04IjWdriNyJhXa76SXj-Iif1vqmfYrW7VhBu-KXFYeZKCGMQSGe6ZO/s1600/personal-vs-professional-branding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="960" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfaFttqP5Jnav2MUIyhrrPCydcFV1H2AT5bXFXNNPRQ8l0WuqCeDdVvWkRLjLQzMqRRMWtvJgKogciBHEp45Wgt04IjWdriNyJhXa76SXj-Iif1vqmfYrW7VhBu-KXFYeZKCGMQSGe6ZO/s400/personal-vs-professional-branding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>***Disclaimer: This post is for informative purposes only. I am not trying to start--nor am I interested in starting--a debate, argue points, deal with addressing counter arguments/viewpoints or try to otherwise explain every single nook and cranny of the topic I'm writing about. I am referring to things in a very broad manner on purpose. The focus is on maintaining your brand and modeling career. If you look into it any more than that, I can't help ya.***</i><br />
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I have opinions. I'm a news junkie. I can talk politics and other world events without hesitation. I enjoy healthy debates every now and then. I believe in knowing what's going on in the world and developing a voice to express my thoughts. However, if you've seen my posts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, you'll be hard pressed to find any content where I'm on my soapbox, taking sides on hot button issues and terrorizing those who don't agree with me.<br />
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Why? Because that's not what I choose to use those platforms for. I use those sites to maintain and promote my brand and services as it relates to being a professional model, actor, coach/mentor/consultant. The last thing I want to do is offend, disrespect or otherwise put off potential clients and/or make my agent hesitant to submit me for work.<br />
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For years, I've always practiced the concept of keeping my personal opinions on controversial subjects and hot button issues separate from my professional career in the entertainment industry, as it relates to social media. This isn't because I'm scared of what others will think of my opinions--it's because there is a time and a place for those conversations and in today's reactionary world where people tend to mix both the personal and professional, I'm even more convinced that learning how to pick your battles and place priorities properly is something all models should embrace...or at least think about in perspective.<br />
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It may not seem that serious but the things you post, say, do, depict, etc. can affect your professional modeling career--and not always for the good.<br />
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Keeping your personal life (and the opinions associated with it) separate from your professional modeling career is a vital strategy to making sure you can continue to network, book gigs and maintain your brand with clients and agencies alike to ensure a harmonious relationship.<br />
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Please note: when it comes to personal beliefs/opinions, I'm mainly referencing controversial subjects like politics, religion, hot button issues (gun rights, abortion, etc.), not holding beliefs that involve promoting or advocating for racism, sexism, discrimination (in its various forms) and so on. I find those views deplorable and should have no place in our society. Period. Okay, let's move on.<br />
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<b>WHY DOES THIS EVEN MATTER OR APPLY TO MODELS?</b><br />
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Because of a little thing called branding and networking. A quote from something I was watching on TV really stuck with me when I heard it a few weeks ago: <i>"Don't make enemies by accident."</i><br />
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I'm not saying there are people out to get you, haha. But in an industry where it's all about who you know and what you want your brand to stand for, it's that much more important to create a mindset that understands that what you do and say, especially on social media, can have consequences you might never have considered.<br />
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When it comes to agencies and clients, they must be very selective in who they choose to work with. One way to turn off an agent or potential client is for them to come across any posts or content online that (in their eyes) puts you in a negative light. Additionally, many companies make these decisions based on their own brands and if you publicly make a statement or vent about something that goes against their brand, beliefs or policies, it's no stretch of the imagination to know they won't be reaching out to work with you anytime soon.<br />
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I remember talking to an agent in a personal, casual conversation, where they expressed concern because one of their models was really big on venting and voicing opinions about a wide range of hot button issues and was pulling no punches.<br />
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The posts were very critical in nature and--whether people agreed with them or not--the agent was worried that their clientele would come across those posts and decide not to work with them as a result. And it probably wouldn't be because they didn't agree with their views but in general companies do not want to associate with someone who stands on a soapbox. It's just not good for business, even if the individual in question is a nice person who would otherwise be great to hire.<br />
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What you want to avoid is getting stuck in a career rut because you let your personal beliefs/opinions create an unintentional rift/barrier, resulting in no one wanting to work with you.<br />
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The good news is that this type of scenario can be completely avoided while allowing you to be who you are.<br />
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<b>CREATE SEPARATE SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES</b><br />
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For models who are passionate about reacting to what's happening in the news or enjoy taking a hard stance on controversial subjects, I highly recommend creating separate social media profiles for your modeling career, if you haven't already.<br />
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With Facebook, there are "Pages" that keep everything completely separate from your personal Facebook profile.<br />
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There isn't a similar feature on Twitter and Instagram, however, setting up a new profile/account just for your modeling projects only takes a few minutes.<br />
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Mixing your personal content/posts with your professional ones can get messy and could be confusing to your followers--the ones interested in following your professional moves. That's not to say you can't share personal/fun/BTS posts on your professional profile (because you should) but that content should not include anything that could be off-putting to followers, your agent (if you have one) and/or current/future clients.<br />
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<b>USE A MODEL ALIAS</b><br />
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Having a model alias instead of using your legal name when it comes to modeling is a very popular move. Actors do it as well and for good reason: it just makes sense. Creating a model alias to associate with your modeling profiles on social media gives you the option of keeping your personal life and beliefs separate from your career.<br />
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It's kind of like living two lives...but in a fun and non-scandalous way. :-)<br />
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When setting up your Facebook Page, Twitter and Instagram accounts, maintaining your model alias throughout is the extra step to give you peace of mind and decrease the odds of agents/clients coming across any controversial or heated posts when they search for you online--and believe me, they will do an online search to learn more about you.<br />
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<b>MAKE YOUR PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS PRIVATE (OPTIONAL)</b><br />
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If you're really concerned about how to maintain a personal and professional existence on social media, you can always make your personal accounts private so only your network and/or those you select will see your posts. Obviously, don't make your modeling profiles the private ones!<br />
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With private accounts you can rant, rave, debate and express yourself to your heart's content without running the risk of putting off someone in professional circles.<br />
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Of course there is also the option to delete any posts you think could cause waves. Although nothing online is ever truly "deleted," having it no longer pop up in association with your profiles is a step in the right direction if you feel that's what you need to do.<br />
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<b>WHAT TO POST ON YOUR MODELING ACCOUNTS THAT KEEP THINGS NEUTRAL</b><br />
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<b>Professional Modeling Photos: </b>Duh.<br />
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<b>BTS: </b>Your professional modeling accounts should showcase the day-to-day activities you engage in as a working model. That means professional pictures but also the fun BTS flicks and videos many of us have grown to enjoy.<br />
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<b>Vacay/Travel: </b>Do you have a vacation you can't wait to share with followers or did you book a modeling gig that requires you to hop on a plane? Documenting those excursions are a type of BTS that allows followers to come along for the ride.<br />
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<b>Shoots/Projects That Support Positive Causes:</b> Although everyone has their own opinions, in most cases, you're not going to catch heat for posting content related to your participation in photoshoots, events or other occasions that support causes such as anti-bullying, helping the homeless, raising money for charity, doing volunteer work, etc.<br />
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Even the popular NOH8 campaign that showcases celebs and non-celebs alike displaying duct tape across their mouths with "NOH8" painted on their face is an overall positive cause you can share on your modeling accounts because it promotes equality through education, advocacy, social media and visual protest without being negative, graphic or using scare tactics to get their point across.<br />
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<b>Voting:</b> Whether it's a presidential election or local election, the right to vote is a major one for people. There is nothing wrong with posting on social media about the part you played in casting a vote.<br />
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A helpful tip to keep things neutral on the subject of voting if you wish to share this on your modeling profiles is to showcase the popular "I Voted" sticker and/or a pic of you holding your mail-in ballot (that's what I did in the last presidential election). In my case, I didn't share <b><i>WHO</i></b> I voted for because that wasn't the statement I was trying to make. <i>What I wanted my followers to see was how important the act of voting is to me.</i><br />
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<b>THE TAKEAWAY(S)</b><br />
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As you can see, I did my best to stay neutral in trying to give this informative advice. Trust me, I have super heavy opinions and beliefs--as a person who keeps my radio on NPR 24/7, I can debate and share insight with the best of them.<br />
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But as it relates to my modeling career, that is NOT the platform I wish to use to get those points and opinions across. My goal is to network with professionals to land modeling jobs, keep my agent happy and maintain a prosperous career.<br />
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To be honest, I haven't created a separate social media account on Twitter and Instagram for my modeling life because I've made it an ongoing practice for quite a while to not engage in online battles, rant and rave about hot button topics or proclaim my political opinions on those platforms. I am able to enjoy posting both personal and professional content on those accounts as a result. I do have a Facebook page for my modeling career but still do the same combo meal of personal and professional on my regular Facebook profile.<br />
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But that's me. My purpose in even writing this post is to let those of you know that being a social justice warrior is amazing and having opinions and stances on issues is all to tha good. I just feel compelled to share some wisdom and insight as to how to keep the personal and the professional aspects in good standing.<br />
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If taking the steps above seems like censorship to you or goes against your values, then by all means, don't change a thing. I'm just a fan of giving advice so you can take it or leave it but know that it is always with the best of intentions and interest in setting you up for success.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-13738614572288213272020-01-28T13:37:00.004-08:002020-01-28T13:37:53.974-08:00Skin Care Tips for Aging Gracefully in Your Modeling Career<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First thing's first: let's be realistic here. It is totally possible to age gracefully and my focus with this article is about how to maintain the best looking YOU at whatever age you are. This post is not about how to turn back the clock and try to pursue anti-aging miracle solutions.<br />
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The most confident models are the ones that embrace their age and understand the steps necessary to keep themselves in the best possible physical condition when it comes to skin care. This goes for both female and male models.<br />
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I'll do my best to keep this post from being too lengthy but want to target general age groups, as well as share basic tips for tackling Father Time as it relates to your money maker.<br />
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<b>TEENS TO YOUNG ADULTS</b><br />
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Don't take your youthful complexions for granted, young models! While we all wish for the days when our faces were completely free of wrinkles and fine lines, don't think that just because you're young, that leaves you off the hook with skin care. On the contrary, this should be the time when you practice what I like to call "preventative skin care."<br />
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Even if your complexion is stellar, it is essential that you put a daily skin care regimen into place. Knowing your skin type (i.e. dry, normal, oily, combination, acne prone, sensitive) is what will determine the types of products you should purchase. Having the basics: cleanser, toner and moisturizer are the staples of any skin care regimen.<br />
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For problem skin or issues such as acne or eczema, talk to a dermatologist to see what options are available to you and jump on it asap to avoid future problems (or at least minimize them).<br />
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Another important note is to avoid sun damage by using skin care items formulated with SPF protection. Even makeup products like foundation and powder have SPF in them. These serve to keep your face safe from damaging UVA/UVB rays that can lead to aging prematurely in the form of wrinkles, spots/freckling (not the good kind of freckles!) and decreases your chances of getting melanoma (aka "skin cancer").<br />
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A bit of discipline and using your chosen products on a daily basis is all you need to keep your face at its best into the years ahead of you. If you've always gotten away with simply splashing your face with water in the morning, just know that kind of perk doesn't last forever so take action early.<br />
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<b>IN YOUR 20s & 30s</b><br />
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During these years you might experience a change in your skin/complexion. Maybe the skin care products you've used since forever don't quite seem to be doing the trick like they used to. Maybe after being free of breakouts and skin reactions, suddenly all you're dealing with are breakouts.<br />
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It's not uncommon for our skin to change as we get older. What this likely means is an update to your skin care regimen, including the types of products you're using on your face. Switching brands, trying newer, stronger formulated items and/or talking to a dermatologist are all ways to figure out what's going on.<br />
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Our complexions don't stay the same forever and at some point, you can't expect your skin care routine to remain untouched, either. This doesn't mean going into panic mode. At most, do your research, talk to a dermatologist (or a qualified skin care pro at the local department store makeup/skin care counter) and see what options are out there. To be on the safe side, seek out sample sizes to try at home as a cost-effective way to see what works and what doesn't.<br />
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<b>IN YOUR 40s & BEYOND</b><br />
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Yes, there are models in their 40s, 50s and 60s--and they tend to look damn good! This is in large part due to whatever skin care routine they've maintained over time. Much of what I wrote in the section above can also apply to these older age groups.<br />
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One additional note I do want to make is taking into consideration skin care products specially formulated for "mature skin."nThis refers to products that include ingredients designed to tackle aging issues such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines, brown spots, a dull complexion, etc.<br />
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It makes sense that as we get older, the skin care items we use on our face and body should also be upgraded. There are more "mature" brands and products out there than you can shake a stick at. While it might take some trial and error to see what works for you, putting in the time to rebuild your skin care routine with the proper products will be well worth it.<br />
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<b>BASIC SKIN CARE TIPS</b><br />
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<b>Stay Within the Skin Care Brand Family. </b>There's nothing wrong with having a few items that are different brands but the reason there are entire lines of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, etc. is because they are formulated to work together. Once you find a line you like, stick with it and then you can mix and match as you see fit later on down the line. Build a foundation and let it do its thing.<br />
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<b>Choose Skin Care Products for Your Current Age--Not the Age You Want to Be.</b> There's no fighting getting older so focus on buying products formulated for your age, current skin care condition and that address any issues you're experiencing. And give it time to work...only through diligent, daily use over time will you be able to see if it's working. Always follow instructions for the items you're using in order to see optimal results.<br />
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<b>Don't Forget Proper Body Care!</b> Using effective products such as body wash, body scrub and lotion are all key to maintaining healthy skin from neck to toe. Choose items that target what you want to focus on (i.e. firming and toning, healing dry skin, brightening dull skin, eliminating cellulite, etc).<br />
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For male models, there are entire lines now made just for men. The ingredients are specially formulated for male skin so take a look at what's out there right now and throw these into your daily routine. It won't take long to notice a huge difference in how your skin looks and feels. The same goes for skin care products made for men.<br />
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<b>Pay Attention to Your Neck & Hands. </b>I can't tell you how many times I've been stunned by how fantastic a model's complexion was...until I looked down and saw their REAL age because of how their neck and hands looked.<br />
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Want to keep your hands looking their best? It's as easy as keeping a small tube of quality hand cream around at all times (not that cheap, watery stuff!). Here's a tip for application: apply the hand cream to the <b><i>back of your hand</i></b> and then moisturize instead of applying it to your palms. The back of our hands receive the most exposure to the sun and other elements that can age the skin a lot quicker--oftentimes, this is because the skin in this area is thinner, making it more prone to damage.<br />
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When it comes to your neck, properly moisturizing with a solid body lotion (preferably one with SPF protection as well as skin firming ingredients) is the most basic way to keep this part of your body in tip top shape. Of course we're all prone to aging in this area over time and in those instances if things get to a point where topical solutions aren't effective, it could be worth looking into FDA-approved, non-invasive treatments meant to tighten and firm loose, sagging skin and the appearance of jowls. Always do proper research and consultation when it comes to these routes, even if it is for a non-surgical procedure.<br />
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<b>Exfoliate!</b> The most natural way to let your skin glow is to remove the layers of dead skin that tends to accumulate on our complexions as well as our bodies. This tends to happen naturally but it doesn't hurt to throw in an exfoliating face scrub and/or body scrub to move things along more effectively. Scrubs don't mean rubbing your skin raw. The use of quality exfoliating products and applicable tools like a loofah or exfoliating shower gloves is all that's needed to promote new skin cells to shine bright and eliminate dull complexions and skin overall.<br />
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<b>Invest in Eye Cream.</b> The eyes are the windows to the soul so that means you should be using some kind of eye cream to make sure those windows are crystal clear and sparkling. Fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark under eye circles don't discriminate so go the preventative route and pick an eye cream suited to your skin type and formulated for the problems you tend to experience.<br />
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I use Clinique All About Eyes Rich because I love how thick it is and a little goes a long way so one jar lasts me quite a while. These days I invest in the biggest size and that takes me over a year to go through so it's a win-win.<br />
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<b>Use Skin Care to Address Real Life Issues.</b> In addition to a daily skin care routine to maintain healthy skin and prevent future issues, it's also important to add in items to combat every day situations that tend to take their toll on your skin.<br />
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For example, I'm a workaholic and confess that I don't always get as much quality sleep as I should. As a result, I'm prone to dark under eye circles. When I know I'm going to have a rough night, I make it a point the next morning to use cooling eye gel masks after I cleanse and moisturize (I love the Que Bella Professional Moisturizing Gel Eye Mask). Instead of wearing them for 10-15 minutes, I'll actually wear them for an hour to get the most use before throwing them away.<br />
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<b>Make Facial Masks Your Best Friend. </b>There are many brands of facial masks out there and they're all specially formulated based on skin type, skin issue or favorite active ingredient. Like most skin care searches, you might have to do some sampling to see what ends up working best for your skin but I personally love using mud masks on my combination skin (oily T-zone and dry cheeks).<br />
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Any time my skin feels dull or if it's taken a beating from photoshoots or gnarly weather, I indulge in a charcoal mud mask from Que Bella (also from Target) to draw out impurities from my skin, unclog pores and make my face baby soft afterwards. It's a fast and convenient way to detoxify that doesn't require a visit to the spa or lengthy treatments (in 10 minutes my face gets fully recharged).<br />
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<b>Practice Skin Care From the Inside Out.</b> Yes, what you put into your body also has a direct effect on how you age. The #1 key to great skin is drinking plenty of water and limiting your intake of highly caffeinated beverages and greasy, fried foods. It's okay to eat and drink these in moderation but the more you indulge, the tougher your skin care routine will have to work.<br />
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<b>THE BOTTOM LINE</b><br />
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Don't be afraid of getting older! To keep your agent and clients happy, all you have to do is make time for good skin care, which shouldn't feel like a chore or take too much time out of your schedule.<br />
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Don't spend a fortune, either. While there are key products well worth the price tag, especially if they only require a small amount per use, you can get away with other products typically found in drugstores, not just the skin care counter at your local department store.<br />
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Embrace the years ahead, equip yourself with the right products and the last thing you'll worry about is what you see in the mirror.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-51533200265383705842020-01-21T11:49:00.000-08:002020-01-21T12:58:54.250-08:00Tips for Creating Mood Boards for Modeling Photoshoots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSWHd8KCMwlW16TnMG7NZ1Jvc-nSnwTDkeQWGgLuA0WYuuAuOxy1W4kqJ8_S6E5zkLShB4fXfKhuJadUA8J5JZBfqRIwo-GXS7GToRhRYGJnkVXaa3mp7q8HyzmIXeKyFYKILMpmYcpxL/s1600/mood+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSWHd8KCMwlW16TnMG7NZ1Jvc-nSnwTDkeQWGgLuA0WYuuAuOxy1W4kqJ8_S6E5zkLShB4fXfKhuJadUA8J5JZBfqRIwo-GXS7GToRhRYGJnkVXaa3mp7q8HyzmIXeKyFYKILMpmYcpxL/s320/mood+board.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(This post will be especially beneficial to female and male freelance models.)</i><br />
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Although it isn't uncommon for models and photographers to meet up and shoot on the fly, if you're a bit more of a control freak (like myself!) and prefer to have some kind of game plan to follow, then mood boards are going to be one of your favorite tools to utilize in the course of your modeling career.<br />
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I <i>LOVE</i> putting together mood boards. It helps me visualize what I want and keeps everyone on the same page. I can't stress enough how beneficial it is to learn how to throw one of these together.<br />
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<b>WHAT IS A MOOD BOARD?</b><br />
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A mood board is essentially a collection of reference/inspo images that models and photographers can use for inspiration and serve as a loose guideline of what types of photos they want to capture. Think of it as an illustrative blueprint.<br />
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You know that little thing called Pinterest? Well, that's basically today's version of a mood board so if you're familiar with Pinterest, have your own account or have ever seen someone's Pinterest board, learning the ropes of putting together a mood board for a modeling shoot will be pretty straightforward. You don't need Pinterest, although you can certainly use it for that purpose.<br />
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<b>WHERE DO YOU START?</b><br />
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Let's keep this simple and assume you already have a photographer to shoot with. The first step is to discuss putting together a mood board. It isn't mandatory but many photographers will be pleasantly surprised if you mention wanting to use one; it shows your level of professionalism and how serious you are about creating great pictures.<br />
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Whether you put it together yourself, the photographer provides you with one or if you both collaborate by contributing images, the most important thing is to choose images that fall along the lines of what you're looking to shoot.<br />
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Depending on the theme/look, you can use any number of sources to find the photos: Instagram, Pinterest, Google Images search and stock photography sites are all ideal places to start searching.<br />
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<b>WHAT TYPES OF IMAGES SHOULD I CHOOSE?</b><br />
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Whatever inspires you! But remember: it has to be similar to what you want to shoot. Need to update your portfolio with beauty images shot in studio? Then the mood board should be a collection of similar images. Want to do something editorial or high fashion on location? Then don't include images that fall outside of those categories. See where I'm going with this?<br />
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The key to selecting inspo images for mood boards is to not go overboard or overthink it. Oftentimes, the images that make up the mood board aren't all the same but may have a running theme throughout, such as location, composition/pose, hair/makeup, wardrobe, etc.<br />
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There is no minimum or maximum number of images needed for the mood board and they all don't have to come from the same source or photographer. Have fun with it and only add photos you really like that inspire you to be creative.<br />
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<b>DO YOU NEED SOFTWARE OR AN APP TO CREATE THE MOOD BOARD?</b><br />
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Definitely not. You can insert photos into a Word document, create a PDF, use Photoshop, a collage app/collage website or you can simply email over the images individually as attachments. It's completely up to you how to present the mood board.<br />
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The best way to illustrate the use of mood boards in practice is to showcase some examples.<br />
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<b>EXAMPLE #1: MOOD BOARD FOR LIFESTYLE SHOOT</b><br />
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This is a mood board I put together and sent to a photographer I'm shooting with in a few days:<br />
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<b>THE LOOK:</b> I'm aiming for candid, lifestyle shots that don't look too posed. Being outdoors with natural lighting always makes for great lifestyle images and it would be a combo meal of full body, half body and some closeup shots.<br />
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As you can see, it's not a shoot centered around getting a headshot. It's about capturing moments of me interacting with my environment, doing every day activities.<br />
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Now that I've shared this mood board with the photographer, we've agreed on a cool downtown city location that will give me the looks I want. I'll have 3 outfits: 1 casual look, 1 dressy casual look and 1 business look.<br />
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<b>EXAMPLE #2: MOOD BOARD FOR BEAUTY SHOOT</b><br />
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This is a small sample of a mood board put together for a beauty shoot I just did about 2 weeks ago. The photographer and I both contributed images we liked but for the sake of simplicity, I only included a handful below:<br />
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<b>THE LOOK:</b> As you can see, this mood board is drastically different from the one above. What drew the photographer and I to these types of images was the composition (i.e. close up versus full body shots), the use of color, dramatic lighting and the importance of having great makeup and hair.<br />
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I got the images back from the shoot but since we are planning to submit them for magazine publication, I can't share them just yet!<br />
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<b>EXAMPLE #3: MOOD BOARD FOR GLAMOUR SHOOT</b><br />
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Every once in a while I get inspired to do something on the sexier (but still tasteful) side. This was the mood board I provided the photographer with:<br />
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<b>THE LOOK:</b> I liked these poses because it shows the models interacting with the car and making the car itself part of the photo and not just a prop. I also included the makeup looks I liked, which I shared with the makeup artist.<br />
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I did NOT choose these images for the wardrobe. I already knew what outfits I wanted to wear and mainly relied on these images for guidance related to posing with a car outdoors. It's important to note that when creating mood boards, you don't have to take everything literally or copy every pose. Take from it what you want and put your own spin on it.<br />
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<b>THE FINAL RESULTS</b><br />
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Here are a few of the images that resulted from that shoot. You can clearly see where I borrowed from the mood board and where I kind of did my own thing:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: 707 Multimedia; MUA: Sophia Musto</td></tr>
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<b>EXAMPLE #4: MOOD BOARD FOR MALE MODEL</b><br />
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Yes, male models also need to get on the mood board bandwagon! This was a mood board I put together for my boyfriend a while back when he needed to get back in front of the camera for new headshots and additional portfolio images (I don't have access to the final photos but they turned out nicely). :-)<br />
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<b>THE LOOK:</b> This mood board was aiming for ideally a studio shoot, with great lighting and a mixture of posed shots and candids. We also liked the wardrobe selections and used that as a guide when putting together outfits.<br />
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Actors, celebrities, models...anybody can be in the photo as long as it's a photo you love!<br />
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<b>THE BOTTOM LINE</b><br />
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Mood boards are the perfect planning tool for any shoot, regardless of what the look/theme is. There is no shortage of reference/inspo images you can come across that will help you and your team put together a fantastic shoot.<br />
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If you happen to create looks and poses that aren't depicted in the mood board, that's totally okay. Use this tool as more of a reference instead of following it to a tee.<br />
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And don't forget: you can use mood boards to get as specific as you want. This includes creating a mood board just for makeup looks, hairstyles and wardrobe!Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-80452712352808231362020-01-10T18:54:00.000-08:002020-01-10T18:54:32.771-08:00Model Talk: Tips for Email Signatures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AypAldJKAxF65ak19BZeOaI7uiz2ss0Q51zGKwWnbLNYGyheMO5PkjzxfBY8bEdVVwDpIF57zWmBsZs8bkQMXVL976PRVpEGxGUjYOoxXiyCBEnJKNgyEgTfgZU_gWFLMEZMCSI-7M8r/s1600/email+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1520" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AypAldJKAxF65ak19BZeOaI7uiz2ss0Q51zGKwWnbLNYGyheMO5PkjzxfBY8bEdVVwDpIF57zWmBsZs8bkQMXVL976PRVpEGxGUjYOoxXiyCBEnJKNgyEgTfgZU_gWFLMEZMCSI-7M8r/s320/email+signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When it comes to business, the devil is in the details. This especially applies when it comes to communication.<br />
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While text and DMs are a popular way to reach out and network, email continues to be a widely and heavily used method.<br />
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Regardless of your age and whether you have modeling experience or not, it is critical to pay attention to how you're presenting yourself when it comes to email correspondence.<br />
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The cool thing about technology is that it's always changing and adding features that allow people to personalize and customize the websites, platforms and devices they use frequently.<br />
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Email signatures have always been around but these days, there are more ways than ever to make your signature stand out. Plan on pursuing the modeling industry? Then that means you'll need to start tailoring yourself to be a professional on all fronts.<br />
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If that means creating a new email account that's just for agency submissions, communicating with photographers, submitting to gigs, or keeping in touch with your agent if you're represented, then take that step ASAP and make sure your email signature matches.<br />
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So what should your email signature consist of? Well, that all depends on who you are, where you're at in your modeling career and what your goals are.<br />
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<b>NEWBIES</b><br />
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Keep it simple if you're brand new to modeling and don't have much to include in your signature. At a bare minimum, have a "closer" before your name.<br />
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<i><b>For example:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Sincerely,</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Your Name]</b></i><br />
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Other commonly used closers include (but are not limited to): <i>Sincerely Yours, Best, Best Regards, Respectfully, Yours Respectfully.</i><br />
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Depending on what email service you use, there is even a way to customize the text, font and color of the closer and/or your name but don't get too carried away. An agency, photographer or potential client doesn't need your signature to be a gif that sparkles and dances or some crazy meme.<br />
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<b>PERSONAL INFO: YAY OR NAY?</b><br />
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Adding your phone number is optional BUT I don't recommend it simply because of safety concerns. The same goes with your mailing address/place of residence--you can leave it out. Minors under the age of 18 (in the US) should never put their phone number or home address in the email signature.<br />
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<b>INTERMEDIATE & EXPERIENCED MODELS</b><br />
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Got some resume experience and a bit of a portfolio going on? Then you've got a bit more you can add to your email signature. This is where branding comes into play. But as mentioned above, keep it simple. Your signature should reflect where you are in your career and what you want to share with recipients.<br />
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<i><b>Example #1:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Best,</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Your Name]</b></i><br />
<i><b>Model/Actor</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Your Email]</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Example #2:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Sincerely,</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Your Name]</b></i><br />
<i><b>Freelance Model</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Social Media Handles]</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Example #3:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Best Regards,</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Your Name]</b></i><br />
<i><b>Published Model</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Your Email]</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Social Media Handles]</b></i><br />
<i><b>[Official Website]</b></i><br />
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Of course, you can mix and match any of these items and place them in whatever order you like but those are just a few ways you can create a professional custom email signature.<br />
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<b>SHOULD YOU INCLUDE IMAGES?</b><br />
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That's entirely up to you. It goes without saying that the image should ideally be of you. Adding a headshot (not a filtered selfie!) can be a nice touch with an email signature. Make sure the picture isn't too large in size or else it will take too long to load (when this happens, the person looking at the email may get a blank square where the image would have appeared). So choose images wisely if you want to include one.<br />
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<b>SOCIAL MEDIA INFO & LINKS</b><br />
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At the end of the day, you don't want to overwhelm recipients with a super long or involved signature. Make it clear who you are and what you do. Instead of incorporating all of the links to your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Instagram accounts, stick with using the social media handles (@yoursocialmediahandle). Everyone is more than familiar with what that means when they see it.<br />
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If you're smart and you've kept your branding consistent, hopefully all your social media handles will be the same across all the platforms you use. If not, that's okay but it's definitely more convenient to have one universal social media handle to include with an email signature instead of 3-4.<br />
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There is also the option of creating a hyperlink out of text in your email signature but only do this if you know the links work and that the sites they link out to are functioning. Nothing is worse than sending an email, having the recipient click on the hyperlinked text, only to get an error message or a dead site.<br />
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<b>THE BOTTOM LINE</b><br />
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Taking the time to pay attention to "small things" like your email signature will reflect well on you when it comes to communicating with others in the industry. First impressions are always important and knowing how to present yourself in an email will make it high likely the person on the other end will want to network with you further and really see what you have to offer as a professional.Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.com2