Modeling & Acting 101 - A Model/Actor's Diary

(This post is mainly for male model hopefuls that want to pursue the high fashion and editorial market.) So fellas, you think you want to be a male model? Just as I tell my female aspiring models, it is important to do research and get familiar with what you could be doing as a male model. Most men think, "All right, I get to look all sexy and chiseled, show off my muscles and pose with hot women!" Ummm, yeah, sure but there is so much more to being a male model than that. Along with perks come the other things that you may not like but come with the territory. For example, most female models dread having to wear next to nothing in freezing temperatures but pretend like they are on a beach in 90 degree weather. For male models, the following are some aspects of the job that you'll have to be cool with if you want to seriously pursue a career in the modeling industry: - Makeup: You better believe it! Just as women need to wear makeup, so do male models--not all th...

Looking for agency representation can be exciting and stressful all at the same time. However, it is important to know that not all agencies are the same or look for the same things. During your search make it a point to submit yourself according to each agency's preferences. Doing otherwise will more than likely send your submission into the trash. When it comes to open casting calls, it is especially crucial to follow the rules in order to put yourself on the agency's good side. Remember, part of being a good model is having the ability to follow directions. If you can't fulfill the requirements for an open casting call, this makes a bad first impression and could lead the agency staff to believe that you don't follow directions well. Don't know what an open casting call is? Check out my post on the subject so you'll be up to speed: Casting Calls Okay, now on to the tips! 1. Make Sure the Agency Holds Open Casting Calls: Surprisingly, not all agen...

I finally got a hold of some of the images from a shoot I did for photographer Geri Lavrov. The nature of the shoot was for stock/lifestyle. In case you don't know what stock photography or lifestyle modeling is, check out my posts on these two topics: Stock Photography Lifestyle & Mature Modeling You'll notice that these shots also classify as being commercial/print in nature so if you want to specialize in any of these fields of modeling, the poses below will be the kinds you'll have to do (among many, many others). The shoots are on-location, candids as well as posed and doing activities that normal, everyday folks do, although some may be quirky/cutesy: The male model in the photos with me is my buddy, Lyndon. He's a very accomplished, successful model and I love working with him--in fact, we've got a couple shoot coming up this week!

Freelance modeling is an entirely different beast than being represented by a modeling agency. Choosing this approach to modeling is ideal for those who only want to model part-time, for fun or simply don't want to commit to or deal with an agency. Whatever your reasons are for being freelance, you'll want to make sure that you have everything up to par so that you put yourself in the best possible position for getting hired. What you need vs. what you don't may vary from peson to person so include the items below according to your situation and goals: Headshots (Mandatory) : When you're signed to a modeling agency, headshots are put together for you. This is a luxury freelance models don't have. Because you are representing yourself you are the agent as well as the model. You can't submit yourself to professional modeling gigs without a professional headshot. Unlike models submitting to an agency that don't need to have pro images, freelance models...

I'm not quite sure why I'm so surprised but I have to go through my Facebook friends list and delete a lot of people that I managed to confirm but don't actually know. Needless to say, if you want to add me on Facebook, definitely do so--I'd love to connect with you! But if you want to make sure that I don't skip you over or deny your request, please, please, please make sure to send me a message along with your request. I don't need a bio or anything, just a simple, "Hey, I read your blog, would love to be friends on FB!" Anything that lets me know you're not just some random person looking to add one more profile to their infinite list of friends. Facebook is definitely a good way to get a hold of me to ask for advice for your own situation and to keep in touch overall. When I finally do get around to deleting folks on my FB, if I end up deleting you for some reason please shoot me a message and remind me who you are and that you're a r...

When I look at the list of my followers, I must admit I get really excited. And now that the number of Modeling 101 followers has passed the 100 mark, I am ecstatic! I never thought in a million years that when I started my blog back in 2007 it would grow to be what it is--nor did I expect anyone to really care that much. I knew there was a lot of misinformation about the modeling industry and that tons of folks were either being misdirected, given false hope or outright being taken advantage of. What started as a couple of posts about my feelings and experience in the industry has transformed into one of my passions. I really didn't know how readers would react to me...I expected a LOT of criticism or skepticism of some sort--I mean, how many people would really take advice from a shorter model seriously since I wasn't strutting down a catwalk in Milan or New York? But you guys really surprised me! Of course I have my fair share of Debbie Downers (hah, I love that term!) ...

Anonymous Wrote: does an agency care if a female model doesn't have pierced ears? great tips!!!!   Hi, Anonymous! Not having pierced ears won't keep a modeling agency from signing you but it is usually better to have your ears pierced in general. If you don't, then clip ons will be used if needed but just don't expect to do much in the way of jewelry modeling since those kind of clients will specifically request models whose ears are pierced. Otherwise, I don't believe having ears that aren't pierced will jeopardize your career.   Hope that helps and good luck to you!