I found this on a respected professional photographers web site and thought the concepts were well stated and similar to my own knowledge and understanding so i took it and edited slightly to fit this site format.
Not everyone will have great successes as a model however all of those who wish to make it anywhere can avoid making some key mistakes. One of the biggest is getting too fancy with images. Many models, especially those on amateur modeling websites share common misunderstandings that hinder their success.
Follow the tips here so you can be a more productive model, get more work, and maybe even get signed by one of the big six agencies.
It takes less than 5 seconds to be rejected
Modeling is a first impression business. To get work as a model you need to immediately capture the attention of “casting agents” (anyone that makes a decision on you getting an assignment or signed). All casting agents have one thing in common: Too many models and too many pictures to look at.
Casting agents rarely look past the first few pictures so it’s very important to show the right ones, and they aren’t the type of images you might expect.
Set yourself apart by using the right types of pictures along with information casting agents want to see.
Avoid the images that cause rejection.
DO NOT use overly artistic pictures – they detract from the subject (you). Dramatic lighting with strong shadowing may look great, but is ineffective. What casting agents can’t see, makes them suspicious.
No matter how beautiful they may be, don’t send high fashion shots unless it’s a tear sheet. Casting agents don’t want to see what a great job photographers or stylists do, they want to see the real you.
When casting you want simple, crisp, images that only show you off.
Think about this before you shoot again
A common mistake is too many unpublished images. Before you get signed you get Googled. Here are things that can work against you:
A lot of activity on amateur modeling websites. A big portfolio of unpublished “modeling” images on your Facebook or website. Flyers of you “hosting” nightclub events. Showing up on too many hobby photographer websites or profiles.
Why? Major brands don’t like talent in their ads appearing in lesser works. Shooting outside of commercial shoots breeds bad habits and understandings. Too much of the wrong type of exposure may be worse than no exposure.
Without credibility Images are worthless.
The boom of amateur modeling websites has created a dilemma for casting agents. The photographers and stylists on these sites spend inordinate amounts of time collaborating to create highly stylized images. Some of these images look great, as does the model, and the Photoshop work.
This is a problem for casting agents who can’t distinguish real from contrived so many of these images are discounted, as are the people who create them, and the models in them.
Branded images by respected photographers may include copyright dates that enhance your credibility. Casting agents want to know the picture is real, and recent.
Tags: Models
