DIESEL MODELS - your gateway to the modelling world
Diesel Models is here to help you break into the modelling world. We will help you get a few rungs up the ladder and get to a position where you can join an agency. We also offer all our members the opportunity to go to a top fashion studio in Central London. This is also an opportunity to get some professional photos for your portfolio in order to show the agencies your full potential. By registering you will have access to all areas of the site including advice, the Gallery to see other aspiring models such as yourself and a database of Model Agencies all over the country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Dieselmodels open questions
- Is Diesel Models any good?
- Diesel Models are sending me to The Blue Rooms to get my portfolio done. Has anyone been or does anyone know of?
- Diesel models has anybody been?
- How much do diesel models charge for photos?
- Has anybody been to a photo shoot set up by dieselmodels??
- Has anybody been contacted by Dieselmodels?
What makes a good model? What are photographers looking for? Are there are any minimum requirements?
Catwalk Modelling
Catwalk really does have a minimum height requirement of about five feet seven inches. This is for the big agencies that supply the models for the catwalk shows we see on television. Any shorter than this and a model would just look out of place. The top agencies, who have the pick of all the best girls, can afford to be very strict about this. There may be a few exceptions if you are outstanding in some other way and you may be taken on for purely photographic work. However you may find that the ‘second division’ model agencies and those in the provinces bend these rules a little. For local fashion shows the height requirement is not so important. You can look for posters or adverts in your local paper for fashion shows and phone up to see if they have enough models. If you are still at college, often the fashion students have a summer show, so you could volunteer for that. You can do nothing about your height, and however much you would love to be on the catwalk at London fashion week, if you are too short you will have to face up to this.
What facial looks are required?
Everyone’s face is different and there are certainly no definite rules about what makes a model in terms of facial beauty. On the other hand we all know that some people are more attractive than others. In the fashion world they do have fads and fancies about what ‘look’ is in. They at different times like ‘waifs’ or ‘aliens’, but to survive any time as a model you need to have a more universal appeal. Another thing to remember is that some people photograph much better than they look, or look better than they photograph. If you have an exceptional face you can work for beauty or portrait photographers, particularly outside of the cities, even if your figure is not quite right or you are too short for fashion. Generally speaking you need to be healthy looking, you do need to have good skin, so you should look after your face. Sometimes your skin colour may be important, for instance if a photograph is for a suntan cream, where a very pale-skinned model would not be appropriate. Models of a particular ethnic group are often required, for instance for black hair care products. You will need to learn about make-up, as very often there will not be a make-up artist, especially in provincial studios. Eyes are incredibly important in photographs, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep before a photoshoot. Your teeth need to be looked after, so you have a nice bright smile. You also need to look after your hair, and remember that longer hair has more possibilities because it can be put up, whereas a very short style is quite limited in what you can do with it. It is also important to look after your hands and nails for facial shots and portraits as you may need to rest your face on your hands. Bitten nails are not attractive.
What sort of figure do you need?
As with facial looks there are no hard and fast rules about what sort of figure is best for modelling, but once again we all know what is generally considered attractive by what we see on television and in magazines. Fashion models are nearly always tall and very slim, often to the point of being what we would call too skinny. Outside of the fashion industry many photographers prefer to work with models who look more like real women, whatever that means. There has been a slight trend towards curvier models recently. Generally you need to be well proportioned and it helps if you are reasonably fit, especially for modelling sportswear. If you are super-fit it is sometimes possible to specialize in sportswear and fitness modelling. If you have beautiful legs you may be able to model tights and stockings, and possibly shoes. Photographers do like a flat stomach, so you may have to try and pull it in. If you have a very large bust you will probably be popular with glamour photographers, but be prepared for them to ask you to take your top off, and make sure you have decided beforehand whether you want to or not. By eating healthily and doing exercise you may be able to improve your figure to some extent, but at the end of the day all of us are made a certain way, and sometimes nothing can change that. Never go without meals or starve yourself hoping to lose weight, as you will look unhealthy and it is not good for you.
Are there jobs for models that specialize in parts of the body?
Yes. Hand models are often hard to find especially when you need one. Many models will have photogenic faces and good bodies but their hands and feet can be just horrid. Often times you will use one person for the face and have a hand model reaching into the picture to provide the hands. Of course the photographer makes it look like one person but in fact there are two. With jewelry photography we look for good hands, nice neck, and ears. A good ear is very hard to find as they have to be shaped just right, the skin has to be very smooth, and you want them pierced for only one earring not 25. Unfortunately, paying jobs for jewelry modeling seldom come along. It is best to find other industries that need good-looking body parts. Parts models follow similar career paths as regular models.
How much do models make?
What you hear about is the fabulous big bucks that super models make. Out of all the models in the world, only a handful of them make this top dollar. Their yearly income can be in the millions. But for most models it will be far less. As a general rule, modeling fees will be in the range of photographer's fees. For a market like London, modeling agencies ask £150 an hour. This may not bring you the big bucks of a super model but it will give you a good living if you can find steady work. Outside London, for example in Manchester, models are charged out at £350 per day plus a 10% fee that goes to the agency.
Dieselmodels: Finding an Agency
This is where *Diesel Models *comes into it’s own. Go to “Model Agencies”, where you will have the contact details and links to over 200 model agencies up and down the UK. Use the links to access their website where available, check out the agency, and fill out the online application forms, attaching a suitable photo of yourself. The area the agency specialize in are written in blue next to the contact details. Contact those that suit what you are looking for and ask them to send you out a new faces application, or where necessary, ask them what to send in. Think carefully at what level you aim at. You may at first be disappointed by the agencies that say “no”, but to succeed you must persevere. They may be saying no because at that particular point in time they have more than enough models that have your particular look. A lot is about timing and luck. Do not just go for the top 5 agencies, try some of the smaller ones to.
Dieselmodels: So how do you find the right one?
Assuming you want to be a fashion and catwalk model the only agencies that should really concern you are the bigger established ones in London and maybe a few other big cities in the UK. We are talking here about modelling full time where you earn enough to support yourself from modelling alone. Remember there is fierce competition at this level, they have the pick of the best girls. They are fussy about height and unless you are at least 5 feet 7 inches they probably won’t be interested, however good looking you are. Start at the top and try sending your photos to these agencies first. Sometimes these agencies have a particular day of the week where they will see new models, so ring up first and find out when that is. Sometimes models start on a kind of probation, and if you don’t make the grade after a certain time they let you go. If you don’t get taken on by any of these bigger agencies you can try moving down the scale, but as you do the chances of earning the regular, big fees become smaller. If you are prepared to model part-time or occasionally some of the better regional agencies are fine. You may need to persevere and go to many agencies before you find someone to take you on. Be tenacious, it’s up to you to make it happen for yourself.
Dieselmodels: Registration fees?
Agencies should not charge you a fee to register or find you work. If an agency want to take you on, but the whole thing seems to be about you spending money, this is usually a warning sign that the agency makes more from the models than it earns from their commissions when they work, and your dream of being a model may be about to become an expensive disappointment.
Dieselmodels: Model Agencies
A modeling agency is a company that finds jobs for models, usually operating on commission. The top agencies work with big-budget advertising agencies and fashion designers. They invest money into developing their talent so they can increase their status within the industry. These top agencies will help train models, get test shoots, layout portfolios, and put together composition photo cards and other printed materials models need. They find work by making contacts with photographers and agencies, booking the jobs, billing for the jobs, and eventually paying the models for their time. By handling the details, an agency allows a model to focus on modeling and not on the business end. Because modeling is a very competitive, fast moving business that extends beyond the traditional working hours, an agency generally conducts business round the clock to handle emergencies, such as cancellations or rush jobs. Most agencies have an operator to direct emergency contact after hours. Modeling agencies use booking departments to keep track of who uses models. The agency has a phone that is manned and an office that a client can visit. These agents also send out reminders for fresh comp cards. They advertise, do lunches, do cold calls and turn over stones to find available modeling gigs.
Dieselmodels: Auditions and Open Calls
Modelling agencies will require new faces on a regular basis. The number of models in an agency depends on the demand brought in by its agents and changes throughout the year. To this end, modelling agencies advertise in local phone directories in order to remain visible. Each new model-screening process is different from one agency to the next: A dry call is where models mail unsolicited comp cards to an agency. While this may work with smaller agencies, larger agencies are constantly being inundated with these cards and frequently discard unsolicited comp cards. Another option is the walk-in, where a model calls for an appointment at an agency and receives and interview on that particular date and time. The model then has an opportunity to quickly review with the agent past experience and show his or her portfolio. The most popular process is the open call, where an agency will advertise that on a certain day, they will allow anyone to show up for an interview. Depending on the popularity of the agency within the industry and the advertising done by its agents, anywhere from several dozen to hundreds of candidates could attend an open call. It is not uncommon to have a line extending for several city blocks.
Dieselmodels: How to become a model
There are, however, several standard ways that a model can be discovered. These include via sending in photographs, or your portfolio, to modeling agencies and hopefully getting called in for an interview or a chat and ultimately being signed up. Then there is the possibility of going to an open casting and getting work that way. Alternatively, perhaps you will approach an agency, or even have an agency approach you.
Dieselmodels: Modeling: Physical Requirements
Physically, what do you need to be a female model? Well, if you are less than 5ft9, then you will find it very hard to get fashion modelling as all the clothes will be designed for those that are taller. You also need to be slim at least in the mainstream market, though some do look for larger models these days also you need to be in proportion throughout your body and have what is termed 'good bone structure' though this is subjective. Agencies often look for those with somehow distinctive features in their models, so as to isolate them from the mainstream good looking girl and to create someone who is instantly recognizable, but for all the right reasons. Again, some of these factors are very subjective like you need to be thick skinned and wanting to enter one of the most superficial industries there are. The rewards can be great, when they come. For the most part, we at Model resource concentrate on models represented by agencies. We do this because represented models tend to gain more notoriety and land bigger contracts than those that represent themselves. If you are in a market that has at least one modelling agency, I recommend you do meet with them before you choose to go it alone. If nothing else, you will get a better understanding of the industry, and possibly gain some insight into the local market.
Dieselmodels: Contractual Agreements
Most agencies sign their top talent to contracts, which vary in length based on the model's industry status and experience. However, because a good agency finds their models work and negotiates top price for their talent, they earn a commission of every job they book on a model's behalf.
Dieselmodels: Glamour Poses
Most models at one time or another have problems with photographers who ask the model to do poses they are not comfortable with. This can lead to embarrassment and awkward situations. So try to avoid getting in them in the first place. Having decided you want to be a model, next work out which types of modelling you want to do. You need to be aware that there are lots of photographers out there looking for ‘glamour’ models. Particularly on the internet this sooner or later boils down to topless and nude photos. If you are comfortable with this sort of work that is fine, but if you don’t it becomes a problem. Make your mind up what work you feel comfortable with and then make sure you explain exactly what poses are acceptable to you in any dealings with agents or photographers. Don’t give anyone the opportunity to say they thought you did that type of work. Don’t be vague and say you will do ‘any work’, or you are asking for trouble. Do not trust the word ‘glamour’, because it can mean almost anything anyone wants it to mean, and many photographers hide their real intentions by using this word. Models often reject ‘glamour’ out of hand, thinking this means ‘nude’, but many photographers use the word to describe tasteful clothed or swimsuit work, so make sure you don’t lose out on any work by asking the photographer to explain his ‘glamour work’. When looking for work say something like ‘I am available for photographic modelling work in beauty, fashion and tasteful glamour including swimwear and lingerie. No topless, nude or adult work please.’ You won’t miss out on any jobs you wish to do. Having explained what work you are prepared to do before the shoot, don’t be bullied or tricked into doing poses on the day which you are not happy about.
Dieselmodels: Glamour modelling
Remember that there are genuine photographers on the internet and elsewhere who are looking for nude models for photographic work, so if you have the confidence it may be worth going into this area where there is a lot of work, but it should be conducted in a professional way, by models and photographers. Make sure you really have the confidence to go through with it, and don’t waste people’s time if you are unsure or have family or boyfriend problems relating to this sort of modelling. If you are intending to do this sort of work don’t give your services away at the start either, as a new unpublished face is worth a lot more money than a model whose face has been around a long time. Find out exactly what poses are required before you agree to the session. There is a lot of difference between Page 3 type topless photos and those which appear in top-shelf mens magazines or on adult internet sites. Many models would probably like to do tasteful calendar nudes in exotic locations but unless you have a stunning face and figure the chances of getting this work are slim.
