1.  Decide if you want to be a model. 
You have about a 1 in 10,000 chance of becoming the next Kate Moss, Jordan, or Naomi Campbell, whatever your looks, attributes, and determination.  To reach that level you need all of these, plus a natural aptitude plus a HUGE amount of luck and good fortune.  Aim in the first place to get a little regular part time work, which pays well by the hour, and is enjoyable. This is NOT an easy target, most new models do not reach this stage.  If you reach this stage you can set your sites higher.

2.  Decide on what type of modelling you want to do,
and be realistic. 

Fashion? It's tough, but fashion models need to be over 5'8" and slim, with a flawless complexion, perfect teeth, and no obvious tattoos.  If this is not you, then you will not be taken on by the modelling agencies who supply the fashion industry. If you meet all criteria except the height, you may be able to get paid fashion shoots directly from photographers.

Promotional? This means attending events and the remit may range from standing around looking pretty to interviewing to basic acting.  Your personality and possibly your speaking voice are important here. 

Glamour? A huge industry - remember though that it is an industry and the rules of supply and demand apply.  There will be many girls who will work for free, or for a few prints (you will probably have to in the beginning to get experience).  You must ask yourself why a photographer would choose to pay you instead of using a model who works for free. How are you different from a nice looking girl in the street?  Answers may be:-

• You have an appearance which is demand by photographers
• You have a reputation for working well in front of the camera with an arsenal of different expression and poses
• You have a large wardrobe of outfits
• You are prepared to work topless or nude
• etc.

Also remember that a photographer takes your pictures for a reason, so you will have little or no control over where are how your images are displayed or shown.

3. How much can you earn? 
Rates that photographers pay on my studio range from TFP (Time for prints)  to £75 an hour.  As a guide, the usual rate paid for an experienced model working to tasteful art-nude is around £35 per hour.  Typical booking times are two hours. 
Travelling expenses are important.  Most photographers would prefer to book a local model and avoid travelling expenses.  Most are not keen to pay travelling expenses for the model and her chaperone.  As ever, there are always exceptions, but look upon these as a bonus and not a regular occurrence.

4. Model Releases.
This is a document which clarifies that the photographer holds the copyright to the photographs (which he does by law anyway) and states that you have agreed that he can use them as he wishes. He wants to sell them, of course, and some markets insist on a model release. Some models charge extra for a model release. This is really just the same as adding to your fee, and most photographers will find this an irritation, and just a higher fee to pay - after all, don't you WANT to be published?  Most professional model do not charge for signing a model release.

5. To get started
You need a portfolio so that prospective clients can see what you look like.  Its expensive to send prints out, and the best way nowadays is to either email your images or have them on the web. 

If a modelling agency asks you to pay for a portfolio DON'T.  That is a 100% sure sign of an organization that makes its money directly from the models rather than from clients who hire the models. Most of the web based modelling agencies fall into this category and should be avoided.

You may be able to find a good photographer who will do a session with you so that you both get some good pictures - this is called "Time for prints" (TFP, or sometimes PFT or nowadays TFCD - Time for CD).  Some hobbyist photographers are very good, but many are mediocre. (Some are downright sleazy, but sadly this applies to pros too)  Always ask to see his work on the web. Make sure he can do the style you want, highly artistic angst ridden stark grainy black and white pictures are of little use to a would be glamour model.  Similarly all boobs and bum shots are no good to a would-be fashion model.  You may also have to wait months for your pictures.

Consider paying a photographer for a shoot.  Professional photographers who are experienced in this area (like us for instance) can come up with goods and you could recover the fee with a few hours of paid work.  Don't confuse this with an agency - the photographer makes his money by his photography, proper agencies make their money by finding models work. After you have paid the photographer, finding the work thereafter is up to you.   However a very small number of photographic businesses can provide effective publicity for new models. We are one of those. 


Publicise yourself on message boards and all the free portfolio hosting sites you can.  The images you get from us are web-ready - i.e. the right size for uploading directly to these sites.

6. When you are up and running
ABOVE ALL have a professional attitude.

Email is important to you Reply promptly to all emails which are not offensive or from known timewasters.  Models who succeed in this business check their email every day.  They also travel a lot which means they have to use internet cafes and libraries and friends etc. At first this will be tedious as there will not be much of interest, but if you have some ability and natural talent, and a professional attitude it will build up.  If you don't, it won't.

Your Mobile is almost as important. Never switch it off or allow the batteries to run down. Reply to your voicemail and text messages promptly.

If you do get offensive emails, then do not reply or acknowledge in any way. 

Always turn up on time or a few minutes early for a shoot.  Photographers talk to each other, and models quickly develop reputations - make sure yours is a good one.  

Talk to other models (email is fine).  Ask for and give your views on photographers, without being libellous.

  BEWARE OF AGENCIES. 95% or more of the agencies who advertise on the web are bogus and make their money from the joining fees of gullible models.

7. When you decide to call it a day
you cannot remove your pictures from circulation.  They will probably be somewhere on the web for the foreseeable future.  But let me know and I will remove your pictures from my sites if you you wish. 

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Still not sure??
If you just want to see how you look,  you can book a session and see how you it goes.  If you don't want to "go public" then I won't put your pictures on the site.
Or you can book a private commission shoot where the pictures are not put on line anyway.

Now, if I have not put you off, email me or give me a call on 0777 625 6496 and we can set up a shoot.

Looking forward to working with you

Dave
    

NOTE, if having booked a shoot, you don't turn up without giving reasonable notice, that is IT.  NO second chances, you simply do not have the right attitude. 
If any other photographers ask our opinion of you, we will mention the fact that you did not turn up and point them in the direction of models with a more professional attitude.