Studio 9 has extensive working experience with models, from portfolio shoots through to advertising with models involved. There are several different types of modelling catered for and Studio 9 will be happy to discuss your requirements. For those considering a career in modelling we have put together an article on how to avoid many of the pitfalls, the various types of modelling available, the expectations of the industry (in particular fashion modelling) and how to effectively research the type of modelling you're interested in. We have even drawn up some useful safety advice. This article represents a perception of the modelling industry. This article has been written in an attempt to assist those interested in pursuing a career in modelling. Modelling can be an exciting full or part-time career. Successful models frequently specialize and pursue one main type of modelling. In the broadest of terms, there are three different types of modelling: Fashion Motion Pictures Print Media Fashion modelling is usually pursued in either London or elsewhere in Europe. The fashion industry looks to start with young girls, age 14-17, who are extremely thin, extremely tall, and possess a "distinctive" look. The odds of achieving a full-time durable career in fashion modelling are quite low. Each year, several new models achieve "supermodel" status and sign contracts for millions of dollars. Just like the lottery, there is the chance that you could be that lucky winner. This keeps the modelling schools full of "wanna-be" models. Motion picture modelling is pursued in Hollywood. While an acting education increases your chances, it is still a situation where an abundant number of models pursue a small number of jobs. Print media modelling is easiest to pursue in very large cities and in cities with very large fashion or advertising entities. That is, most of Revlon's models likely live near or regularly visit the studio of a Revlon corporate photographer. And the corporate photographer's studio is likely near the headquarters of the company. Modelling is not just "who you know", but also "where you live". Print media would include newspapers, magazines, mail order, calendars, greeting cards, postcards, advertising boards and the like. Print media modelling is an enormous area providing many opportunities to freelance photographers. Your career is what you make of it and you must be your biggest promoter. Start with research. Go to the library and check out all the books on modelling. Go to the bookstore. Look through modelling books and magazines and purchase some to read more thoroughly. Search the internet and read some more. Ultimately, it is up to you to determine your best career path. If you have decided to pursue print media modelling, there are three major themes to consider: Product Glamour (could include underwear or some topless) Erotic Product modelling emphasizes the product. Glamour modelling emphasizes the model. Erotic modelling emphasizes sex. A glamour photograph might promote a product, but it never understates the model. A glamour photograph might be erotic, but it is never pornographic. When properly done, a glamour photograph stops the reader and their eye dwells on our photo. Perhaps, we hope, they even forget what they were reading and how they actually got to this page. They become entangled in the lure and seduction of our photo. And for a moment, just a moment, our photo holds the reader's complete and total attention. Scenario 1 - Acme Modelling School wants you to pay them £3000 for modelling classes, £2000 to produce a portfolio using their photographer and £1500 to enter various contests. Ask yourself how long it will take to recover this £6500 expense. After graduation, does the modelling school find you jobs? If your first modelling job pays £400, you will need 17 similar jobs to pay for this experience. Is it worth it? Scenario 2 - Joe's Erotic Photography wants you to pose nude for the girl next door contest in Kitty Kat Magazine. Joe says that this is the way all the big names got started. Joe is wrong. Tread carefully here. Poorly executed and publicized nude photography might actually hurt your career - you may not be taken seriously by the modelling industry. Scenario 3 - Photos by Sallie wants you to pose in a swimsuit by a lighthouse. Sallie is not paying you for the modelling but has agreed to provide you with photographs for your portfolio. This is a good deal and is a common arrangement between photographers and models. Both need a steady supply of new photographs. More questions? Drop us an e-mail and we will try to offer as much practical support as possible. SAFETY: Modelling can be great fun, financially very rewarding and give you a great sense of achievement but there are some safety issues to bear in mind and we have highlighted some of these below: Never go to a photo shoot with a new photographer alone. Most photographers will arrange their own chaperone or will have CCTV installed in the studio to protect their reputation so as long as your guest doesn't affect the proceedings then there should be no objections. Always make sure that as many as people as possible know where you are having your shoot and you could even arrange for them to call you to make sure you are safe. NEVER do anything that you are not 100% comfortable with. If in doubt use another photographer. We are often asked for advice from hopeful models and we try as much as possible to offer friendly useful advice. Key in this career is confidence. Confidence will win over beauty most of the time. If we propose two models to a client I will bet any money you like that they will choose the most confident every time. This is never truer than when it comes to assignments say where the models are in the studio wearing lingerie or swimwear. You need to be super confident and sexy at all times and it's not easy when you have a dozen (fully clothed) people fussing over you. Hair, Make-up and dresser are all vying for you fullest attention and the photographer will be keen to get the shot in the bag.