Photo by David Trotter	If you've thought about getting into modeling - You've Come To The Right Place! We hope this information will help you to decide whether or not to try to become a model, or at least to have some fun modeling just to go online! Models are needed in almost every aspect of our lives. Both experienced and novice photographers and artists hire models for testing, to get experience, or to build their portfolios. Magazines, newspapers, billboards, catalogs, product literature and TV commercials use models to show off or accentuate merchandise or products such as: a pretty girl standing next to a new car a kid showing off a toy or eating cereal, or a macho guy on a horse showing off the new jeans
Agencies are constantly looking for new faces to use in their ads. Then there's the really-big money world of high fashion! Famous designers from around the world are always looking for beautiful new faces and bodies to show off their new lines of clothing.
Photo by David Trotter	The world of modeling is really big. From simple ads, to swimsuit calendars, to covers or centerfolds of famous magazines, there are literally thousands of opportunities for men, women and children of ALL ages! And that includes seniors! Remember, it wasn't a skinny, slightly dressed model that hollered: "Where's the beef?"
While most people have dreams of becoming a glamorous high fashion model working for top designers, the requirements are very strict (5'-9" minimum) and competition is very intense. Less than one in ten-thousand ever make it as a high fashion model. However, that doesn't mean that you can't make a very comfortable living and have a LOT of fun in other types of modeling! If you have pretty eyes, slender hands, great legs, or a size 5 foot, you can get very steady work as a "parts" model. And what about the "housewife" making orange juice or vacuuming a floor, or maybe the little kid playing with a new toy, or the elderly gentleman pondering an insurance policy. These are "character" models. Thousands of character models around the world earn several thousand dollars a year posing for products or catalogs. Plus, many photographers also hire models for fine art nude and figure studies, stock prints, etc. Nude models can also consider jobs with art and photography schools, glamour figure calendars, magazines, educational material, etc.
The point is, whether you're young or old skinny or "plus sized" tall or petite black, white or polka dotted there IS a spot for "your" look! First find it, then get going! Photo by David Trotter
Is it Hard to Start? Starting in modeling with Models-1 can be as easy as contacting us and letting us know what you're interested in. We can determine what skills you have or lack, tools you'll need and advise you on a path to get you going fast. The most successful method of beginning as a model is to start having a portfolio put together (usually 10 to 15 color 8 x10's), from which you and your photographer will then select the best 5 or 6 shots for your "composite". A composite is simply an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet (or 8x5 card), folded in half with your images, and the personal information about you. The only mandatory thing about a composite, is that all the pictures should be totally different. Different clothes, different hair (especially), different makeup, and a complete different look or "feel". Normally, the front of the composite has a tight head shot, then on the inside and/or back would be a selection of looks such as, lingerie, bathing suit, casual or sporty, a business look, and a glamorous look. Like a photographic "resume", the pictures in your composite will show the agency or client the way you look and photograph. What's more, they are precisely what the agency sends out to THEIR clients that hire models! This is not entirely inexpensive however - some photographers often charge as much as $150 PER LOOK for the photography alone! Know what to expect. Between the photographers sitting fees, proofs, printing and composites, you may have $1000 or more invested before you even step into an agency. Models-1 helps new models by keeping the start up cost VERY low. Click HERE to get an idea of what you can expect. Do I need a Portfolio? Don't be misled - some runway model agencies for example, will tell you that a portfolio or composite isn't really necessary - and that may be true - FOR THEM! But walk into most agencies and the first thing they will want to see is your composites and portfolio.
Photo by David Trotter	Unfortunately, the expense is mandatory, and always up to the model. WHile there are ways to keep costs down, if you really want a career in modeling, you'll have to put out the bucks to make it happen. Without the composites and portfolios, the agency will blow you off. They simply don't have time to explain to every newcomer that walks in the door (and there are hundreds every week), what he or she needs to do to get into modeling. But when you walk into their office with a stack of composites and your portfolio under your arm, they are MORE than happy to talk to you because they know you're serious and PREPARED!
With your tools for success completed, the rest is basically up to you. Regardless of how beautiful you are, you'll never get anywhere as a model if you don't go out and try to get hired. Stop into every agency in your area. Mail composites to those agencies that aren't local to you. Make sure that people SEE who you are and what you can do! Then we'll do what we can by setting up your page in Aspiring Faces International (our sister site), and we'll submit your photos or composite to whatever contacts we have that could possibly help you. TIPS FOR BEGINNERS: BEWARE OF THE SCAMS! Click HERE to learn more about how to spot scams, and what you can do about it if you're one of the victims! (Provided by the Southern California offices of the Better Business Bureau) Avoid agencies that tell you there is a "registration fee" to sign up with them. Reputable agencies PAY YOU - not the other way around. DON'T TAKE A MODELING SCHOOL COURSE! Talk to photographers and reputable agencies in your area first. Most will tell you that the school isn't necessary for the kinds of models they hire! Avoid agencies that say they are affiliated with any modeling school, or insist that you attend a particular school before they can sign you. Chances are they are actually only a recruiting office for the school, and will make NO EFFORT at all to help you find work once you complete their school. Talk with other working models, or professional photographers that work in the modeling industry. There's no better way to learn than from the people that have come before you. LEARN TO HANDLE REJECTION The hardest part of the modeling profession is being able to take rejection. You must be thick-skinned when it comes to model calls, casting calls or auditions. You will be rejected more times that you will be hired, and this is totally normal due to the number of people in the industry. DON'T GIVE UP! Once you start getting a few jobs, more people that do the hiring will know about you and things will get much better! Remember that YOU ARE UNIQUE! One thing we try hard to impress on all our models is to not be discouraged if you walk into a modeling call and see dozens of beautiful people that you think are much prettier than you are. Modeling is RARELY a beauty contest!! The casting directors are looking for a specific LOOK - and you may be exactly what they are looking for!
A Better Way to Start! With the popularity and growth of the Internet, online agencies are popping up everywhere! Now with Online Models Listings like the one we have with Aspiring Faces International, even beginners can be assured of the kind of exposure that used to cost big money to get. But getting exposure with pictures that don't get noticed, or pictures that aren't professionally done can be worse than no exposure at all. You don't want the people that hire models to remember you as the one with the bad pictures! Rick Wooton has been shooting models professionally for over 35 years. Internationally published, his work has been seen in over 400 magazines worldwide, and is still featured on dozens of web sites - which means that the photos in your portfolio will GET YOU NOTICED! We primarily shoot digital images, and add them to our database, as well as several other online services we also list with! Our models are listed with several other services, to give them the greatest possible exposure at the lowest possible cost. Within a few hours of preparing your pictures and your pages, you'll be listed with the other models on our site with your own personal web page! Then you'll be available to agents, scouts, art directors and casting directors AROUND THE GLOBE! What do I need to do? We are located in western Minnesota. If you are nearby, or can make the trip here to have the work done, simply call us and schedule an appointment! Bring any photos you already have in with you - they may also be included in your online listing. We also travel frequently, so let us know where you are and we can tell you if or when a trip might be planned for your area. If you have sample photos of yourself and would like to schedule a portfolio shoot with us, you can email your photos to: . To request a brochure, click the image below: Or write or call us at the addresses and number below for more information Models-1 712 9th Ave SE Rochester, MN. 55904 (218) 731-1599 To view the brochure online, select: cover and back | inside

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