1. FOREWORD

Photographic modeling is an exciting, glamorous, and creative career that can also be financially rewarding. However, modeling is a very competitive field. Sometimes people with patience and perseverance, rather than looks, are more successful. Rejections are part of the modeling profession, and should never be taken personally. Other than being genetically fortunate, there is usually no luck involved in becoming a successful model. It requires developing some basic skills, following some established business practices, and using common sense. The purpose of this Model Manual is to highlight the necessary skills and acceptable practices in modeling, as a help in guiding you toward a career.

Karl Yuneli

I’ve included Karl’s modeling guide as a standard issue to new models coming into my studio. Most young girls at one time or another dream of being models, yet few will ever achieve that dream. Nearly all beginning models are terribly naive to the business and their perceptions of the industry. While the majority of agencies, photographers, and clients are well-respected professionals, there are unfortunately many out there who make their living preying on your dreams, using your innocence to milk you out of hundreds if not thousands of dollars, all the while promising to "make you a star". There are also occasionally sexual predators that depend on your ignorance to lure you into situations that may well end up terrifyingly beyond your control. It is my intent to make sure beginners are aware of the good as well as the bad, and know when either situation is at hand.

Primarily, while we neither encourage or discourage anyone from trying to become a model, or make any claims as to the possible success or future of a new model, you should be aware that items such as a portfolio and composite (which you will learn about inside this manual) are required items that are almost always at the model’s expense. Since success as a model also requires a considerable investment of your time and effort, we want you to know the facts before you waste your money, or your (and our) time. While Models-1 strives to keep the cost of these items at the absolute lowest cost, even a mini shoot to get you on the Internet could cost you $100 or more, and the photography time, a full portfolio and composite master could cost you in excess of $600. Therefore, before you go through all the time and expense, ask yourself if you really have the desire and will to try to succeed before you book your shoot.

Rick Wooton