3. IS THERE A DOWN SIDE?
Of course. As fun and glamorous as modeling can be, it can also be very hard work, with incredibly long hours. But there are some negatives to modeling that you should be aware of, and we will touch on several of them over again during the course of this text. But the prime examples are:
- Getting started could be expensive!
As we point out several times in this text, most models are required to have a portfolio and composites. These are YOUR tools and they are always at the models expense. Costs for training, portfolio shoots and composites can run from a few hundred dollars in some cases to as much as $2000 or more. Knowing this going in, you'll have an opportunity to negotiate for time with photographers or even trade time for prints to build your portfolio at a reduced cost. But in any case - be prepared.
- Beware the vultures.
The very fact that you are interested brings up a very negative point: Tens of THOUSANDS of people around the world make their living TAKING YOUR MONEY! Preying on the dreams of young would-be models, these vultures will promise you ANYTHING to get you to pay for a school, or to attend a "scouting call". As long as you are in the modeling business or trying to get in, the vultures will be CONSTANTLY after you. After awhile, you'll be able to spot them fairly easily, but they will usually aggressively go after you when you are new to the business and terribly naive. Be careful!
- You must be thick skinned.
This point is mentioned several times, but you will likely hear "no" many more times than you will ever hear yes, especially at first. Keep in mind, there are THOUSANDS of people trying to break into modeling every day. You may not have the "look" the client is looking for, or perhaps it's because they are looking for a more experienced model. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED! Thank them for their time, and ask politely if they can refer you to someone else that may be able to use you! Most would actually be happy to help you if they can! But keep going!
- You must be comfortable with your body!
In some cases, you may be on a modeling job with no place to change. While this is not at all common, it DOES happen! Especially on location shoots. For example, those beautiful girls you see in the swimsuit calendars that are being shot in exotic and romantic locations, are usually on a very out-of-the-way beach, and quite far from any dressing rooms. Even when there is a dressing room area, there may be several men and women working in the same area while you are expected to change into another bathing suit. Actually, as difficult and embarrassing as this may sound to a beginner, after you've done it, you will be surprised at how comfortable and natural it all seems after awhile. You actually begin to notice that while you are changing, very few people are even paying attention to you anyway. Also girls, don't be surprised if the "wardrobe person" (the person whose job it is to see that the outfits you are wearing fit right) is a man. This is very common. Whether it is a dress or even lingerie or bathing suits, he will likely assist you in putting the outfit on, and adjusting it as necessary to prepare for the shoot.
- Be prepared to work for nothing!
Nothing is a misleading term actually... what I mean is, be prepared to work for no money in some cases - especially at first. If you can work for "tear sheets" (explained in the next section), or even just to get IN to some better known catalogs or editorial shoots - GO FOR IT! It will all pay off later if you do!
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