5 Modeling Mistakes You Might Be Making That Can Hold You Back- Part 2
Hi everyone! I know you all have just been so excited about the continuation of my blog post on common modeling mistakes. Keep in mind that these things are more geared towards freelance models, rather than agency or “signed” models. Let’s get to it!
You listen to the promises everyone makes you.
If you are brand new to the modeling world, you will soon learn that a lot of people are simply just full of it. You will meet many people who will tell you that they are connected to this person and that person, and that they can get you published in whatever big name magazines, etc. Don’t take anyone seriously until what they have told you comes true. By believing all of the things these industry professionals (or un- professionals) are telling you, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. As exciting as it is to be told that you could be “the next big thing” or what not, it likely isn’t true what they are saying. Set reasonable goals for yourself and network like crazy, but be wary of who you are crossing paths with! Always do your research.
You are waiting to be “discovered” or “scouted.”
This one always makes me want to shout, “You have been idle and waiting for “someone” to “find” you for HOW long?” The most successful freelance models are constantly networking. I have never waited for someone to “find” me. I take every opportunity I have to talk to new faces, introduce myself, and make a genuine connection. When you are freelance YOU ARE your own representation.
You are pursuing an area of modeling that your “look” just doesn’t work for.
I am really not talking about bodies in this section. Believe it or not, this can have nothing to do with your body shape, weight, etc. What I mean is that it is going to be very hard to become a successful high fashion model if you have a commercial/lifestyle look. Your “look(s)” are so much more than your body. It has to do with your energy. Similarly, if you are wanting to be a trade show model but don’t have the “spunky” personality, bright eyes, and energy that are all requirements of being a trade show model, it is going to be difficult to get work as a trade show model.
You don’t have quality makeup and hair for your shoots.
Poorly done hair and makeup can be very distracting and really hurt an image. Your wardrobe. I highly recommend hiring a makeup artist for your portfolio shoots if you cannot do your own professional level makeup! There is only so much that a photographer can “edit” out of a shot, and not all photographers have the same level of retouching skills.
You are simply working with the wrong people, or have gotten stuck in a photographer-model “clique” that you are having trouble separating from.
I have mentioned this in previous blog posts. It can be very easy to cruise along and work with random photographers, but what can hurt you is working with the wrong ones. Other photographers might now want to work with you because you work with someone who has a bad reputation in your city (trust me, this is a real thing). Cliques in the industry exist… between studios, agencies, meet-up groups. If you think of the saying, “You are the 5 people who you surround yourself with,” this goes for the modeling industry as well. You may be judged based on who you work with. Do your best to steer away from the cliquey parts of the industry and pave your own way. Staying lone wolf has really served me well for my entire career. I enjoy being able to work with a wide variety of photographers without being worried that someone might decide to not work with me because I worked with some other photographer they have beef with.