Things one can do to become a model
Modeling life seems surreal and almost as easy as a cakewalk, but there’s no shortcut or an easy trick for becoming the face of a reputed magazine or a brand. Although it seems like there are unattainable beauty standards that one needs to be genetically blessed with to get flooded with opportunities, many models despite their good looks, don’t find the right exposure and end up being undiscovered and lost. Many new comers get it right real soon and that’s because they’re either lucky or super smart. Since you were lucky enough to stumble upon this article, we can surely guide you into how you can achieve your modeling dreams by following our smart tips:
1. Start with yourself
This means taking care of your health and skin just like any runway model or actress would. It doesn’t have to involve lavish spending. Try out homemade remedies, develop a proper skincare routine and stick to it. Look after your hair, nails, feet, teeth, etc. Every inch of you from top to the bottom should look healthy and supple. Become someone an agency or a production would like to hire. It’s important to feel like a model to look like one. Spending a little on yourself will help you look naturally glamorous in the long run.
2. Collaborate
Gone are the days when models had to run behind photographers and cash out huge chunks of money for a single portfolio shoot. Thanks to the rising popularity of DSLRs and its availability, many budding photographers are ready to work with fresh, good looking faces to curate their portfolios. Same goes for the budding make up artists. Collaborate with the good ones and come up with photos good enough to sell you to your client. Look up the portfolios of famous models and see which pose or theme works for you. This will help you get a good portfolio for free!
3. Social media matters
Your social media plays a huge role in showcasing your fashion sense, taste, lifestyle, personality and also how well you’re able to influence your followers with your page. Brands love to collaborate with models that have a good reach that will help them reach out to a larger consumer base. Also plan your posts beforehand to make it look professional and post regularly because out of sight is out of mind. So make your instagram game strong and you’re already halfway there.
4. Putting yourself out there
Once you’re done polishing yourself, there’s still a whole list of things you need to reach out to:
- Modeling agencies. They can help you in a huge way in getting quality projects and cater to your auditions and projects making sure you build a good image in the industry. They do half your work for you letting you concentrate on the more important job of cracking the audition. An agency will sign up with you once they are assured that you have the potential to get good projects. So if you get selected in one, awesome! But if not, don’t stop. Keep working on yourself and keep applying for open auditions. Once you manage to get some work to yourself, then you will ultimately be noticed.
- Casting groups on social media. These pages are available on instagram as well as facebook and they will help you get updated with every audition that takes place and who is conducting it. Keep their notifications on and know the who’s who of the casting industry. More on this in our article on How to crack an audition 101(insert hyperlink).
5. Join a modeling/ pageant/ acting school
Every skill needs expert guidance and so does this. Joining a good reputed school will help you learn everything you need to flourish in the industry. And investing in a good course can never go waste. Most agencies are willing to take someone who is out of a well approved acting/ modeling/ pageant school.
6. Make contacts, get noticed
Get in touch with casting directors, their assistants, be on their speed dial, keep updating them with your work and portfolio. This will ensure that whenever there’s a new requirement, they’ll think of you and approach you. Reach out to people who you know can help you out and get you good opportunities. Build contacts and communicate continuously.
7. Repeat the hustle
By now you would have landed on your first gig. Don’t just stop there. Keep attending auditions and keep doing everything that you had been doing, keep the struggle going until the time you get noticed by some real good production. Once you get two to five good production with more screen time or visibility, it’ll get easier and work will start flowing in.