MODEL TOP TIPS

Model Top Tips

Modelling is a highly competitive industry, and success is only achieved through professionalism, courage, good organisational skills, and a bit of luck. Do yourself a favour before you start and don’t sign with the first agency that comes to call. If an agency asks you to lose too much weight – don’t! Many girls have been known to starve themselves just to get on an agency’s books. Your health isn’t worth it. If you look hard enough, you will find an agency who can find you work just the way you are :)
Your Portfolio is the most important tool to any model – it is your calling card, your marketing material, your method of securing an agency and future clients. Make sure that your portfolio has a selection of different looks in it, which show how versatile you can be. A good beauty shot, with minimal makeup and hair swept back always works well on the first page, followed by a selection of other looks. UK BEAUTIES highly recommends Storm and Nevs photographer Danny Bourne for portfolios.
Avoid scam agencies! Beware of people approaching you in clubs and handing out business cards, and NEVER EVER go to anyone’s house for a photo shoot or meet them anywhere other than in a recognised building. Credible agencies will spot you during the day, and invite you to their offices to meet them. Never sign up to an agency without checking them with AMA (Association of Model Agencies), as they may not be reputable. Saying that, there are also a large amount of genuine agencies out there who are not AMA approved, but still operate at a very high standard and are reputable, which makes it difficult to know who to trust. If they are not recommended by the AMA, we would advise you to at the very least, check the agency is run by a limited company, google them, and do your research.
A smart model is a good model – always be in control! Present yourself well, smile and have more confidence than the agents an clients you meet. Walk in, shake their hands, and be focused, confident and energetic.
The phrase ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try try again’ is incredibly poignant in the modelling and beauty industry. If you don’t win the title at your first competition, or don’t nail that fist audition, don’t despair, keep persevering. Ask the winner what she did to win, or ask any friends already in the industry for their advice on how to succeed; their words are more powerful than you know.
Don’t be a diva! Since 60% of models are selected from castings, bitchy behaviour will get you nowhere.
Look after yourself. It may seem like supermodels are always partying like rock stars, but good skin, hair and nails are pre-requisites to being a good model. Alcohol, smoking and late night partying can all damage a healthy body and leave you feeling drained, with dull skin, hair and nails. Do yourself a favour and invest in a good skin – care range that is suitable for your skin type; have a conditioning hair treatment once a month, and eat lots of healthy food.
When you get that first job, give yourself a pat on the back, but don’t get worked up. During a job, always feel free to ask about anything you're not sure about. Politely ask who your working with to run through instructions and what is required of you, and when. A good photographer will be more than happy to help. After completing the job, always thanks the producer/photographer/director – people always remember professional behaviour and a smiley face. Like any other industry, word gets around.
Whenever you receive remarks back about your look, performance or attitude, good or bad, always respond nicely and with gratitude. Don’t get defensive if they don’t say what expected them to, after all this person is only trying to help and giving you the golden opportunity to sell yourself.
If at any time you feel that modelling isn’t for you, or if there’s anything you’re unhappy about – talk to your agent about it. If they don’t know you’re unhappy, they can’t help you. Be yourself, trust your instincts, and most importantly, have fun!

Modelling is a highly competitive industry, and success is only achieved through professionalism, courage, good organisational skills, and a bit of luck. Do yourself a favour before you start and don’t sign with the first agency that comes to call. If an agency asks you to lose too much weight – don’t! Many girls have been known to starve themselves just to get on an agency’s books. Your health isn’t worth it. If you look hard enough, you will find an agency who can find you work just the way you are :)
Your Portfolio is the most important tool to any model – it is your calling card, your marketing material, your method of securing an agency and future clients. Make sure that your portfolio has a selection of different looks in it, which show how versatile you can be. A good beauty shot, with minimal makeup and hair swept back always works well on the first page, followed by a selection of other looks. UK BEAUTIES highly recommends Storm and Nevs photographer Danny Bourne for portfolios.
Avoid scam agencies! Beware of people approaching you in clubs and handing out business cards, and NEVER EVER go to anyone’s house for a photo shoot or meet them anywhere other than in a recognised building. Credible agencies will spot you during the day, and invite you to their offices to meet them. Never sign up to an agency without checking them with AMA (Association of Model Agencies), as they may not be reputable. Saying that, there are also a large amount of genuine agencies out there who are not AMA approved, but still operate at a very high standard and are reputable, which makes it difficult to know who to trust. If they are not recommended by the AMA, we would advise you to at the very least, check the agency is run by a limited company, google them, and do your research.
A smart model is a good model – always be in control! Present yourself well, smile and have more confidence than the agents an clients you meet. Walk in, shake their hands, and be focused, confident and energetic.
The phrase ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try try again’ is incredibly poignant in the modelling and beauty industry. If you don’t win the title at your first competition, or don’t nail that fist audition, don’t despair, keep persevering. Ask the winner what she did to win, or ask any friends already in the industry for their advice on how to succeed; their words are more powerful than you know.
Don’t be a diva! Since 60% of models are selected from castings, bitchy behaviour will get you nowhere.
Look after yourself. It may seem like supermodels are always partying like rock stars, but good skin, hair and nails are pre-requisites to being a good model. Alcohol, smoking and late night partying can all damage a healthy body and leave you feeling drained, with dull skin, hair and nails. Do yourself a favour and invest in a good skin – care range that is suitable for your skin type; have a conditioning hair treatment once a month, and eat lots of healthy food.
When you get that first job, give yourself a pat on the back, but don’t get worked up. During a job, always feel free to ask about anything you're not sure about. Politely ask who your working with to run through instructions and what is required of you, and when. A good photographer will be more than happy to help. After completing the job, always thanks the producer/photographer/director – people always remember professional behaviour and a smiley face. Like any other industry, word gets around.
Whenever you receive remarks back about your look, performance or attitude, good or bad, always respond nicely and with gratitude. Don’t get defensive if they don’t say what expected them to, after all this person is only trying to help and giving you the golden opportunity to sell yourself.
If at any time you feel that modelling isn’t for you, or if there’s anything you’re unhappy about – talk to your agent about it. If they don’t know you’re unhappy, they can’t help you. Be yourself, trust your instincts, and most importantly, have fun!