Nienke van der Peet

I started writing this a little while ago but it got stuck in my drafts folder. Still relevant though, unfortunately. 

Ah the internet! A constant stream of shit and support, especially on instagram (I'm not very active on twitter). 

So I get some trolls every now and then, who will comment things like "You should lose 10-15 pounds, I think I'd like you better). This was my answer. 

Ah @fernandow30... That's all I've got for you 🖕 There's always some guy who thinks I give a crap whether or not he likes me. I really don't🤷‍♀️😂 But seriously, if anyone ever tells you that you need to change for them to like you more, flick the bird and leave! They are so not worth your time💀💩

A post shared by Nienke (@nienkevdpeet) on Apr 1, 2017 at 5:31am PDT

Then comes the follow up. A lot of people (mainly women) saying "you tell em" and "slay". Which I really appreciate. It's beautiful so see people supporting each other.

Then a discussion will ensue (mainly between men) that I do care, otherwise I wouldn't post it on my instagram. To which I say, "I don't care about his opinion of me, I do care that he thinks it's ok to speak to women (or people for that matter) like that".

And that's why I speak out. And put it on my insta. Because there is a strange internet culture where people will say things to each other that they wouldn't say to their face.  

Why? On the receiving end of that nasty message is a human being. So treat them with respect. One guy left a creepy "I wan't to make passionate, hot, sweaty love to you". I called him out and he said the reason why he posted it was because I had posted a picture of myself in lingerie. He said he would never say that to a woman face-to-face because he had respect for her and because the women in "real life" would not dress like that. 

So it's all my fault for posting a picture of lingerie. Because he can't control himself and respect a woman regardless of what she wears.... Where have we heard that argument before? 

So I told him that it was a sad situation where he was blaming women for his creepy comments because he couldn't control himself. 

His response: "You know what young lady, I usually do not compromise what I believe in. I have no problem with you, or with what u wear.... especially if it makes you feel good, and boost you self-esteem , and confidence. So with that said, I apologize for making a remark that offended you, and hope you accept my deepest apology. Cause at the end of the day I am a man first, and can admit when I am wrong, especially when someone feelings are hurt as I have hurt you. I will never cross that line again. Hope all is forgiven between us, and that I can remain giving you compliments with your consent. Take care"

Now overall I'd say, hurray! It's nice that someone actually listens and realises that maybe he did cross the line. But why I why does he have to start with "young lady". It is the most condescending thing ever! The inclusion of the "young lady" makes it hard to take this as a genuine apology. 

That and the fact that he still to this day leaves sexual comments on my pictures. I do on occasion block people but not very often. Mainly because I would rather engage in a conversation to see if someone's perspective might be changed. 

 Troll seeking attention

Some people tell me that I should just ignore all the trolls and misogynistic men. Because that's all they want, attention. 

I think that's the case for some of them, but not all. Some genuinely seem to think that their way of addressing women is acceptable. It is not. 

Someone left a comment on one of my pictures saying "I hope she gets raped." I went into his profile and this is a high school kid. If even. He looks like he's 14 years old. When a kid behaves like that, what kind of man will he grow into? 

If someone would do that in the street I would speak out. So why wouldn't I do it online?

But still, you get responses like "calm down sweetheart. Not worth it. You are gorgeous and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise". 

This guy means well. However, don't tell me to calm down and refer to me as "sweetheart". Condescending again. First of all, I'm not about to jump off a building. I am speaking out against trolls and bullies. I applaud anyone who does that. Why do we just need to take it? Second of all, he's telling me to "not let anyone tell me otherwise". Which is exactly what I'm doing. Though he doesn't seem to get that. 

I applaud anyone who speaks up, whether or not it's online or in the "real" world. Our society is what we make of it.

I've been trying Hairstory's New Wash for the past month and decided to share my own hair story. Fairy tale style, obviously. If you can't be bothered, scroll down for the summary. 

Once upon a time there was a tall girl in a flat country with curly hair. But she didn't know what to do with that hair. So she washed it daily, brushed it often and walked around with a fluffy pyramid. 

Then the internet came along and the tall girl started to read about curls. She did the low poo and no poo but it was all money down the drain and confusion ruled her head. 

A few summers later the girl heard all about the no-sulphate movement and was determined to get involved. So a big shampoo-shuffle ensued and the sulphates were shown the door. Now the girl could feel good about washing and brushing because she was no longer damaging her hair.

But feeling good and hair looking good aren't related unfortunately. The girl was still trapped in a vicious circle of hair colouring, keratin treatments and hot irons, just so she would not look "so unprofessional and frizzy". 

On top of that the tall girl's job included having her hair styled regularly by evil but wonderfully skilled fairies. They did not always care about damage to the hair. As long as the hair was looking divine no one would whine. (sorry, I'm running on my last creative fumes ;-)

But then the tall girl had a revelation when looking in the mirror. Her once lovely dark blonde curls were reduced to a bay of dry hale. It didn't look fair and it didn't look fine.

After her many hair crimes she realised she was going to have to do time. So hair colouring appointments were cancelled and the hot iron was hidden away only to be used on special occasions. Months went by and the dead strands were slowly replaced by glossy locks. 

The tall girl had also decided to go back to the tried and trusted drugstore hair care. The battle seemed to be won. But the war wasn't over...

The girl was always curious about new things and not one to shy away from a challenge. So when Hairstory dared her to only try their "New Wash" for a month she immediately said yes. The rules were to use New Wash and forgo any other shampoo and conditioner.

The girl dove head first into this new world were the 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner concoctions did not leave her with the urge to shave her head. Every 3 days the girl wetted, creamed, brushed and washed her hair. She really quite enjoyed this "new wash". It smelled like a herbal dream and left her hair feeling rather nice, even moisturised! 

However the New Wash did not have the cleansing power of a regular shampoo and after a while the girl started to feel like washing her hair every day, just to keep the grease at bay. She wanted to win the challenge but by week 4 she had to give in and rely on her old friend, the regular shampoo. 

Then the girl started to experiment with her old wash and her new wash. And 2 weeks later she realised she had found the magical formula. She could continue using her New Wash, she just had to honour her old wash once every 2 weeks. 

She kept doing this and her hair was happier than it had ever been. It danced on her shoulders and twirled around her head. 

The girl may have lost the challenge but she won hair peace. And that was all that mattered. 

Summary

A little back story. Sonja Bakker is a Dutch "diet guru" who wrote her first book when I was a teenager. I did not need to diet or lose weight, but I got caught up in the Sonja-Bakker-craze and bought the book. It was around the same time that we all asked ourselves, "does my butt look big in this"? And yes, my butt looked big in most things. And apparently that was a bad thing. 

I followed her eating plan. It was horrible, restrictive and left me constantly hungry and unhappy (a diet that only allows you between 800-1000 calories per day will do that to you). Safe to say I didn't follow it for a very long time, but it did leave me with a distinct sense of failure. Thanks for that by the way.

I'm so happy we have moved on from that. And that we can also celebrate a big butt. That we are now more accepting of diverse bodies. Being thin is no longer the only acceptable body type.

Now Sonja Bakker has another book to promote. So she comes out of the woodwork with some pretty disgusting ideas in the May issue of Linda Magazine. This is a magazine that I generally love. But this interview left me raging. 

She starts out by saying that "I never finish a bag of crisps. But I don't starve myself either. If I do let go, I will compensate the next day."

So far so good.

But then she has the audacity to go on that "as a Dutch woman, I've got a lifetime sentence. My goal isn't a size 34. I don't even find that beautiful. And I accept my Dutch build. Because I will never get a small butt like the Spanish women."

Excuse me?

Now for one I think it's a pretty sad situation that she sees her "Dutch build" as a lifetime sentence. And to spout that nonsense on such a big platform is frankly irresponsible. Because Dutch women should feel bad if they have a "Dutch build"...? And wtf is that even, I only have to look at a small sample of Dutch women to see how diverse their builds and bodies are.

However, now comes the worst thing:

"I could be upset, but you can also look at it differently. Spanish women often have a moustache and an ugly nose. Well, I'd rather have the ass."

WTF!

I mean, come on!

For real?

Not only have you generalised that all Dutch women have a body type that they should be embarrassed off,  now you bring Spanish women down with another shaming generalisation. Just so you can feel better about your own ass? 

Give me a break. 

Sonja Bakker seems pretty entitled and not very open to the beauty and diversity in this world. But I guess that is her business. Making people (mainly women) feel bad about their bodies so she can make money with her silly diets. 

Sonja, I hope your next book is going down the shitter. Especially since you call it "bikiniproof" and released it on the 11th of May. Plenty of time for a crash diet before summer starts, you must have thought. And who would dare to wear a bikini without living up to Sonja Bakker's standards...

Well I dare. And so should everyone. Including Sonja Bakker herself. Frankly I feel sorry for her that she is so unhappy with her own body that she needs to put other women down.  

You probably have your own local version of Sonja Bakker. Do yourself a favour and ignore! The age of body positivity and diversity is here. And no butt-and-nose-hating Sonja Bakker is going to change that. 

Dutch women, Spanish women and all other women, you are all bloody great. Your bodies are amazing, your noses are beautiful and whether or not you have a moustache (on your face or anywhere else...), it is frankly no one's business. And it certainly does not take away from your spirit, beauty, intelligence and kindness. 

Yes, I know I got a little behind of my "how to become a model" series. But there's no time like the present to continue. Also because it would be a waste of all the posts in my drafts folder. 

Got signed?

Congrats! Now the real work begins.

Your agency will start you off with some test shoots so you can develop your book (and practise. Like everything, you'll get better the more you practise). All models do test shoots when they start out and throughout their career to keep their book updated. I generally enjoy my test shoots. It's nice to work with a small team and do something else than commercial jobs. Like editorial shoots, tests tends to be a little more creative, it's less about the product and more about you. 

For some of these test shoots you might have to pay the photographer and the hair & make up person. Generally your agency will advance the money and you pay them back once you book a paid job. 

If you signed with an agency and they are asking you for money, run! You should not pay upfront for your test/website/book etc. That comes out of the commission that you pay to the agency. Now there are cases where you will pay for a test yourself, but that will generally be directly to the photographer. You don't pay your agency, they pay you. 

Here are a few images of my early tests :-)

For your first test, your agency will want to get a couple of different looks so they can start building your book. Your booker should put together a mood board and give you some suggestions for what outfits to bring for the shoot (unless there's a stylist). I always prefer to bring a bunch of stuff so you have options.

Now is a good time to think about shooting lingerie/swimwear/nudes. I personally shoot all of those and have never had any issues with doing so. But if you'd prefer not, you should discuss this with your agency. Or maybe you'll start shooting them when you get a little more comfortable. The most important thing is that you don't feel forced into doing shoots you don't feel comfortable with.

Remember to bring a nude (your skin colour) and a black strapless bra. And a nude thong. When you've got a drawer full of skin coloured underwear you know you're a professional model ;-) (Also bring your nude underwear to jobs. The stylists doesn't provide this and it's part of your job to bring it.) 

Most agencies will also try to get you some free test shoots, which tend to have varied results. I've had really great images through free tests, but also some disappointing ones. Reason for that is that often the photographer has a specific idea of what he wants. The make up & hair person is probably not getting paid so he or she will want to get something out of it as well. That might result in the final image not fitting in your book. 

But it's still a good experience and even though it might not end up in your book, you can always post it on instagram. Unless it's really terrible, in that case, hide it in a folder on your computer and move on. And trust me, every single model has that folder ;-). 

IVE ALREADY DONE MY BASIC FLOW OF 7 POSES.. I GOT NOTHIN LEFT. *repeats the same poses over again until he stops shooting*

A photo posted by Shit Model Management (@shitmodelmgmt) on Oct 27, 2016 at 8:10am PDT

Also in this series

Do you want to be a model?

How to get started in modelling

So I'm partial to wearing pretty lingerie, preferably matching. It makes me feel good, even though no one might see it. 

Freya lingerie was kind enough to send me a few sets which I really, truly, honestly love. And if someone writes "really, truly, honestly" you know they're being genuine ;-).

My pickle is that I've a bit in-between band sizes. I generally wear a size 32F or a 34DD/E. It depends on how tight the 32 band size is because I'm more of a 33 (and I can't stand the band being too tight! Girl needs to breathe...). But just like with other items of clothing, sizing can vary between brands.

Anyhow, with Freya I've found my perfect 32F match!

First up, this gorgeous set called Willow Palm. I'm wearing a 32F bra and a size L thong. It fits great and I really love the half lacy cups, which give it a playful and sexy edge. The cups are unpadded but wired, which is currently my preference. I'm a bit done with the padded/push up bras. I like my boobs the way they are, they just need a little support.  

The bottoms run from a size XS to XL at £13 and the bra goes band sizes 28 to 38 and cup size B to H (please note that the 28B/28C and 30B/30C are not available). Price: normally £30 but now on sale for £15! There are still quite a few sizes in stock. 

Next up is the Freya Fancies. Again I'm wearing a 32F and the Brazilian bottom in a Large. And again, a very well fitting and comfortable bra. I like the mix of the two different types of lace and the fact that it fits so well! 

The bottoms are cute, not quite a thong but not as bulky as normal knickers (which I really don't get on with). I know some people hate the "floss" but I personally find that any pair of regular knickers like keep scrunching up. So they end up being floss. Just very bulky floss ;-).

You're welcome by the way for that mental image. 

It is a well known fact that straight sized models have to be thin. And that many girls are asked to lose weight when they join the industry (or before a agency will sign them).

Now some girls will work incredibly hard to become and stay thin, Some develop eating disorders along the way, which is absolutely awful. No one should starve for fashion.

But not all models do. Some are naturally thin. They are the girls that would never gain weight no matter what they ate. And are told to "eat a burger!".

Curves have nothing to do with a woman's realness

They are also the girls and women that are body shamed by all the memes of "real women have curves" and "only dogs like bones". Yes I get that it's catchy and easy to share. And someone might feel justified for all the years that they've been made to feel like they were too big. But that doesn't give anyone the right to make someone else feel bad about their body. But that's a whole other post entirely.

I want to get back to the fact that as a straight sized model, you are expected to keep your weight down. Some girls are signed before puberty and once it hit, they can find it incredibly hard to keep the same measurements. If they get a little bigger, they are told by both their agency and clients that they are too big and that they need to lose weight. Or sometimes they will just call them "fat". Even though they are very far from what anyone would consider fat. 

So the industry calls you fat while the rest of the world shames you for being too thin. How's that for a mindf*ck?

 Your curves are too small!

Now on the other side of the industry you have the bigger girls, called Curve or Plus size. These terms are still interchanged but it covers a size range of  a UK 10 up to an UK 18.  I belong to that part of the industry but the size 10-14 models are often told that we are too small.

I have friends whose bookers have told them quite clearly that they should get a boob job, because a C cup just wasn't enough. I have personally been told that I would work more if I was bigger. That because I am tall, I appeared too "thin". 

I'm healthy at my size. But this, once again, proves that no one really cares whether or not you are healthy. It's all about how the model appears. You have to have and look like a certain size but how you get there, no one cares about. 

Not quite big enough so pad it out!

Most of the girls that work in the USA use padding to appear bigger. Some girls have whole suits while others (including me) have spanx-like pants which we fill out with pads on our butt, hips, thighs, waist and stomach, as directed by the clients. Most models also have a collection of push up bra's and chicken fillets to gain a few extra cup sizes. 

I hardly ever use my padding when I work in Europe, but in the States I would bring them to every job and I would use them on about half of my jobs. All of the pictures is this post are from around the same time. I was the same size. In some of them I'm wearing padding and in others not. 

Now I don't actually like using padding. It's warm, a bit uncomfortable and for me the same as using photoshop to change someone's body. It is deception, misleading.

But none of the models I know will refuse wearing padding. The industry is over-saturated and for you, ten other girls willing to take your place. That just makes it really hard to stand for anything whilst paying your rent.

Promoting obesity? I'm not obese...

A lot of the girls working as curve models are healthy, average sized women. However, people tell us that we promote obesity (even though none of the models I know even qualify as obese or overweight). They say we should not be in the industry because "real models are hot" and "it's not supposed to be easy to be a model" (aka go starve to get your model credentials").

Combine that with your agency and clients telling you that maybe you should gain a few kilos and you're also in a strange situation. One where you feel good about your body and you're healthy but the world is telling you you are too big and too small at the same time.... 

Where does that leave the models?

With a permanent feeling that our bodies are never right. That there's always something that needs to be altered. That we want to be bigger and smaller at the same time. 

I don't know how every single person on the planet feels about their body, but I know many women struggle with that same feeling; that there's always something that needs to be changed. Our bodies are always "under construction".

As women, maybe we just can't win.... 

Except if we stop caring about what society thinks we should look like. People come in so many shapes and sizes! And that's something to celebrate, to be excited by.

Do you like modelling?

Something that's worth figuring out before you spend a lot time pursuing a modelling career.

If you are a total newbie and you'd like to give it a go, try arranging a shoot on websites like Modelmayhem. Find a photographer whose work you like and see if he'll shoot you. This way you can get a taste of modelling and see if it's for you. 

Take care

When you arrange your own shoots, take care of your safety. Let people know where you're going, bring a friend if possible and trust your gut. No photo is worth compromising your safety. Also, don't let a photographer talk you into doing something that you're not comfortable with. He is not going to make you famous and he's not the boss.

Beware of signing a release form. This means that the photographer can do whatever he wants with your pictures, like selling them to a brand. Since you signed away your rights you won't get a penny. Don't be that model. 

Overall, most photographers are decent, but there's also some people trying to take advantage. Beware and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Get an agency

If you're sure that modelling is for you, it's time to try to get an agency. They have the contacts with the clients, will help you develop your book and negotiate fees on your behalf. In return for that they will take a percentage of your income. It depends per country and agency how much the commission is, but it's often around 20%.  

A lot of agencies will have a "become a model" page on their website. There you can submit some pictures and some stats (like your size, height etc.). Have a look at the Models1 page as an example. Some agencies also have walk-in days, where you can just show up and meet with a booker. They will take some pictures and decide if they want to take you on. I always think that's a good option because the booker gets to see your personality (which is important in modelling). 

If any agency wants you to pay to be on their board, walk away. Professional agencies will not charge you in advance. They will advance the initial costs (like building your book) and you will pay them back once you've booked some jobs. If you are looking for good agencies in your country, have a look at models.com where there's a list of reputable agencies. 

Now there are some girls who work independently. I have no experience with that so I can't really offer any advice. An agency has more contacts than you could ever get on your own and most clients only work with agency signed models. A good agency will support you and help you build a career and they are worth their commission. 

How I got signed

So when I was a teenager I submitted my pictures to loads of agencies, all for straight size modelling (which is the industry term for slim models). Either I didn't hear back or I got a "thanks but no thanks" reply. This was discouraging and I decided to go to university. 

During my final year of university I decided to move to London to do an internship and write my thesis remotely. I was scouted by a straight size agency but they wanted me to lose a lot of weight (which would have been very unhealthy for me). After that I approached some plus size agencies but they didn't want to sign me on account of my short and curly hair....

A few years ago individuality really wasn't celebrated within the plus size industry, all they wanted was long hair. Now that hasn't completely changed, but some clients seem more open to a diverse look for their models, thank god!

A little after that I took part in a competition from Glamour magazine and Herbal Essences. I won the competition and during the shoot in Majorca the stylist told me about Models1 opening a curve division. I went to see them the following week and they signed me. 

I believe that getting signed to an agency is a combination of luck and having the right look for that agency & market. 

Don't beat yourself up if you don't get signed. If you really want to model, try another agency or wait a few months. Otherwise, there's plenty of other types of modelling you can do, like life modelling or fit modelling. 

Hi there!

Sorry for the radio silence. I have been on holiday since the 10th of November and I jumped straight into work after that. 

My holiday took me to Thailand. I always wanted to go. So when I was browsing for warm places that won't break the bank, Thailand seemed like the perfect fit. 

Yes it's a little far (11-12h flight from western Europe) but it's amazing! It's culturally very interesting, the food is great, the people are lovely and it's warm! 

Which meant I spent a big part of my trip in a bikini. Now I do love bikinis and I have amassed quite a collection. My suitcase weighted about 20 kilos and that included 2 kilos of swimwear. Whoops!

Sapph was kind enough to send me a bikini and some lingerie (more on that in another post). I've worn Sapph since I first became interested in lingerie as a teenager. One of the very first bra's I bought from Sapph had a leather look and I remember feeling like such a sexy-rebel when wearing it! I mean, leather underwear! 

I'd like to say that I now cringe that the idea of leather underwear but no, I'm owning it!

That said, I'd never tried one of their bikinis but I was eager to try. I must say, that bikini is bloody brilliant! 

I have the following requirements for a bikini:

Must make the boobs look good. I've got a decent sized chest and I have no holidays to waste on droopy boobs. A good supportive fit is preferred.

Must flatter the booty; 2016 was definitely the year of the booty and I wouldn't be surprised if 2017 follows suit. The cut of the bottoms can definitely make your butt look better and I was very impressed with the cut of this bikini. It doesn't "dent" the butt and the coverage is just perfect. I used to buy bottoms with more coverage since I figured, big butt, big pants. But the last few year I've converted to slightly smaller bottoms and they are so much more flattering! 

Fun design; because why waste sunshine on a boring bikini.

High quality; no sagging when wet, doesn't fade in sunlight, all of that. 

Makes you feel good about your body; if the fit is good, it enhances everything. Your bikini shouldn't cut into your waist/hips/butt/back and it should flatter your body type. If it doesn't, continue the search. 

For me this bikini ticked all the boxes. I wore it several times throughout my trip and it still looks as good as new. I felt confident wearing it and I won't hesitate to pick up some other bikinis from Sapph. If you are planning a winter-sun getaway and want to update your "bikini-wardrobe", have a look at their collection.

The bikini that I'm wearing has no wires but does have some push up. It's called the Miami Beach and it can be found here:

MIAMI BEACH PLUNGE TRIANGLE € 36,99.

MIAMI BEACH CHEEKY BRAZILIAN € 25,99.

I wore a L on top and an XL on the bottom.

I'd say the only negative is that Sapphs size range on their main collection is a little limited. They do however have a plus size collection which runs from a 75D to a 90G on top and M to XXL on the bottom. I particularly like the following bikini.

But my preference would be that they use the same designs in the regular collection and the plus size collection. Many brands make their plus size collection much more basic. And there's no reason for that! All girls and women want to look good and have fun with their clothes.  

I regularly get messages from girls that want to model. That why I thought I'd share how I became a model and some advice if you're thinking about it. 

First off, modelling is a job. A lot of people are attracted to modelling because it can look like the best job in the world! You can get rich by being pretty. Who wouldn't want that?

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. To become a successful model it's a combination of hard work, luck and being flexible. If you want a steady paycheck and job guarantee, don't become a model. 

Also, most models don't have very long careers, they either get bored or too old. Only a small percentage of girls make enough money to last a lifetime or still work after the age of 35-40. Unfortunately there is less of a demand for older models.

So you will need other skills and interests. I encourage everyone to finish school and to go to university if it's an option. It makes a difference and it will give you more opportunities down the line. 

You still want to model?

Alright then.

First off, here are some of the skills you need:

People skills. You'll be dealing with a lot of different people throughout your career and you need to be able to work with all of them. I've come across some really rude clients over the years but I kept it professional and friendly (even though they weren't). I booked the job. It wasn't a fun job, but it paid the rent that month. 

Posing. This is a big part of modelling. You can't just stand there with your hands on your hips. You have to move move move. Change your feet, your hips, your arms, tilt you head. Good models will make every shot a little different so you give the photographer and client lots of options. This is definitely something you'll get better at and I encourage you to practise in front of the mirror and to look at what other models are doing. 

Your body. If your a model, your body is your product. So it's important to stay in shape. I'm a curve model and I wear a UK size 14-16. But I still work out 3-4 times a week and eat healthily most of the time. If you live an unhealthy lifestyle it will definitely show up on your skin. Yes photoshop exists, but it's also expensive. So they better you look, the less time and money the client has to spend retouching your images. 

Fashion knowledge. Everyone in fashion is inspired by each other. Often on set you'll see mood boards with images of other brands/photographers/models for inspiration. It helps if you have some basic knowledge of famous photograph, supermodels and different eras in fashion. Then you'll know what people are talking about when they say that shoot is inspired by Helmut Newton.

Grit. You need to have some grit. Modelling isn't that comfortable. I've been on cold beaches shooting swimwear where I'd literally be wrapped in a blanket the second we were done with a shot. Same goes for shoes, Iv'e got quite big feet (US 11/ UK 9 / EU 42.5) and a lot of times the shoes on set are a few sizes too small. But you have to make it work. I've gotten scarily good at folding my little toe under the rest of my foot. That can't be good.... But that's how it goes. As a model you're on your feet a lot and in uncomfortable poses, so lower back pain is not uncommon. But you have to keep smiling and get on with it

Some don'ts

Don't be a diva. No one will want to work with you again. When you're on a job, you are part of a team and you all work together to get a great shot. Be nice to people, be humble and appreciate the opportunities that modelling gives you. 

Don't take it personally. A lot of people are not going to like you. When a client is casting models, they often have an idea of what they want. And a lot of times you won't fit the bill. That's fine. You can't book every job. But please realise that not getting a job doesn't make you any less worthy. Someone will say yes someday. And if they don't, well at least you tried. It's a tough industry and it isn't for everyone. Just because modelling might not be for you doesn't mean you are any less beautiful. 

Don't spend all your money. Yes it feels really good when you make £10.000 in a week, but you need to pay tax, put some money away for retirement/emergencies and you need to realise that you might never work again. That's the thing with modelling, no guarantees. So enjoy the money, but be smart about it. Think big picture. You're better off saving most of that money for a down payment for a house or tough times than to spend it all on a handbag. 

Some might think, "there's lot of overlap between skills needed for modelling and other jobs." And that's true. But the difference is that with most other jobs you build a resume and get relevant work experience for the rest of your career. The work experience of a model can be a bit harder to apply to other jobs.