#model tip

If you are on a shoot with a model, and want to make it a good experience and have the model leaving feeling happy with how the shoot went (as you should), then here are just a few things to keep in mind - from a models point of view.

MUSIC:

Please please please have music playing. Play good music. Play a genre of music that fits the shooting style you want - if you want something cute and fun then play music that is cute and fun - if you want something sultry and raw then play some sultry and raw music. Music helps people get into a certain mood, if their is just awkward silence then chances are it will be an awkward shoot.

FOOD:

Provide some snacks. A lot of models are vegan so provide SOMETHING vegan. You don't need to have a buffet, just some small stuff for the model to eat while she is getting her makeup touched up etc etc

MOOD BOARD:

FOR GOD'S SAKE WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT US TO SHOOT LIKE. TELLING THE MODEL 'YEAH THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY RAW SHOOT' IS NOT GOING TO AUTOMATICALLY MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT. PROVIDE A MOOD BOARD WITH PICTURES OF MAKEUP AND HAIR AND OTHER MODELS AND OTHER TEAR SHEETS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BUY A CORKBOARD FROM A $2 SHOP, AND PIN SOME PICTURES TO IT. MAKE A PINTEREST BOARD AND HAVE IT ON YOUR COMPUTER. SOMETHING. ANYTHING. INSPIRATION. PLEASE.

Timing:

If the shoot is going to go overtime, then let the model know at least 15 minutes in advance, so she can call/text her agent to let them know. If it is just a test, then don't keep them in overtime for too long. Shooting is tiring.

The most important thing is to just casually get along with the model, don't make any moves on them because that is downright disrespectful, and realise that they are a human being, have rights, have feelings and do get tired. Trust that they know what they are doing and be nice to them.

Xx

When you go to a job, you want to make a good impression. You have already nailed the first step - the casting - so you know that the client likes your look, but if you want this job to reflect well on your career then there is some preparation that is involved. 

Hygiene:

Shower the morning of/night before. Shave your legs. Shave everything. Wash your hair. Cleanse your face. Moisturize. Basically, pretend you are about to get laid. 

Remove your nail polish. Leave your nails be. Leave them natural. Make sure your face is completely makeup free. If you have found out about the job a few days in advance, cut out sugar from your diet in the upcoming days so that your skin will be clear. Usually though, you will find out about a job the night before, but if you are modelling full time you shouldn’t be having too much sugar in your diet anyway, so that’s not really too much of a problem.

The Night Before:

Go to sleep as early as you can. Don’t go to a party. Don’t be stupid. Pack your bag the night before. Prepare what you are going to wear to the job the night before. Look up the job location the night before. Go over the job details the night before. Take a picture of the job details on your phone and make sure to pack them in your bag as well - NEVER FORGET THEM.

Things to Pack in Your Bag:

A water bottle

A muesli bar (food is usually provided, but just in case.)

Makeup removal wipes (if you have castings on afterwards.)

Your iPhone/iPod (Music on the train makes life worth living.)

Your agency phone (Call your agency if there are any problems. If your agency phone is your iPhone then ignore this.)

Headphones/Charger

Job details (SO IMPORTANT. SO. IMPORTANT.)

Roll on deodorant

Money

The Morning:

Wake up at least half an hour before you need to leave. This is plenty of time. You don’t need to do your makeup, you don’t need to do anything! Just change, eat breakfast, do a quick double check of things and that is all. Make sure to be ready to leave 10 minutes before you need to - you will usually leave 10 minutes later than planned, and it is always better to be early than late.

Try to arrive at the job 10-15 minutes early. Do not be late I cannot stress this enough being late is horrible and will mean that you start on a bad page. If you are running late, call the client. Explain. Make sure to do this in advance, and apologize profusely.

On the Job:

Snack regularly, especially if you are doing an online lookbook shoot. Those bitches are tiring. If there is a dressing room, keep snacks in there, but always always wipe your hands before you touch the clothes (that’s where the cleansing wipes will come in.) Keep hydrated, but don’t drink too much water at once if you bloat easily - you will not get many toilet breaks. 

Do what you are told. Unless it is something that severely breaches your moral code, you work for the client. They pay you. You do what they want. If they want you to pose like a fish, do so. If they want you to get naked - ask to call your agent. Don’t do any nudity unless you were either prewarned and approved it, or you have asked your agency. Especially if you are underage. 

If anything happens on the shoot, or you are given a request which you are not comfortable with, politely ask to use the restroom, bring your phone, call your agent and let them know. They will tell you what to do. Your agent is your god. 

All of that disregarded, usually jobs will go very well with few surprises. Make sure to try to get along with the client. And the makeup artist. And the stylist. And the stylist’s assistant. And the photographer. And the photographer’s assistant. You never know who may want to book you again, and you never know who will talk about you, but if you are a charming, polite, and humorous model, then hopefully they will be positive affirmations. 

After the Job:

Call your agent. Tell them that you are finished - so they will know if they need to ask the client to pay you overtime, etc. etc., wipe off your makeup and take out your hair, go home/to castings, and relax. 

Most of these tips are just common sense. Be a nice person. Don’t be late. Be genuine. Let your agency know how it goes. 

It is really important to be good on the job. Don’t think that just because you booked it that you can be a diva and screw around. People talk. If a client really likes you they will rebook you. Online stores like Topshop and ASOS get new stock in every day - they have regular models who work for them twice/three times a week and get paid a lot of money per day. (A lot.) Getting a good client base and a good regular income is very important if you are a working model. Make a good impression. Get rebooked.

Love,

@anonmodel xoxo

Models and parties go hand in hand. About 80% of models party. It's like some kind of unspoken rule - if you are a model then you go clubbing.

There are some lines that cannot be crossed though.

I am writing this post because someone who I know very closely (I would say friend, but in all honestly, I don't really like them very much), just got signed to an agency, and went to her first model party tonight.

It didn't turn out well.

So I am making this post for all of those future models, just so that they can know the proper etiquette.

There are two types of model parties - social events, and clubs. Social events are the ones where models drink champagne, keep up a classy appearance, mingle with possible clients, wear cocktail dresses and heels, look fabulous and have a good time. These are important. Models are usually invited by their agent, are told to uphold a good image of themselves, attend an event whilst simultaneously trying to book some jobs/meet some clients along the way. 

The other type of model party - the clubbing side - is a whole different ballgame. Drugs, getting completely smashed, going home with male models, you name it, models do it. This is the 'dark side' to modelling. Promoters get you into the clubs - no matter how old you are - provide you with an open bar, everything for free, and in return you stay until a certain time (usually around 1am is the earliest time that you are allowed to go home.) This is basically a free for all place...just like normal people clubbing - there is no image to uphold, nothing too specific, just do what you want to do. The only rules here are to make sure you are not hungover the next day if you have a job/early morning casting (that is painful. Believe me. I've been there.) and to not get caught breaking the law - especially if you're overseas. Visa termination is not something that ANYONE wants to see happening. Of course, it is best to keep it classy, even in the clubs. Get drunk all you want, but don't do anything too stupid - always best to keep away from drugs and make sure to keep away from social networking as well. Apart from that - model clubbing is an amazing experience. Crazy.

If you are invited to a social event, a cocktail party, with your agents present, as well as potential clients, let me press this matter; do not get trashy drunk. You can, of course, drink some wine/champagne/alcoholic beverage of choice, and get a little bit tipsy, (if you are of legal age of course), but do not get trashy drunk. You have an image to uphold, and so does your agency. I have heard stories of models being kicked out of their own agencies functions for being too drunk - those models were then dropped and blackbooked. Not a good thing to happen.

No matter where you are, club or cocktail party, keep it classy. You never know who you will see, who you will meet, and you don't want to meet someone who you may have the opportunity to work with professionally whilst you are in an unprofessional state of sobriety. 

Keep it classy,

figured I'd start this.  every day my tumblr (I signed in after months last night and I had over 50 messages), twitter, and facebook are filled with questions!  so. to address you with random facts and even if you aren't a model - have fun with it!

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