The Most Commonly Made Modeling Mistakes
So, you’ve got the look, the drive, and the focus to be the next most-recognizable model. That’s a great start. But, you’ll also need to know how to navigate this ultra-competitive industry. Here are a few mistakes all newbie models need to avoid.
Flight by Night Photographers. Some of the best images can come from time-for-print shoots in which the model is offered free prints for his or her time and, in exchange, the photographer builds a portfolio. However, there are many “photographers” out there just looking to make a buck by marketing themselves in this way. Models should be leery of any too-good-to-be-true deals and amateur equipment.
Spending Too Much. You don’t have to go totally broke to create some stand-out marketing materials. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have some professional shots and there will be a few basic start-up costs to launching a successful career, but you should feel that every penny you spend is worth it and see a return on your investment.
Not Using Spell Check. You’ll want to make sure every submission to an agency comes across as professional. This means, any communication you send – whether electronic or by mail – should be typo-free and worded appropriately. How you represent yourself when you’re trying to really sell your look to agencies is tell-tale of how you’ll represent yourself to clients. Double-check for any errors before hitting send.
Walking into a Bad Situation. Just because you’re super excited about this career path and will do “anything” to get some exposure doesn’t mean you literally should do anything. There are a lot of scam artists out there looking to put you in a bad situation in which you are asked to do something you are not comfortable with and it’s important to be able to identify any red flags upfront. If your intuition is telling something isn’t right, move on to the next.
Giving Up Too Early. As with any path taken in the entertainment world, you have to have thick skin and be able to handle rejection. Some of the most well-recognized supermodels were told “no” time and again before finally landing a contract. Since the modeling industry is largely looks-based, you may simply not have the look a particular agency is scouting for. This doesn’t mean you won’t fit the criteria the next time around. Persistence and perseverance are pertinent – keep going and you will succeed!
