Dear Aspiring Models, don't slop together your photos, build your experience in a professional way with the right mindset

Hey Girls,

Monday, Monday, gotta get those goals moving!
Last week I did a podcast segment on model photography, did you catch it?

It’s really easy to be misled when it comes to serious modeling and the photos you need and how to market yourself. Especially in this Internet age, finding your way can be really nerve-racking because it might sound so easy, upload your photo, be seen, be a model, just upload your images, but just uploading an image doesn’t mean you are a professional, it doesn’t mean you even know how to model and a random photo won't do.

When you are serious about modeling, finding opportunities it starts with putting yourself in a position for success, and having goals.

Your goals will reflect your photos, the photos you create.

The photos you create represent where you will go in modeling. And it is important to focus on getting professional modeling photos, professional photos that market you and your assets, not just any ol' photo, but photos that really fit your realistic goals as a model.

If you are only dwelling on your height, remember you are missing out on the other assets you have that can be marketable. I suggest knowing your assets beyond height before you plan a photoshoot for modeling, prepare and strive to work with a professional photographer, research modeling agencies in your area that work with models of all types. Remember your mindset is everything, like I've mentioned before: perception is everything.

Here are some posts I've written on putting your comp card to use as a model, even if the phone isn't ringing from a modeling agency you can still build your experience in a professional way with the right mindset:

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2011/01/models-with-marketing-mind-and.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/02/five-steps-to-get-ahead-as-short-model.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2008/10/improve-your-model-marketing-for-small.html

Some tips for working with an agency and how to get their attention:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/12/submitting-photos-to-agencies-open.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2011/02/short-models-knowing-how-to-model-and.html

~Isobella

P.s:  If you want a personalized and signed copy of my books Almost 5'4" and Short Stuff click here.
Read an excerpt of Almost 5'4" and Short Stuff here.

Creating the right photos for print modeling takes work and time

A girl recently sent me a message through my website asking, "I've been a freelance model for the past four years and just moved to NYC a month ago. I'm already taking acting classes (10 weeks of them) and have visited two agencies with my hard cover portfolio. They both told me I need new pictures-that I look prettier in real life than my photos. I have a lot of friends that are fashion photographers that want to help me build my port, but the advice they give while critiquing my port isn't appropriate for the kind of work I can realistically get since I'm only 5'5. Could you please tell me what your advice is when it comes to pictures? Do you only have a modeling agency or a talent agency, or also a casting director, etc."



My reply below might also help your own pursuits as a model.

I've worked with and got work with agencies (while working non-exclusive with them and worked with up to 5 at a time) and I've worked with talent agencies and casting directors as well over the years. There is a booklet in Barnes and Noble and bookstores in the magazine section called The Call Sheet, it is about $12, and it has a list of casting directors and talent agencies. You should grab one of these as well.

I've heard it all myself, "your pics are too sexy" "your pics don't flatter your assets." "you need better pics." And photos are what seperate a model that works with real agencies and brands and jobs from a model that just takes photos, the best way to also start improving your photos for the area of modeling you want to pursue, is to ask questions, ask for examples of the type of shot they are talking about. The "commercial" part in commercial print modeling implies personality, relatable to a mass market of consumers. Here are some examples:

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/08/commercial-print-modeling-photos-for.html

The words model and modeling tend to make a girl change herself, as in her attitude and actually because "herself" is what she needs to focus on for print modeling. Her real smile, laugh, natural expressions, natural makeup, natural outfits and natural, comfortable, realistic pose, is best. If the shot can involve a discreet product such as a handbag, a cell phone, coffee cup, working out at a gym, the more your shot looks like you are "doing something", and the more it involves your personality and the more it involves looking realistic and like an implied ad or editorial in a magazine, the better.

If you want to model within print modeling "smiling shots" are very important. You could be smiling and walking, dancing, acting like you are hanging out at a cool cafe and enjoying your coffee, candy, even dusting, or putting on some makeup, etc. Think of real life situations. Just keep it a shot that relates to a mass market consumer, not just one demographic.

Always keep in mind that working as a model isn't just about you, it is about the product you are modeling for and it is best to remember this when creating photos, sure you want to look great but a client for a cell phone company, a skincare brand, a shoe brand, wants to see that you "know how to model products naturally," and that you have a natural energy about you that their customers can relate to. Study what print modeling is and it will also help you. Any ad with a smile or real-life expression and pose is a print model and a print ad usually.

A model is needed because her look represents what a brand's marketing campaign needs or fits what an ad concept or editorial concept is. A model's purpose is to model for something, so keep that in mind too.

I suggest working with a photographer who understands what print modeling is, and yes you will most likely have to invest some $ and time into getting the shots you need. It's a part of the process.

Another thing, think about the type of modeling jobs you want to get. If you want to be in ads for print modeling then you have to study some print ads, so look at magazines of all types, study commercials and pay attention to the expression, what they are wearing and their makeup and how natural they look.

If I wanted to leg model, yes despite being so petite, I had to create and show on my com pcard shots of my legs that looked like ads for lifestyle products or something you'd see in a Glamour, Allure, Marie Claire or Cosmo. Take it upon yourself to create a comp card that fits your goals and be realistically ambitious about it. Show you can, to get the opportunity.

Remember, print modeling is about relating to an everyday consumer in the ad or commercial so an everyday look in the photos you have for print modeling is best. Of course if you wanted to model for fitness, swimwear, undergarments, that's fine, but keep in mind in print modeing is less about impressing a man and more about selling the item you are wearing to a female consumer. Here is more on print modeling:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/07/print-modeling-has-become-many-things.html

I hope this helps girl, and keep rocking on, here are some agencies in NYC to send your comp card to when you have print modeing photos ready for action! :)

It's a tough pursuit, a tough competitive hustle, but usually those who don't give up, get what they want, I've included links to some other tips are below. There is a lot of marketing that goes into being a self-made model,

~Isobella

These links will also help :)

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/09/do-you-have-model-compcard-you-should.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/03/does-your-photographer-know-what.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/02/think-twice-before-posing-for.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/12/are-your-best-assets-for-modeling-being.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/02/six-differences-of-fashion-model-and.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/01/unrealistic-modeling-goals-and-facing.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/02/five-steps-to-get-ahead-as-short-model.html

Learn, know, grow, get and strive for more. ~isobella jade

Model Photo Tips: create photos that represent what you CAN do

I hope you can take a moment and enjoy the beautiful day, I think it is important to see value in noticing the day, the sun, the sky, clouds, wind, land.

Model Photo Tip:

The more you show in your photos "you can model something" the better. Modeling IS about modeling for something, not just being a certain height or size, MANY products need models, so think about the marketing side of WHY models are needed. It will become clearer on how to create marketable photos for the goals you have as a model. Your photos matter ALOT, because what you show represents what you CAN do. Be realistic, don't create high fashion caked in makeup and wild hair shots if you are under 5'7", create shots that are more about your personality, natural styling and makeup, and more about YOU relating to the product you are modeling naturally.

More tips on marketing yourself as a model from my blog PetiteModelingtips.blogspot.com, on being pick on the photography you use to market yourself as a model, here:

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/aspiring-models-need-to-be-picky-with.html

And how to market yourself to two divisions, when you look younger when you actually are:

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/can-model-market-themselves-for-two.html

Put yourself out there like Josie, inspiration for you and a example of commercial print modeling

So I am on Twitter and I see a message from @Fitarella saying: @YumYucky you should ask @IsobellaJade about it. She is a modeling expert for us not-so-tall types :-)

So I checked out @YumYucky (Josie Maurer) and I see that she just landed in the pages of Family Circle Magazine!

Congrats on the Claritin Allergy ad! And Josie is also the blogger of YumYucky.com (Check that out too!) and she writes about "finding balance between fitness and your greedy side."

I love that she used who she naturally was to land this ad opportunity. Commercial print modeling is about using what you DO naturally have to market brands and products. Here is the ad which is in the April 17, 2010 and May 2010 issues of Family Circle Magazine!



On her blog she goes into detail about how she landed the Claritin Allergy ad: "I follow Fitness Magazine on Twitter and Facebook (don’t you?). They did an open call of sorts for people with allergies to submit their photos for an opportunity to be featured in a Claritin ad in one of Meredith Corporation’s family of magazines. So I submitted my pic along with my story about how I can NOT be around my cat for too long, ‘lest I ingest the Claritin. In the absence of Claritin, the feline species causes my eyes to burn, my nostrils to pour, my throat to hack, and my attitude to get real bitchy. You don’t want to witness that.

Out of approximately 150 prospects, I was selected to take part along with 4 other people, including Kristin from Iowa Girls Eats.

My prize was to be swept away to New York City this past January. On day one, the Meredith people fed me some greedy-good food, put me up in a nice hotel and sent me for a manicure. And then I ate and drank some more at dinner. Like salmon and cheesecake and wine. Uh uh.

On day two, there was an entourage of WONDERFUL people who did my hair, got me into wardrobe and make up, and made me feel uber-special."

You can check out post on the shoot here:
http://www.yumyucky.com/2010/03/holy-crap-look-at-meeee.html

Models are not just one height, or type, modeling is about modeling something, what have you modeled lately? Aim high!
Isobella

How female lifestyle magazines can inspire models

If you are under 5'7" lifestyle magazines will become a good friend. To get inspired for the type of photos you need for print modeling it is best to observe ads and editorials that involve the face, the personality, smiles, and energy of the model. Not the pout, attitude, or high fashion latest trends, but instead focus on where models of all types, sizes and ages are used to model products. In the latest issue of Glamour magazine I noticed these ads that show the models personality and also an assortment of products, from coffee, Orajel, Tide, and beauty. Ads where it isn't about the models height. Observe these ads, and use images like this as a guide for the type of photos you should include on your comp card as an aspiring model, especially if you are petite. Also this post from my blog about photography for shorter models can inspire you. - isobella

P.s: My tips on Glamour.com about how shorter models can look longer in photos here.

Shorter Model print modeling photos examples

I always say that petite models or shorter models, and print models need to show personality in photos. Interactive photos that show personality are something a print modeling agency wants to see. Here are some examples of what I am talking about. Shots that show you "doing something" with a natural expression of joy in your face. These shots will translate into showing an agency that you can look natural, show your personality, and sell a product. Other examples can be found in catalogs for commercial retail items on Target.com and Macys.com. Notice where the model is smiling, showing some personality.

Modeling with your body with products-parts modeling

As a body parts model I have learned clever ways to cover my body for modeling jobs. Here are some examples of how I posed with a product, whether modeling handbags, jewelry, or shoes or a chair. Also cropping a photo can help to make it have a more commercial print or editorial, appeal.

Commercial print modeling photos for short models

Shorter girls, and anyone curious about modeling should consider commercial print modeling. Commercial print modeling does not have an age limit and you will not be thrown out when you get to a certain age (like fashion tends to do with taller models who have expiration dates when the model is not considered "new" or "exciting" anymore.) Commercial print modeling welcomes models of all ages, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities, men and women, children, teens, all ages. If you want to start modeling and fashion is slamming the door in your face, don't worry!
You can still get great modeling work in commercial print modeling. Did you know commercial print modeling is the largest area of modeling? Yup!

Here are examples of photos you should try to create for commercial print. Energy, natural makeup, happy, not so fashion forward clothing, just you being you.




You can still wear a cute pair of jeans and hold a handbag or something, but it has to look like an ad for a happy girl, upbeat, friendly, not moody, with a confident appeal.

I love fashion but I know as a shorter model I had to think about "what does the agency want to see" " what type of products and ads could I realistically be apart of"-if I want to work with agencies, and get opportunities, to build my portfolio I had to caiter my photos towards the direction of commercial print.

I do not suggest sending any photography with heavy makeup,that are high fashion styled, or overly sexy, nor anything with bad lighting to print agencies. I would also observe the photos commercial print agency models on the agency website have. Observe ads of lifestyle products to get inspired, notice lifestyle ads to get the vibe of you are going for already in your mind ahead of time, before shooting, model and photographer should have the understanding of what the model needs to get in the door. Plan it out, have examples ready, be prepared, before you shoot.

I would look at beauty, skincare, ads for cell phones, haircare, technology, furniture, tampons! Everything commercial print targeted. That is how a short girl can start to work with agencies.

Remember make a compcard, and send your compcard in the postal mail to the commercial print agencies. Sending your compcard in the mail is the way to get a modeling agency for a short girl.

Isobella

Short Model Support Compcards and Agencies video

Isobella shares why a compcard is needed, how to mail it, and use it as a model. Short Model Support for Compcards and Agencies, aka: Short chicks guide to mailing modeling agencies your compcard and using compcards at castings when it comes to contact information on cards.

Short Model Support photo inspiration video

Here I am sharing my Short Model Support photo inspiration video. Aka: Short chicks photo guide. If you want to model you need photos that are marketable. Here are some tips and photo goals to keep in mind for print modeling: