Be careful what you wish for! Many women dream about becoming the next big thing on the run way, or flipping through a Victoria's Secret ad. Reality is that very few actually turn it into a viable career, and even fewer are famously known. So how do you get your shot? What did those girls have that made them special? Or does the world just honestly believe that their beauty is above all others?
First thing you will need is an education. No, I don't mean go to school to become a model, what I mean is research! You will find that most of them women who are modeling today are not any more (or less) beautiful than you are. Aside from the fact that we each have qualities that make our beauty unique you will find that behind all the computer editing, the make-up artistry and high fashion designer clothes, is a woman who is very much like you. ANYONE has the ability to make it to their level, but few have the rest of what is required to do it.
So what else is required? The next thing on that list better be thick skin. If you are soft and allow people to walk all over you then you may want to consider another career. There are hundreds of thousands of women out there who would beg, borrow, steal, and down right cruel to a stranger if they thought it would put them as the next Vougue Magazine cover model. This business can be extremely cut throat, and it will feel at times as though everyone is against you. You will find other models will treat you poorly, put you down, and do what ever it takes to get the edge on you so that they will be picked over you for that dream job. You will find yourself sitting infront of a team of people who are casting for their next job offer picking you apart physically and mentally to see if you really are that one girl they were looking for. You will have Photographers get frustraited with you and treat you poorly on things that may or may not be your fault. And probably the most damaging of all, you will have complete strangers judging the way that you look, and picking you apart physically just for doing what you love to do. This is reality! If you can not handle it then do not even try.
The next thing to work on is learning to hear the constructive parts of people's negative input. Learn to know the difference between something you can not change, and something you can. If you hear someone say you need to lose weight, ignore them they're stupid. If you hear someone say "What the hell is she wearing?" you may want to look down make sure that what you're wearing is appropriate for the job you're looking for. If someone was interviewing for a teaching position they wouldn't show up in a school girl outfit ;).
Get used to change! Part about being a model is keeping up with what is in fashion.... even if you're trying to be an alternative model they also have their do's and don't, and they change rapidly. Do NOT go out and cut all your hair off because you think that's what's in style, only make moves like that if it's what you truly want to do. The most successful girls find a way to take today's style but still make them their own.
I can not stress this one enough... GET REPRESENTATION!!!! Find a good agency and stick with them! Make good friends with a Photographer or two and STICK with them! These are the people who can help you out the most. Agencies = jobs! Photographers = coaching! A good Photographer will tell you honestly from their point of view the things you need to work on and should be able to teach you what you need to know about yourself to bring what they need to the camera. Do not fall out of practice just because you haven't had any paying jobs coming your way... find a friend and go out and shoot!
Have a great portfolio! I will go more into what a great portfolio is in another blog, but the basics are a variety of pictures that are all creative and different along with a head shot and full body shot standing with no obstructions that were taken by a professional!
Lose the tude! Girls with attitudes will NOT make it very far in this business. Yes, there are thousands of famous models in the world..... sounds like a big number right? Not when you compare it to the one million plus girls who would do anything to become them. And every day another young girl hits the right age to start trying for her dream just like you're trying for yours. Girls with attitudes (rude attitudes, not personable ones) will NOT make it in this business. Yes, you should stick up for yourself when the time calls for it, yes you need to have thick skin, yes people are going to abuse you while you strive for your goal, but under any circumstances do you pull a diva mode and tell everyone around you off and storm off of a set. There are better ways to handle yourself, you will make a reputation for yourself, and you will probably not get another professional job in this business again. With everything you do, be the bigger person!
You must be stubborn! You have to be the type of girl who when she is told no, finds another way. Who when she falls, picks herself up off the floor and gets back on that horse! You must never give up on what you truly want and never stop trying. Do you think Tyra Banks would be who she is today if she stopped the first time someone told her she had a big forhead, or back when she started that her boobs weren't big enough, or that she was too fat or thin? No, she would be another nameless nobody who tried and failed. The ONLY people who fail are the ones who give up completely.
No one is going to spot you walking on the street and make you the next Supermodel. You HAVE to work for it. This has been known to happen a time or two, but you could win the lottory 5 times in a row before something like that happened.
Lastly, and extremely important.... have a back up plan. You could never give up and chances are you are still not going to make it to become a career model. Does this mean you should stop modeling? NEVER. There are always Photographers hoping to expand a portfolio, extras needed for TV Shows and Movies, Promo girls for Auto Shows, etc., there is always someone who will probably need your talent so never stop especially if you love what you're doing. But have something else to fall back on. You may not be America's Next Top Model.... but you could be a clothing designer, or a shoe designer, or a Photographer, or an events coordinator for runway shows. There are always people needed in this business. Never give up on your dreams, but always make sure you take care of yourself first.
I hope you found this helpful and please keep watching because more will be coming as time passes.
