1. Realize that there are qualities every model needs to have,
   depending on the type of model one wishes to become. Generally, any
   feature indicative of good health is a must–clear skin, a full
   head of hair, and overall symmetry. Other qualities such as height
   and weight depend on what you’re modeling.
2. Decide what kind of model you’d like to be. Technically,
   anybody can be a model. However, do remember that if you don’t meet
   certain requirements, the work available to you will be incredibly
   limited, and you may have to compensate in other departments
   (reliability, technique, etc).
   • You can be quite thin and toned yet still quite curvy to be an
     average model, or big and curvy to be a plus size model.
   • If you’re tall (at the very least 5’7) and very skinny but with
     a small breast size, you can be a catwalk model.
   • If you have large breasts but not very wide hips, you can be an
     underwear model.
   • If you don’t fit any of the face or body descriptions, perhaps
     you can be a foot, hair or hand model.
3. Get some photos done. These don’t have to be professional but
   they should be created for the purpose of showing your ability as a
   model. Although agencies say they are happy with snapshots, that
   doesn’t mean they want to see an out of focus shot of you out
   partying with your friends with a little note attached saying that
   you’re the one on the right! As a bare minimum, you will need one
   headshot and one body shot.
4. Look up the number of a reputable modeling agency. You can find
   these in your area phone book or by running a search on the
   Internet. Make an appointment.
5. Be prepared. When you attend your appointment, they might ask
   you to pull certain faces like laughing, happy, sad, or seductive.
   Practice in front of a mirror beforehand. It may help to look at
   pictures of models in magazines to get an idea. They will ask you
   to walk and take your measurements, so be prepared for all of that
   as well. Learn to accept rejection or criticism politely (see
   Warnings below). Thank the people for their time.
6. Be professional. Be polite and always turn up on time to any
   appointment or shoot. If you’re late or rude, word soon gets around
   and then nobody will want to work with you.
   • Be organized! Models often get called off places at the last
     minute and have very busy days. You need to be on top of things if
     you want to succeed. Buying a day-to-day planner can really
     help.
   • Confirm whether or not there will be a make-up artist on site
     for any work you are doing. 99 times out of 100 there will be but
     there may be the odd occasion where you are required to do your own
     make-up. If there is a make-up artist, then arrive fresh
     faced.
   • Be truthful about your measurements. Don’t say you’re skinnier
     than you are just to get a shoot. Once there, the stylist will have
     problems and you will get found out. Word will get around and you
     could find yourself without a career.

Tips

• You can also enter modeling contests. However, make sure you
  check that these are being run by a reputable agency.
• If, for whatever reason, you’ve decided signing with an agency
  isn’t right for you, you could consider going freelance. But be
  warned: the pay is usually considerably less and there are fewer
  safety precautions.
• Get your parents’ permission if you’re under the age defined by
  your country as being an adult.
• It is recommended that you get some sort of training. Like
  doctors, lawyers, or any major profession a degree and certain
  amount of training to acquire proper skills is highly necessary.
  Some modeling schools are licensed by the Board of Education.
  However, whether or not they will teach you have to become a model
  is questionable and some agencies even say that attending a
  modeling school can teach you bad habits that are hard to unlearn!
  They are also expensive.
• Get a website. It helps spread the word that you’re out there
  and also serves as a place for your adoring fans.
• Know your limits on style and nudity. If you don’t want to do
  glamour work or are uncomfortable doing full nudity, speak up and
  don’t let people push you past those limits. Also, consider where
  you want your career to go in the future. Sure, you may be
  comfortable doing glamour now, but what if you decide you want to
  do fashion or catalog work in the future? You might be
  discriminated against if they know you have done this line of
  work.

Warnings

• Modeling is a tough business. Try not to be discouraged by
  rejections. Even top models still get rejected for about 70% of
  everything they are put forward for!
• If you become one of the top models like Kate Moss, the people
  you work for might ask you to take drastic measures to stay a top
  model. For example, they might ask you to get nose jobs,
  liposuction, or have breast implants. And lose more weight… The
  pressure of modeling can cause a lot of long term mental health
  problems, including eating disorders. Don’t be afraid to speak to
  somebody if you think it is getting all too much. If you just can’t
  handle the pressure, it may be time to start thinking of a new
  profession. A job isn’t worth your health!
• Be wary of any agency that asks for money up front. The
  majority of agencies get their money through commission- meaning
  they take a certain percentage of your pay for every job that you
  do. If you don’t work, then they don’t get paid. If you’ve already
  paid up, there’s no incentive for them to find you work. However,
  don’t dismiss everybody who asks you for up-front fees as a scam.
  If you are sure that they are an agency, listen carefully to what
  they are asking for the fees for. Bigger agencies in bigger markets
  will often pay for these for you or at least loan you the money but
  smaller agencies or agencies in smaller markets can’t afford to do
  this. If the fees are to cover actual representation, this probably
  isn’t a good deal. Although there are some good agencies out there
  who work on this basis, the majority are nothing more than con
  artists. Find models who they represent, get in touch with them and
  ask them what they think of the representation they are
  getting.
• If you are invited to a foreign country (i.e. Hong Kong, Macau
  etc.) for an audition or job, have enough funds to purchase a
  return ticket yourself. While legitimate jobs exist, there are many
  scams that provide one way tickets then trap young girls into
  prostitution rings when they cannot afford to go back home.
• If you are planning a photo shoot with a photographer you have
  met online, it is highly recommended that you bring a chaperon to
  the shoot. It’s for your own safety, as you never know who is who
  online! If you can’t bring a chaperon (because you are unable to
  find one or because the photographer doesn’t allow chaperons), make
  sure you do a background search on the photographer first- check
  out things such as who they have worked with and for – and call
  somebody when you get to the shoot and when you leave the
  shoot.

Things You’ll Need

• At least three good head shots and several full body shots
  wearing different outfits, in different poses, and don’t forget to
  add a b&w picture as well to send into agencies.
• Confidence will play the largest per cent of what you will
  need, all the head shots and poses won’t mean a thing if you don’t
  believe in yourself.