Glamour Modelling

All the styles of photography in the industry, perhaps the most misunderstood one out there is glamour.

By modern definitions, the word glamour means: alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal). In photographic or modelling terms, glamour, concentrates on a model's appearance and presentation rather than the clothes she may or may not be wearing.

Today's understanding of glamour modelling is difficult to define because it can mean anything: page 3, boys' magazines, top shelf magazines and even hardcore.

At least in Britain, the term glamour modelling is commonly used for models who appear in glossy boys' magazines, on calendars and in similar publications.

Usually, glamour modelling involves a suggestive girl in a bikini, transparent or similar outfit - also topless or nude, but not particularly explicit - with an artificially inflated bust and lots of glossy make-up.

Depending on your viewpoint, glamour modelling is either cheap and derogatory - or a girl power thing.

Thinking that you are beautiful and spending thousands on a set of new breasts won't guarantee a spot on the cover of a magazine. You might attract someone with more money than hair.

Examples of Glamour photography can be found in Publications like FHM, GQ or even the Ann Summers Catalogue.

*(If you are not comfortable about being seen partly or fully naked, you will not succeed in any Areas of the Glamour Industry)

It is critical that you have the body type needed for glamour or body modeling. These are the models you see in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editon or Glamour Magazine. You'll also see glamour models gracing the pages of Victoria's Secret catalog.

Look through these or similar books and magazines to see if your body measures up to the emmaculate bodies of these glamour models. 

The payscale can vary but keep in mind that the pay is normally doubled for lingerie or nude work. Glamour is very lucrative but evey model is not comfortable with this type of modeling and how much skin they have to show.

It's better to wait until you're at least 21 years old before making a decision to do any type of nude work.

Physical Requirements for Glamour

Height: Not all Important

Bust: 34-B

Waist: 22"-24"

Hips: 34"

You need to be really toned and in great shape to be a glamour or body model. 

So, get out those barbells or join the local gym today!

Glamour Modelling Agencies

Yum Yum Models 

Flash Glamour 

London Glamour

Types Of Modelling: Body Parts Modelling

Many beginner models tend to believe that they don't have anything of value to offer the industry. They are not tall enough. They are not quite pretty enough. This is where body part modeling can help if he or she has an especially outstanding portion to model. Although this may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a career in modeling, body part modeling can actually lead to a lucrative career.

Many products benefit from using body part modeling doubles for model jobs and not just for beauty products. Once you get started in this career, you'll be surprised as the uses for these types of models. Body part modeling is not limited to the hands either and the competition is not as fierce. Feet, legs and lips are also in high demand so you should take full advantage of the assets you have.

Hand models — hands should have flawless, smooth skin with evenly shaped nails. The shape of the hands is important. Men’s hands should not be too hairy.


Leg models — legs should be smooth, long and shapely. Skin should be free of veins, scars, and blemishes.


Feet — should have smooth skin tone with evenly shaped toes and nails. Skin should be free of veins, corns, or other foot blemishes.


Torso — for men and women, even skin tone and a well-shaped body.

These are the main types of body-parts modelling; however there is also a market for ears, hair, bottoms, backs, necks, eyes and lips. 

 

Kimbra Hickey is a hand model, and her hands grace the cover of the novel Twilight. She earned $300 for the photo.

Even the actress Megan Fox needed a female model of this type when she did a Motorola commercial that was aired during the 2010 Super Bowl. You won't be recognizable when out on the street, but you can bring in a very nice income by doing so. Ask Pamela Moses who was the hand stand in for Megan Fox. Ms. Moses was the owner of the thumb seen in this ad.

Body Parts Modelling Agencies


Body Agency

Elliot Brown

Mentor Agency
 
The agencies accept usually professional photos. If you need help with prepapring your pressional modelling portfolio click here

Models Of Colour: Asian Models

Following the recent post about African Models, let's focus today on Asian Models and their situation in modelling industry.

Fashion industry realizes the importance of diversity and choice.
We start noticing exciting things happening; over the last few years there is a whole generation of Asian Super Models showing up in Western and European Fashion Capitals.

In the past, model agencies in New York, Paris, London and Milan preferred to represent only one or two Asian girls, but now their presence is becoming more and more obvious. Today, Asian models are starting to change the world’s definition of beauty. If in the past they used to be featured only as representative of their community in Gap and Benetton ad campaigns. These days they are featured as super models in the Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue US ,Vogue Paris, Numero, Elle and many others. 

Asian women are climbing the rank of the modeling world as names like Liu Wen, Tao Okamoto and Shu Pei win high-profile runway spots and ad campaigns.

Twenty-three year-old Wen, born in China's Hunan province, is the first of East Asian descent to walk a Victoria's Secret fashion show. In 2010 she became the first Asian face of cosmetics giant Estee Lauder.

One of the leading Asian faces is Du Juan (see pic below) , an ex ballerina from Shanghai. Du became the first Asian to grace the cover of French Vogue. She also has appeared in advertising campaigns for Armani, Gap, Anna Sui, Uniqlo, H&M.

People do pay attention to those changes and try to embrace the asian models in modelling industries:

http://xxgirls-asianmodels.blogspot.com/

http://asianmodelsblog.blogspot.com/

Asian Beauty and Fashion Magazines

Asiana-Top asian fashion mag

Asian Woman

Agencies for Asian Models

http://www.asianrunway.com/

http://www.caramelmodels.co.uk/

http://www.mahoganymodelmanagement.com/

However to apply to some of the agencies you will need professional photos to submit while creating your application. If you need help with prepapring your pressional modelling portfolio click here. 

Enter A Competition Miss Asian Model 2012


Some observers see the embrace of Asian models as a strategy toward tapping into the booming Chinese retail markets. According to ABC, the Asian cosmetics sector is poised to become the world's largest.

Have a look at the graph showing diversity of models in 2010 in fashion shows

Models Of Colour: African Models

We've already mentioned a modelling competition called Top Model Of Colour however we would like to  write more about this part of modelling industry and give you some useful links and tips to follow as well.

By models of colour we mean models that are of African, Caribbean, Asian, Hispanic, Oriental, bi & multi racial ethnicity. 

In this post we would like to focus on  posibilities for African Models in the modelling industry within the UK.

Apart from applying to universal modelling agencies, there are some agencies which are specialized in hiring African Models only or Models of Colour. The African Models are getiing more and more popular to be hired for catwalks and fashion shows.
See below the agencies for non-white models.
However to apply to these agencies you will need professional photos to submit while creating your application. If you need help with prepapring your pressional modelling portfolio click here. 

Modelling Agency for African models

http://www.africanmodel.com/

Agency for multi racial ethnicity models

http://www.mahoganymodelmanagement.com/

Sola Oyebade, chief executive of Mahogany Model Management, has been running a Facebook, text and email campaign in an attempt to make the 'black'  issue the biggest-selling Vogue ever (the issue was published in 2008)  'We believe there's industry apartheid and this is something that the black community does feel very strongly about. I've had so many calls from people asking where they can get their hands on a copy. I've had shops like Harvey Nichols ring me up, telling me we're causing them a lot of problems with supply, so we've been liaising with them, too. Our fashion industry is institutionally racist. The explanation for why they don't use black models is always that we don't sell, but this shows that's not true. Black people are among the highest consumer spenders in the UK for material goods.' - she said.

We've already mentioned a Modelling Contest called Top Model Of Colour which is organized for African, Caribbean, Hispanic, Oriental, African, Asian & Dual heritage ethnicity.
Top Model of Colour competition is providing models with exposure to the modelling industry. Most of the candidates are from UK, Europe and Africa.

You can read more about it here

It might be useful to have a look at  Ebony magazine  as well as The Special Vogue Pages

African models at catwalk for spring 2012

More about Top African Models

http://www.demotix.com/hub/african-models

Have a look at this article about Donyale Luna, The First Black Model To Cover Vogue UK
as well as African Models appearing in fashion magazines in Russia, UK and USA 

Child Modelling Tips

Child modelling is quickly growing in popularity and profitability as another branch of the modelling industry.

Children can experience all kinds of work, and can be required to work all over the world. The requirements for a child or infant model are not as strict or defined as most other aspects of the industry.

Personality and attitude are very important in child modelling.

The temperament of the child model is the key to their success. It is essential that any child model be co-operative and good natured, and it is imperative that the child is easy to direct and quickly at ease around strangers and under the spotlight.

A shoot can last for hours so it can be difficult for children to remain attentive and interested.

Visit the website of the National Network for Children in Employment & Entertainment (NCEE) www.bucksinfo.net/nncee/employment/ for more information on the employment of school-age children. If your child is offered work, she will need a performance licence from your local authority. A good children’s model agency should help you to organise this.

If you decide to give it a try, remember to:

• Be a good timekeeper, reliable and prompt. You will need your own transport and be prepared to travel and to be flexible.

• Take food and drink along to the shoot – it may not be provided and you may be there over a mealtime. It’s also a good idea to take along books and games to keep your child occupied.

• Make sure your child has clean and tidy hair and nails, and a clean face when you take her to a shoot. A few changes of clothes are also a good idea.

• Above all, enjoy it. If either you or your child stop having fun, don’t do it.

For the castings calls for kids you can register on Kids Casting Call Pro or Mandy.

If you think your kid is ready to work with an agency here are some child modelling agencies in the UK:

Bizzy Kidz


Scallywags


Truly Scrumptious


Tuesdays Child Agency


Elisabeth Smith Agency

Online Model Profile

So you've got your first portfolio ready and what next? 

How to get into castings, jobs and agencies?

Where to start?

As we all know the Internet is the right answer for all of these questions and also the easiest way to show to the world your possibilities.

Creating a profile in social media and uploading your modelling photos is a good thing to do but it is not enough though.

 

First of all you should create your profile on the biggest modelling portals.

 

Model Mayhem would be the first one on the “to do” list. You should create a profile, upload your photos (they accept only professional images to be uploaded on the profile) and start to get connections through the website. You can contact photographers, makeup artists, there are many casting calls for various kinds of modelling jobs as well.

The truth is that you need to send your photos to people in order to get the job, they are not going to find you on their own (at least not at the beginning of your career).

 

StarNow is another website with a big number of job offers and casting calls. You even do not have to create a profile in order to apply for jobs.

There are many of websites like these.  You have nothing left but to have a look and start sending your portfolio! You can also try the ones listed below  (in order to apply for these jobs you have to create a modelling profile on their websites) 

 

New Faces 

 

Casting Call Pro

 

To Be Seen

 

Angel Stages

 

When you have a look at the job offers you may notice that some of the jobs are not paid or expenses paid but as you have no or little experience it is still a good opportunity to apply for this job. You will get more experience, some photos and what is the most important – connections. If they like you they could recommend you to some other (maybe paid) jobs. Making friends and staying in touch with people you are working with is very important in this industry.  

So don't waste your time and start creating your modelling profile!

Become A Male Model

In the world of highly competitive and female-dominated professional modelling, the attitude toward male modelling is changing. Although male models are still facing criticism and bias from their professional peers, society's typical mindset is changing.

Being successful requires more than simply seeing see a guy in an ad who looks similar to you - and think "I can do that, too." It might have been a long road for that guy and he may have needed the right non-conservative attitude to land that modelling job. 

The good news is that you can beat your competition by outworking them and by making good decisions. Good career networking and smart marketing tactics are more effective than looks: A decent looking guy who markets himself well can go farther than a guy who is much better looking. You can beat your competition by adopting a marketing approach.

Put yourself in the shoes of someone who hires guys for modelling jobs, then give them what they want. This is called "positioning" yourself to be chosen. If you do so, you will become a lot more successful than other guys. Think of what make you different and unique and why the photographer should choose you.

Remember that attitude and personality counts a lot. Whenever seeking to try out for an audition, include a short note that describes what makes you unique: are you an athlete? Have you won any competition? What are you latest achievements? Do you have any special talent? Can you dance? Sing? Act? Make sure you describe yourself honestly but don't forget to highlight your qualities.

Have a look a this competition for male models with Shortlist magazine

Shortlist Competition

Male Model Scene is a portal dedicated for male models:

Male Model Scene

For photographic modeling you will need to have strong features and will have to prove that you are photogenic and can act for the camera. For ramp work, you will also be trained, but you should be over 6 foot tall to succeed in this arena. There is a large popularity for mature male models and even if you are graying a bit you can easily become a model.

Most male models are chosen for their sex appeal and good looks on camera, but a good stage presence is also required for doing any kind of fashion catwalk shows, where you will be taught about how to walk, how to hold yourself, posing and more.

Being a male model does not mean that you have no complications when it comes to nudity and being taken advantage of by photographers. Male models are also entitled to refuse topless or nude shots and must be just as careful as the women about getting caught in a compromising position where you can be exploited.

Men can usually start modeling at the age of 16 or 17 and it will all depend on their build and structure at that time. If they look older than they are or have strong looking bodies, then it helps when they apply at an agency. This is not to say that younger guys cannot join, but if you are in the younger age bracket you will get modeling jobs that reflect that age for clothing stores and other photographic ads.

You will rarely be given ramp work at a young age unless it is for a teenager clothing brand or designer.

If you decide that male modeling is the industry for you, there are plenty of opportunities for males to get involved. The first thing you should do is find a good agent who will get you a lot of jobs and build your modeling portfolio. 

At the end we would like to show you the top male models:


Top 10 earning male models


 

Facts About London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is an apparel trade show held in London, England twice each year, in February and September. It is one of the "Big Four" fashion weeks, along with New York Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.

• London Fashion Week first took place in 1984.

• It's getting an official sponsorship from Mercedes-Benz, a worldwide known automobile brand and global hairdressing company Toni & Guy.

• It is attended by over 5,000 press and buyers, and has estimated orders of £40m to £100m.

• Canon is the principal sponsor for the eleventh consecutive season.

• In spring 2010, London Fashion Week became the first major fashion week to fully embrace digital media when it offered all designers who were showing their collections on the catwalk at Somerset House the opportunity to broadcast their shows live on the Internet. The video stream can be seen on London Fashion Week's website.

• The Model Health Enquiry, backed by London Assembly members and the Mayor's threat to withdraw funding, recommended vetting of models

• The UK fashion industry is similar in size to the food/beverages services and telecommunications industries.

• This year dates are: 17th - 21st Feb and 22nd February (menswear)

 

Would you like to be a part of London Fashion Week? Get into modelling. Register with Candi Models!

Travelling Tips For Models

One of the perks of modelling is the chance to travel all over the world or at least all over the country. This is something you should be prepared for. There are some advantages and disadvantages of this kind of work. It might be tiring to move between so many places at such a short periods of time but you would have a change to meet a lot of different people, can contacts from all over the world and have an adventure of your life. 

Before living this experience you should stay focused on preparation for yout trip. As once you leave your home you should have everything neccessary with you.

• Travel arrangements will differ from agency to agency so make sure to find out what you will be responsible for in preparation for travelling

• Carry as much information as possible as, such as the address of where you will be staying and the details of who you will be working for as Immigration Control will request this information when you arrive

Model travel tips:

• Ensure your passport is always current. Most countries will not allow you entry if your passport is within 6 months of the expiry date

• Keep hydrated and get enough rest on the plane to arrive looking and feeling good

• Get the contact details of the agency in the country you are visiting in case there are any problems

• Carry a detailed street map of the town you are working in and familiarise yourself with transport links in the city. You will have to find your way from casting to casting or to shows so plan how you are going to get there ahead of time, it is very unprofessional to be late on your appointments

• Carry a form of ID on you, but leave your passport in a safe place

• Visit The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for detailed travel and visa advice to the country you are planning to visit www.fco.gov.uk