Ways to break into modelling with Neon Models

There are several different way to break into modelling is you’ve decided you think modelling might be for you. Neon Models has many years’ experience helping new models get their foot in the door of reputable modelling agencies and also to launch freelance careers, so if you want a consultation with one of our experts, visit the Neon Models website.

Modelling agencies

You can approach modelling agencies directly, but be prepared to face rejection, Modelling agencies get hundreds of applications every week and most of them end up in the bin. You need to have something special if you’re going to make it through the first round. A lot of people shoot themselves in the foot by sending poor quality photographs or not reading the agency’s guidelines.

Choose your modelling agency carefully and read their guidelines if you want to have any chance of success.

Break into modelling through competitions

Competitions can be a good way to break into the modelling industry. There are new faces competitions for particular companies and also modelling agencies sometimes run competitions in association with teen magazines or clothing brands. If you’re lucky you might get shortlisted on a TV shop like Britain’s Next Top Model, but that’s got pretty stiff competition!

You can also consider Beauty Pageants if you like the idea of some of the other rounds, as modelling is a natural progression for beauty queens.

Break into modelling with Neon Models

The quickest and easiest way to get started is to use Neon Models to help advise you about what sort of modelling would suit you best, get a modelling portfolio together at a test shoot, train you in how to behave and what to expect and put you in contact with the most appropriate modelling agencies.

Neon Models Advice - From aspiring model to supermodel

Everybody’s heard the stories about Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss being discovered by chance and catapulting to the big time. But in reality, building a modelling career takes time, and there are many steps along the way.

Early modelling work

A new model shouldn’t expect to get regular work, or to get paid very well for it. It may pay less than minimum wage, and be far from glamorous. Aspiring models may need to spend a lot of time going to castings and building their portfolio before they start to get remembered and requested by clients.

Building a portfolio of modelling jobs

As a working model gets more modelling jobs, his or her modelling portfolio will start to get bigger, and as this becomes more substantial, they will be able to demand a higher rate for modelling work.

Catalogue modelling jobs

Catalogue modelling usually doesn’t require famous faces, so models who are relatively new may be able to start earning decent money for this sort of modelling work. Many models may see this as a stepping stone to more exciting modelling work, but in fact catalogue modelling can be one of the best ways to earn a living as model.

Modelling jobs in editorials

You might expect that major fashion magazine such as Vogue would pay big bucks to models who appear in their editorials, but this is not the case. Featuring in a major magazine helps to build the models profile, and this work is highly sought after. Magazines take advantage of this by paying as little as $125 for a photo shoot.

Fashion show catwalk modelling

As with major fashion magazine editorials, you might expect fashion show catwalk modelling to pay very well, as these are the very top models. But in actuality, many modelling agencies force the model to pay their own expenses, including flights and accommodation, so at the end of the day the model does not earn very much.

Ad campaign modelling work

The reason models put up with the poor rates of pay and longs hours involved in editorial and fashion show modelling jobs, is in the hopes that it will lead to ad campaign modelling work. Landing a contract for an ad campaign for a major brand is where higher rates of pay really start to get involved – for example, booking with a major high street store could pay around $60,000.

Becoming a supermodel

There’s no guaranteed way to become a supermodel, and there are hundreds of models and only a handful of supermodels, so competition is fierce. If you want to become a supermodel, the first thing to do is become a regular model, then work hard to get booked and rebooked! Be prepared to work hard for very little pay to begin with, and expect to cover your own expenses if you’re lucky enough to start raising your profile. 

Modelling jobs are waiting for you!

Register with Neon Models!

Modelling Myths by Neon Models

Modelling is a glamorous industry that many people dream about. As such, it is surrounded by a fair share of urban myths and legends. Here we demystify some of the more common ones, getting down to the truth of the matter.

Models can be divas

Most of us have heard the stories of the bad behaviour of models, such as Naomi Cambell’s violence and Kate Moss’s drug use, but if you think that is the norm for professional models, think again. The vast majority of models need to be consummate professionals and that means being charming and reliable to clients and agents, and taking care of their bodies. To make it as a model you need to have perfect skin and hair and a healthy body, so no partying or sunbathing allowed!

Models are usually discovered just hanging around the shopping centre

It’s true that there are always model scouts looking for new faces for the major modelling agencies, but you’ll be waiting a long time if you just hang around on town centre benches pouting. Thousands of girls (ad guys) are aspiring to be models at any given time, and modelling agencies are inundated with submissions of photos and stats.

All models make a lot of money

Certainly, the top supermodels and fashion models can make extremely large amounts of money from modelling advertising campaigns for the big brands, but modelling work is not always well paid to begin with nor is it regular. Many models can only work part time to begin with, as they build up their portfolio and reputation and start to get regular modelling work.

All models have to be skinny

It’s true, slender people will have a better chance of getting modelling work, but the industry is slowly moving away from the waif, skeletal ideal of models and hiring more ‘normal’ sizes and shapes. In reality, this ‘normal’ is still much slimmer than the real normal (the average size of a woman in the UK is 12 – 16, which is considered plus-size in the modelling industry),  but it means slim and healthy us preferable to skinny. Also, even if you are over a size 12, there may be modelling work available with a more specialist agency.

If you’d to like to find out more about how we can help launch your modelling career, register on our site and one of our consultants will give you a ring to discuss your options.

What’s in a Modelling Personality

Being a successful model is as much about personality as looks. You need to meet both the mental and physical requirements if you’re going to make it in this highly competitive business. So what do we mean when we talk about ‘modelling personality’? Well, it’s about being resilient and flexible and being consummate professional.

Resilience

It’s a tough business. Fashion has a glamorous image and lots of people want to be a part of it. That means that rejection is an unfortunate but common part of being a model. Almost all models will get rejected at first, from agencies or directly from clients if they’re going freelance. And even if you do start to get paid work, there are always far more models invited to castings than are needed for jobs, so being selected for all of them is essentially an impossibility.

Flexibility

The fashion industry moves fast and the people that work in it have to move fast as well. Castings may come up and be filled and booked within a few hours, so models that answer their phone on the first ring, drop everything and turn up within half an hour are more likely to get more modelling jobs than those who don’t get round to answering their phone until its too late. Also requirements may change at the last minite and model may be required to wear their own accessories or do their own make-up if supporting staff or items aren’t available.

Professionalism

Modelling is a job, and you can’t lark around in a job, because someone is paying for your time, experience and skills. They expect to get their money’s worth. With modelling that means turning up on time, and being responsive to the needs to the photographer. It means arriving prepared and in the right ‘format’ with our without makeup and outfits as briefed, not dragging your heels and responding helpfully. Models who go that extra to give their clients what they need are that much more likely to get called back for repeat jobs.

If you want to break into modelling with Neon Models, then visit our website and register today!

Freelance Modelling – the Basics

Many people are not aware that even if you are signed to a modelling agency, you’re not actually ‘employed’ by the modelling agency and there is no guarantee that they are actually going to get you any paid work. 

They are an ‘agent’ that means they deal in making introductions and getting a commission of the fee that the model is paid by the client, and sometimes an additional introduction fee. 

For this reason, freelance models may find it more lucrative to go directly to the clients, and cut out the agencies fees.

So, if you want to break into modelling, one of the first questions to ask yourself is whether you’d prefer to join a modelling agency or go freelance. Of course, you might decide to chase both routes and see which one works out the best, and that’s a good idea too, if you have the time and resources to do so.

A freelance model has to take care of the business side of being a model, and that means invoicing clients, chasing payment and making sure all the correct contracts and other paperwork is in place. There is plenty of advice out there and you can find free templates for most contracts, but you need to make sure you do your research.

Of course, getting in front of clients is easier said than done, and freelance models – especially those just starting out – also have to do a lot more legwork, networking, meeting the right people, making the right connections.

If you do have the right kind of drive and skills to become a freelance model, then of course the main benefit is that you get to keep all of your hard earned cash. With agency fees averaging about 20%, that can add up quite quickly. On top of that, you have a lot more control over where and when you work and you’re not limited by an agency contract which restricts who you can work for.

If you want to break into modelling with Neon Models, then visit our website and register today!