I want to be a model

So you want to be a model?

Did you know that 98% of all wannabe models never manage to sign with a reputable modelling agency and never get any paid modelling work?

So if you want to be successful at breaking into modelling, you need to give yourself all the advantages you can. You can’t just sit around waiting to be discovered, you have to have a plan!

The first thing to do is make sure you’re looking after yourself well enough to keep your look fresh, clean

and glowing. Ideally you’ll be free of piercings, tattoos and blemishes. You also need to eat well, drink lots of water and have a good simple exercise and beauty regime that you stick to religiously to keep your skin healthy and your body toned.

The next thing to think about what sort of modelling you want to do. When most people think of modelling they think of parading down the catwalk at the London or New York fashion shows. If you are very tall, thin and have the kind of looks that stop traffic, then this might be an option for you. However, if you’ve got more of a girl (or boy) next door look, it’s worth considering catalogue or other photographic modelling. The rise of the Internet means that there are a lot more opportunities for models in stock photography for websites, as well as the usual brochures and catalogues.

If you’re serious about breaking into modelling then it’s worth seeking the advice of an expert. If you register on our site, you canhave a consultation with one of our modelling industry experts and put together an action plan, as well as identifying the best modelling agencies for you to apply to.

Models need to be available at short notice and willing to be flexible and responsive. You have to be business minded to be a model, able to organise your time and willing to invest the time and effort to get ahead of the rest. 

All professional models have a portfolio and comp cards which contain a selection of fantastic pictures which show how photogenic and versatile they are. Models usually have to cover the cost of this themselves. These days a website or online portfolio can also give you the edge.

If you’d like to find out how Neon Models can help you become a model, then register on our site.

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.

Neon Models Tips on contacting modelling agencies

If you want to become a model in 2014, you’re probably wondering how to start approaching modelling agencies. Neon Models has links with many major modelling agencies and many years’ experience in helping new models get their foot in the door.

If you’d like a personal consultation, then register on our Neon Models website, or read on for some tips to help you have a successful application.

Select your modelling agency carefully

There are many different types of models and many different types of agencies. Some large agencies deal with many different types of models, but others are very specialist and niche. You need to check carefully that the agency deals with the kind of modelling you want to do, otherwise you’ll be wasting your time and you risk getting a black mark against your name for wasting their time.

Read the guidelines

Obviously, this seems obvious, but if people did regularly and reliably read the guidelines, we wouldn’t have to put this as an important point. Some people seem to think they can do things their way and the agency will take the time to deal with whatever they send in whatever format, and if it’s not right, contact them to give them feedback and guidance.

Wrong. The agency does not waste time on people who can’t even be bothered to read their guidelines. If your application deviates from their guidelines in any way, your pictures will go straight in the bin. No consideration, no phone call. You will not hear from them.

Persevere

If you want to make it as a model, you have to be prepared to face rejection and bounce back. Just because one agency doesn’t like you, doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance. You just need to find the right scout, who is into your kind of look. The likelihood that you will be snapped up by the first agency you approach is very slim.

For more personalised tips and advice on how to approachthe right modelling agencies, register on the Neon Models site.

Neon Models – helping you become a model

Do you want to become a model? But don’t know where to start, or how to approach modelling agencies?

Neon Models is here to help! Our team has many years’ experience helping launch the careers of new models based in the UK.

We have expert photographers, make-up artists and stylists, who can get you a great portfolio, looking like a professional model; that you can use to approach modelling agencies, or get freelance work.

We can also provide lists of reputable modelling agencies in the UK, and can recommend what type of modelling might suit you best, and give hints and advice about how to get your foot in the door and start making your dreams come true.

The modelling industry is a very tough one, and you need to give yourself the best possible chance if you’re going to have any hope of making it. That means getting expert advice, and that’s where Neon Models can help.

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.