Modelling and promotional
work
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On this page we've put some FAQs and general advice to help you achieve your aim to find modelling and promotional work. If you're looking for something specific on our site or on the web, use our Google Search facility here.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Q. Are you a model agency and can you offer me any work? Q. Why should I add my profile to "modelling4u"? Q. How much do you charge? Q. I've paid my fee but not sent my details. How can I see the application form? Q. Does your site get many hits? Q. Can I make changes to my details? Q. I have a question not answered here. What should I do? Overview | Types
of work | Promoting
yourself | Taking bookings These guidance notes are to help you in your modelling and promotional work. They are not intended to be a complete reference, but should been seen as general points for you to consider. They should help you decide whether modelling and promotional work is for you, and if so which aspects you'd like to become involved in and how to go about it. Please contact us if you have any comments about this advice or suggestions for improving it. To find other information on the internet try using our Google Search facility above. Probably the most important factor in any type of modelling or promotional work is your personal safety. We've included a few tips throughout these notes, but these should be seen only as minimum measures and you may need to think about other ways to ensure safety in your particular circumstances. The conventional way of becoming a model has been to use a modelling agency. Whilst this can still be a successful route, one of the problems can be finding an agency that is prepared to accept you on their books. The alternative is to promote yourself independently, and with more and more people having access to the internet this method is becoming ever more popular. The internet provides the ideal medium to display your profile and portfolio easily and quickly, so the opportunity to present yourself directly to potential clients and find work independently has never been greater. There are many openings for modelling and promotional work for the right people with the right attitude. At the forefront will be your appearance and personality, so you need to look good and be professional in your approach. There are a number of different categories, or styles, each with their own requirements and expectations. It's quite common for people to undertake a range of assignments in different styles to broaden their experience and increase their potential for getting work. The following are among the main categories:
Having seen the range of opportunities open to you, the next step is to decide which of these styles you'd like to work in. Of course, it may be that some aren't open to you because of the demanding entry requirements, such as catwalk modelling. On the other hand, you might be happy starting with promotional work and seeing what other opportunites come along. Whichever type of modelling and promotional work you're interested in, you'll need to understand that in many ways it's just like any other job. Some would argue that it's more difficult than typical jobs, despite the glamorous image, because of the demands to look good and be professional at all times. You'll also need to be confident, organised, accommodating (within your own personal boundaries) and able to deal with being rejected for assignments. Invariably, some travelling will be involved. Whether you're registered with a modelling agency or acting independently, you'll need to promote yourself to people and organisations who can offer you work. Using the internet is an effective and professional way to do this. It's also relatively quick and easy. With a web-based presence, such as a "modelling4u" profile or your own web site, you can display a range of photographs (ideally in different poses), and describe the type of work you're looking for along with your experience and the locations you're prepared to work. Adding contact details, such as an email address and mobile phone number, means people can get in touch with you easily. It's quite possible that your page will appear on search engines, but don't believe anyone who tells you they can put you to the top of the list without paying for it! Handing out business cards is another useful way to promote yourself. Like other types of promotional aids, there will be an intial outlay but this will easily be covered if they help you to secure one or two assignments. Make sure the cards are professionally printed and include a high quality photograph. The cards should show the type of work you are looking for, your measurements (if appropriate), and contact details, including email and web site addresses if you have them.
Try asking people for their opinion on how you look and be prepared to accept constructive criticism to help you improve your presentation. Other important factors are your personal appearance and hygiene, dress sense, diet, and general health and fitness. To help you find work you could try approaching modelling agencies, photographers, and advertising/promotions agencies. You could also let friends, family and work colleagues know that you're looking for modelling and promotional work, though at times you may need to act with discretion. Before contacting people and organisations who may be able to offer you work, try to find out the areas they specialise in. Then prepare a short "introduction" about yourself and the sort of work you're looking for. Next, make contact and try to speak to someone who deals with enquiries like yours. If they seem interested in you, ask what they'd like you to do next. Usually, they will get you to send them detailed information about yourself, including photographs. Make sure that whatever you send looks professional as this will create a better impression and increase the likelihood of finding work. Of course, you could also refer them to any web-based portfolio you have and this is especially useful if contacting people by email. One thing to be wary of is modelling agencies which charge for being accepted onto their books. Generally, the more-reputable organisations don't charge as they are paid by their clients. Although this makes it more difficult to get accepted, there's no point in paying an agency to represent you if it turns out that this is their main source of income and you never hear from them again! You should also watch out for anyone who suggests they may be able to find work for you, provided you agree to them preparing your portfolio. This often results in you having to pay for expensive photo-shoots with no guarantee of finding work. Although you'll need to show professional-quality images in your portfolio, make sure you're not being taken advantage of by paying too much. Hopefully, if you're successful at promoting yourself it won't be long before you're taking bookings for work. You must make sure, however, that the terms of your assignment are clear and that you remain safe. If you're working through an agency, they will provide details of the assignment and the rates of pay. If you're agreeing the details direct with the client, make sure the following is clear:
No matter how tempting an assignment may seem, you must always consider personal safety first. Reputable agencies invariably carry out checks on their clients and photographers, so you can be reasonably confident that you'll be safe. If you're offered work by someone you've never met, ask for references from people they have worked with. Professionals will expect you to do this and won't be offended. Anyone who suggests this isn't necessary or tries to persuade you in other ways should be avoided. You should also make it clear what your limitations are. If you feel that the assignment will be worthwhile but have some safety reservations, ask if you can take a friend. As far as possible, only use a mobile phone or email to contact people. There shouldn't be any need to give out your home address or telephone number. Although the internet brings many opportunities, it can also bring dangers. Be cautious and don't believe everything you see or are told. Provided you take sensible precautions your experience of using the internet as a medium to promote yourself and generate work should be a positive one. The next question is how much you can expect to get paid. If using an agency, they will tell you what is being offered for each assignment. This is likely to vary, depending on the nature of the work involved. Another issue will be expenses, and again this should be clarified at the outset. There's not much point taking on a well-paid assignment if most of the money will go on travel and accommodation costs. If you're negotiating with the client direct, you'll need to determine what your fee is. As a guide, the following are typical fees for "experienced" models:
When determining your fees, you might also consider the following:
Remember, as an independent model you'll need to invoice the client direct and keep accounts for tax and National Insurance purposes. Whether your assignment involves promotional work or modelling, you need to know exactly where you have to go, by what time, what to take with you (clothes, etc) and, as far as possible, what's expected. Provided you carry out the assignment well, you'll improve your reputation and increase your chances of getting more work with the same client or through referrals. Depending on the location, there may be opportunities to find other work (for example, promotional work at trade exhibitions), but make sure you concentrate on the existing assignment before looking for your next job!
Make sure you have a contact number for the client so you can contact them if you are delayed or unable to get to the assignment. If you are using an agency, they will have told you how much you will earn and should take care of collecting payment from the client. Usually, they will deduct their own fee before paying you. There may be some tax and National Insurance to pay and you should keep proper records of your accounts, including expenses incurred confirmed by receipts. Some agencies will deduct tax and NI, but if not you may have to declare any earnings directly to the Inland Revenue. If payment is due on completion of the assignment, don't be afraid to ask the client for it when you've finished. However, some agencies wait until they have been paid by their clients before making payment to you. There could therefore be a delay before you get paid, and you may need to resort to legal action if payment is not made within a reasonable time. A portfolio is a collection of photographs showing your potential as a model. Ideally, it should focus on the specific areas of modelling or promotional work you are interested in and contain a variety of images from different sessions. High quality digital photography is now common, making it easy to print copies and prepare web-based images. From the outset, you're advised to have professional-quality photographs in your portfolio so that you can promote yourself effectively. It's worthwhile using a professional photographer, or at least a good amateur who understands how to bring out the best in you. If you need to keep your costs down, try to negotiate a "Time for Prints" session. This is a photo-session where no payment is made. Instead, you provide your time and the photographer provides a number of copies of the photographs taken, all of which can be added to your respective portfolios. At each photo-shoot, aim for 3 or 4 different styles by changing the setting, lighting, your clothes, make-up and hair style. Even on your first shoot, you'll gain valuable experience on how to pose for the camera. Before the session you should discuss what you want to achieve. You'll probably need to take your own clothes and shoes for the different styles you want to portray. You'll also need to decide the arrangements for make-up and whether you ought to use an experienced make-up artist who can ensure you look natural under the lighting being used. At least two hours before the session, remove any tight-fitting clothing and jewellery as this can leave marks on your skin which may show up on the photographs taken. As your modelling experience increases, you should review your portfolio so that it portrays the full range of styles you've worked in and the different approaches used by photographers. |
| |
 Learn how to design, create and publish a fully-working, DISCOVER WEB SITE DESIGN - IN A DAY! |
Site maintained and administered by NB Website Design
Copyright 2003-2008 - All rights reserved - http://www.nbWebsiteDesign.co.uk