How to Model
Posted on January 1st, 2009 by monsterguide
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A pretty face and a good figure is a great place to start your modeling. However, modeling requires much more than being good-looking. Learn what people look for in models and learn how to become a model yourself.
Physical Appearances
It goes without saying that modeling is an attractiveness game. Not only must you be beautiful, but you must also translate well into photos. You should be an image of good health: clear eyes, clear skin, white teeth, smooth shiny hair, nothing that suggests stress or illness. Modeling, like everything else, has beauty trends. A certain facial structure, hair type or even skin type can be in vogue and demand.
If you wish to model, keeping fit and having the physique your client requires for the clothes and accessories that you will model is a must.
Kinds of Modeling
There are many kinds of modeling out there, although some are more profitable than others, and each have specific demands. You can be a runway model, a catalogue model, a commercial model or even a hand model. Check your strengths and weaknesses-for example, runway models are required to be tall and thin, while commercial models would focus more on your facial features than your height. Try to venture in every kind of modeling there is if you can.
Learn What Looks Good
Spend time practicing facial expressions such as happy, sultry, or neutral in front of a mirror. During auditions, your client will most likely ask you to show different facial expressions. Practicing your expressions will ensure that you put your best foot forward. You should also practice different modeling poses, and the different angles that will look artistic, or accentuate your long limbs or your neck.
Learn Your Angles
If you want to be a photo model, you have got to know what your best angles are, and how to hide your flaws. Having your pictures taken and consulting with your agent or photographer will help you decide what your strengths and weaknesses are in photos.
Stand Up Straight
Modeling is essentially a kind of sales talk where you convince buyers that what you’re wearing will look good on them, too. Standing up straight conveys confidence and coolness that will help sell better. You wouldn’t buy clothes from a slouching model, would you?
To stand straight, imagine that you are a puppet with a thread running from the bottom of your ankle, up your legs, up your spine and coming out of the top of your head. Keep your chin up and square your shoulders back, with your chest and pelvis pushing outwards but not in a tense manner. Let your arms hang loose at your sides, or rest your hands on your hips. The lines of your clothes should fall as the designer made them, and having the proper posture will help achieve this end.
Learn to Walk
To walk like a model, first take a proper stance. Your steps should be one foot in front of the other, toes pointing forward, as if walking a beam or a tight rope. As you step, you must place the ball of your foot down first and keep the weight balanced there instead of the heel. This will give you a more graceful stride. Take big strides by lifting your foot up completely, similar to a show horse but not exaggerated to make you actually look like one. Take large enough steps. Look straight, tilting your face slightly downward, without fixing your eyes on one person. Use a neutral face but let your body do the talking. Your fingers should be relaxed, open and hanging loosely. Walk briskly, but not too quickly. Once you’ve become more comfortable with the proper walk, you can add a little more pizzazz by adding a light sway in your hips.
To swivel, if you are leading with your right foot, put your left foot forward in the direction you want your body to go. Your right foot should follow as you twist away from the audience. For good measure, give one last backward look before heading back to the head of the ramp.
To add more character in modeling, technique and practice also help. Taking dance classes and acting classes (particularly mime) also contributes to modeling more effectively. The more striking your modeling is, the better chances of you getting more clients.
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