Make Money Modeling - Get Paid

Everyone dreams of getting paid for nothing but their looks. What everyone doesn't know is how simple it can be! I won't promise you'll be the next Nikki Taylor or Kate Moss, but if you want to make a steady income through modeling, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Genre work can be found for a wide variety of characters - from computer geeks, to stay-at-home moms, to plus-size clothing modeling. You will definitely find a wider variety of work if you keep your body healthy, but you don't need to be People's Sexiest Man alive to find work

If you are serious about a career in modeling, contacting a modeling agency is your best first step. While it's possible to pursue your own jobs, an agency will find you work that you otherwise would have no shot at, in addition to streamlining the process on a professional level to ensure you don't miss any work that you might be right for. They generally take 10-15% of your final pay on jobs they find for you.

Many companies only work with you if you have an agent. Also, many agencies require you to use their own photographers, or at least to follow their own particular format when making your final prints. ModelScouts, Newfaces, and FashionGates all have resources online to help you find a local agency that is right for you.

One thing you'll absolutely HAVE to invest in is photographs. Photo's can cost anywhere from about $200 to over $1000 depending on how many choices you want and the format of your final prints. This might seem like something you can cut corners on, but it's important to find someone with experience modeling photography - don't ask your next-door neighbor just because he has a camera. Make sure the person who takes your pictures has a good sense for lighting, posing, and a critical eye for what types of "looks" you're trying to capture. There are plenty of places online to aid in your search - to name a few, ASMP, FindaPhotogrpaher and PhotographersIndes all have links to experienced professionals in your area.

Fortunately, many advertisers have woken up to the fact that everyday people are the ones buying their products, and modern marketing trends reflect this ideal. No matter what look you have, don't pass up the chance to take modeling work in your area - or someone else will!

How to Photograph a Model

Working with a professional model is a joy for any photographer. A good model knows how to do her make-up well and is natural at posing. Many of my photo shoots required a make-up artist and a hair stylist to make sure that the model had the look that the client wanted for the photograph.

In front of the camera a professional model will move with elegance and it is the job of the photographer to direct her movement to achieve the look he wants. Those who are studying to be models need more direction. Give real clear instructions as to the placement of hands, movement and angle of the body and the look that you are trying to achieve.

A photographer who is learning how to photograph models should study the pictures in fashion magazines such as Vogue, In Style, Bazaar or any others. Mimic what you see in some of these magazines until you start to develop a style that is uniquely yours.

For the beginning photographer find a student model that knows how to move in front of the camera and is very good at doing her make-up and hair. A professional model can be very expensive, but you may be able to save some money by offering a trade for a model portfolio or head sheet.

The more models that you photograph the better photographer you will become. Try offering your services at a reduced rate to a local modeling school. There are many schools in the bigger cities and many of them are looking for good deals for their students. Take the time to create an impressive portfolio before approaching any of the modeling schools. If your photographs are good enough, you may be lucky enough to get an exclusive contract with the school to do all their photographs.

It is important for the photographer to learn something about the proper make-up for photography. The better the make-up the better your photograph will be. Check out some of my other articles about doing make-up for photography.