Regularly, I receive countless emails from models that are just starting their careers. While I have noticed that many of these girls are asking similar questions, I am sharing my answers to them here.
Q: How do I get started in modeling?
AM: If you are just starting your modeling career here at HINcity, build your portfolio. Self-portraits taken on the camera phone may be cute for uploading candids on myspace, but you have a better chance of being considered for bookings with professional photographs. Your goal is to develop a portfolio that is the best representation of you – sell yourself! After all, you only one chance to make a good first impression!
Q: If I do not have a lot of money to purchase professional photos, how can I build my portfolio?
AM: Luckily, many photographers are also looking for models to build their own portfolios. If you do not have the cash to spare, look for photographers who are offering TFP or TFCD, meaning “time for print” or “time for CD,” respectively. These are unpaid shoots, but you will receive either prints or images on a CD for your time. Of course, the photographer may ask you to sign a model release agreement, so that he/she may use the photographs for his or her portfolio, as well.
You can find these photographers on modeling networking websites, such as onemodelplace.com and modelmayhem.com. Websites like these give you a glimpse of the photographers’ portfolios, and you can see which models they have worked with previously who can vouch for their work.
I highly recommend that you always bring an escort, especially if you are working with a photographer for the first time. Unfortunately, someone might view a young woman aspiring to become a model as an easy target. A career in modeling is not worth you risking your safety.
Q: Do I have to take nude or semi-nude photos to be considered for work?
AM: Establish your limitations before scheduling a photo shoot. Admittedly, you can easily grab attention when you take risqué photos. However, realize that many girls are willing to take such types of photos, so you will not necessarily stand out from the rest.
In addition, there are consequences for posing to some degree of nudity. Photos that may be considered controversial may be detrimental to a professional career outside of modeling. Personally, I have chosen to remain modest in my photo shoots for personal and professional reasons, and I have still managed to find paid modeling work – both in and out of the import car scene.
At any rate, educate yourself with these following types of modeling that you will encounter specific to this industry:
Glamour - A broad term of modeling where the model’s appearance, rather than the attire or product is the central focus of the photo. There is a misconception that glamour modeling involves nudity. A glamour shot could be nude, but it could also be taken in formal evening attire. It is the presentation of the model, not the wardrobe that makes a shot glamour.
Implied - Where implied nudity is required for a shot, you will generally be asked to disrobe fully or partially. While the standard is subjective, a photographer will normally not reveal nipples or genitals in the photographs. In some cases, buttocks will be shown. The essence of implied nudity is that the photograph is suggestive but not revealing.
Lingerie Modeling - This term would seem self-evident, but it is not. Lingerie is a broad term signifying modeling in undergarments or sensual sleepwear. However, the model needs to realize that lingerie varies from quite modest to very revealing. Always inquire as to whether it is sheer or tasteful lingerie when considering an assignment.
Definitions are courtesy of Southern California Professional Model Management, socalpromodels.com/definitions.shtml.
Q: How do I find work as a model?
AM: In general, you may search casting calls through the model networking sites, such as onemodelplace.com or modelmayhem.com.
For the import car industry, you may contact your local car clubs to see if they need a model for an upcoming event. To get involved with modeling for Hot Import Nights or Nightshift, be sure to complete a model application on the website: hinevents.com/models/modelapp.asp
If you are attending a Hot Import Nights or Nightshift event as an attendee, visit the booths that would be interested in working at and network. Ask the vendors how they select their models, and most of them will be more than happy to talk to you. Make sure that you are dressed nicely but not necessarily provocatively. Also, have business cards with your photo handy for distribution. During the course of a show, many girls will stop by the booth to say that they would like to work with the vendor at a future event, but they will have nothing to leave behind. The best that the vendor can do is to take your personal information, but at the end of the night, he or she may have forgotten what you look like. By handing a business card, you will stand apart from the other girls and increase your likelihood of being remembered.
Q: Do I need a promoter or model agency?
AM: A promoter or model agency may be helpful in finding work for you, but they are not necessary to find work. In fact, most of the biggest names in the import car scene book their own modeling jobs.
In your conversations with the bigger vendors, they may tell you that they work exclusively through a specific modeling agency. However, if a particular vendor likes your look, they may recommend you to the modeling agency.
Should you decide to work with an agency, do your homework first. Many agencies take advantage of girls’ dreams of becoming models and end up being scam artists. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to start.
Q: How should I prepare for a casting call?
AM: Unlike what you may think, models are usually pretty casually dressed for casting calls. Typically, I have seen girls wearing a tank top and jeans – as long as the outfits are form fitting to show off the model’s figure. If this is a casting call for a runway show, make sure to bring a pair of high heels because you will be asked to show your walk.
Also, bring your portfolio - normally 8” X 10”, 9” X 12” or 11” X 14” – filled with only your best photographs. Again, bring something to leave behind. In this case, you would leave a comp card, which is a card that features your photos on it as well as your stats and contact information.
Q: How do I know if offers that I receive are legitimate?
AM: Unfortunately, there is no definite rule about determining if a specific offer is legitimate. Be smart – if it is too good to be true, it usually is. To be an official model for Hot Import Nights, someone from the organization will contact you directly.
Q: I have thinking about getting a breast augmentation, i.e. “boob job.” Do you think I should get this procedure done?
AM: This is not a decision that you enter into lightly. Ask yourself what your motivation is. Is this something that you have always wanted to do for yourself, or are you trying to enhance your modeling career? Many women, even in the import car scene, have been successful without having to undergo surgery and are not naturally well-endowed.
In my line of work, I have been working extensively with plastic surgery practices across the country. Before making the decision, be aware of the risks and side effects:
Breast feeding – Although most breast implant patients can breast feed successfully, breast implants may interfere with breast feeding.
Mammography – During a mammography exam, which is a necessary tool for breast cancer detection, breast implants could hide suspicious tumors or lesions.
Loss of sensation – Some breast implant patients experience loss of sensation in the nipple and breast area due to damage in the nerve endings in these areas.
Leaking of breast implant material – Breast implant material may leak into the surrounding breast tissues, but there is not sufficient evidence that breast implant material approved by the Food and Drug Administration has harmful effects.
Rupture – No implant will last forever. Because implants will deflate due to breakage or rupture, you are guaranteed to need another surgery to replace them.
To find more information about this procedure or to find a plastic surgeon, please visit the website of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons: plasticsurgery.org
I hope that you found this article informative, and I wish you luck in your modeling career.
