How to Become a Model in 2022
The modeling industry has evolved a lot over the past few years. Diversity and inclusivity is now embraced with models coming in all shapes and sizes.
Whether you’re hoping to become a fitness model, swimsuit model, face model, or perhaps you’re hoping to use modeling as a launching pad for a career in entertainment, there are steps you need to take to be on the right path. The modeling business is a serious business that requires commitment, hard work, consistency, and creativity. You also should be prepared to invest time and money in your craft. Competition is tough especially for beginners, especially in big markets like New York, Miami or Los Angeles and top modeling agencies tend to have limitless options to choose from. Hence you have to stand out and distinguish yourself from the host of aspiring models. Below are a set of guidelines that can steer you on the path of becoming a model in 2022 any beyond.
WHAT TYPE OF MODEL ARE YOU?
The first step is to carry out an overall personal evaluation of yourself. Reflecting will help you understand what type of model you are. You will identify your strongest features and know which modeling niche best suits your features. Understanding your body size, skin tone, height, and facial qualities will help you make the most out of them.
A sincere evaluation will provide you with the requisite knowledge in identifying where your core strengths lie and it’s the first step in becoming a model. The sky is big enough for all birds to fly and this saying might just as well be true of the modeling agency. However, you must first understand why you want to be in the sky, and only then will you be able to soar high enough to touch the clouds.
CHOOSE THE AREA THAT BEST SUITS YOUR BODY TYPE.
The world of modeling is vast and there are various areas to choose from. Today, there are different sizes of models breaking the stereotype and forging a career in previously difficult areas. However, a key part of becoming a model is choosing the area that best suits your body features. Doing this will give you the knowledge of the modeling niche that might be much easier for you to break into. For instance, if you’re curvy you might find swimsuit modeling more suitable. If you have a more slender figure, you might find runway modeling as a better niche.
The same applies if you’re a male aspiring model. Having muscles and an attractive body makes you more suitable for fitness modeling. Having nice curly or long hair can make you suitable for hair products modeling. Essentially, it’s about understanding your body and knowing what modeling niche is more in demand of your body type.
LEARN AND MASTER MODELING BASICS
After conducting a sincere evaluation and understanding the modeling area that fits your body features, the next thing to do is learn and master the basics of the modeling niche you find suitable. Learning and mastering the basics will help you to learn the areas you need to improve and what you need to do to kick start your modeling career. For example, if you want to be a face model, you should learn the face care regiment to achieving healthier skin. If you want to be a swimsuit model and your body is not at the level it should be, you might need to work out to get your body to the right level.
Essentially, learning and mastering the basics of modeling requires that you dedicate yourself to achieving the right conditions needed in your desired niche. Learning and mastering the basics of modeling involves the following:
Exercising: Becoming a model requires that you maintain a good physical condition. You have to work out and maintain the necessary body frame if you are signed to a major agency.
Healthy Diet: What goes into your body is very important. Hence you must pay attention to your diet and ensure that you eat healthily. You might need to consult a dietician to recommend the right diet for you.
Pay Attention To Your Appearance: how you look is very important in modeling. You have to maintain your skin and use the right beauty products to maintain a healthy skin. You should also dress nicely and let your outfit define your sense of style because your outfit says a lot about you as much as your body and looks.
Learn Exhaustively About the Modeling Niche: You need to research and learn about the modeling niche you choose and companies you do business with. You can do this by watching modeling videos online, watching TV shows, and listening to industry professionals on podcasts. You can also attend Model Boot Camps and Online Training.
BUILD A PORTFOLIO
After acquiring the requisite knowledge on the modeling niche you desire, you need to build a modeling portfolio from a trusted photographer. By engaging in small modeling jobs, you will gain experience in the modeling niche you prefer and this will help you build your portfolio. A portfolio must be professional and must include top quality taken pictures, videos, reels, and contents that showcase your body type and core features. For example, if you’re aspiring to become a swimsuit model, your portfolio should include professional pictures and clips of you in different swimsuits and nice poses that display your body type, confidence, and basic understanding of the job.
Having your model portfolio in both soft and hard copy will also allow you easily choose either when you need it. The digital copy can be easily submitted to online agencies and scouts. When looking for photographers, always do a deep dive research on the company. It's important to not spend thousands on photography if it's not going to get you some where.
STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND NETWORK
To become a professional model, you must be ready to leave your comfort zone. You have to be ready to take a chance on yourself and believe that you have what it takes to move to the next level.
You have to be ready to network and meet people who can give you the exposure you need. You have to be bold to go for auditions and attend modeling open calls to gain exposure and visibility. You can use the following tips to improve your networking skills.
Go Outside Your Circle: to become a pro, you must look beyond your circle and meet people who can help you achieve your goals. You have to put in the effort in building relationships with people who have the knowledge and connections to put you on.
Go Outside Your Comfort Zone: this can be tough because most people don’t want the inconvenience that comes with leaving their comfort zone. However, to build your portfolio, you have to be ready to leave your comfort zone and take more jobs in your modeling niche or other related areas. This will give you more experience that will be valuable in your quest.
Volunteer for Small Gigs or TFP: Volunteering for small gigs will give you visibility and help you gain valuable experience. By showcasing your talent on small gigs bigger companies will take notice of you and it’s only a matter of time before you get your big break.
Attend Events and Related Activities: Another way to network is by attending shows, events, festivals, etc. that attract models, talent agencies, scouts, entertainment companies, celebrities, etc. These gatherings give you the chance to interact with other aspiring models and also make an impression because you don’t know who might be watching.
FIND A MODELING AGENCY
After gaining the necessary exposure and visibility, the next step is to sign for a modeling agency that will use its resources to get you to the next level. You need to examine the list of agencies displaying interest in you and consider their track record to determine the agency that best suits you. Agencies now use online media and social media like Instagram in identifying talents. Hence you must maintain in good, professional online presence and your social media should reflect your quality. Your digital portfolio should stand out and be as attractive as your traditional portfolio.
GET EXPOSURE
Modeling agencies are very hard to get into, since they usually require a certain level of experience or a certain look. There are websites that provide free casting calls and subscription platforms to get castings. Latitude Talent Studios is a great tech-platform for beginners looking to get access to casting opportunities if the agency route poses difficult when starting.
CONSISTENCY
Once you attract modeling agencies and find the agency that best suits you, you have to be consistent. You can’t afford to become comfortable and lose sight of the goal. You have to maintain the right body structure and eat healthy just like you have been doing before you got here. You have to learn to create contents that will build your community and increase your visibility. You need to learn how to use social media to showcase your talent, creativity, and ability to keep up with changes and trends in the industry.
You must be careful with your image and social media branding. Your clients and potential clients are always watching hence as much as you try to be yourself and express your thoughts and ideologies, you must not do so in a way that might harm your career. Whether you use social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Reddit Latitude Talent advises those starting out to always remain professional, as some castings, especially those through an agency, are careful to select talent who remain professional and true to their brand.
Becoming a model requires that you take the time to know yourself, understand your body and identify your strong features. This will help you identify the modeling niche you should explore. Learning and mastering the basics of modeling will help you deploy the acquired knowledge in chasing your dream and give you an edge. Researching, listening to industry experts, and learning from successful models will help you skip avoidable mistakes. Remember, getting into modeling should be a fun thing.
Networking is very important and to do this you must be ready to leave your comfort zone. You have to take risks and go in for opportunities to see where it leads. The more modeling opportunities you get the closer you get to your big break. Essentially, becoming a model requires hard work, creativity, and consistency. And even after you become a model, these qualities will keep you going for success.
