Age is Just a Number

Lately I have been volunteering at a senior center here in palm Beach...I have met many seniors in their 80's and 90's.. because my eye cant help but photograph people after so many years of doing that,  I look at these ladies and try to see what they looked like 50 years ago.

I am sure some where quite beautiful! When I get to know them better I will ask to see their pictures...This has brought a new reality to my thinking. Models are 13 these days and work till they are 25 and some much more but most of them think they are old at that age. 

Because of the business, they forget that in the real world 80 is old...it is normal in the business to hear from agent things like -  well he is to old or she is to old.. From volunteering at the Center I now see that there is not to old..that is only in our business.. 

These ladies I bet are still the ageless age of youth on the inside..they glow from the inside out and love the fact that they are alive and are full of gratitude..I went there to be of service to them and instead I am being enlightened....

Since the business does have an age requirement one must take advantage of those years and make wise decisions about the money they make..if you can leave the business with enough money to start your life after modeling then you will not feel the slump of the business and you will not find it hard to survive .. 

Do not become one of the models that is begging for any kind of work you can get...Take it from someone who made all the mistakes..it is not pretty when they tell you you are over and you have nothing to fall on except memories...save your money and pay yourself a salary open a corporation and keep an account of all your business dealings...

Remembering Fashion Week

Fashion week always makes me nostalgic about the times that I walked the runway. Print work is with a few people and is very rewarding..but walking in shows is like theater -  live with music and lights and an audiences, it was one of my favorite things to do when I was modeling..

I was blessed to do all the great shows in Europe and and in New York..I remember being booked for the first Calvin Klein runway show..it was a who is who of modeling must of being over 40 models and all were famous..it was a magical day..and still brings back great memories...

Modeling is fun and hardly work for those that love the business, you have to love it, you need to ask yourself would I do it for free? If the answer is yes, then you are in the right business...Shows are so exciting and fast ,the clothes the girls the makeup the music its all magical, hope you get to experience the top shows one day..

My love for helping models

Today is Monday and it started with the usual thoughts..hoping that I am aligned with the Universal thought and I am expressing myself in that way...

I love to help models,  its in my blood.  It is rewarding when they actually look me up and send an email saying nice things like -  I am so grateful that you are taking the time to help me.  When someone does that it warms my heart and I get so happy that someone took the time to learn about me and my accomplishments..

When I was starting out a lot of people helped me so I try to give back and do the same they did for me..I have started many wonderful people. I never did it for the money but for the satisfaction.  I knew what I knew was right from starting movie stars to supermodels to fashion photographers and designers ..and many others that I have no idea how I touched them.  

The other day I got a call from California and it was a kid that I had helped and gave confidence to. He called to tell me that he was a major recording star now and that I had been instrumental in him believing in himself... Well talk about karma, I really needed that. It had been over 2o years since I had seen him and he found me and wanted to tell me thank you. Before that call I was in total despair about my future. Then today a young model asked for my advice and a great young man also asked me to manage him..so all its good..

I suppose I better think of the mismanagement fees that I never thought of before since the Models Brotherhood that I am hoping to start will need money to get going..Peace

How do you become a Model?

Do you have what it takes?

How do you get from where you are to the cover of a magazine? How do you get from where you are to the runways of Paris.  The amuse is determination and belief in your self..also taking a good look at yourself and being honest with yourself..to be a model you have to be beautiful, perfect in height face teeth eyes nose chin legs hips shoulders  and many more factors that agents are only aware of.  

You may have one or two of those qualifications, but why spend all that time trying to do something that you don't have a chance at.  In my days it was different but one still had to have something and most of all the most important quality was you had to be photogenic!! 

What is photogenic? Well its the magic of modeling..when you see someone in real  life and they seem a bit strange but then once in front of the camera  magic happens...Do you have the Magic?

Modeling Q's & A's

The Palmero Modeling Workbook

A series of questions and answers to help you get started on your path to being a successful model.

Question

Q- I want to be a model, where do I start? What is the very first thing I should do? Testing? Find a photographer?  Hire one? Where do I begin? Talk to me about the importance of desire and visualization in the process.

Answer

A - Where you start is in your mind. If you can see yourself in the magazines doing the things that other models do then you are on the right path your mind and your body really give you clues as to where and what you should do. I always say follow your dream. When I was starting out I would cut the picture of the model on the cover of GQ and I would paste mine and look at it all the time, determination and visualization are omnipotent, I did that later as well when I transitioned into acting by putting my head shot on the television screen….I would watch the movies with my face on the screen. You need an honest appraisal of yourself and parental approval and support since women these days are as young as 12 and of course tall at least 5’9. You need to be realistic as well just like a ballerina or a football player needs to have certain attributes, well so does modeling.  You are to be an example (a model) so your weight ,skin (No tattoos or piercing) your hair has to be natural no dying or streaking.  Guys have to have a great physique not overly muscular but be able to fit the clothes if starting out over 18 if younger then it’s a different set of circumstances.  I would say luck (being in the right place at the right time).  Of course be photogenic!!  Realizing that modeling is a career and that you are in business for yourself (an independent contractor) which means you are the business.  It's just like if you were to start a business making cakes or fixing cars.  Modeling agencies act as the broker to the model they take their commission from the job and you have to take care of taxes and deductions just like you would if you owned any other business.

 The first thing you should do is try to contact a local modeling agency and ask them when they have open call. They will usually ask you to email some snapshots of your face and one of your body with your stats including your age, height and measurements.  You must find an agency that is licensed and is affiliated with one of the major agencies.  View their website most agencies have a place to send your pictures on their sites. Remember that they get lots of submissions and they are busy so may not hear back right away.  If they don’t respond is either that you don’t meet their needs or that they didn’t get it. Never give up until you speak with the New Faces agent. If no luck then call again and ask when they have open calls. That is specific days that they see new faces and time.  Patience and humility area a must. If the reception area is full sign in and wait bring a book to read and wait your turn. Sometimes the receptionist will hand you over a registration form, if you are a minor a parent needs to be with you.  They will ask you if you have any pictures to show them, since a lot of times they will just take your info and pictures to the back and if the agent wants to meet you they will come out and take you to their office for an interview.  Some models have gone to conventions or joined websites that all they do is take your money and a lot of it.