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.