Getting started in the modelling business can be challenging. Even though nowadays social media is certainly a great opportunity that makes it easier than ever to be visible and present, there simply are many, many people pursuing the same goal. So to get started and become successful, the most important thing is to be seen and to be heard. It is very important to keep in mind a few tips when you are trying to start your modelling career. Check out or list below and take notes!

The Dos

TIP 1: Which Social Media Channel Is the Best for Your Purposes?

It’s not always easy to keep track of all the different websites and options that the world of social media has to offer. You might wonder if you really need to set up a professional account on every single service, and the answer is a very clear “no”. Websites like facebook and linkedIn are mainly social networks with a focus on user interaction. That’s not going to get you very far as a model. Pinterest and WeHeartIt are also not your best choice, which becomes obvious when you look at studies on the biggest and most commonly used social media channels. In January 2020, the clear leader was facebook with 2,449 million users. But because it only offers limited opportunities to get your modelling career started, instagram (with 1,000 million users) is the best option for your purposes. We should also mention TikTok, which has only recently started to become more widely known but is gaining in popularity.

TIP 2: What to Do Before a Photo Shooting

Finally, the day of your shooting has come and you are super excited for the session to begin. First of all, you should make sure that you show up on time to leave a positive and professional first impression. Before the session starts, it is essential that you discuss the whole process in detail with the photographers and the creative director. That way, you will know right from the start what to expect and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. Maybe you also have some valuable ideas for the shooting.

TIP 3: Body Care Before a Shooting

Before your first shooting, you should know that there is going to be a stylist, but they will only have limited time to work on your appearance. So, before you arrive on set, at the very least, wash your hair and do a short skincare routine − but make sure that your skin doesn’t become oily in the process. It is best to ask your stylist about their preferences to get a feel for the whole procedure in the future. This can help you if you are unsure how to prepare for a photo shooting.

TIP 4: What to Do If You Are Unhappy with Your Outfit for the Shooting

It can always happen that you are just not completely satisfied with your outfit during a shooting. In a professional setting, you should always be able to talk to the stylist about it in a respectful and constructive manner. Be clear about what exactly you don’t like about your outfit to give the stylist a chance to make alterations. That way, you should be able to come up with a solution together and agree on an outfit.

The Don’ts

TIP 1: What to Do when You Get Requests on Instagram or Other Sites

If you are starting to get requests for your pictures on social media, do not just give them away because this might be your chance. The best approach is to let the person or agency contact you through your professional email account or through your agent. You should never give away the rights to your photos to an unknown account and always ask what they are going to use your pictures for. If you want to prevent the use of your images altogether, take a look at image labelling and licences. If you, for example, label your picture “CC BY” it means that it can be used commercially but has to mention your name. In contrast, the label “CCO” means that the owner does not claim any copyrights.

TIP 2: What Not to Do Before a Shooting

We often think that we can only leave a positive first impression if we look good. For many models, this includes wearing perfect makeup. But coming to the set with a full face of makeup is usually not desirable and should be avoided. Makeup is a way of artistic expression and an opportunity to enhance your individual features. But that’s the stylist’s job as they know the specific requirements from the creative director as well as the exact purpose of the shooting. They will also match your make-up and your outfit, which you probably won’t see before the shooting. Besides, the shooting itself will cause enough stress for your skin, so save yourself the effort of having to wash off your makeup.

TIP 3: What to Eat Before a Shooting

Literally no one needs a bloated belly during a shooting, so avoid having a full meal before the session. Not eating anything at all isn’t the best idea either, since you can never be totally sure how long the shooting is going to take, and you are going to need a lot of energy to give your best performance. That’s why we recommend having a light meal such as a nutritious smoothie, some yogurt with fruit or scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

TIP 4: Don’t Worry If You’re Not Getting Too Many Assignments

Sometimes you just might not get any requests for a while and you will wonder what you should do or if you should give up on your dream of having a successful modelling career. We would strongly recommend that you don’t. When it comes to modelling, you will need a lot of patience and maybe you can use that time to work on your instagram account. You have to consider that the number of characters that you can portray is limited, and sometimes there might not be any demand for a while. So instead of just giving up altogether, you could catch up on the latest trends.

Conclusion

Models always have to work on improving themselves, as being seen and noticed is vital. But with a lot of patience, self-promotion and the right legal protection, nothing is going to stop you.