I've Got the Ball Rolling! - Starting Out

     There are tidbits of knowledge that you will pick up as you work as a model, network, and do your research. If you were like me, you spent a solid amount of time searching the web for words of wisdom from anybody about things I should know, topics I need to cover pre-shoot, how I'm going to present myself as prepared and comfortable, and how to simply not walk into situations blind. The media is great at instilling a level of fear into society - some of it founded, some not. Do not ignore that element of caution, but do not be hindered by it either.

      Let me state one caveat: If you feel the need to walk away, do so and do not wait. Your life and safety is worth more than anything anybody could ever offer you. I'm not talking about, "Oh, you know, I just don't feel comfortable doing this shoot that I agreed to do and have had time to think about how comfortable I am with this type of work." I'm talking about knowing where you stand with yourself, your limits, arriving on set and getting that gut feeling telling you to turn around and walk away from that door (and this can happen at any time during the shoot). Your reasons are your own, and, while I do not endorse flaking, there simply are moments that require you to take care of yourself and listen. If you are paranoid about your safety and listen to all the hype, taking it to writing in stone, do not model. It will drive you insane. I know people who are not models, photographers, anything related to the industry who are driven nuts by the sheer fear factor.

     Back on a positive note and into the business of it all, you must take care of yourself and respect the world you live in. If you gain nothing from the rest of this article, remember this alone:

 

Always be prepared. You are your own brand, business, and company.

• Know Your Basic Needs
• It's a safe bet to say that if you have a four hour shoot ahead of you, or even an hour long one, you may get thirsty. Bring a water bottle. Bring two. Bring something to keep you from fainting from hunger (not a burger or pasta dish - something light and preferably not overbearing in smell).
• Whenever you model, your appearance is a key factor and Photoshop only works post-shoot. Until then, you are your own Photoshop, and you must keep yourself looking exactly as the employer desires. Hairs will stray or not look as full. Curls may fall. Sweat may be a factor. If you're female, Mother Nature may deem that it's time to start shedding another month's of hard work. If you're male, you could be one of the random men that happen to have a tampon or pad on them when they know they work with women on a daily basis (Yes, I have seen it happen a few times - pick your jaw off the keyboard), but by no means must be. Mascara may run. You may not be "shiny" enough (hello, baby oil or vaseline).
• Congratulations! You are human. Humans intake and excrete. Make sure everyone involved has a location agreed upon for bathroom use. Not everyone is comfortable with a bush. Not everyone brings toilet paper. Get my hint?
• Know Your Job Details 
• References are your best friend. If you are approached by someone or would like to work with someone you have never heard of, do some digging! If you can navigate the internet, you can manage to be your own background check. Check references, websites, check references of those references if need be. Particularly on networking sites such as One Model Place and Model Mayhem, you are blind to the person you are working with. The more time you spend in the social circles of your peers (and potential employers/partners), the more you will learn about reputations and the values of them. Also keep mind that my positive experience may not have been Georgia's experience with said make up artist/hair stylist/photographer/model/retoucher/etc. Ask more than one person! People like to talk. Trust me.
• You've received an address to where you will be driving to for your shoot. Great! Google Maps is amazing for it's ability to see street views. If you're new to an area or in any way are unfamiliar with it, Google Map it! It will help prevent you from driving in circles, wasting everyone's time, money, and your gas. If you have questions about which place to go, it also allows you the time and opportunity to inquire the exact location of said shoot.
• I would hope this goes without saying, but we will cover it for the sake of it. Date, time, location, content, who is coming, how long you are shooting, what you need to bring or NOT bring, waiver details, paid or trade, what your face and hair needs to look like, and even nail color are all incredibly important details to know. Ask questions. Don't be shy. If you are a smoker and know you will need smoke breaks during the shoot, bring it up before hand and make sure there is a safe/appropriate location to smoke! It's unprofessional to be in the middle of a shoot, stand up, and state that you need to take ten minute smoke breaks four times within an hour and a half. It annoys everyone, wastes time, and breaks up the dynamic. 
• Basic Manners
• Look people in the eye and have a firm handshake
• Stand up straight! You are your own resume and artistic piece!
• Do not yell, speak over someone, or nearly whisper while communicating. All are annoying and take away brownie points.
• Procrastination isn't useful. Ever.
• Address what you need to address. Be sociable! Smile.
• Be honest. Be genuine. Be you.
• Be aware of your surroundings for the simple fact of knowing where everything is located should it be needed and not wanting to get lost.
• Deliver. Do your job. Do it with a great attitude. No one invites back a lazy person, a grumpy person, or a walking drama tv show.
• Listen.

     Those are three of the most important topics I deem necessary when communicating and starting out as a model, starting any form of communication. It truly isn't hard to use your brain, trust your gut, and make sure you cover all of your bases. Body language, eye contact, and appearance all make and form impressions - especially with people you have just met. Be on your best behavior for you are present to do a job. Oh, and always remember to take breaks if you need them. A dead model is a useless model.

With Much Love,

Aina <3

I Want to Be a Model! Can I?

     Congratulations!

     From one established model to you, I applaud you for acknowledging your desire and dream of modeling! Like yourself, I enjoy being vain and creating gorgeous pictures - even more so if I get paid for it! High fashion, glamour, lifestyle, artistic nude, cosplay, pregnancy, beauty, and fitness are only a few aspects of the industry you will be exposed to and have likely already done research on. Perhaps you were like me and have spent hours flipping through hundreds of pictures, slowly deciding as to which genres you would like to dip your feet into and which ones make your bristle, if any. Whether or not you initially decided that this was a field for you or not, you've apparently become interested as you've started doing research as to how to get started.

     This blog post will not cover how to get started in the field. However, I will tell you how to get started with yourself as a person. The points I have listed below will give you some considerations as you begin this journey and thought process. While the choices are ultimately yours, these recommendations come from a model who has been in the industry for over two years and a variety of experiences, good, bad, and the random.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

      1. Your choices will make and break you. No one else is responsible for you other than you.

                 This is a general life lesson that we all must accept - regardless of our age and whether or not we are "allowed" to do something. If you become a success in whatever you do in life or manage to drive yourself into a corner with no place to go, it is your responsibility to pick yourself up and figure it out. Perchance someone will be nearby and willing to help. There also is the possibility you will be surrounded by a crowd of people with not a single hand being offered. What does this have to do with being a model? You will find opportunities to make big bucks - I won't lie to you. You will find people who are willing to pay a hefty price for something they want from you. What you invest your time into will be your reputation and character. Thoughts result in action. Learn to recognize where you want to go and your limitations.

     2. How do you see yourself and the world?

                 As we go through life, we experience a variety of beliefs, cultures, and feelings. For me, modeling helped me get in touch with how I saw myself on multiple levels. It was part of an ongoing journey of me figuring out who I am, what makes me tick, and how I function. A heads up as you grow as a human being in heart and body, you never finish growing. Never expect to be "finished". I encourage you to dig deep into your mind. Spend time alone with yourself and think about you. When I first started as a model, I had decided that I could damn well do what I please and fulfill my dreams if I so pleased. Modeling was also a distraction from a very toxic and violent family divorce. It gave me a creative outlet. Most importantly, modeling was me being selfish and starting a new journey for myself regardless of what others thought. The world was beautiful outside of my insane parent drama. Yes, of course, nothing is ever always rainbows, butterflies, pixie dust, and golden sun. Realizing where I stood with myself and the world would/did/continues to help me be accountable to myself and make my decisions.

     3. Spiritual, mental, and physical health are equally important. 

                 Modeling, in many ways, is centered around vanity at some point. The industry wants pretty people and pretty pictures and pretty colors and pretty this and pretty that. The industry has endless comments, standards, and ideas of vanity as well. I would be fooling you, the reader, if I did not admit that a person may or may not be chosen due to their physical aspects. I, for example, do not have large breasts by any means. My buttocks is larger than my chest. This natural state of my body has led me to receive declines to casting calls - if not being ignored all together. My height reaches a perfect 5'2" which is not tall enough for most runway work. The numbers on the scale, the measurements around the waist, the dress size, shoe size, hair color, skin color, etc, are all equally important details as you make your way through this industry. However, the value is very little if your spiritual, mental, and physical health are not in check. Do not let the opinions of others sway your love for yourself. It isn't wise nor kind to degrade yourself simply because another human being has different preferences. Take care of yourself. Being pretty isn't even half the battle. I promise. There is a market for everything, and your most important buyer is yourself.                            

     4. Be BOLD.

                 Learn to say no, professionally and respectfully. Speak up if you are uncomfortable or need a break. Share your passion with equally passionate people. Do not surround yourself with negative talk. Be realistic, then forget it. Be ambitious, then be realistic about the steps to getting there. Find your niché. Make mistakes, then learn from them and realize that you should make mistakes. Give yourself permission to feel how you want to feel - feelings are not wrong. Sleep for eight hours. Eat responsibly (notice I didn't say "healthy"). Push your limits. Discover yourself. Lose yourself. Find yourself again.

     Modeling is not an easy task for anybody. The most successful models have worked incredibly hard  and continue to do so. Modeling is full of acceptors, exceptions, rejectors, hate, love, and anything else you can think of. As you continue thinking about your decision to model, do so with a heart of love towards yourself, a thick skin, an open mind, and patience. Stand your ground according to your morals, ethics, and beliefs, and refuse hasty decisions. Trust yourself, try yourself, and be true to yourself.

With <3,

Aina

                                           

                                                            Photographer: MSlygh