Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Denise! Before I ask my question, I must say that I love your blog! I bet you hear them all the time! I have few questions to ask. I want to apply for fit modelling.I am 163.5-164 in height (I think) and weigh about 53. To be a fit model, do I have to lose weight? Because I think weighing 53 is alot....Also do I have to have skinny thigh, and flat stomach to be a fit model? If that is the case, do you think I should lose weight first then apply? I just wanted to make sure because I want everything to be right when I apply.... Thank you so much in advance!! I love you and your blog! Also, you are beautiful!! Hey, Anonymous! Awww, thank you SO much for the compliments! *blushing* You don't need to lose weight--we're about the same height and weight so trust me, you're totally fine. ;-) If you're the right size currently for fit modeling clients and lose weight beforehand, you won't be able to book the job! LOL. The thing with fit...

Supernova Wrote: Hello, I am a model with little experience in the field.I have recently got an offer to do a shoot for a foreign commercial brand.I was just wondering how much payment should I ask for since I am inexperienced.It is an 8 hour shoot.Since it is a Holland based company and I am an Indian,I am really Confused regarding the pay.Can you please help me out? Thank you. P.S I love this blog.Really helpful. Hi, Supernova! Glad my blog has been of use to you and congrats on the latest modeling assignment you've booked! How exciting! :-) Has the client give you any details about the shoot itself? For example, will they provide hair, makeup and wardrobe or do you have to arrive "camera ready"? Are you required to travel outside of city limits to get to the shoot location or is it local? Such factors help when trying to provide a rate, not just experience level. Did they give you a budget or rough amount they'd be willing to pay or are they leavin...

Rita Wrote: Thank you so much! And do you think my measurements are ok? i am 32-25-36. I was remeasured by a friend. I am 5'8 and my weight is about 120lbs. Another question, i promise it is my last,is do you have to wear heels to the open call? A friend of mine told me it makes the agency believe thaet you are lying about your height, so i just wanted to verify. Hi, Rita, You're very welcome! Your bust measurement is fine and your hips are the max that agencies allow so you're okay there but your hips are one inch bigger than the maximum standard. 35 inches is usually the largest agencies will allow fashion models to be. I would recommend submitting to agencies and attending open calls to see if they mention your hip measurement or not. It's better to get their feedback first before going through the effort of trying to slim down. Your height and weight are fine, too. Heels at an open call is a must, especially if you want to get into fashion and runwa...

Serin Wrote: Hi! this may seem like a trivial question but how should I keep my nails for an open call? Is it okay if they are painted or should I leave them plain? Thank you so much. Hey, Serin! Your question isn't trivial at all...it's all in the details, I always say! ;-) I believe you can't lose if you leave your fingernails plain without any color. It's a lot easier to maintain and you don't have to worry about the nail color chipping or something at the last minute. As long as your nails are well groomed (i.e. cuticles trimmed, moisturized, filed, clear coat is optional), you'll have nothing to worry about. If you choose to wear color, that's okay, too, but pick a shade that's more neutral--it shouldn't be a distraction. Also keep it simple: no designs, bling or crazy long acrylic nails. French tips would be fine, as would a solid nail color. The same applies to toenails if you plan on wearing open toed heels.

Rita Wrote: Hi Dania! I am 17 years old and an aspiring model. There is an agency near me that does open casting calls on certain days. They also asked that I bring a few snapshots with me, and i was wondering how to dress in those snapshots, and when i visit hte agency. I've been told to wear solid colors and no jewlery or makeup. Is this correct? Also, I am 5'8 and my measurements are 34-25.5-36. Any workouts i can also be doing to slim my thighs? i feel tehy are a bit too big. Thank you for reading, Rita Hey, Rita! For snapshots you should ideally wear dark skinny jeans, heels (3-4 inches) and a solid colored tank top or t-shirt that is fitted so the agency can see your shape. You are correct that no jewelry or makeup should be worn to the open call. Below is a photo example of the type of outfit that is perfect to wear to open calls for female models: Before you kill yourself with various exercises and workouts to try and slim down your thighs, I would recomm...

Rita Wrote: Hi Dania! I really love your blog! So I´m 14 and 5´9. My measurements are 33-24-33 and i´m currently wearing braces. I´m taking them off in 2 years time. Is 16 a good age to start modeling? And am I ok to be a runway model? Hi, Rita! I'm glad you love my blog...I love having you as a reader! :-) 16 would be just fine for you to start modeling. You already have the height and stats so once your braces get removed, you'll be ready to start looking into agencies for runway and fashion, which you do have the height for. :-)

Anonymous Wrote: Hey Dania, I was wondering when you send in your modeling snapshots to agencies what do you put as the title of the photos? Do you just put your first and last name? Hey there, Anonymous! When titling the files for snapshots you plan on emailing, you can use your first and last name. If attaching more than one photo, you can add a bit more information to the name. For example, let's say you're about to email a headshot, full body and profile shot to an agency. You could title the photos something along the lines of: - JaneDoe_Headshot - JaneDoe_Full Body - JaneDoe_Profile or - Jane Doe Headshot - Jane Doe Full Body - Jane Doe Profile Titling them all with your first and last name may be confusing for the person receiving the files so adding that extra info about the type of photo it is will help agencies know which image file they're about to open.  But if these are hard copy snapshots you will be printing out and submitting, then yo...

Serin Wrote: Hi Dania, Thank you so much for taking your time to write out all these wonderful tips. I recently received an email fro Ford models agency asking to meet with me next Thursday. I'm pretty nervous but your blog has helped so much! I do have a question though, I sent in my photos via email and I only have photos on my iPhone to show them. Do I need to bring separate photos? Or can I just show them pictures on my iPhone? or should i print them out? Again, thank you so much for your tips. Hey, Serin! You are so very welcome and congrats on being invited to the interview with Ford...exciting!!! Definitely print out the snapshots you sent. Either 4"x6" or 5"x7" is acceptable. Make sure they're printed out on decent photo paper. On the back of each photo write the following information: - Full Name - Age/DOB - Measurements (height, weight, bust, waist, hips, shoe, dress, pants) - Contact Info (email and phone number) In case the...

Anonymous Wrote: Denise, what does in modeling mean "on stay"? Like from this entance...looking for models on stay in India, Turkey etc. for example. Hi, Anonymous! I'm not familiar with that term as it applies to modeling, at least I've never come across it here in the United States. My best guess would be they are asking for models that are currently located in a particular area...or maybe models that plan on being in that location for a while. Your guess is as good as mine, lol, but I hope I'm somewhat close! If anybody happens to know the actual answer, please post here and share...I'm always willing to learn something new. :-)

Aoibhinn Wrote: Hi! My name is Aoibhinn. Can I just say I love your blog! :) I am 13 this year and would love to be a model. I weigh 45 pounds and I am about 5'3". I am a UK size 8 and US size 6 I think. I also have braces. Would my braces and young age be a problem? Also, what type of modeling should I try? Thank you :) Hey, Aoibhinn! Awww, thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my blog and I am happy to have you as a reader! Based on your age and height, you are ideal for teen modeling. So you'll want to look into agencies that represent teen models. Because you are very young, having braces may not work against you as much as they would if you were older. A lot of teens have braces so it's just a matter of whether or not an agency feels they can get you work based on your overall, physical look, not just the fact that you have braces. Definitely go online to find modeling agencies with a teen division within a 2 hour's drive from where you live and see ...