Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Anonymous Wrote: Hi ! I am attending some open calls next month and i am so stressed because although i am 5'9" and my waist is 23" my hips are 37/38" which i know is too big for high fashion modelling and the agencies are top agencies!! I dont know what to di because i know i need them to be smaller but i dont know how and i already do a lot of excercise! Do you have any tips or advice ? Hi, Anonymous! The hip area is a huge problem for many people and as you know it can be difficult to slim down for modeling purposes and getting within range of what high fashion agencies require. What makes it even tougher is that you can't technically exercise your way to smaller hip bones. What you can do, however, is try to slim down by getting rid of the excess fat we sometimes carry around the hip area. I don't know what specific exercises you're doing or how long you've been maintaining that regimen but below is a link to an article that descri...

Missy Wrote: Hi dania, Im 16 and next month i have an interview with an agency in london!!!!!!!! I read that you should probably wear heals should i still do that even though im 16 and ive never really wore heels, will they be expecting that? Thanks! Hey, Missy! Congrats on your upcoming agency interview, how exciting! If you want to become a model, you've definitely got to make heels a part of your life. I don't know your height or if you plan on pursuing fashion/runway but if so, you need to make sure you've got a pair of nude colored heels that are at least 4 inches tall. Once you've got that pair, start practicing at home so that you are comfortable with walking in front of the agency if they ask you to do so at the interview (it's likely they will). Below are links to other modeling blog posts I've written that are related to the runway walk you can dive into: http://amodelsdiary.blogspot.com/2010/08/few-words-about-runway-walk.html htt...

Steve Wrote: Branding & Modeling Pt III: Know the Basics I am yet-to-be represented actor/model, who is unfamiliar with the social media platforms used for branding. After I have established the name I think I will be using, do you think the most important social media platform to establish is Facebook, followed by Instagram? To simplify the process for people new to social media sites, is it perfectly acceptable to have only one profile on Facebook for both branding and family/friends? A big concern of mine with Facebook is privacy in that it is very easy for alleged creditors, sales people or others who don't like what you represent to find you. Both of my Facebook accounts are inactive, and according to Facebook, people are only allowed to have one profile with the same email address, so I'm trying to decide which account to shut down and if I should use my real name or not, any suggestions?  Steve Norwood Hi there, Steve! That's definitely a good place to...

Steve Wrote: Branding & Modeling Pt II: Where Do You Start? I am yet-to-be represented actor/model newbie, with no credits. At what point in my career should I establish the name I will be using in social media? Do Actor/models usually use their real name if it is good sounding or memorial? Or should I wait on creating my name until I am represented by a talent agency?  Steve Norwood Hey, Steve! There are no hard and fast rules when it comes using a real name or a stage name so it's a matter of personal preference. A lot of models/actors use their real names when they get into the industry and typically only change it if their agency recommends it. To keep things simple in the beginning, however, it's easier to start with using your real name. Agencies won't be super picky about that part of it. And I think Steve Norwood is a fine name. :-)

Anonymous Wrote: Dear Dania, You are the best, thanks so much for your advice!! I have a question though: I got accepted to a small but reputable model agency. However, they said that before signing the contract with me they would need me to get a test shoot done. They sent me a list of some pretty famous photographers and said I can either have a shoot with one of them or find any other photographer myself if I want. The prices for the test shoots on the list they sent me were 50£ (64$) on average, which is not too much, and the photographers are really famous and worked all over the globe. But do you think it's ok that they will sign a contract with me after I get the test shoot done? I don't know why but that makes me a bit nervous haha Thanks in advance for you reply!!! <3 Hi, Anonymous! Awww, thank you for the kind words! Truth be told, I'm not familiar with the details of how things work with agencies in the UK so while I know that normally it isn'...