Showing posts with label how to model. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to model. Show all posts

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Modeling HOW TO: Stand out and Get Noticed!


Most models will tell you stories of long castings stuck in corridors, looking around at a sea of clones all dressed in tight black clothes, wearing heels, and with their hair pulled back in a pony tail.  How is a model supposed to stand out and get noticed?  There is no golden ticket answer, but how you present yourself and the impression you leave can go a long way in increasing your odds of separating yourself from the pack and getting the booking.


For over a decade the modeling industry has seen an extremely limited range of models, which is the polar opposite of the “cult of personality” of the supermodel era.  Knowing how agents and clients perceive you is critical: do they consider you professional, mature, focused, committed?  Do they see you as a waif when you feel like a bombshell?  There can’t be a disconnect here or it will mean a much bigger struggle to achieving your dreams. 


There are golden rules to creating a great reputation as a model so pay attention: 


  • Always be professional:  Strive for a good relationship with your bookers and agents, since you must work as a team to build your career.  Always being professional, means being reliable, cheerful, a team player, on time, and never being a know-it-all.  If your agents and bookers know you are ambitious, focused, and a good listener, they are more likely to go above and beyond to help you achieve your dreams.  Ask them how you can build your brand to get more attention from editors and casting directors.  Be interested, and interesting!


  • Be original:  The old adage that you should always be yourself because no one can do it better than you is true, and no more so than in building a modeling career.  Don’t be a cookie-cutter model. No one can do you better than YOU!  And do yourself a favor and don’t look at all the other models in the model apartments or at castings and measure yourself against them.  Ever.  Everyone is building their own career, so concern yourself with yours.  That goes for fashioning your “look” on another model – it doesn’t work, and a copy is just a copy. 


  • Know your strengths and work them:  Whether it is high cheekbones, long legs, amazing eyebrows, a great body, a supermodel walk, a chameleon face, or a great personality, see it for the advantage that it is and work it.  Are you a good mover, or a power poser? Are you athletic or super feminine, androgynous or sexy?  Own it and make it work for you.


  • Be aware of your social media presence:  This is somewhere that you can have more control over your “model image” and show your strengths to their best advantage.  But be careful what you show – clients DO look at model’s social media accounts – it matters!  If you are athletic and can do cartwheels, here is your platform to show it off.  If you are a fun-loving model who likes to dance and giggle, make a little clip and post it to show you have a great personality.  Just remember – the industry is watching.

Be fearless:  Stay true to yourself because clients and agents notice a confident, focused model who is a pleasure to work with, who delivers, and is professional.  There are too many models with hang ups, insecurities, or a bad attitude, so don’t be that model – and you will stand out for being the opposite!  Be YOU!




#business of modeling #standing out  #know your strengths #how to succeed in modeling #be unique #be original #beyourself

Thursday, June 23, 2016

HOW TO: Nail an Amazing Beauty Shot


Beauty shots and natural portraits are the most important photos a model needs, which is why they can be some of the most difficult images to achieve.  They establish how photogenic the model is, how the light plays off of their bone structure, whether they are chameleon-like when wearing lots of hair and makeup, or whether they have a more natural beauty.  Agencies choose the best portrait that represents the bone structure and gaze of the model at her best, and use this as her lead image on the agency website, as the first shot in her portfolio, and on her composite card.  So yes!  It’s very important and it's the shot the agency is always looking for, to capture the attention of casting directors and potential clients.  A great headshot can literally change a model’s career and put her on everyone’s radar.  


Frequently testing with the right people let’s you learn what works for you and what doesn’t.  The best portraits enhance your look and show of the best of you, your uniqueness, and your power to hold someone’s attention with your eyes.  It shows if you can be transformed with hair and makeup – fashion designer’s and editor’s dream models.  It shows if your particular type of beauty is more sensual, or classic, or edgy and cool.  


Whatever your look the basic principles to achieving a great portrait stay the same.  Here are some photographers’ tips for nailing a great beauty shot.

Tip 1:  understand the hair and makeup so you can interpret what the theme of the shot is, for example: natural hair and makeup shot outdoors versus dramatic hair and makeup in studio – very different, and the best models are amazing at both
     
Tip 2:  relax – any stress you have is going to show all over your face and in your posture

Tip 3:  don’t over-think it – let the photographer guide you; you are a team creating the image together, so don’t get in your own head and miss your chance to create something amazing

Tip 4:  posture counts:  relax your shoulders, angle them to the camera if the photographer suggests it, and think like a ballerina.  Be aware of your collarbones and let your head pivot on a long, graceful neck as this lets the light hit your cheekbones, brow bones, and jawline – extra tip – know where the light source is!

Tip 5:  It’s all about the eyes:  no matter how gorgeous the light is, how amazing the makeup and hair looks, if your eyes don't “talk”, the shot will not work and be flat and amateur.  On the photographer’s direction, create a little movie or scenario in your mind and “play the part”.  Express emotion with your eyes, thinking about love, joy, happiness, strength, power, or vulnerability.

Tip 6:  Relax your mouth and do not be tempted to do fish lips – ever.  Some models look great when they bite their back teeth together and leave their lips apart – this makes a more defined jawline.  Other models look great when their lips area bit apart and their teeth are not touching at all – it’s vulnerable and sensual if you do it right.  Practice in front of a mirror not a phone, which distorts your face.  

Finally, trust the photographer.  Don’t be an inanimate mannequin.  If the beauty shot could have been made by putting makeup on a plastic head, then it doesn’t work.  The best beauty images “talk”.  


Models and credits:

Fei Fei Sun by Willy Vanderperre
Jena Goldsack by Steven Chee
Edita Vilkeviciute by Boo George
Anna Ewers by Patrick Demarchelier
Amanda Murphy by Thomas Whiteside
Crista Cober by Cedric Viollet
Stella Lucia by Camilla Akrans
Aya Jones for W Magazine
Adriana Lima by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott


#beauty images #how to take a great beauty shot  #model headshots  #beauty tips for great headshots  #best headshots  #comp card shots

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Your Best Swim Suit Shoot Starts Here! Better Pictures on the Beach.


Shooting on the beach in a swimsuit can be one of the most challenging shoots a new model can do, but having a few tricks ready and practiced, can make the experience a lot less stressful and much more successful.

The whole point of doing a swimwear shoot is to show your proportions and how natural you can be without relying on a lot of styling or contrived hair and makeup.   It’s all you!  Make sure you are in great shape before you shoot swimwear so that you can actually use the images in your book – no one is going to retouch you into having an amazing body if you clearly need to go to the gym!

With that in mind, choose a bikini or one-piece that fits properly and does not dig in on the sides making rolls or indentations.  If you aren’t super voluptuous, don’t try to pad yourself up – it never looks good and clients will see it as a drawback. Enhance what you have and own it.  Same goes if you are curvy!  Wearing a suit that fits actually makes your body look better.  Watch where the bottom of the suit hits at the top of your leg to make sure it doesn’t dig in or shorten the visual look of your legs.

If you are a newbie, start by wearing a pair of shorts over your suit like above, until you are comfortable enough to shoot without them.  Or try a sheer cover-up that let’s the light through and catches the breeze and flutters around you – it can be super flattering.




Striking a static pose right away can feel forced and awkward so try movement, such as walking towards or away from the photographer, or twirling around.  This looks much more natural and can get you warmed up. When standing still you must be really aware of your posture and pose.  Model from the top of your head to the tip of your toes as the camera sees all of it, and it all matters.  This takes practice in front of a mirror at home to know your body’s best angles.  Cheating a little to one side is more faltering than shooting straight on, unless you are really fit and can slam-dunk a power pose, staring down the camera.



KEY TIPS TO REMEMBER:

  • Keep your shoulders down and back so you have a long neck and beautiful collarbones.
  • Arching your back a bit so that you feel it in your lower back makes the legs longer and thinner.
  • Arms should be relaxed and natural.
  • Crossing one knee slightly over the other and touching your ankles together while standing on your toes really lengthens visual look of the legs.

Opening your eyes on a bright beach can be really difficult but there are tricks you can learn that will help you to avoid a scowl


Close your eyes, relax your face, and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth – open your eyes on the exhale and close them after your hear the camera click.  This makes the most gorgeous natural beauty look if you do it correctly.  Practice!

  • Let the photographer count you in, opening your eyes on their cue. "1, 2, 3, OPEN"
  • Shoot in an open shade area if possible, or see if there is someone on set who can hold a “scrim” to provide shade over you while you shoot.
  • Smile!  A big, sincere, gorgeous smile makes a natural squint – and looks great!


You and your photographer are a team and it is in both of your best interests to make beautiful and marketable images.  Choose your photographer carefully, and make sure their esthetic matches yours, when you are choosing for a test shoot. Plan ahead and be on the same page.

Practice at home and learn as you go on the shoot and enjoy it!  If you are tense it won’t work. Have fun with sass and class  ... because it’s not all about your ass, despite what the Kardashian's might have you think!

Best tip from this entire post you must always remember .... SHOULDERS DOWN and be YOU!


Big thank you to Allana Wesley White for the amazing photos - definitely the photographer in the know in Miami! 

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Get Scouted: How can I get into modeling!







All model hopefuls need someone to notice just how amazing they are, and one of the biggest hurdles is to catch the attention of a model agency or model scout.


Do your homework and research online the most reputable agency in your local area. It’s a good place to start, but in the age of social media, it has never been easier for scouts and agents from the top tier agencies in NYC, Paris, and other major markets, to find the most promising “new faces” online, no matter where they live.

There are several ways hopefuls can be in contact with agencies:  online submissions on agency websites, social media, open calls at agencies, and through contests or model conventions and showcases. Let’s break it down to find the best approach for you to get your face in front of the decision makers in the agencies:


Open Calls:  this is a set time at an agency where they will meet drop-ins.  You should come exactly on time, do not wear makeup, wearing skinny jeans and a tank top or t-shirt.  Make eye contact, be yourself, and put your best attitude and personality forward.

Online submissions through agency websites:  go to agency websites and look for a menu item that might say either “Be A Model” or “Get Scouted”.  There you will find their submission guidelines with a questionnaire and a place to upload specific photos of yourself.

Social media such as Instagram:  agencies maintain social media accounts, especially on Instagram. Make sure you are following the verified account of the agency and not a fan account.  The best working models have very active social media accounts with images that show their personality, interests, behind the scenes shots, and sometimes they show their tear sheets from work.  Think about your own account and remove any images that might make a potential agent or scout leave your account, such as nudity, club life or party images, duck lips (!), wearing too much makeup, and pictures that are missing a head! All the best agencies check Instagram every day and most of them have a hash-tag # that you can add to three or four of your best pics, that they will check.  Just as a matter of protocol, hash-tag only one agency at a time on a photo, and edit and change the hash-tag to a different one from another agency after about ten days if you have not received a direct message from them. 

Conventions, showcases and contests:  often these events cost money – a lot of money - and promise to put a model in person in front of agents and scouts, but your chances are no better than if you submitted online, or went to an open call or hash-tagged an agency online – and these are free!

So ... Key things to remember: 

Be natural with a fresh face without makeup, have clean hair worn in a normal style, and show the real, genuine “you”.

No professional photos needed – phone pics are preferred.  Use good, natural lighting and avoid a busy background behind you.

Modeling schools are not necessary and do not qualify you to be a model.

There should never be a fee to apply to submit yourself to agencies. Ever. 

Girls should wear skinny jeans and a tank top and guys should wear jeans and a plain t-shirt for online submissions to agencies so they can get an idea of your proportions and figure.  Every agency has different requirements so make sure you read the guidelines.

Don’t lie about your age or height – imagine if you get to actually meet the agent in person and you are caught in a lie??  It’s not the way to begin a business relationship. 

Finally – don’t get discouraged!  Keep in mind that many top models were rejected by one or another agency along the way to building their careers, due to timing, their particular look, their age, or just being the right type for that market.  It’s business, not personal. 

“No” might mean “not right now” or “not this agency”, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for you in the industry!  Don’t give up!



Friday, April 29, 2016

PREPPING FOR YOUR PHOTO SHOOT


It is a model’s obligation to arrive prepped and ready to go for every booking and photo shoot, from hair, skin and nails, to mental attitude. It's
the true sign of a professional model. 

Don't leave things until the night before the shoot but maintain your beauty routine at all times so you are ready to go when the agency calls to say  “you’re booked!”.

  • I recommend shaving fuzz and fine hairs from arms and face. To learn about this technique check out a previous post Women's facial shaving {Here}. If waxing do so at least two days before any shoot and really moisturize your body skin, to avoid redness


  • Avoid alcohol the night before so you don’t have a puffy face that goes for any salty foods too


  • Never try a new product the day before a shoot in case you have a reaction to it! Trust me!  This happened to me from a facemask and I had to shoot a jewelry campaign the next day! Not good.



  • Wash your hair the night before, not the morning of a shoot.  Hair stylists prefer hair slightly dirty as it holds product and style better.  That does not mean having any product already in your hair, or greasy hair.



  • Make sure your haircut, hair color, and hair condition are maintained regularly so you don’t arrive on set with a birds nest for the stylist to deal with



  • Make sure you have clean nails and no colored nail polish and that includes your toes



  • Get a good night’s sleep – woe to the model who parties all night and thinks she can pull off a great booking in the morning – no one is that beautiful – or irreplaceable



  • Pack your bag the night before with nude lingerie including a nude thong, bring your toothpaste/toothbrush, and don't forget energy bars, water, and your phone charger. Even if you are arriving with clean face because a make up artist is booked, always bring the basics - foundation, powder, mascara ... Once I went to an early morning booking and the makeup artist was deathly ill and couldn't make it to the shoot and it the location was far from town in the middle of no-where. Thankfully I had enough to makeup with me to make the job still happen for everyone.



  • Check the call sheet for any other specific things they might ask you to bring - always bring 2 choices if clothing or shoe requests



  • Eat breakfast!  Do not starve!  Models who don’t eat before a shoot because they want a super flat stomach or are just nervous, are fooling themselves.  They have no sustainable energy to last through the shoot and clients and the creative team never have patience for low energy from the model.  Eating a normal breakfast will not be an issue by the time you are shooting, after hair and makeup.



  • Arrive with a clean, moisturized face, without any makeup - sometimes this appears on the call sheet as "clean - clean"  (clean hair, clean face, clean nails



  • Sometimes it will be written on the call sheet "arrive bikini ready" - that means waxed and without any fake tan streaks


Being prepared is in your own best interest in helping create beautiful images which can get you re-booked in the future.  Never assume that the photographer or client will be willing to retouch your roots, shaving stubble or lack of proper hair removal maintenance, ragged nails or cuticles, or the dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep.  The makeup artist and hair stylist are there to enhance your look and are not there for your beauty upkeep.

  
My first agent told every model to always arrive fifteen minutes before your call time in case you are lost or can't find the location, or need to use the washroom, or whatever.  When you arrive on set, greet everyone, be respectful, polite, and engaging.  Always ask the protocol regarding social media, selfies on set, and posting.  The booking is not about you but about the client and the project, so be professional.  It's business.  When the shoot is finished, thank everyone on set before you leave.  Remember: today's assistant stylist, editor or photography assistant could be tomorrow's client! Have a great booking!


Monday, April 13, 2015

POSING LIKE A MODEL - HOW TO TAKE GREAT PICTURES FOR THE RED CARPET - PROM - WEDDINGS - INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK


Shelley Goodstein & Dr Kevin Pounds
I've had my share of red carpet photo ops. Being a model certainly helps when it comes to knowing how to pose year after year. So I thought I'd share a few tricks I've learned for perfect red carpet moments.  Besides sucking it in and good posture, here's how to pull off a perfect pic!


The Classic.
This is your fail safe, go-to pose. Turn to an angle, one foot in front of the other - one leg bent and one hand on the hip! This might be the absolute, most photographed pose of ALL time. Definitely flattering for any "booty"!

Kim Kardashian - photo credit: Getty image


Cross your legs. 
Yes, imagine you are in need of a bathroom and VOILA you have the super slimming forward facing pose. 

Emily Ratajkowski - Photo credit : HuffingtonPost.com



Unladylike - Legs apart.
 JLow repeats this pose often and may be one of the few that can get away with it. Keep in mind this pose is only flattering from the right angle though HINT: Always know where the camera is. Your legs appear slimmer because of the space between. Point your front foot. 
Jennifer Lopez - Photo credit: Grammy.com

The BFF pose
Let's face it, life and photos are always better with your bestie by your side. Plus if you're the "smarter" friend, you'll cheat yourself a little behind to hide a little extra-whatever. This pose always works well as long as you both don't have the same "better" side!
Madison Reed and Victoria Justice - Photo credit : Wire Image 

Twice as nice. Double bent arms.

For this you need the perfect dress and the confidence of a warrior princess or Greek goddess! 
Taylor Swift from Grammys.com


Working the crowd - Air KISS pose


Adrianna Lim - photo credit: Wire image


Using a Prop - Polly Pocket Style

Katy Perry/Rosie Huntington Whitely - Photos: Hollywood Gossip




Avoid a seated pose - standing will always look more flattering ... unless of course you are half naked with this crew at a bonfire in Puerto Rico!
Photo credit: Victoria Secret 















Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Walk in Heels like a Supermodel - Tips from the Runway

Shelley Goodstein Dec 2014

I have to admit, I banned myself from runway modeling for a few years because I had a tremendous fear of falling from the sky high heels required to walk in these shows. The photo above is from a couple months ago  - I guess this goes to show that I've learned a few things over the years to help me get "back on the horse."

In the words of Right Said Fred,  "I'm a model if you know what I mean. And I do my little turn on the catwalk, Yeah on the catwalk!"

Some tips to walking in heels:
  • Buy your sky high heels a half size too small. All my runway shoes are just a tad small. After all you're not buying stilettos for comfort anyway. This way your foot and shoe plant solidly together and there is no risk of one stepping out without the other. You know Cinderella would concur!

  • Lean into your hips and push off your back foot for a long, graceful stride.

  • Posture is key and this goes straight to confidence. Chin should be parallel to the ground. Shoulders back and arms should be ever so slightly bent at the elbows behind you.

  • You should be walking in a straight line with one foot in front of the other  -landing on the ball of your foot. Don't let your feet cross over each other. 

  • Practice makes perfect!!!


XOXO,
Shelley

Check out fellow model Karlie Kloss and her tips below: