So… You Want To Be A Model

I spent a good portion of today doing a casting for models in preparation for our Spring/Summer 12-13 campaign shoot. It’s been a really interesting day; I haven’t done a casting before and I’ve learnt it’s very good to meet people and see how they look in your clothes BEFORE you agree to work with them.

Anyway, everyone I saw today was from Chadwick. They’re a very reputable agency and so it’s no surprise that the girls I saw were all of an exceptionally high standard – both aesthetically and professionally.

That said, it got me thinking – given there are squillions of beautiful girls out there who are extremely photogenic, what does it take to be a model that designers, magazines, advertisers, stylists and photographers want to book again and again and again?

For me, here are the things that make or break it:

1. Show up on time. Sounds simple, but it’s surprising how many people get it wrong. If you’re running late, it’s not a big deal but do remember your client is paying everyone else to be there and they’re waiting for THE MODEL. Just call and say you’re running late!
2. Treat the items you’re modelling with care and respect. If they’re clothes, put them back the way you found them; on hangers or at the very least folded neatly. Don’t just dump them in a pile somewhere.
3. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all. Honestly, it horrifies me when a model shows up and just complains endlessly about another designer, stylist, photographer, model, or whoever. I mean, if they say that about them, what are they going to say about me at the next job?!
4. Find something nice to say about who you’re working for. The company, the person, the product… something. Who do you think you’d be more likely to want to work with – the person who said your product was lovely or the one who didn’t say anything, or worse – looked unimpressed?
5. Be good at what you do. Show up with the right equipment, whether that’s a change of underwear or an extra pair of shoes. Don’t show up covered in bruises and all your makeup still on from last night.

I think that’s about it. Surely that doesn’t make me hard to please?!

For those who work in the industry and have dealt with many a model… what are the little things that impress (or displease) you?