Safety in Freelance Modeling is priority one!

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When you are bringing someone there as a safety precaution, please convey to them that they are only there for that. They are not there to direct, interject, or assist with the shoot unless asked for. A lot of people have not told the photographer who they are bringing and they end up calling the shoot short due to disruptions and comments made by the other person. Tell your safety person what you are shooting beforehand. That way there are No surprises when the shoot commences. Again, communication is key to make a shoot a smooth success.

Checking Out References

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References need to be checked when working with a new photographer. You need to know who you are working with. Also, to make sure that they have the reputation that they have given to you in the beginning. If you are unsure of shooting with someone, ask questions. Communicate. If you need to, cancel the shoot but, convey the reasons as a professional.  Perception.  People can always make fake emails but, also get phone numbers for former models. And at all shoots, take someone to be there on your behalf.

To learn more about how MBC can help guide you in your freelance career visit our Features & Benefits of  Model Boot Camp page.

MBC Vendors

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My Modeling Boot Camp has a variety of vendors that are available to assist you in getting you the look that you are wanting for your shoot. From basic wardrobe to skincare for your red-carpet event. Ask them about how they can tailor their products and services for you!

To learn more about becoming a vendor click here and be sure to look over the current vendors, available here.

What is in the Name?

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Your modeling name and your stage name. Which name do you go with? It has to be one that you will stick with. You are branding yourself to photographers and agencies. How will they present you to potentials? And what name will you answer to?

The big thing is not to link your professional modeling life to your home life. Unless you want everyone to know who your friends are, when you are going on vacation, and all of that personal stuff. It is best for you not to have them friended by your modeling community. If you have worked it correctly most will understand why you are doing that. You have to be professional on whatever profile you use for your modeling. No one will hire you if you are going on rant after rant after rant. This is only the basis for a reality show.

Investing In

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Time and time again you hear about photographers who have spent more and more money on equipment for shooting. There is investment on both sides of the camera. Whether it is equipment, clothes, props, location rental, studio rental, permits, concept creation, and anything else. There is investment. The thing is to invest it into something that works for you and your modeling business. There is that saying” It is not quantity, it is quality.” There is always a debate about this. There always will be as you only get out of an assignment what you put into it.

I say this as you are reading this on the My Modeling Boot Camp website. This is where you can invest in your modeling career. You can work with some people who can assist you in not only the modeling side but, the business side to make sure you are doing what you need to for formatting your modeling business. Remember that you are unique and that there is no cookie cutter format that works. Is it time you booked your consultation?

Taking it to the limit?

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It is one thing that in modeling you hear very often. You hear about limits being pushed. You hear about condescending, suggestive, and interesting comments being made during a shoot. This is one avenue that I find gets pushed as the shoot progresses.

A photographer might say “Let’s try this.” In some cases it is very innocent and it is something that maybe a new photographer might want to try. There has to be pre-planning to any photo shoot. How else will you know what to bring to wear? How will you know how to do your makeup or hair? Rolling with the punches at a shoot, I have found in some cases just wastes time. The more time that is wasted then the more time that the model has to get tired. Even if a model is shooting all day, if the model is not resting or getting the looks refreshed…Then the images show it in the long run. Then the complaints from the photographer about having to do so much editing come in.

The other issue that always needs to be addressed but sometimes is not talked about is where are the images going? If it is a paid shoot, there should be a models release and a contract. Even if it is TFP, there needs to be some parameters on the usage.

Limits are there to protect each other. You never want to hear about a model who has been pushed to her limit and then had to quit modeling from that experience. It happens too often. If a photographer wants to try something that is past your current comfort zone, talk with that photographer and ask about how you can schedule a shoot for that theme. Easing into it and not rushing into it possibly will assist in the outcome of the images. Again communication is key.

Snail Mail and the fluid world of modeling

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There was a scam that was going around a few years ago where a photographer, whose name was made up, was going to book a model. They said that they would FEDEX a check to the model and that she would need to deposit it. Then she would pay the other artists that were booked for her shoot. First and foremost, this would never happen. The check is usually fake or stolen and then the model’s account gets overdrawn because she/ he thinks that they have already been paid.

One of the first things that I ask of any model that I consult with is to get a PO Box. They are very inexpensive. They can get packages. You can get mail to be signed for there. You also are given a street address if they need to send something to you that way. You can get a box at one of the mail services places as well. Anywhere but your actual physical address.

There was a story in the new about a celebrity having their house broken into. With social media being posted on where you are and who you are shooting with, you are also becoming a target for thieves as well as stalkers. It is time to be more aware on this.

Just hit the reply button

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One of the things that I hate the most is waiting. I hate just sitting there after sending something out and I feel like I am going to win the lottery with a reply.  I always wonder if I have composed the email, text, or message in the manner in which it will be received.

I keep hearing that the biggest thing with some of the photographers and models is that they don’t hit the reply button! It is really easy to do. The funny thing is that most of us watch the persons profile or something and they keep positing but, then they do not reply to the message that was sent. That is very frustrating.

If you get an email, message, or text from someone whom you are not interested in working with. It is the professional thing to do with simply declining the assignment.  You can say you are not interested, you are already booked, or something else. Just make it clear for them not to come back with a rebuttal. If you feel that this is not getting the message across, then just block said person. That again is simple and solves the issue.

Communication is key in this industry. Make sure that your message regardless is crystal clear. There should not be a time where someone is questioning what you mean with your answer. Mainly, just hit the reply button. Don’t make them pace the floor for your answer.

Working with an agent

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Working with an agent is similar to me like working with a staffing company. You have to submit your resume or comp card and see what companies want to hire you. Your interview can go really well or not so well. In any case you have to keep moving forward.

Staffing companies and modeling agencies get tons of comp cards and resumes each day. They have to find the right person who will fill the needs that the client is requesting. This means that your pics and your information have to be spot on. There is no faking the sizes or using an image that has drastically been altered with photo enhancing software.

Finding the requirements for submissions is first off important. You don’t want to send them something that is going to land in the trash can or not even get opened. Learn the art of the presentation.

Once you have that agent or recruiter, make that rapport. Just don’t think that you are the only person who is looking to land that assignment. There are tons of models who are about to do anything to land on the cover or in the pages of the latest magazines. Your agent will keep you informed if they can about anything that they will submit you for. You might be the look one day and then not the next. You can’t get discouraged to the agent as again they are doing what the client request. Don’t kill the messenger. Also don’t think that once you have submitted your information that the jobs are going to fall in your lap either. There is always work to be done on both sides. See what you can do to improve your chances into getting hired.

Welcome to Modeling 101

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Modeling is awesome. There are tons of avenues that you can go in when being a model. Whether you choose to be with an agent, go freelance, or just model to have it as a hobby, it should always be treated like a business. You hear the stories of models who have done several things that they regret doing. This is one avenue to learn some of them before you get approached with them or tactics to avoid them in the first place.

My Modeling Boot Camp can assist you in time management and figuring out what avenue of modeling might suit you best. Since we are not an agency, we are not able to represent you in that fashion. We work with you to see again where you are comfortable in the areas of modeling that are discussed in your consultation. Again making modeling a business is the business that we are in.

When you are deciding on becoming a model there usually are people who will pop out of the wood work to help you. They do not always have your best intentions in mind. If it sounds too good to be true then it usually is. You have to take that into consideration at all times.

If you have someone who wants to be your manager you need to ask them and yourself several questions. What reputation do they have? How long have they been in the modeling business? How much time can they commit to assisting in getting you booked to assignments? What type of contract are they asking you to sign? Are they receiving a percentage of your paid assignments? There are several further in depth questions that you have to ask before getting a manager.

For more information on My Modeling Boot Camp and how to get started check out our Introduction Page Here. We look forward from hearing from you!