Key Points To Know Before Modeling

 

Picking some certain style (elegant, casual, sporty, sexy, youthful, etc.) is the first step.  Find photos (magazines, online, whatever) you like in which you could 'trade places' with the model in the shot.

You have to make a statement with your wardrobe. The clothes you choose must create a character.  Modeling is acting without the spoken lines.

Such clothes as jeans, a skirt, a black dress, a jacket, and a shirt are a must for every model.

 

Key Points To Know Before Modeling:

• Keep your clothing simple.  Sold colors are best.  Avoid solid white and solid black clothing, if possible.  Also, avoid patterns and extra bright colors as they draw attention away from your face.
• Coordinate your clothing from head to toe, for example, shirt, pants, and shoes should go together.
• Darker colors minimize body size; lighter colors emphasize body size.
• Select clothing that will be timeless.  Keep your clothes simple and classic.  For example, Levis, Gap, Giordano, Hang Ten types of clothing.  Do not wear current high-fashion as it will be outdated within a year.
• Make sure your clothing is ironed.  Clothing should not be wrinkled and should not be creased.  Clothing should look clean and fresh as if it just came out of the laundry.
• No accessories or jewelry for men other than a simple belt and /or watch.  If you wear a belt or watch keep it / them simple, however, high-end.
• Make sure your hands are clean and your fingernails and skin are well-groomed.
• No trendy haircut.  Keep hair simple and basic, yet stylish.
• Bring at least three different clothing changes.  One can be dressy, formal or business attire, a second can be casual-dress / dressy, and a third can be sporty and / or relaxed.
• Select clothing without company logos on them.  For example, no clothing with a "Nike" symbol or saying “DKNY” across the front.
• Make sure you get enough sleep for at least two days before the photography session.  Never drink alcohol the night before.  Your skin and eyes should look clean, clear, fresh, awake, and natural.
• Drink lots of water for at least two days before the photography session.  Your skin will be hydrated and will look soft and glow.
• Make sure to tweeze your eyebrows and trim your nose and ear hair the day before the photography session.
• Make sure you get a close shave.  Your skin should look smooth, natural, and well taken care of.
• Wash and condition your hair prior to the photography session.  Your hair should look healthy, clean, and beautiful.

 

Clothing recommendations include:

• One regular skirt, one miniskirt, one pair of shorts, and one pair of pants and jeans
• One T-shirt, one shirt, and one small tank top
• Stockings (2 pairs)
• Regular walking shoes, high heels, and possibly a pair of boots
• At least 2 bras (one soft bra and one boosting bra or wonderbra)
• Two sets of underwear, one regular and a g-string, if possible

 

Accessory Possibilities:

• Bracelets, Necklaces, pendants, rings (as large and colorful as possible – small ones do not show on photos)
• Fabrics (long scarves, sarong…)
• Handbags (small or big)
• Hats / Hairpins
• Coat / jacket / miniskirt
• Any leather clothing
• Large belts / gold chains
• Accessories work well in bright, vivid colors. Black, gold, and red are the easiest to match.

 

Make-up:

• Long nails (perfect finish – clear if your nails are great or bright color)
• Long eyelashes
• Make-up with foundation, blush, eye shadow, and mascara (preferably apply a mask before make-up to tighten the skin)
• Foundation cream – same as the skin color (to hide blemishes or scars)

 

On the day of the photography session, it’s best to come wearing very loose clothing, a g-string, and no bra.  An example is to wear a t-shirt with a sweatshirt, sweat pants, socks, and a comfortable pair of sneakers.  The reason for this is that tight underwear and bras leave a mark on your skin and it could take an hour or two for the elastic marks to disappear.

Practicing poses in front of a mirror is also extremely helpful.  A few posing items to keep aware of are:

1. Pointing fingers and toes directly at the camera make your fingers and toes look short.  Pointing directly at the camera usually isn’t very attractive.
2. In general, practice appearing relaxed; try to bend every joint in your body, arch your back and sit up tall.  In other words, for example, when arms are too straight they can appear stiff.
3. When sitting on a chair or other flat service such as a table, remember to sit on the very edge, because sitting back on a flat surface removes the shape from your legs.
4. Remember to think about what the camera will see while you’re posing.  Keep your hands, arms, legs, and feet where the camera can see them.  If not, you may appear handless, armless, legless and / or without a neck in the photos.
5. When practicing poses, imagine what you’ll look like from the camera.  Think about sitting up straight, arching your back, curves, and so on,  Practice in front of a full-length mirror.
6. Modeling is the same as acting, but without lines to say.  Practice ‘acting out’ various scenes with your poses.  For example, enjoying a sunny afternoon in the park, a first hot date with the person you’ve been chasing after for a long time, winning something, etc.  Imagine and act out different scenes with poses and movement.
7. Relax and have fun!

 

I hope this information is helpful.  Please feel free to ask any questions.  If you think of something I missed let me know, too.

Cheers,

Henry