Being a model isn’t as easy as people would expect. It is something that requires a lot of time, practice, self-awareness, good organization, dedication to details, and of course great style. Alt modeling is followed by being a good role model too – you are a figure that inspire and teach about certain lifestyle, fashion and subgenre. I am always happy to see people that are true to themselves, and who are trying to turn things around a bit. There is nothing exciting about cliché gothic look, and I appreciate all people trying to play with it and make it unique and different.
Modeling is something you learn through time. You need to be comfortable in front of the camera, to learn your angles and know what is right and what isn’t. You need to trust your photographer , that is the key to success! Good models know how to work around their flaws, and make things look good on photos. It is not photoshop that makes model a good one, it is model’s ability to work with camera successfully. You need to control your whole body - modeling is something you are doing from head to toe ALL the time, even if you’re shooting only portraits at the moment. You need to find the light, you need to control your face and follow the light even though you are focused on the photographer, props or other things. You need to make your eyes ‘smile’ and make them alive. Always model with your neck too, because hidden neck is a big no no! Also, you need to be sure the poses are not awkward, you never want to have amputees instead of arms and legs! You always need to elongate yourself, find a way to appear taller and thinner. Work with props, clothes and jewelry, let them inspire you! Try to role-play and to be that character on the set the best you can, you are the star of the story. Take care of yourself, and be always ready and prepared for everything!
Shootings in cold weather, in extreme heat, in water where you need to model AND use your whole body to pose and stay on the surface, hours of applying makeup and doing your hair, runway shows that are so stressful, and you need to be able to do anything that photographer or someone who hires you wants from you. There is no excuse, it is called professionalism. You need to know to do that micro-changes with your body and face that are making the photo just perfect. Always find a way to show clearly all the things you are modeling – clothes and jewelry, or to bring the emotion on the set with the concept.
Remember, be true to yourself, and work hard! Be focused and work good with photographers, try to connect with them. The thing is, when photos are bad, it is not photographer’s fault. It is always model’s. So, give the best of you, bring the game even higher! Try to work with photographers with amazing skills, no matter if they are famous or not. Just do what you feel and remember - practice, nerves and awareness are everything in this job. It is not always fair, so this industry needs you to be really, really tough and to adapt quickly and sucessfully.
