Damiens Blog from Whereverland

If you ask any aspiring high fashion model what their goals are in their career, 99 times out of a 100 her answer will be that they want to be a successful runway model. Although a model can have hundreds of jobs for magazines and advertisements, they haven't truly reached the top of her game until she is a regular face on the catwalks of New York, Paris or Milan.

So what does it take to be a knockout runway model?

The first thing that you must do is look at the facts. Unfortunately, even though you may have the most beautiful face in the world, if you don't have the body type to be on the runway, there is little to no chance of success. Runway models aren't made, they're born.

The minimum height requirement for female catwalk models is 5'9, and for males it‘s 5'11. Also, models are generally expected to fit into sample size clothes, which are typically made a size 2 or even a size 0. Although there are occasionally exceptions to the rules, these usually only apply if a model already has an exceptional print career.

If you tick all of these boxes, you may have a chance at runway modelling. There are, however, many different things that you have to realize before you get out there on the runway. The most important of which is that that you are essentially a clothes-horse for the designer. Remember that, and make your performance about the clothes, not about you.

Make sure you hold your body in a way that flatters the clothes. The easiest way to do this is to stand as straight as possible. If wearing a dress, it sometimes helps if you lean back slightly in order to let the material flow behind you. Let your arms hang naturally and let them swing only as much as your body naturally makes them. Keep your hands relaxed and no curled fingers as this will look strange from the viewpoint of the people watching the show.

Runway Models Don't Clomp or Prance

The most important point refers back to the clothes-horse example. Concentrate on the clothes part, not the horse part. In other words, clomping or prancing up and down the runway are a definite no. You should take slightly longer strides than you would if walking normally, but do not lift the knees too much.

Finally, remember to practice. It might feel silly walking up and down your hallway, but there's no such thing as too much practice. It is also a smart decision to find some recordings of fashion shows, and watch how the models hold themselves. If you want to do something well, you might as well learn from the best.

So if you posses the genetics, and you think you have the nerve, hold your head high and see if you have what it takes to strut your stuff on the catwalk.

Copyright 2008 Damien O'Riley

When a new model sets out to create a portfolio, there are a few 'key ingredients' that, even if you get everything else right, failing to nail these down could cost you many lost jobs - and possibly your dream job. So if you're serious about making an eye-popping portfolio for your modeling pursuits - one that stuns the agents, leaves the clients drooling, and drowns your competition - here's what you need to know and put into practice right now:

Great Modeling Portfolio Secret 1:
Know What Market You Want to Model In

So many new models, after making the decision to give modeling a shot, just start throwing their 'best' photos together and call this a portfolio. STOP and repeat this mantra:

"Get good at one thing first!"

"Get good at one thing first!"

I'll say it one more time (in case you didn't catch it) - "Get good at one thing first!"

Sounds like apple pie & ice cream advice, I know. But whether apple pie or American Pie; it's advice that's been repeatedly proven and put to work every day by world-class models and supermodels.

Really think about what market you most want to work in. Do you dream of gracing the covers of Vogue and Cosmo? Seventeen or YM? Are you into commercials? Catalog modeling? Wish you were a Victoria's Secret Angel next to Giselle and Adriana? Is your goal to be published in a chic coffee table book or have your own web site? Do you watch America's Next Top Model or Make Me A Supermodel and think to yourself, "Why is SHE there?! I could do SO much better!"?

Not sure yet?

When you are staring up at the ceiling at night and your mind starts to paint those exciting images of you in front of the camera, take it a step further. Imagine the photo shoot is over and now you are opening the envelope with your proofs and tear sheets. What do you see? How do your photos look in your mind's eye?

What gets your blood pumping?

Do you see yourself strutting down the cat walk, cameras flashing, people in $2000 suits and dresses clapping and nodding approval? Or would you be thrilled to land some nice commercial shoots promoting the latest health trend with you as the center piece? Do the fingertips of electricity dance across your skin at the idea of stretching sensuously in artistically nude photos, bathed in warm light with your toes drawing circles in the crystal waters of a hidden Tahitian Lagoon?

The choice is yours - and ONLY yours. Knowing what you really want is the first major step to getting it.

Great Modeling Portfolio Secret 2:
Blow them away...RIGHT AWAY!

A friend and model who was notorious for landing big paying jobs right from the start of her career once told me a great piece of advice: "Damien, when you are standing in the checkout counter at the grocery store, do you ever watch people while they scan the magazine rack? They scan fast! Either a cover grabs them instantly and gets picked-up, or it's ignored and forgotten within seconds. The magazine cover has to almost literally reach out and grab them by the eye balls or risk being tossed aside!"

The modeling industry is built on the "first impression" probably more than any other industry in the world. Every potential client, photographer and art director you give your portfolio to pulls the old 'Cover Scan' routine. They have to. They have a thousand other portfolios to look at that day other than yours. You get that first shot at 'grabbing them by the eye balls'. And don't play nice, don't worry about being 'over the top'; do your thing and do it hard. Be the fish hook they can't get out of their eyes.

Demand high standards from yourself and whoever is helping you build your first modeling portfolio. Use a very critical and intelligent eye when deciding which photos make the cut and will grace the pages of your portfolio. Always...always strive to WOW agencies and potential clients. You are only as good as your worst image. I know that's tough to swallow, but if you're going to eat your competition and see your dreams become reality - then swallow it; choke on it if you have to. Photographers and agencies WILL remember the worst image. Unfortunately it's human nature.

Your modeling portfolio pages should be crafted with only the Stunning, the Daring, the Unforgettable, and the WOW photos. Burn the Bad and trash the mediocre. Be remembered for your very best portfolio images - ones that burn a lasting impression into the retinas and the minds of all who dare to look upon them.

Be patient and pursue what makes your happy...always.

Damien O'Riley
http://www.digitalsistere.com

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A wonderful model and friend called me the other day and I could hear something a little ‘off' in her voice. It's funny, I am in such deep rapport with so many of our models that I can instantly pickup the slightest change in their voice or writing style in their email. My ‘photographer hat' and my ‘concerned friend hat' at times can look like the same thing sitting on my head. I can't help it - that's just who I am.

This girl is just starting out in modeling and up until then had only worked with us. A big opportunity fell in her lap after she posted her portfolio and she wanted to take the job; but she was so nervous, I could tell. "Damien, I don't know this guy (Photographer)! All I know is that he sounds nice in his emails and that I am supposed to show up at his studio at 4pm."

There are few better feelings than going to work doing something you love and know you are fully prepared and empowered to go all the way. It's intoxicating!

But the human mind is programmed to resist and struggle against uncertainty and insecurity; both states-of-mind I guarantee will show up in your photos. Your face will look gaunt and tight, your eyes will radiate "I am about to #$#! my pants here!"

You want hot photos? Do you want people to look at your portfolio and say "Wow! These are incredible!"? Then you gotta relax and let your energy flow during a photo shoot. I know, what sounds easy and what actually IS easy can be complete opposites. In order to relax with a photographer, you have to absolutely feel 100% safe and respected at all times.

I can offer some advice that will help you work with new photographers - feeling informed, prepared and empowered. This is the advice I gave to my friend and everything worked out great for her. Are you ready?

  

Be Prepared: What to Ask a Photographer Before You EVER Take the Gig!

(Note: I wouldn't suggest that you just run through this list ‘as is' with whoever wants to photograph you. It can seem a bit intense and might scare them off. Just weave these questions into friendly conversation over the phone or email and you'll be just fine!)

1. What ‘specific' types of modeling are you expected to do? (Types of clothing, Lingerie, Partial Nude, Full Nude etc.)
2. How long is the shoot expected to last?
3. Exactly how much are you being paid for your services? (Ask for specifics! Example if you are working from 3pm-7pm what is the exact dollar amount you will be leaving with?)
4. Is a make-up artist provided?
5. Can the photographer provide references?
6. Where is the photo shoot will taking place? Is it a dedicated studio or is it a home studio?
7. What is the surrounding environment? (Is it a quiet suburb or will you get mugged getting out of your car?)
8. Will you have easy access to a changing room and bathroom?
9. Does the photographer work with an assistant? (Is the assistant male or female? What job function will the assistant be performing?)
10. Will other people be present during the shoot? (If so, who are they?)
11. Is it ok for you to bring an escort?
12. Are you are shooting on location or plan to travel from one location to the next? (If so how will this be accomplished? Will there be a portable changing room or some kind for wardrobe change area while on location?)
13. Ask for a copy of their model release before you agree to the photo shoot. Read this contract carefully and ask questions about anything you don't understand. (Never sign anything you are not comfortable with.)
14. How will the photographer use the photos taken of you?
15. How many photographs can you expect to receive from the shoot and when?
16. Does the photographer provide prints?