PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG
Our informational blog offers you lots of advice based around the topic of professional photography. You’ll get access to great tips, as well as the ability to read about professional photoshoots and photographers in NYC.
We started the blog because our clients were interested in learning about what’s happening at New York City’s professional photography scene. Since we place a large focus on education, we thought it would be a good idea to start a photography-based blog.
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What Does It Take To Become a Successful Male Model
Like any other career path you choose to follow, breaking into the model industry can be very challenging, especially for those who’re just starting out. It takes hard work, discipline, and sometimes little payoff.
So what do you do to launch a successful career as a male model?
Becoming a model is a life choice that takes plenty of discipline: countless hours in the gym, eating properly, not smoking, a good night’s sleep, etc. However, making it in the model world will be just as much as your personality and work ethic as your appearance. Being a model is not just showing up and having your pictures taken, or walking a bit. The real work is in what you do around shoot days. Being ready to work hard has to be habitual.
Like any other profession, modeling requires good people skills. Be nice and polite to people you’ll get a chance to work with. Stay professional, prompt, and respectful. Being well-organized is another great quality to have since you’ll have to show up to a lot of meetings, castings, and photoshoots. Be on time. There’s no excuse to be late. You should always be 15 minutes early. This takes planning and time management skills. Make sure you have high-stress tolerance, as well. A lot of times you’ll have more than one casting a day, work in numerous locations in all weather conditions. Mentally prepare yourself for rejection. Don’t let it affect your confidence. Rejection is part of the game, and if you’re already prone to insecurity and self-loathing, then modeling may not be the best path for you.
Standards are high in the modeling business, and competition is fierce. The successful male model is the one who gets rebooked.
All aspiring models must have a well-rounded portfolio that showcases their strong points through high-quality, stunning images. Your portfolio is the first thing that agencies and clients will look at, and you only get one chance to make a first impression. Ideally, it helps to have both an online version that you can share via an email, and a printed version that you can show whenever you meet someone face to face. Your portfolio doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Hire a professional to do a test shoot for you. A model test is a professional photo shoot where the main goal is to show the features of the model. To show your beauty, personality, and ability to work on a camera, translating this into the photograph. Model test photoshoots are an integral part of the process and growth of all models. Gain your experience on your first test shoot, you will have beautiful photos as a result at the end, which can be used to further your career.
Once you have your modeling portfolio ready, it’s time to find the right agency.
Before submitting to every agency, do your research. The better the reputation of your agency, the more assignments you’ll be likely to get. Do you want this agency to represent you, and do you want to represent them in return? Make a list of agencies you’d be a great fit for. Once you do - submit your digitals to them. When you receive a phone call from an agency, be ready to meet them in person. Present yourself as a professional and show what you have to offer. Establishing a great relationship with your agent is undeniably important.
If you don’t want to be represented by any agency, you can still make a name for yourself as a freelance model. You’ll be responsible for finding your own work, as well as promoting yourself, networking, and marketing. It might sound overwhelming, but in the era of social media, it’s totally doable.
It’s very important for you to decide what type of modeling you’d like to pursue because all of them have different physical requirements. Some models only fit into one category, while another model may fit into multiple.
If you decide to dive into the fashion world, the size requirements for male models are typically as follows:
- age: 18-25 years old;
- height: 5’11” to 6’2”;
- weight: 140-165 lbs, directly proportional to height.
Commercial male models aren’t held to strict standards, but being handsome and genetically gifted with stunning features can be advantageous since all modeling is competitive. Commercial models work many different jobs, including print advertisements, catalogs, campaigns, TV shows, magazines, trade shows, and much more.
Fitness models are toned, in-shape, and healthy. There are no size/height requirements, but you must be in shape. There are modeling agencies with “fitness modeling” department. Unlike fashion and commercial models, fitness models can be self-represented.
Parts models typically model their“parts”, such as their hands, legs, feet, stomach, etc. There are modeling agencies that represent parts models, and the best way to get started in this modeling category is by finding an agent rather than attempting to freelance.
These are only a few out of many more genres you may consider pursuing when you start off a male modeling career.
Just keep working hard and be persistent. You need a thick skin to make it in the modeling industry and persistence always pays!