SO, you want to be a model. You're good looking and all your mates tell you you should be a model....

A LOT of people start that way, but how do you start?

These days it's really quite easy to get started, there are a million websites just too eager to let you join and pay the extra for more piccies for extra something or other.

In my locale there are several actual office based Modelling Agencies. These agencies would prefer full time models most of whom can turn up on a moments notice and perform. They are very strict on who they hire, and they expect a lot from their models. Eg. reliability, you MUST turn up for shoots, you must be looking after yourself, your shape and your skin. Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of websites you can join and all will be well, but, like proper agencies you have to be carefull.

For instance, Models Direct, a con, isn't an agency, they just take £ 150 off of you and you never hear anything else again, 3 year contract or not!

Below I've listede a few websites that have proven to be OK. HOWEVER, you have to be carefull, not ALL Of their members are photographers looing to photograph models. Once you join a few of these sites, you'll see what I mean.

Step one:-

Doesn't matter if you want to join a website, or a street agency. You need Photographs. Either a collection on your laptop, or a book with ONLY your best images in.

Step One and a bit:-

Doesn't matter what pics you get done, YOU have to tell the photographer what kind of modelling YOU want to do. I'm not going to list all the styles here, there are styles and there are "sub" styles if you like. For example, there is glamour( clothed), Glamour (swimsuit)(lingerie)(topless)(nude). See what I mean. There is even a Nude Fashion category. Also, fashion models show almost as much flesh as glamour and nude models from time to time.

MY advice is to look through the web sites which allow you to browse without paying to join. Have a look at the styles on display, including the lists beside each model, and figure out what you want to do. THEN go to a photographer who is semi pro, or well known to be a good amateur in the styles YOU want to shoot. You Myspace pics should stay where they are.

My main rule is NEVER be afraid to say NO to a photographer, pro or amateur.

Step two:-

Therefore is go look at the sites below, all are good and reputable, although the members aren't always so....

Step three:-

Choose your images, choose a site or two, and join up, upload some images. DO NOT upload half a dozen photo's of you at a night out, with mates, hanging on your Boyfriend/Girlfriend, or the now infamous MySpace whoto obviously taken by yourself, noticeable by the long arm, usually beached out with flash as it gets nearer the cam while you look away into the distance, or into the bathroom.... Nobody wants to see these images, they want to see you on your own, they want to see what you look like in various poses and outfits.They would prefer to see you outdoors or in a studio environment. Wneh you join these sites as a model, say as LITTLE as you can about yourself. This isn't facebook, you're not looking for a date! Also, on the sites, upload at least one image for each of the styles you want to do if you can.

Step four:- Be aware of the law of the land. Photographs of a "sensuous" nature are not allowed if you are under 18. The law on this is very vague, but, quite simpley, if you are under 18 and a photographer knows this, and still asks you to model see through, topless or nude, DON'T go near them. If they tell you the law is different in Scotland, NO IT ISN'T !

Hopefully you'll find someone you know on the sites who can offer expert advice to you.

ALSO!!! You WILL get some pervy offers, either ignore them or report them to the site admins.

If you want to increase your range by doing more styles, make sure YOU decide what to do, NOT someone else.

For example, if you put topless or nude on your list of styles, THAT is almost entirely what you will be offered, no matter what else you list! If you'd like to give those s shot, but are unsure, DON'T list them. Once you've had a few shoots mention it to one of your photograpphers, and give it a go. Come to an arrangement, where he won't show those piccies off untill you tell him he can. If you like them, then add that style to your list. (Then get ready to do nothing but that, until you get more experience)

One almost final thing. If you want to become an internet model, be aware, in all likelyhood you WILL NOT become rich and famous!!!

There are many fine sites out there. This list is by no means complete, and its only my opinion that they are good or not.

One Model Place, for a good few years this was the ONLY quality site. Based in USA but with a lot of UK members.

Model Mayhem, getting better every day. Good site based in USA, but with a very strong UK membership.

Purestorm, Mostly aimed at glamour-nude-adult models / Photographers. LOTS of UK members. ( Oh and apparently a serious number of perves calling themselves photographers).

Net-Model, Another US based site with a strong UK membership. Again Glamour / Nude biased, has had its day a bit, but still fairly popular.

Madcow small site with few members, seems to be Australian based.

UK Photomodels, A good Scottish based site that I ran for over 2 years. Not really what it was, great site if you like cliques.

There are several sites for fetish goth etc. but since I hardly shoot those styles anymore, I cannot ecommend any sites.

There are all sorts of sites out there, I have been on quite a lot of them, but I can't recommend any. Not because I think they are no good, but becasue I have not been on any of them for a long time. Those that I list are those that I use frequently.

If you are already a model and are looking for some pics for your book / folio, give me a shout. If you want a shoot to start a book, or need some different styles in your current book, let me know and we'll see what we can do. My rates are very reasonable, hehehe.

TALK TO ME

Click on Contact me, and include a pic or two, I'll get back to you right away.