How to prepare

I work with a large team of models and I receive requests everyday from men and woman of all ages eager to break into the modeling world. Some are new to the industry and some have extensive experience behind them. However, I’m inundated with unprofessional and unprepared individuals who believe modeling is an easy route to easy money. Now for the rest of this article I’m going to sound a little abrupt but let me try to explain something here, modeling is not easy and only a small percentage of people who attempt it will ever earn good money doing it. Now I’m not trying to burst anyone’s bubble and I’m not trying to put anyone off, but the modeling world is competitive and requires 100% dedication and professionalism, especially if you expect to be asked to return for a second shoot. If you have been asked to read this please take particular notice of the bullet points and follow every step before turning up at the studio.

New models are required to sit for at least two TFCD (Time for CD – used to be known as time for print) shoots with me – I do this for several reasons: firstly, so I can build a good working relationship with you, secondly, so I can guide and teach you how to become a good model and finally so I have time to see if your images will sell with my agents. My agents, all fifteen of them, sell my work all over the world, to numerous countries, twenty four hours a day so the sales potential and coverage for you is vast. In return each model receives a copy of the images to use to promote themselves or even to send to model agencies. I have a good relationship with several agencies in my area and I am only too happy to forward the details of good individuals to them.

The following points are essential for success when turning up to any photo shoot:

• Make sure you get an early night the night before the arranged shoot. Don’t go clubbing or over exerting yourself, as the day will feel very long otherwise and to be blunt, you’re not going to look good.

• Have a shave. I’m not just talking about the guys here. Lady’s please under arms and legs.

• Girls, pluck eyebrows a few days before the shoot, as dealing with red puffy eyes is just extra work for me in post production.

• Look after your skin. If that means exfoliating then do so the day before the shoot. Again this is good for even the most macho of men.

• If you have dry skin, especially on your hands and feet bring moisturizer.

• Nails! This is my pet hate so please again girls and boys – keep them clean and please don’t bite them (I am guilty of this myself and I’m the first to admit my nails don’t look good). Your hands will feature a lot as you can see from the images in this post and half eaten nails look messy.

• Girls, please get your nails manicured and no colorful varnish just French tips or clear varnish only.

• I tend to have a makeup artist for shoots but bring your own makeup anyway. It is always a good idea to bring any extras for styling hair. Bobbles, clips, ties, straightens’ etc.

• Bring tons of clothes. I may have a wardrobe arranged for the shoot but it doesn’t hurt to bring your own clothes and the more the merrier. I will always brief you as to what you should bring.

• Tanned people look good if not healthier but don’t go burning yourself the day before the shoot. If you’re going to tan please build up slowly and please don’t turn up looking like a lobster.

• Fake tanning – no no no no – it looks dreadful!

• If you wake on the day with a zit don’t freak out and please do not pick it or cover it with dodgy concealer. I can deal with a small zit digitally but swollen and reddened spots covered with mismatched makeup, again, make it extra hard to remove in post production.