Modeling Vocabulary and What You Need to Know as an Aspiring Model. Part 1.

I am being asked by aspiring models so much about how to start modeling career, how to become successful at it and what are the fundamentals of modeling world they need to know in order to start a successful modeling journey.

I have written many articles about that around the world, but not everybody had a chance to read it and I still recieve daily emails about this subjects. So, I decided to post it on www.NataliaMuntean.com and make it easier for everybody

Feel free to leave your comments and ask your questions below this article!

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Flash lights… Photo shoots… Glamour… Runway… Exposure… Dreams… Fame… Success… Acceptance
of unusual beauty… endless and unconditional dedication… All of these are parts of an aspiring model’s dream.

The extraordinary world of modeling is full of talented, gorgeous, bohemian, dedicated and very often superficial people. This field can welcome you and
make you a mega star “overnight”, this field can, also, be a tough battle that not everyone can win. It’s like anything else in life, if you want to succeed,
you need to take charge and lead your way ahead!

A model (from Middle French modèle), sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is
employed for the purpose of displaying and promoting fashion clothing or other products and for advertising or promotional purposes or who poses for  works of art.

A lot ofaspiring models think that all they need to have is a pretty face and a fit body. It’s true; you need to be pretty and fit to be noticed in this industry.
Although, in order to succeed, you need to have much more than that!
First of all, you need to treat it like a business, full-time or part-time BUSINESS. The major quality that separates an average model from successful is the professionalism.
Therefore, you need to educate yourself about this industry before you enter it and get ready physically and mentally for its ups and downs.
When I started modeling in Europe, I went through “Elite” modeling school that gave me a great amount of knowledge and preparation before I started to actually work.
Here in the U.S. and Canada we don’t have too many good schools, which can help you in the proper preparation. Either way, it is your responsibility as a
model, to absorb as much knowledge, as possible, about this business.

• Don’t restrain or label yourself. There are numerous types of modeling. Make sure you
  have a very good portfolio reflecting your talents and modeling abilities.

• Photographer. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the professional photographer in your presentation. So many models overlook this very important detail!

You need to have about 10 – 12 good and very different images for your portfolio and for your agent. Try different photographers to make sure that you are exposed from various angles.

A Great photographer is a truly smart investment into your modeling career. But great photographer does not necessarily mean expensive photographer!

I find that referrals are the best and the safest way to find a good professional. Make sure to do your homework and study his/her work, find out the rates, and all the details before the shoot, such as: location, duration, style of photo shoot, how many looks, who will be doing your make-up and hair, etc.
Most of the photographers don’t mind if you bring an escort, especially if it’s a private shoot and not through an agency. Safety comes first!
Always be ready to shoot!
If you chose to be a professional model, especially fitness model, there is no such thing as off-season. Simply because, you just never know when a potential client will request you or when you will stumble onto some other opportunity.
BE READY! A lot of fitness competitors go into a sugar coma and junk food binge after the competition season; this tremendously hurts their ability to accept accidental modeling offers.

A perfect example is my shoot with one of the big fitness magazines. I was initially planning to shoot with them at the end of October, but it was rescheduled for December without confirming the date, so
I thought I could allow myself to relax for a couple of weeks. Well, the magazine had cancellation and they needed me a month earlier, I could never say “no”… Bottom line, if you choose this path, deal with its circumstances!

Fashion Standard

Female Body Type

“The British Association of Model Agents (AMA) says that female models should be
around 34-24-34 in (86-61-86 cm) and at least 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall.

The ideal measurements used to be 35.5-23.5-35.5 in (90-60-90 cm), which were the
alleged measurements of Marilyn Monroe. However, today’s fashion models tend to
have measurements closer to the AMA recommended shape, although by no means all
models have these exact statistics, and fashion houses may require other sizes
for their models.”

Male Body Type

The preferred average dimensions for a male model are a height of 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) to 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), a waist of 26–33 in (66.04–83.82 cm) and a chest
measurement of 32–40 in (81.28–101.60 cm).

Fitness Standard

Fitness modeling centers on displaying an athletic physique.

Fitness models usually have defined muscles like bodybuilders, but with less emphasis on muscle size.
Their body weight is usually similar to (or heavier than) fashion models, but they have a lower body fat percentage due to increased muscle mass relative to
fat mass.

Body part modeling

Some models are employed for their particularly attractive body parts.

For example, hand models may be used to promote nail care products, leg models are useful for showcasing tights, and wrist models
are used to showcase watches or bracelets. Petite models or females who are under 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) have found success through body part modeling
There are many more ways to model, such as figure drawing, promotional modeling, spokes modeling, and internet modeling.

Find your strongest sides, package it professionally and market it!

If you have what it takes to model and drive to force you ahead, the only thing you need to acquire is knowledge and experience,

and in the matter of time you’ll be transformed from aspiring model into a next brand name

Stay tuned for the Part 2…

Natalia