Are Neon Models good?

There are thousands of organisations in the modelling industry, including agencies, photographic studios, fashion houses, clothing labels etc. So if you’re new to the industry, how do you find out who you need to approach and the best steps to take to try to launch your career as a model?

Neon Models to the rescue! Neon Models is a company who helps aspiring models take their first steps in the industry.

The Neon Models website is full of useful information to help you avoid the scams and learn how to make yourself model perfect and approach modelling agencies. The Neon Models website also explains the business side of being a model, including boring but necessary paperwork and the difference between being freelance or signed to an agency.

Reading the rave reviews that Neon Models receives will help allay the fears about the company’s legitimacy.

Neon Models allows people to register on the site completely free and for those that look like they might be modelling material, offer photo-shoots with a team of model experts, including hairdresser, make-up artists, stylist and of course professional photographer.

It’s the experience and knowledge of the modelling industry that makes Neon  Models so invaluable to people who want to make it big. The company is flexible and can help children, teenagers and adult men and women find their feet as models.

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Which are the best cities to be a model? Neon Models does a virtual tour of the fashion capitals of the world…

As with many things, location is a key factor in the success or failure of a model. Proximity to jobs means you can get there faster and cheaper, and in the fast moving fashion industry, quick turnaround is often a deal breaker. As a general rule, big cities offer many more opportunities than smaller places, as the clients and agencies are concentrated there. 

 

There are four major fashion capitals in the world: New York, Milan, Paris, London. Neon Models explains what each of them is about.

Modelling in New York

The only recognised fashion capital outside of Europe, New York is a metropolitan city that never sleeps and is home to the cutting edge of innovation is style and culture. New York Fashion Week, branded Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek in 2009 is held in February and September every year – and was originally the first ever fashion ‘week’.

Opportunities for modelling in Milan

In 2009 Milan was declared the top economic and media capital of fashion. There are a great many world famous Italian fashion brands which have their main headquarters located in the city, including: Valentino, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana. Milan Fashion Week is held twice a year and is one of the Holy Grails for catwalk models.

Becoming a Model in Paris

Paris has a long standing history as a centre of art and fashion and is home to several prestigious fashion houses. It is known for the classic timeless elegance of the designs that are born there. It has an up market high fashion shopping district where all the most exclusive labels can be found.

A major centre for fashion and modelling - London

London has a long history as a trendsetter and leader in world fashions, and in recent years has been named as the number 1 fashion capital of the world thanks to the ascendency of Kate Middleton and the London Olympics. The vast majority of the international modelling agencies have their main UK offices in London and it is the base for hundreds of fashion photography studios and the supporting teams, including the best photographers for glossy magazines.

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How to join a modelling agency by Neon Models

Modelling agencies get hundreds of applications from aspiring models, so how can you make sure you give yourself the best chance of being noticed and signed?

Use decent quality photos to apply

All genuine modelling agencies will ask you to send a snapshot that they can assess to see if they want to meet you for an interview to see if they’d like to sign you to their books. While you don’t have to spend a fortune on these pictures, if you send in something in bad light taken on your mobile phone, they’re likely to throw them out without looking properly. So, try to get access to a decent camera (and someone who knows how to use it), and make sure the pictures are taken in good light (preferably natural light) and show you clearly and looking relaxed.

Read the guidelines

You might be surprised how many people don’t read the modelling agencies’ guidelines. This is just a silly mistake that can be easily avoided, and if you’re careful to make sure you follow their guidelines you can save yourself a lot of wasted effort and rejection. Most modelling agencies will specify if they work with males and females and what ages. Also, if they have minimum requirements such as height. Ignore their guidelines at your peril!

Choose your agency carefully

These days there are many different types of modelling and many different types of modelling agencies to meet all those requirements. The largest agencies will cater for everything from fashion shows to catalogues to TV commercials on an international basis, but smaller agencies will specialise and may be a better bet, especially if you don’t have classic model looks, aren’t so tall or are looking for alternative or body part modelling.

Read more how to join Modelling Agency! or Visit Neon Models on Facebook!

Modelling Castings, Go Sees and Callbacks

If modelling agencies had it their way, they would simply recommend a model to a client and the contract would be signed. However, it’s rarely as simple as that, as clients want to see a range of models in the flesh and do test shoots to see how they come across in relation to whatever it is they’re trying to sell before making a decision.

Castings or Go Sees

There are many more models invited to every casting than there are jobs available, so it makes sense that most models go to far more castings than they actually get jobs. Castings can take place at very short notice, and professional models need to be able to drop everything and travel to the location as the job might be decided within hours.

Making a success of a casting

Some people may not take castings seriously as they are not the actual final job, but this is a critical error. If you don’t give it your all at the casting, then you’ll never win the final job, and your modelling career will never get off the ground. So it’s vital to arrive at castings on time or slightly early, smiling and being friendly. Clients are more likely to hire someone who makes them smile and is easy to work with and has a professional attitude, than someone who turns up late and spends the whole time grumbling.

Callbacks and shortlists

If you get called back after a casting, then you should definitely be happy, but it’s not time to celebrate until the actual job itself is secured. There can be several callbacks as the shortlist is whittled down, and each time it becomes even more important to behave professionally and be personable and cheerful. Models are sometimes also put on ‘hold’ meaning they should keep the time of the shoot free in case that are requested. If the model then receives another offer of work or a casting, they should check with the client first to see if they can be ‘released’.

Once the client has made a decision the model will be ‘booked’ and at this point the job is secure. It means that the model is guaranteed the work, and even if the shoot is cancelled for one reason or another – the model will receive some cancellation fees.

Modelling jobs are waiting for you!

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Neon Models Advice for Male Models

In modern society, men are becoming more fashion conscious and more occupied with how they look, including grooming, clothing and accessories. This translates into more work for male models.

If you want to be a male model you should start out by taking some test shots to see how you come across photographically, and also to find out if you enjoy the experience. Some people clam or tense up when a camera is pointed at them, and you need to be able to look relaxed and calm even when a whole modelling shoot team is focussed on you.

As you would expect, male models are generally expected to be muscular, fit and toned. However, they should not be overly muscley, as the body builder’s physique has relatively limited appeal. The exception is male sports models, who tend to have very well defines bodies. As fashions change, there is more call for more slender males and even those with an androgynous look.

Male models need to have the right combination of body shape, stamina, resilience and the right attitude. Male models are usually aged between 18- 25, although there is call for younger and more mature models for certain products.

As with any modelling, if you want to make it as a male model, location is really important. You need to be where the studios, agencies and clients are and you need to be available to turn up to casting at short notice. In practise this means being based in London, preferably, but if that’s not possible, then being near any major city centre is a must.

Freelance modelling is becoming a more popular option, which means you can cut out the agency fees and keep more of your hard earned cash for yourself. However, freelance modelling does involve a lot more legwork and running the business side of being self-employed.

Most modelling agencies work with both male and female models, though generally they will have fewer male than female models on their books.

Modelling jobs are waiting for you!

Register with Neon Models!