Posture advice for models by Neon Models

For models, posture is critical. Posture affects how you come across, how healthy you look and how your clothing is displayed. Posture is an all over body thing, it’s not simply about a high head and straight back – though that’s a good place to start!

Posture advice for models

Most people think posture just means standing up poker straight, stick your chest out and look straight ahead. But it’s not as simple as that.

Body balance

The first thing to check is whether your body is balanced and straight. Stand in front of a mirror, with a straight vertical indicator behind you, such as a pole or doorframe. Does your head lean slightly to one side? Are your shoulders even? If not, try to get everything even and see how it feels. The first step is becoming aware of your posture, and where there may be imbalances. Once you’ve indentified areas for improvement, you can start to make corrections.

Of course this doesn’t mean that when you’re working as a model, you’ll never pose at an angle – but a model should be a blank canvas, and any angles should be deliberate, not ingrained. This is particularly important for catwalk models.

Height and Lift

‘Stand up straight!’ Well, yes, good posture is about standing up straight – but people often strain to stand up straight by stretching their neck, arching their back and even going on tip toes. To get a real natural lift, and gain the most benefit of standing up straight, you need to think whole body. Start with your legs, make sure your standing foundation is firm, with an event weight on both feet. Legs should be straight but not locked. Them rather than focussing on the spine, think more about the chest. Take a deep breath and feel your body lift and tyour spine extend as you do so. Make sure your heas is light on your neck, and isn’t leaning forward. Finally, ensure your chin is straight out (not up or down). Standing up straight in this way will give you natural even distribution of body weight and restore the natural curvature of the spine

Relax

One of the most common problems when attempting to improve posture, is that people get really tense and stiff – which is completely counter-productive. To combat this, give your arms and legs a shake out to make sure you’re not holding any tension, and take a few deep breaths. If you notice any particular areas of tension, focus on gently relaxing them. Another problem with tension is that it affects the balance and lift of your posture. For example, if one side of your neck has knots in it, your head will lean towards that side.

If you follow these steps, you’ll give yourself a much better chance of success in the modelling industry. To find out more, register on our website.

How Much Do Models Earn

This is a difficult question to answer and it’s tempting to say – how long is a piece of string? But of course, there are some guidelines and rules of thumb that we can apply to give a rough idea of how much models might earn.

At the lower end, you have your models who are just starting out. They are trying to make a name for themselves, so they’ll probably earn just over minimum wage, and they won’t get work more than a couple of times a month, while they’re building their portfolio.

Once the new model has become a bit more established, then they will start getting more regular work and can start commanding a higher fee. At this point, it makes a big difference what type of modelling the model wants to do, and how often they are willing and able to work. 

For example, if the model is suitable for high fashion shows (i.e. they meet the strict height requirements), then they could earn £500 - £1000 for a single weekend. If they are willing and able to work at shows every weekend, then they could earn between £2000 - £4000 per month. Of course, fashion shows aren’t thick and fast all year round, so this wouldn’t be sustainable all the time.

However, catalogue and commercial modelling is much more reliable and jobs are more numerous. This kind of work is also open to models with more gentle or classic looks. Commercial photo shoots could pay anything from £200 - £500 per day and may last from one to five days, or even more. This work can get tiring, but it’s a good way for a model to earn a regular income.

And of course at the very top end are the supermodels. These are the few and far between who have been lucky enough to become recognised household names. If you reach this status, then the sky’s the limit and you can commend extremely high fees and work as little or as often as you want!

Modelling jobs are waiting for you!

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Teen Modelling with Neon Models

There is always a lot of demand for new teen models as the current ones get older and move into the adult brackets. The teen model bracket is usually considered to be between the ages of 12 and 17 years.

Teen modelling work is available across all kinds of formats from glossy magazines to billboards to TV adverts to catalogues and these days even stock photography for websites.

The teen  market is a very major section which companies are keen to target, and each ‘type’ of teen needs to be represented. That means that as well as the standard modelling work for attractive, fresh faced, tall models there will be work for petite models, plus-size models and alternative models, who may have tattoos or be more unusual looking.

Many child models follow a natural progression into teen models, but also lots of teenagers decide they’d like to try modelling and take their first steps in the industry at this time.

Teenagers who are considering trying to become a model need to make sure they have the right attitude and realistic expectations.

The Right Attitude

Not all teenagers fit the stereotype of being grumpy and stroppy, but there is definitely no space for that kind of attitude when it comes to modelling. Modelling is a professional and requires a professional attitude. Paying clients are not going to be willing to waste their time with temper tantrums.

Realistic expectations

The modelling industry is tough and very competitive and those who think they can just fall into it and make pots of money have got disappointment waiting down the line. Aspiring models need to be willing to invest time and energy in getting their foot in the door, and they have to be thicked skinned to deal with the inevitable early rejections.

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Modelling Myths

Modelling is a glamorous industry that many people dream about. As such, it is surrounded by a fair share of urban myths and legends. Here we demystify some of the more common ones, getting down to the truth of the matter.

Models can be divas

Most of us have heard the stories of the bad behaviour of models, such as Naomi Cambell’s violence and Kate Moss’s drug use, but if you think that is the norm for professional models, think again. The vast majority of models need to be consummate professionals and that means being charming and reliable to clients and agents, and taking care of their bodies. To make it as a model you need to have perfect skin and hair and a healthy body, so no partying or sunbathing allowed!

Models are usually discovered just hanging around the shopping centre

It’s true that there are always model scouts looking for new faces for the major modelling agencies, but you’ll be waiting a long time if you just hang around on town centre benches pouting. Thousands of girls (ad guys) are aspiring to be models at any given time, and modelling agencies are inundated with submissions of photos and stats.

All models make a lot of money

Certainly, the top supermodels and fashion models can make extremely large amounts of money from modelling advertising campaigns for the big brands, but modelling work is not always well paid to begin with nor is it regular. Many models can only work part time to begin with, as they build up their portfolio and reputation and start to get regular modelling work.

All models have to be skinny

It’s true, slender people will have a better chance of getting modelling work, but the industry is slowly moving away from the waif, skeletal ideal of models and hiring more ‘normal’ sizes and shapes. In reality, this ‘normal’ is still much slimmer than the real normal (the average size of a woman in the UK is 12 – 16, which is considered plus-size in the modelling industry),  but it means slim and healthy us preferable to skinny. Also, even if you are over a size 12, there may be modelling work available with a more specialist agency.

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Neon Models Modelling Portfolio Guide

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What is a modelling portfolio?

A modelling portfolio is a collection of photographs that show a model in a variety of different aspects and ‘characters’. It should have a selection of head shots, full-length and close-ups, a variety of outfits: casual, sporty, smart, glamorous, and a selection of different styles of photography: outdoor, studio etc.
A model should have a hard copy and digital copy of their portfolio, making it as easy as possible for clients to browse the images and select their preferred models.

What is a modelling portfolio used for?

A modelling portfolio is like a model’s CV or resume. It’s proof of the work they have done, and that they are photogenic and versatile. Although models should be stunning and charismatic, it’s important for a model not to overshadow the product they are promoting, and they should look natural in a number of different looks.

For example, it’s no good for a model to be so strongly a ‘goth’ that they look ridiculous in sportswear. Being a goth is fine in your own time, but if you want to be a model, you need to be a blank slate that the personality of the clothing like or product can paint colour onto.

Do I need a modelling portfolio?

All professional models need a modelling portfolio. And while some of the top modelling agencies may use their own photographers to shoot you for your modelling portfolio, the majority (even of the big name modelling agencies) will require the model to pay for his or her own portfolio.

If you want to do freelance work, then you will definitely need to get your modelling portfolio together yourself – make sure you get a professional to do the shoot, or you’ll be shooting yourself in the foot when it comes to finding modelling jobs!

What sort of pictures should go in a modelling portfolio?

A modelling portfolio isn’t just about showing off how beautiful a model is. It’s about showing off the range and versatility of the model – and show how good they are at making products looks attractive. Therefore, it’s critical to have as wide a range of images as possible, showing different outfits, angles and personalities.

As a guide, a portfolio should have at least one of each of the following:

A headshot
A closeup
A full length shot
A seated pose
A studio shot
An outdoor shot
The model in sportswear
The model in lingerie or bikini (or equivalent for male models)
The model in evening wear
The model in a business suit (unless they are teen or younger)

Click here to see the Neon Models article on Plus Size Modelling...