How to enter the modeling business and what is required for this? Industry experts answer

We are almost sure that both readers of this material are trying to smile with their eyes (as the incomparable Tyra Banks bequeathed), walking along the apartment corridor when no one is looking, and arranging crazy photo shoots at home. She also imagined herself on the cover of Vogue, on the Prada catwalk, and in a campaign with Irina Shayk. Agree, modeling career has been considered the dream of almost every young person for decades. And interest in him has never waned.

On the contrary, with the development of social networks, more and more girls add the coveted word “model” to their profile descriptions, believing that they have already reached half the success. We’re not judging in any way, but there’s still some truth to Shalom Harlow’s venomous quote that “taking an iPhone selfie doesn’t make you a supermodel.”

So how do you actually get into the modeling business and what does it take? Except for unusual looks and ordinary luck, of course. For help in this matter, we turned to the professionals – the team of the Lumpen agency, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. And here are six important tips you should listen to if you want to thrive in the fashion industry.

What do the agents say?

Lumpen agent Anastasia Pertseva

Tip 1: Take good photos.

The first and most important thing to do is to take good photos (i.e. a series of photos without makeup and from different angles: frontal, profile and 3/4). After all, when you send your first request to an agency and the team hasn’t seen you before, literally everything depends on the photos. It is important that the photographs show daylight, the clothes are in neutral tones, and the hair is loose and neatly combed. Unfortunately many people don’t take all these obvious things into account.

Tip 2: Stay calm about election rejections

Modeling is not a field where you will be approved for dozens of campaigns and shows immediately after signing a contract. Some wait in the wings for a long time and are often rejected. This point should always be discussed with models (especially beginners). If you’re not accepted for this or that casting, it’s not the end of the world. There may be completely different reasons for this. Let’s say you don’t fit his type, height, hair or skin color. Or the customer was just in a bad mood, that happens too.

We have guys in our agency with a non-standard appearance for the market, and they are unlikely to be hired to star in a super commercial story. However, they could easily be suitable for exhibitions in Europe. Here the choice always depends on the client, choosing one or another type depends on his taste and degree of courage. Competition on the field is quite high. We often encounter such a story that a model appears in more than one brand. As soon as one customer takes it out, others immediately pick it up. Models 5-10 are in great demand in the Russian market and it is difficult to name a brand that does not include them.

And sometimes strange situations can happen, such as when a casting director comes to us with a brief for an advertising project, photos of our models are used as reference, we send a selection of these models and they choose completely different ones. We are already used to this. You can expect anything.

Tip No. 3. Create a portfolio

Even if you’re not new to the industry, you should always update your book with new, relevant photos. Go to creative events, collaborate with great teams. These are photos not only for replenishing the book, but also for networking. After creative shooting and collaboration, you can be noticed and recommended for work.

Tip 4. Avoid questionable agencies

There are many companies on the market with dubious reputation, so before accepting a contract you need to carefully study the agency, clarify all working conditions, check social networks, find out with which brands they cooperate, etc. Organizations that want to put money into an agency are nothing but scams. Remember, if an agency is interested in a model, they promote her, take photos, do tests (this can be deducted from the fee later, but no one insists on demanding this money right away). For example, the guys of our agency go to acting master classes and learn how to hold a fashion show.

What do the models recommend?

Model Esenia

Tip 1: Be patient

My first commercial shoot took place at the end of Covid 2020. There was a cast for the Walk of Shame brand, I sent it to Duna (I’m talking about Avdotya Alexandrova, the founder of the Lumpen agency. – Premium. to organise.) a few selfies and I was approved. Then there was shine. And then there was a lot of “modeling work” in my life.

In order to enter the industry, it is necessary to know how to wait. You join an agency and you don’t have a job for a while, that’s normal. Not everyone shoots at the same time. There is no need to despair and look for reasons within yourself. The only reason is that you do not comply with the casting director’s request. If you declared yourself as a model (that is, entered the database of a modeling agency), in any case they will find out about you. They already know you in your absence, and they already know you in your absence, because the bookers send your photos to the brands and include you in the selections. The important thing is to wait for people who will approve of you.

Tip 2. Shoot movies even for a small fee

At first, you shouldn’t hesitate to shoot for small fees, especially for small local brands. Because in this way, you will create a portfolio for yourself that will be your tool in the future. Remember, if you enter the fashion industry you have already been noticed. You are beautiful, interesting, unique. And even if you have to wait a little for your first client, everything will definitely work out.