Child Modelling

Many parents consider child modelling as a way to spend time with their child, expose them to some new experiences, and maybe save up a little money for a college fund or perhaps to go towards a house deposit one day.
So how can you tell if your child has got what it takes to be a model?
Well, the most important thing to know is that personality is far more important than actual features. We don’t judge children by the same kinds of beauty standards that we do adults, but we are drawn to happy, bubbly children.
So if your child is outgoing and full of sunny smiles, then child modelling might be a possibility. If so, you should get a few test shots to get an initial idea of how they come across in pictures.
A photographic studio is not the most natural place for a child and it can be quite a stressful environment for some children. However, others thrive on the attention and love meeting new people, posing and playing with the props.
The only way you’re going to find out if your child enjoys the experience of modelling is to try it, and either get a test shoot or have a session in a professional photographic studio. It may be better to do it this way than go through the process of signing up to an agency and not discovering that your child gets camera shy until you’ve got a paid job and there’s too much riding on it.
If you think your child could be a model, then remember, the photos have to be very up to date that you send to modelling agencies for review – assuming g you’re not going freelance. Children change very quickly, so portfolio pictures have to be updated much more rapidly than with adult models – sometimes every few months.

 

If you want a helping hand as you launch your modelling career, then register on the Neon Models website.

Freelance Modelling – the Basics

Many people are not aware that even if you are signed to a modelling agency, you’re not actually ‘employed’ by the modelling agency and there is no guarantee that they are actually going to get you any paid work.

 
They are an ‘agent’ that means they deal in making introductions and getting a commission of the fee that the model is paid by the client, and sometimes an additional introduction fee.
For this reason, freelance models may find it more lucrative to go directly to the clients, and cut out the agencies fees.

 
So, if you want to break into modelling, one of the first questions to ask yourself is whether you’d prefer to join a modelling agency or go freelance. Of course, you might decide to chase both routes and see which one works out the best, and that’s a good idea too, if you have the time and resources to do so.

 
A freelance model has to take care of the business side of being a model, and that means invoicing clients, chasing payment and making sure all the correct contracts and other paperwork is in place. There is plenty of advice out there and you can find free templates for most contracts, but you need to make sure you do your research.
Of course, getting in front of clients is easier said than done, and freelance models – especially those just starting out – also have to do a lot more legwork, networking, meeting the right people, making the right connections.

 
If you do have the right kind of drive and skills to become a freelance model, then of course the main benefit is that you get to keep all of your hard earned cash. With agency fees averaging about 20%, that can add up quite quickly. On top of that, you have a lot more control over where and when you work and you’re not limited by an agency contract which restricts who you can work for.

If you want to break into modelling with Neon Models, then visit our website and register today!

What’s in a Modelling Personality

Being a successful model is as much about personality as looks. You need to meet both the mental and physical requirements if you’re going to make it in this highly competitive business. So what do we mean when we talk about ‘modelling personality’? Well, it’s about being resilient and flexible and being consummate professional.
Resilience
It’s a tough business. Fashion has a glamorous image and lots of people want to be a part of it. That means that rejection is an unfortunate but common part of being a model. Almost all models will get rejected at first, from agencies or directly from clients if they’re going freelance. And even if you do start to get paid work, there are always far more models invited to castings than are needed for jobs, so being selected for all of them is essentially an impossibility.
Flexibility
The fashion industry moves fast and the people that work in it have to move fast as well. Castings may come up and be filled and booked within a few hours, so models that answer their phone on the first ring, drop everything and turn up within half an hour are more likely to get more modelling jobs than those who don’t get round to answering their phone until its too late. Also requirements may change at the last minite and model may be required to wear their own accessories or do their own make-up if supporting staff or items aren’t available.
Professionalism
Modelling is a job, and you can’t lark around in a job, because someone is paying for your time, experience and skills. They expect to get their money’s worth. With modelling that means turning up on time, and being responsive to the needs to the photographer. It means arriving prepared and in the right ‘format’ with our without makeup and outfits as briefed, not dragging your heels and responding helpfully. Models who go that extra to give their clients what they need are that much more likely to get called back for repeat jobs.

If you want to break into modelling with Neon Models, then visit our website and register today!

Neon Models #5 Tips for a successful photoshoot

Here is the Neon Models guide to a make the most out of a photoshoot – follow these simple rules to great some great pictures from your portfolio!

Try not to be Tense

A lot of people instinctively hold their breath as soon as a camera looks at them, but this is a bad idea, because it makes you look stiff! Try to breathe naturally – it gets easier once you get over the initial nerves.

Don’t be afraid to Be Experimental

Your photographer will probably give you some guidance about where she wants you to stand, which way to face, how to hold yourself and that kind of thing, but it’s a good idea to have some kind of creative input. At Neon Models, we aren’t afraid to experiment with having your hands in different positions, with different expressions and looking at the camera from different angles.

Try using different Props

Props are a great way to add interest to a photo, and you should try interacting with your props in different ways. If it’s a teddy bear you can cuddle up to it or lift it up to the light, flowers could be smelled, held in the teeth or even tucked behind your ear. The more different things you try, the more likely you are to get that perfect, unique shot.

Listen to the Photographer’s advice and guidance

Chances are, the photographer has done this loads of times before, especially at Neon Models, so you should listen to her advice and instruction carefully and do your best to follow them.

Really try to relax and have fun!

The best advice of all if to try to relax and have fun! If you’re enjoying yourself and smiling and laughing naturally, it will come across in the images. You might want to try some techniques to help yourself relax, such as shaking out your body to get rid of tension, taking a few deep breaths and looking at things that make you laugh. Neon Models are experts at helping you relax and stay calm during a shoot. You could even try the old classic technique of imagining everyone around you naked!
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