Modelling Career: THE REALITY OF MODELLING JOBS

Modelling is incredibly hard work. If you think you will just turn up, have your hair and make-up done and then leave after an hour’s worth of shooting, you’re wrong DEAD WRONG. From the minute a model signs to an agency and starts attending castings right through to the time that they finish on set, a mass of energy, commitment and enthusiasm is required. Prepare to travel a lot and work weird and wonderful hours that are nothing like the standard 9-5, starting in the early hours of the morning and working until very late at night. That said, if you love a fast paced life that’s full of exciting twists and turns, you would thrive as a professional working model.

MYTHS ABOUT MODELLING JOBS

Modelling is a quick fix cash earner.

 As much as we’d love to agree with this statement, sadly it’s a myth. At the start of your career jobs can be very poorly paid, in fact, you may even be asked to work for free in order to build your portfolio up if you don’t already have one. If you are paid, your agency will undoubtedly take a percentage of your fee most especially those scouted for and are yet to register of signed on by an agency.

Modelling is glamorous.

If you’ve made it as one of Victoria’s Angels, then yes, you’ll be treated like a modelling goddess, but until then, working as a model is tough. You are expected to turn up to photo shoots make-up less and your hair will undergo a fair share of damage throughout the years. There’s a lot of waiting around to be done on set and you will be expected to take direction all day long.

Models are employed if they look great, personality doesn’t matter.

This is a myth you need to stay well away from. Agencies and casting agents are no longer on the lookout for girls or guys with ‘just a pretty face’. Having a vibrant personality is just as important as good looks if you want to find modelling success.

 

WHERE DO MODELS WORK?

Anywhere and everywhere!

Although it does depend on what kind of modelling you specialize in (TREND).

If you are a commercial, real-life, high fashion, fitness or advertising model, promotional or ushering model, you are likely to work all around the country. One day you might find yourself working in a studio, club or stadium, the next you might be outside on location, whether that’s in the street, on the beach or knee deep in mud. Your guess is as good as ours; it really depends on your client’s brief.

If you are an in-house model (a model who has a fixed contract for a prolonged period of time with a brand) you will tend to work in the same environment, or at most, travel with the brand. You will find yourself working in showrooms, workshops, at press venues or at fashion shows.

Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt is the hub of modelling in Nigeria but models can find work throughout the NIGERIA, including EDO, DELTA, PLATEAU or another location that matters. models work hand in hand with these various project locations, models are expected to travel a significant amount of time. Whether this requires hopping on and off of the tube all day, traveling around the country or jumping on a plane, bus or cab prepare yourself for living out of a suitcase away from home.

HOW DO MODELS FIND WORK?

The most common way to find modelling jobs is to get signed to an agency. SAINTCITY MODEL INNK is one of the numerous Agencies that represent hundreds of models and their aim is to match their client’s brief with a suitable female/male model. Getting signed to an agency is hard work in itself (you need to have the right look, personality, availability and statistics) but once you are signed, you are professionally represented. However, this does not mean that you are guaranteed work.

The second way is to be a self-employed model. This means that you choose to represent yourself. To give yourself the best chance of finding success as a self-employed model, put a marketing plan in place, advertise yourself and get an e-Folio, portfolio and set of business cards made. This is a harder route to take as you will have less contacts and experience compared to an agency but this way of working suits some model’s lifestyles much better.

HOW MUCH DO MODELS EARN?

 This really depends on the job, the model’s experience and what percentage of a model’s fees the model agency takes. To start with, models may be asked to work for free to build up their portfolio. Some models will be paid straight away but remember, if you are new to the industry your work amount will be modest to begin with. In such cases, many models will take on a secondary job in order to pay the bills. If you stick with it though, pay will undoubtedly increase. Models prefer long contracts as these pay well and guarantee work for a set period of time. NOTE that I did not make mention of digits, so don’t go rushing and telling your agent of agency your dream digits

HOW DO MODELS FIND PERMANENT WORK?

The best way to find a permanent modelling job is to be an in-house model (REGISTERED). Second to that, if you impress your clients, the chances of them offering you permanent work later on will be much higher. Make sure your portfolio is high class and kept up to date to give yourself the best chance of securing work.

CAN YOU BE TOO OLD TO MODEL?

Sometimes, yes. It all depends on what the industry are looking for. That said, older men and women are employed as real-life models, for example, commercial clients will often be on the lookout for motherly/fatherly types, advertising clients may require a man or woman for their grey hair dyes, sixty plus schemes and so forth.

Another way to further your modelling career after a certain age (opposed to being in front of the camera) is to consider the admin side of the industry. Agencies employ scouts and bookers to manage their database of models; you could even set up your own agency.(+2348032858545 for more info )