The idea of trying modeling or the idea of whether we were good enough to even be a model has stayed in our heads at least once in our lives. Probably while flipping through magazines or walking past posters of models wearing H&M clothes, we might have thought about being a model and maybe later shrugged quickly thinking ‘nah, I’ll never be good enough to be a model. Honestly, modeling agencies are looking for someone more than just a pretty face, they are looking for people with X factors and a great personality that they don’t see every day. In fact, many of us have the qualities necessary to be a model. We all need that little surge of courage to try instead of the thought staying in our heads.
Now you’re probably thinking ‘Okay, what attributes or qualities do we need to have to get agency contracts?’ No matter what type of modeling you are into, be it niche modeling, high fashion, editorial, commercial, or body part modeling, agencies all over the world are primarily looking for these few similar qualities.
- Physical
You have to have the right physical qualities for the right assignments. Since there are different demands according to types of modeling.
- height requirements
Let’s start with height, for the catwalk you should be at least 5’7 to 6’0 for women and 5’9 to 6’2 for men. Whereas, the height requirement is mediocre when it comes to editorials and TV commercials. So you don’t have to be very tall to be on TV.
- weight requirements
‘Okay, my height is fine, but I’m quite wide.’ You have to be in healthy shape to be a fashion model nowadays, too skinny models are forbidden to walk the catwalk. Models’ weight is commonly measured along with their height and weight or shortened to BMI (Body Mass Index).). BMI is used as a screening device to show whether a man is underweight, overweight, heavyset, or solid weight for his height. Therefore, it helps to provide accurate information about the health level of a model. So you can’t be too skinny to be on the catwalk: Fit is the new skinny. As for TV commercials and print ad agencies, they welcome people of all heights and sizes. Real life models are used as part of advertising or corporate campaigns, when organizations hope to speak to a regular audience. In one example, sometimes pharmaceutical ads need a slightly heavier model for the demo. Another example would be insurance advertisements; they mostly show a family, a couple or even older people. They’re not too tall or skinny either, they’re just like you and me. Food for thought for those who are itching to try but never had the courage to until they read this.
- good posture
Good posture goes a long way. We don’t want stooped models dressed in Alexander Wang walking the runway or a stooped talent promoting toothpaste on TV. Why is good posture so important? It affects how you carry yourself and the brand, everyone wants someone who can carry themselves with poise. In addition, poor posture causes severe pain in the neck, shoulders, and back, leading to fatigue. Surely you do not want to feel tired during your session while posing or while walking for hours on the catwalks. Good posture is vital for all of us, not just for models, but for everyone. Therefore, behave with poise.
- ‘Face’
Agencies generally look for people with a chiseled facial structure and, of course, high cheekbones; this is usually because they tend to appear magically beautiful on the runway or in photographs. That jawline so sharp it cuts. So what if you don’t have a well sculpted face? Don’t worry, there is definitely still room for you. Not everyone is lucky enough to have sharp looking features, but even if you don’t, there will still be tasks for you! Like how oval faces go well with any and I mean any hairstyle. Great for hair shows as clients and agencies look for faces that have great adaptability. So it doesn’t mean that you’re beautiful or ungodly handsome it means that you’re capable of getting bookings. Customers are looking for quality faces that easily fit into as many types of looks as possible!
- Attitude
Great attitude takes you to altitudes. Surely you have heard of models who have snobbish attitudes. Those models are not doing very well or going very far in the modeling industry. Modeling is more than what you think it is, it is hard and hard work. To be a model, you have to be extremely adaptable to all kinds of situations for long hours.
- Patience
Models sometimes have a very limited amount of rest, they suffer from jet lag as they frequently take the fastest flight to another city for a photo shoot or show after finishing one. The long, excruciating waits in the casting rooms after a 12-hour flight with a hundred other models trying to book shows. When it comes to clients, you will deal with clients of all attitudes. You may not like them, but you can’t leave it in the middle of shooting, right? So you have to go ahead and play your role well to please them. Therefore, agencies search for models with great patience.
- Adaptability
Let’s not even start with terrain models and production equipment just to get the perfect shot. Sometimes they travel to muddy areas, tropical jungles, rocky mountains or even scorching deserts for photo shoots, pushing the models to their limits. But after that, it would be worth it as they get a lot of cash and a million dollar image printed in high profile magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and more. Wouldn’t it look amazingly beautiful in your portfolio?
- Manners
Didn’t your mom tell you to always say hello and end with ‘thank you’? The greeting may sound simple, but it is very useful. Always, she always greets your customers. Even a simple ‘Hello, how are you?’ with a bright smile can really make their day brighter, maybe they had a bad casting day and die for someone who can make them scream with joy “She’s the one!”. So be that person! Be that model where people would be so glad to see you at castings. Here is a tip, even if you are not sure if she is going to successfully book the program or not, always thank them for giving you this wonderful opportunity and her precious time. Trust me, they would be so glad to have you, and if you are lucky enough, they will remember you for being that role model with poise and gratitude. Make people remember you for the good things you’ve done!
- Confidence
To be a model, one of the essential attributes that you must have is confidence. It’s easy to tell if you’re confident in yourself by the way you walk, talk, facial expression. Clients and agencies are always looking for confident people and they notice that there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Regardless of what you use or do, when there is confidence, it makes your product brighter and stronger. Thus, making agencies easier to market to the big world. Trust is key to booking shows and impressing clients.
Now that you know what qualities agencies look for in a model. Now do your in-house model a favor and find the nearest legitimate modeling agencies and give it a try! You never know that you could impress the agencies near you and get the dream contract you once dreamed of when you were younger. Remember to always be yourself!