Guest post by Tansy Blue: Being fresh meat - what I learned in 2 months

Tansy is one of Purestorm's very promising new starters.

 

Newbie models, especially if they're 18 and naked as I was, get huge amounts of attention in the first few days. Receiving 100 messages in 24 hours is more than a little intimidating. Should you be in a similar position, here are several things I would recommend you keep in mind:

1. Do your research

If you're on this blog, that's a good start. Really do spend a long, long time reading forums, blogs of more successful models, etc, etc, etc. Make sure you know what the key abbreviations – TF, MUA and the rest of them mean and what a 'continental' shoot is (it is not a fashion shoot in Spain). Understand the requirements of your chosen genre; don’t expect to make a killing in fashion if you’re 5’3”.

If you're not prepared to spend a few hard hours reading, then just don't do it. It can be dangerous out there on the interwebs and this is the bare minimum you can do to protect yourself.

No, really. Do it.

2. Get a half decent profile

This means two things: images and profile notes.

Borrow a point and shoot, grab a mate, snap some shots. This is your portfolio. They should show your face and body clearly; for body shots, lingerie is preferred, nude if you shoot nudes. You don't need more than four or five shots to start a profile, but make sure that people can actually see what you look like. An interesting pose and engaging facial expression wouldn't go amiss either.

This portfolio will almost certainly be shit. No big deal, you haven't got much experience, you haven't shot with many people; it will improve. But you also don't have any references to reassure people of your skills or reliability. The only thing left is your profile notes. Make them awesome.

You need to cover: your availability, ability to travel, levels, any special skills (mention strong styling skills or dance experience here), and any tattoos/piercings/scars.

You do not need to cover: your favourite band, how much you wuv your boyfriend, the fashion show you were in when you were six. No one cares.

You definitely need to check your spelling and grammar. Get a friend to check them over if this isn't your strong point.

3. Be clear about your limits

Do you shoot nudes? Circle one: Y/N

Do you shoot open leg? Y/N

Do you shoot masturbation implied or real? Y/N

Etc...

'Maybe' and 'for the right price' are not good answers. Be very, very clear about what you will or will not do in front of the camera. Because once that shit's out there, it's out there forever. Start this early and continue it throughout your career; do not change your levels without plenty of forethought.

4. Be professional from the start

Have a phone number you're comfortable giving out, have an email that you feel the same way about. Don't use the email you made when you were 12 - you know, the one where you thought that the entire world needed to know about your love for dalmatians.

Respond to messages promptly. Be polite. Do not badmouth people. Turn up on time. Be shaved and clean. Use all the knowledge you should have picked up in your research. Act like it's a job because guess what? It is now your part-time job. Even if you're doing it for fun and have no intentions of going professional – it is still a job. “I am a newbie” is not an excuse .

7. Really do check references

As a newbie you won't have a network of confidants and friends in the industry. You won't have a hotlink into the gossip; you don't know who promises images but never gives them, who's touchy feely, whose portfolio was produced entirely on studio days. Remember that what people say in public and what they say in private are often different; feedback systems on sites such as Purestorm are often unreliable, but do function as a useful directory of models the photographer has previously worked with. Send politely worded private messages to these people to see what they really thought of the photographer, and how he/she really acted on the shoot.

5. Test up, not sideways

Not everyone who thinks they're entitled to a test actually is. Test with people who can give you images that are better than the ones currently in your portfolio. Do not get stuck TFing for mediocre fashion for months on end.

Sounds obvious, but it can be hard to break out of the 'I'm inexperienced; I should be asking for TF' mindset. Feel free to say no.

6. Don't be afraid to ask for money – but don't quit the day job

Don't be embarrassed – if you won't get usable images from the shoot you are fully justified in asking for cash.

As a new model, you can earn a fair bit in a few months. New model. Don't quit the day job just yet. Wait a year and see how it goes; once every photographer in the local area has shot you, you'll either need photographers willing to pay your travel expenses (assuming you charge for travel) or to have done a good enough job to be rebooked.

PS. To quote Vasilisa's post - “HMRC don't fuck around”.

8. Don't let it eat your life

It's easy to spend every hour of the day either arranging or going on shoots. Don't let your schoolwork/job slip. Don't let your relationships with family or friends suffer. It's easy to get sucked into a new, exciting hobby – but do keep your priorities straight. You are new. Wait for the novelty to wear off before making any irreversible choices.

9. Ask for advice, then take it

If you ask for a port review, listen to it. Maybe even consider taking down or adding an image on the strength of it? If you find yourself confused about something, feel free to ask on forums. Chances are you'll receive plenty of helpful advice; but don't throw a hissy fit if you hear something you don't like the sound of.

10. If it's not fun, quit

If modelling is making you stressed and unhappy, quit. If it's making you lose confidence in your body, quit. If it's putting you in lots of situations you feel uncomfortable and upset in, quit. If the strain on your interpersonal relationships is becoming too much, quit. Chances are you'll meet great people, travel to beautiful places, and make lovely art – but if you don't: quit.