Become a photo model – Dream job: Popular & underestimated

Become a model: A dream of many young girls, women and men. Living in glamour and luxury, wearing expensive designer collections, visiting the most beautiful places in the world, knowing the right people and looking incredibly good. Who doesn’t want that? That can’t be hard, many suspect. With the right model agency in Berlin, Hamburg or Munich. But behind such a career is much more than just being “beautiful”: Incredibly much work, talent and finally also some “luck”. No human being is born as a model – well maybe isolated cases, but these are absolute exceptions. Basically, modeling is a full-time job that requires a lot of sweat, discipline and passion. At best, a good dose of cleverness and intelligence. Because even as a model, you’re a businesswoman or a businessman. What is basically behind the profession of a photo model?

Dream job photo model – The way to model

What is a photo model? The definition of a model

A photo model is a person who advertises products or services by using his body, i.e. visually. This can be on TV, on posters, face-to-face, in magazines, online or similar. Models are also booked for demonstrating and presenting fashion collections or beauty and styling products. For the optimal model figure, a model must exercise regularly and should pay strict attention to nutrition. Even if the body as canvas is in the foreground when modeling, gestures, facial expressions, an intensive look into the camera, posing and charisma also play an important role in a photo model. Emotions are very important for advertising, because sales promotion works through emotions. Emotions are generated by the disciplines mentioned above, such as facial expressions or gestures. A model must train hard in order to be able to implement the disciplines authentically at the push of a button. At catwalk shows, for the presentation of fashion collections, the models must also know the different running styles and present a choreography on the catwalk, as a pure photo model this is usually not necessary.

There are already small tips that help. Set up a few moods for the posing in front of every photographer shooting or before every single set. For example, there are small, very effective facial expressions, for women among others:

1. Sink your head down. Then look up and focus the camera.
2. Games with the lips.
3. Similar to step 1, but then the view from (left or right) outside goes to the camera
4. You can close your eyes and’feel’
5. Now you can seem’tender’, look or even’lovely’
6. Sweet looks, then smile
7. And don’t forget: Also move your body

Difference: photo model & catwalk model

In the past, a strict distinction was made between the term photo model and catwalk model (also called mannequine). Today both fall under the generic term model. Thus, a model can stand in front of the camera for advertising shoots as well as make a good figure on the catwalk for designers. Of course there are different “model types”, i.e. if a model has a good figure, a great face and a unique charisma, but is generally too small for the catwalk, then it can still work as a photo model, but is rather less booked for the catwalk.

Photo modeling agencies – serious modeling agencies

Models can work with and without photo modeling agency. A contract with a good model agency is always recommendable. First, a modeling agency will make sure that you get good jobs, the emphasis is on good! The quality of a customer and an order counts. The model agency makes sure that you only work with serious customers and presents you in the best light. Especially if a model works abroad, a model agency is important as security, because no customer can use the model by underpayment or the like. If you have questions, she supports you as a model and shows you the deficits you have to work on. In Germany, the agency usually charges 20 percent commission for referrals to customers once the model has completed its job. Abroad this agency commission can vary and also amount to up to 50 percent. In addition to paying the model, the agency usually requires a so-called AP from the client.

Become a photo model – The requirements for models

An optimized body, i.e. a slim, slightly sporty figure, is the basic requirement for a photo model and a catwalk model. A distinction is made between male and female models. While the male models are allowed to do more sports, the female models should be only slightly muscular. You should make sure that your body is taut and you are fit, really visible muscles should be avoided as much as possible, otherwise they are not flexible. Furthermore, the character and the charisma of a model is of course decisive! It is not enough just to meet the visual requirements to become a successful model. The character, the changeability, the self-confidence and the resulting charisma are immensely important to succeed in the model business in the long run. In addition, a model should have a great deal of motivation and ambition, because a model has to work on himself permanently. Jobs can be very strenuous and lengthy, but a model should not show signs of fatigue, stress or frustration. An actor’s talent is a great benefit to a model, so she can not only slip into the different roles better, but also overplay the current feelings.

Model dimensions for women and men

Of course, a distinction is also made between female and male models.

Prerequisites for Men Models

A male model should have a defined, slim body. The minimum size for a male model is 184 cm. A male model should not be larger than 194 cm in order to be flexible.

Prerequisites for Female Models

In principle, a female model should not be smaller than 174 cm to achieve real success in the modeling business. Smaller models can work as photo models, but often do not fit into the fashion collections and are not popular with designers, especially for the catwalk. The perfect model sizes for women are 90-60-90 (90 cm hip, 60 cm waist, 90 cm chest circumference.)

Models wanted!- How to become a photo model at CM?

CM Models is a model agency, headquartered in Cologne, which mediates models in Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and surroundings. If you are interested in modeling, are motivated and meet the above requirements, then apply online at CM Models. Our CM Models team is always looking for new and interesting faces. We are looking for male and female models.

This is how you apply:

You apply online with your (honest) measurements and Polaroid images. Polaroid photos should be clean, not artificial. No make-up, plain and figure-hugging clothes and a natural light. If we find you interesting, one of our Model Booker will contact you within 14 days and invite you to a personal meeting at our model agency. You should think about your experiences, goals as a model, your mobility and availability in advance. In the agency we will take your exact measurements (which hopefully don’t differ too much from your stated measurements) and make a small test shoot to see how you present yourself in front of the camera. You should also appear clean for this: plain, figure-hugging clothes, white T-shirt, dark trousers, skin-coloured underwear. All female models should think of bikini and high heels. No Make-Up, because also your real skin is important for the mediation to customers!