Young Teen Male Wants To Be A Model ·


I was sent many pictures of a good-looking teen male by his mom. I've changed the names just to respect their privacy because she did not send me the pictures via Facebook. He had his dark hair dyed very light and was trimmed, shaved and styled very trendy for his age.

The Proud Parent of this young teen male wrote:

Dear Carol-Anne,

Thank you for taking the time out not only to read my e-mail but to respond to it. I have had a hard time looking for the right agencies for my son, I can understand if there is nothing you can do for him but I really do appreciate you taking the time to welcome me to sending some pictures of him over to you for you to have a look at. My son's name is "Jay". He will be 13 years old on Monday, He is 5'7" and is a 28' waist, size 9 in shoes.

I WROTE BACK:

Hi Jill!

One thing I was curious about was the major city that is closest to you...it gives an idea of the modeling market.

Jay has really great features...his look is trendy regarding his hair, so that may limit modeling as a "young" teenager. Teen boys have a narrower range of clients, so while his hair is probably lovable with the girls ;)...clients and agencies may be missing his universal appeal.

In modeling, models usually have to conform to the "Look" that will get them the most jobs...the client decides everything else. My advice if you want to market his teen look for print is to start with his classic look. He may not like keeping it simple, but get his hair to grow out to his natural color and keep the cut as basic as possible. If he doesn't understand or want to try it...then know he's not ready, yet. If he follows through and gets pics of him with "natural hair color & style", wearing jeans, fitted T-shirt..."happy looking young guy smiling at the world", as well as smirks, big smiles or laughs looking off camera, etc...check catalogs, fliers, other models his age that are working in the business. You could always try and put one of the pics that you sent to me on the back of his composite card to market him while you search for an agent that represents teens.

If he insists on wanting to keep a trendy look with colored hair...he may have to hold off on modeling. That won't be flexible enough to keep him working and gaining experience. Usually musical artists have a bit more flexibility with their look at first, as well as "character" actors, so that's the likely path I can see his look working better for if he wants to stay trendy...although even actors need a great, natural head-shot that shows diversity in character.

So, Mom...have no worries that even if he doesn't find the right agency right away that male models have their ENTIRE lives to model...they get better with age, too! He is not done growing, yet, either, so there's plenty of time to experiment with looks, practice skills in front of the camera, learn a lot about the industry, and maybe even take an acting class! Acting classes help models get into character more easily than those that don't use those skills.

I hope this info helps a little...keep me updated as he grows through this stage. I recommend keeping a little journal with notes and your own digital pictures to show his progressing looks...then if he professionally re-tests again, add his very best head-shot, 3/4 & Full length Body Shots to a portfolio...don't have too many of the same looks in the portfolio...less is best! Also, keep notes of names and dates, too. If you show me his gradual progress, I may be able to put things in better perspective, too! ;)

Carol-Anne



This is only basic information, so if you can take any tips and apply them into a another similar situation...my mission is complete today ;) Have a Great Weekend!

How can one person make a positive difference in the modeling industry? I say it's very possible. Some industry professionals are just so used to doing things a certain way that they've become part of the problem. These individuals don't have bad intentions, but they obviously aren't willing to put their reputation on the line to shake and stir things up a bit in the right direction.

These days with the economic challenges affecting my country, family, friends, and friends-of-friends, I've been thinking a lot about what's a priority. I do that with our budget, family time, health, etc. How does this apply to my work with models? In every way that I can think of, I know that despite obstacles...we need to keep moving forward.

"Forward" is not spinning in circles just trying to deal with the problems that life if dishing us out. Forward is FORWARD. If one doesn't make the slightest change...things will keep being the same. This is true about my budget, my health, my body, my creativity, etc., as it is about the modeling industry. My approach with making any forward improvement in the industry STARTS with our own society. I try to reach "society" by writing articles like this blog, post frequently on my A.K.A. Models Facebook Page, talk to whoever wants to listen, volunteer, and attempt to be a leader with a Girl Scout Troop.

Don't get me wrong, my preference is having the right people to collaborate with. Like-minded people that see the Big Picture of what is going in the wrong direction and want to try and help. Redeeming the "overall" modeling industry through EDUCATIONAL assistance and setting guidelines, as well as establishing social and ethical responsibility that doesn't take away from commerce nor art...a balance of everything we love in ALL types of models and what they offer to the industry and society.

There are men, women, and children here in the United States that are getting caught up with visual tendancies that seem to make them be harder on themselves and more insensitive to other people. If we take a look at the big picture...we see youth growing up much sooner than we'd prefer based upon what media is feeding their formative thoughts. As adults, we are not immune either, but we can recognize it being done to us a little bit easier from experience.

I am not trying to get into the psychology of advertising, but I'm slightly jaded that the chain of command leads back to the top of the modeling industry's clients...especially the magazines, the commercial clients, the fashion clients, and fashion designers that DO have some pull to start taking a stand for our youth. Adults can barely tell the difference between what is real or just wishful thinking sometimes! How does our society expect the youth to grow up with positive self images, confidence, better tolerance of others, and an appreciation for the difference between fantasy and REALITY?

So, yes, I just told you my concern and you read it. Now, what if others agree that one voice can START forward momentum by having others join them? It is then very possible to make people realize that some of the things we have accepted maybe hasn't worked as well as we've originally intended. I'm not even (slightly) implying that a lot needs to change...much may just stay the same when it comes to some of the basic modeling issues.

There really are some major issues that could be dealt with on a level that will help everyone at least see where more "BALANCE" may potentially help our youth as they grow into the next phase as adults. We can't help everyone with everything, but our children deserve our effort...most of us started out with idealistic views and/or blaming our parents. I see that this requires our effort despite our children ever recognizing that we are trying to make things better for them.