How To Be Relaxed (and Make An Impact) On Your VIdeos

Modeling Industry Professionals should be making videos to help their fans know them (and get new ones) I personally vouch for Jeff Walker's tips! Go to his website and he has a lot of beneficial info.

The Self-Generating Powerhouse of Empowerment: Fred Grooms at TEDxYouth@...

Many people within the Modeling Industry are still students, Young Adults, and Growing-Adults.  Listen to the entire 10 minutes of his video as a reminder to you to use your best skills as an asset in your career and life.

Little Empathy Given To Models...or Self

When I was a little girl, the family joke was that I should be an "actress" when I grow up! I guess they mistook my "passion" for acting, because anything to do alone in front of others was never my kind of dream career. LOL!

I still have that "passion", maybe even more, but the spin on the careers in acting have shifted toward "looking like a model", "posing like a model", "obsessed with their weight like a model", and even "taking over magazines like models"...oh, ya... and still be "talented" as an actor...Let's even carry that pressure on to other performing artists in Entertainment. I see the pressure to maintain a given image even on the "Image-Makers" throughout the industry.

Aesthetic laborers/workers in the entertainment. talent, modeling industry need to find healthy strategies that build up their immunity to others negative (or just carelessly spoken) critique. If this is a part of the industry that you recognize...even if not just for yourself, but as happening to others...don't get discouraged! Let the knowledge be shared that you are far from alone in those insecure moments within different parts of a career.

Many creative people even have that sensitivity on a higher level! Others that don't "get by" aesthetically and are not used to being judged, viewed, and critiqued on every part of their body in their careers often don't relate to what it takes mentally and emotionally.

It's part of the industry's image that doesn't score much empathy for a variety of reasons. There is more to learn about our society from how our models are viewed by various groups of men, women, teen boys, teen girls, children, fashion clients, commercial clients, human trafficking groups, pedophiles...and most importantly how the individual person feels about themselves.

 

beautiful-actresses-told-not-pretty-enough

 

Reminder...still Cindy Crawford fan.

What a great interview with Cindy Crawford. Worth the read if you're a fan!

Sadly, it's one of those articles that gets me "steamed"! Steamed that we work so hard for the industry to be more professional and respected AGAINST the very creative individuals in the CFDA that can change things for the "MUCH BETTER". This is the appropriate time in the industry to COLLABORATE. Change isn't happening fast enough for the current, young models travelling all over the world!

For those of you just learning about her career...she modeled when the size was 4-6. Check out her curves and "lines"!

...and WHY are we still seeing models being pushed down to ZERO. These girls are TALL!!!! It's pathetic that there's even Size ZERO (even DOUBLE ZERO) used as sample sizes!

Sorry, but there needs to be some mediation within the industry to raise that standard...even to a 2-4!!!

"Get a conscience, Designers! Please, Open your Eyes to what is being done to these young girls!...and stop acting like the art of fashion is more important than human lives!"

Cindy Crawford Interview (net-a-porter.com)

 

 

No Lack of Beauty When You Look Closely Beyond Size

No Lack of Beauty When You Look Closely Beyond Size

by A.K.A. Models

The model link below (Hannah Mavestrand album, HNS) is probably not a size 0/2/4. She has her own unique style of beauty. Some find her look ideal while others in the industry may choose another smaller or larger model. (see more of her pictures;) It's too bad that more girls (& guys) don't appreciate their own natural beauty...no matter what size they are.

Looks and bodies can change, but there is a certain natural beauty that gets lost when people compare themselves and others "only" to one standard of "ideal".

Just as there are so many types of beauty...we are seeing more versions of models. There should not be the concept within the industry that "one type" is the only real type of model standard.

Consumers, including extra-impressionable kids, see multi-media advertising, so it's to the advantage of the clients and models to become more diverse to show that there can be a balanced income potential for the industry, as well as a message with positive body images for society to re-learn as other "ideals".

High Fashion vs. Plus Size Fashion vs. Commercial Catalog vs. Fitness vs. Bikini vs. Fitness vs. Fit Models vs. Alternative Models, etc...all have their own requirements within the modeling industry regarding where they fit in, so let's get rid of the stereotype that there is only one ideal in the industry to be called a "real model".

Mixed messages are potent at confusing everyone's self-esteem and body image, so if society sees more positive acceptance of places for all kinds of people to fit in there may be less people feeling isolated or unaccepted for who they "naturally" are.  

We can't go along with promoting extremes in modeling like anorexia, eating disorders, or morbid obesity, etc. due to health being an entirely different issue, but there's a social aspect within each model group to connect with each other as they work on their careers and educate each other. Models can simply bond over common interests and issues within the industry. (Remember our concept of A.K.A. Models??  This is our shared international page about modeling that can cross most borders if you believe that there is a social impact from fashion, advertising, and culture that is pretty much universal.)

People can't help who they are attracted to in friendships, but putting that aside to value others work and appreciate what they do is a BIG step in social acceptance that reaches FAR well beyond modeling.

Hannah Mavestrand New Shots | Healthy Is The New Skinny

www.healthyisthenewskinny.com

ARE YOU HERE? GREAT!!! SUBMIT YOUR EMAIL AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Please LIKE my Facebook and Twitter Page, too, with your support for change.

 

I have a "BIG, IMPORTANT-To-ME-AND-Some-Others" goal in my career that has ruled my adult life! I'm one of the least likely people to lead any "cause" as an activist, but I can't ignore my intuition forever. LOL! It's non-important to many because they don't realize the social parallels (between the positive and negative impacts) that the fashion industry has had on society. It's not ALL bad, but when things are affecting vulnerable individuals poorly in our society...we need to fix it. This is why my goal is PROGRESS for the fashion & modeling industry...not just a "trend".

 

"Change" for the "sake of changing" does not mean that anything was "wrong" with something...it's an important part of trending. A.K.A. Models challenges the modeling industry to accept that the drive to change can be used for the "desire of PROGRESS", as well...changing things that are wrong and making it right (or better) is our vision. Change for the "sake of Progress".

 

Can we help the industry become involved and understand the difference?

"Parts" Modeling Options

Hi everyone! Here's some info that I heard a few of you were thinking about to supplement your portfolios to find more opportunities. I wrote this a few years ago, but the info is still pretty basic. Hope it helps a little!

In commercial advertising, editorial, and artistic photography, sometimes you will not see the entire model in full body view, but rather, just isolated parts such as beautiful hands, lips, feet, legs, back, neck, shoulders, etc. These models must treat their specialized parts with care to maintain a "ready-to-work" state for upcoming bookings. There are many types of models in the fashion industry, but this is open to those that have great body "parts" that meet the industry's requirements and high standards. This type of specialty is NOT for just anyone that thinks that it's easy.

For example, beautiful hands and feet need to be groomed well with frequent manicures and pedicures including proper moisturization so that they stay consistently groomed. These models know that their specialized parts are their way to make money, so they invest the extra effort into their livelihood. This also includes perhaps wearing gloves, booties, or anything that helps protect their part that is considered their specialty. There are many tendencies toward extreme protection from harsh or damaging elements.

The body part that is modeled should be well toned and defined with great skin, but without markings such as tattoos, piercings, fake nails, sunburned skin, dark suntans, scars, cuts, acne, cellulite, varicose veins, razor burn, stubble, or excessive hair. The model can't just expect expensive and timely photo retouching for their imperfections to be modified. Genetics can only go so far before a model's flaws are truly discovered, so it's best to stay realistic and make the most out of what their body is. Certain procedures for attaining the best physique can help, but some may certainly make things worse, so leave it to the professionals to tell you your options for skin-care, hair removal, personal grooming, etc.

In the major modeling markets such as NYC there are specialized agencies for "Parts" modeling (please refer to info at the end of article for the one that I highly recommend). In smaller and secondary modeling markets there may not be such a specialty division, so a full-service modeling agency will use its commercial models that represent the finest example of the best needed body part required for the booking. In the larger markets, the specialized agencies will deal with major catalog, television commercial bookings, as well as editorial print bookings, because there is a large demand versus smaller cities (secondary markets). The pay rate may range from just a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on client and their usage of the model's part.

We mentioned that proper maintenance is required to keep body parts smooth and healthy in appearance, but the model must have the commercially desired shapes and lengths of the showcased body parts to maximize its' photogenic quality in print (& television). For example, long fingers and toes photograph well. Some feet models have had an average shoe size of 6 to size 8...and that's not a typical shoe size of a model that's 5'10", so there is availability for all different types of models to work if they find their niche. This is also a way for a model to extend their career.

Now, the next step after a model discovers that they have the ideal parts for photography is the ability to know what to do with those parts in front of a camera and while promoting a product. The model needs to use the correct poses that include the advertised product naturally into the photograph. The same principle applies to other body parts such as legs, arms, and the back regarding posing and portraying the advertised product. The key is to make it "look" natural even though the pose may feel exaggerated or awkward.

In specialty parts posing, the story is told by a much smaller area of the body where a model may not be able to rely upon using their eyes and facial expressions, for instance, to show the mood. Subtle movements and changes of little angles can alter whether the body looks natural or oddly distorted. Distortion is something that looks like something is smaller, larger, wider, narrower, or even mis-shaped. The photographer controls a great deal of how a part will look with the angle of their camera, but the model must be aware of the camera placement and keep in mind what the photographer may be seeing versus what they really want you to do.

For instance, here's a little exercise to try. Think about the moment that the camera catches your pose of perhaps your hand. Place and pose your hand in front of you. Look at your hand's pose and position. Pretend that your eyes are the camera and place your hand ABOVE your eye level and carefully adjust the angle a little bit at a time to see how the shape of your hand in enhanced or distorted. If you are able to actually use a digital camera on your own, you'll notice that some poses are more flattering than others. Now, bring your hand down to "eye level" and "lower" to observe how those same flattering poses from above are not as flattering when the camera is from below or at a different angle. The lesson to this tip is to just observe that EVERY angle of your body will appear different in a photographic pose dependent upon WHERE the angle of the camera is. If the model practices and becomes aware of their body's angle and the product placement, the technical aspect should become second nature and the positions can flow during a photo-shoot so that any angle can be optimized with the assistance of the photographer.

A photographer may note to the model how they are seeing the body part's pose and offer suggestions, but it's helpful and more professional if you don't need to be constantly reminded and told what to and not to do. The model learns that it's a combination of posing, angle of camera, and the lighting that places shadows or reflects light in all the right or wrong places. That takes some time, but the model that can learn those tricks can make the most of their ability to be a specialty model. (The same concept is similar for whole body poses, too, but on a grander scale.)

After the model feels that they have what it takes to be photographed and dedicated to the maintenance as a specialty parts model...they'll need some specific pictures of the parts to market themselves to find representation and be professionally presented to clients. Models that already have composite cards in secondary markets may even include them on their updated comp card to feature their specialty. For anyone seeking greater professional opportunities, here's where the next step may lead:

http://www.partsmodels.com/ is a reputable link to find more valuable and specific information from a leading NYC agency (Parts Models), if you are interested. They list their requirements right at their site with other helpful information.

Here's their address:

Parts Models

PO Box 7529 FDR Station

New York NY 10150

(212) 744-6123