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Welcome to my Online Portfolio Enjoy Images of Nature's Beauty and Elegance -Thong
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ThongFotoBeauty, Fashion, Glamour
Modeling Tips and Tricks: Every month, I'll present tips and tricks of the trade to help the success and longevity of your modeling career. Please email me with any questions or topics that you'd like to see covered in this section.
Seeking modeling representation can be a daunting task. There are a lot of agencies out there both legitimate and fraudulent. You must be extremely cautious when seeking professional representation. A referral from a friend or someone you respect in the industry is the best method. If you cannot find anyone, look in your local directory under Fashion/Agency/Talent, etc. Call to find out how they arrange meeting new talents. Some agencies hold open calls and some do not. Open calls are on a particular day and time of the week where they set aside to meet new prospects. Other agencies will ask you to send in a Polaroid snapshot or a composite/zed card and will contact you if they like your pictures. If you're brand new to the business, they will simply require a snapshot of your face and body. The face shot should be plain frontal with minimal makeup and hair pulled back. The body shot is an athletic/swimsuit/lingerie style shot that shows off your shape. This method is very inexpensive and you can get anyone with a camera to shoot you. The agencies' logic is that if you can look good without anything on (make-up, hair-stylist, professional photographer) then you must have what it takes to be in this industry. If you have a comp card, it is much easier to get signed. Many newcomers go this route to increase their odds for acceptance with an agency. A basic model composite card is called a flip card. It is a 6" x 8.5" 2-sided photographic card that features 4 different looks. This card will portray how you could appear in different product shots. The most common looks are: 1 Headshot on the front of the card, and 3 style shots on the back including a Body shot, Lifestyle shot, Fashion or Business shot. It can be in black and white, color or both depending on where you're located. It's less expensive to print your composite cards in all Black and White and also happens to be the preference for many European agencies. Composite Flip Card Front: Composite Flip Card Back:
Be very cautious in booking your fashion shoot. We're not talking about the type you'd get from your local Mall or wedding photographer. Ask to view the photographer's portfolio and/or website. Ask what the turn around time is from the day of the shoot to when you actually receive the prints in hand. The cost can range anywhere from $500 to $2000 for a complete comp card. You must clarify what is included before hand (make-up, hair-stylist, clothing stylist, location fees, print fees). Is the photographer shooting digitally or print film? Digital has the benefit of quick turn around and instantaneous proofing. There's no guess work as you can see the results the day of the shoot. How much are the retouching fees if required? Ask everything prior to the shoot! Never book a shoot without viewing the photographer's work unless your signed agent recommends someone whom they trust. Note that I specified your agent, not the agency you're seeking representation from. Some of the popular scams agencies demand that you shoot with a particular photographer and take umpteen classes in learning how to pose for the camera. The photographer, training school are affiliated with the agency. The first step in submitting yourself is to acquire flattering images. If your photos look good, then the agent could contact you or sign you immediately. Some agencies will even invest in your first set of comp cards and deduct that cost from your first paying job. This honor is reserved for only the super talented models.
Caution: Be honest with yourself or you can waste a whole lot of money. It is best to start out conservatively and later spend more as your bookings warrant the additional investments. You can gauge the interest level for your type by the demand for your first batch of cards or headshots which you send out. If there leaping off your agency's shelf it means that they're been requested. However, the determining factor is the money that you earn from modeling. Do not jump through hoops for any agency if they have not begun booking you. It's amazing how many people will do exactly as told in their eagerness to become a model. They will deplete their hard-earned cash before facing the facts that they don't have what it takes to be in this tough industry. Such is the allure and danger of this glamorous business. Never forget that this is a business and as with any profession, you must assess your investment with its return. Be very weary of scouts who pester you on the streets. Unless you are of a rare beauty, anyone gushing uncontrollably over your gorgeous looks is either getting paid a nice referral fee or is trying to pick you up. Real agencies don't gush over anyone as they're used to seeing many beautiful people. They're too busy booking talents instead of soliciting them on the streets.
Ever notice how fake some smiles appear to be in Headshots? It's as if they were pasted on after the shoot. So many actor's headshots fail because they lack sincerity and energy. Surprisingly, actor's are the worst offenders. Without lines to give, they get stiffer by every silent minute. Let's first understand that a smile never starts with the mouth. Actually, it is the last place that it will ever reach. A pleasant thought must originate from the mind which then triggers a domino effect of emotions before any facial movement occurs. Once you have found your pleasant thought, notice how it lights up your eyes. Only then can it trickle down the cheeks and eventually reach the lips. Do the eyes look energetic and happy? Ask yourself, "If everything but my eyes were covered, would the viewer (client/director) know that I'm friendly?" If not, your eyes are dead. They have no life or energy and everything will look fake and lack-luster. Apply the following steps
for achieving that Dynamite Smile:
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