Model Shoot For New Models

Riverside, California shoot June 28th:

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FREE Model Shoot June 28th 2008 So Cali




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Ladies, June 28th - 10 Models invited to an exclusive photo shoot in Riverside, Ca.

If you need updated images, or have wanted to do a photoshoot for the first time, this is your chance to pose in great, safe surroundings with top photographers. Lunch is provided.

Leave me a comment on the blog (click image to open blog post) or message me directly to be reviewed for consideration by our staff. This is a FREE event and you will get copies of images for your porfolio.

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Notion Photography Ripoff

As reported on Myspace and Elsewhere...

THIS IS A LETTER SENT OUT...Warning! Notion Photogaphy is fake! Hey Friends!My name is Shirley Lam and I just wanted to warn you guys about a sales guy who's claming to be a photographer, named Damir from NotionPhotography. I contacted him under the impression that he was working with Michael Vincent Photography and booked a shoot with him. I had no previous experience with photo shoots or the modeling industry in general. When I first spoke with Damir, he reassured me that there will be 3 different "looks"; different hair, different make up, and different outfits. What happened in reality, I picked out my own outfits, I retouched up my own makeup, and I had to readjust my boring hair each time. I brought a girl friend with me for moral support, which is understandable, until he puts her in the photos that I paid for and shot her.All in all, Damir is a bad investment. With the amount of money that I paid to take those pictures, I could have gotten those same pictures done at the mall, and bought an entire new wardrobe, with shoes. What's messed up about all this was, he never told me that he was fired from Michael Vincent Photography, and he still led me on to believe that he was still working with them and that the quality of my pictures will turn out like the ones on the site. After realizing that the pictures were shit and I was cheated of my hard earned money, I made a couple phone calls and discovered something you should pay close attention to: I actually spoke with the real Michael Vincent and that was when I found out Damir was fired from the company. On top of that, it is confirmed that he only recently started his "photography" career. In reality, he's only had his camera for no more than 2 weeks, thus producing the horrible pictures. When I started to look closely at the sample pictures that he has posted up on the site, I realized that those photos were not taken by him. Pictures that he took from magizines and other photographers. How in the world, can you take self portraits of yourself like that?! And, just comparing the photos, I can tell that they were done by someone else. Even if I was unattractive, that should not affect the style and quality of the photo. .....Delete him from your profile and warn your friends about him... He's a fake and he was able to trick me, but he is not going to be able to do this again. I hope that this will allow you guys to avoid any possible disasters with him in the future. ~Shirley

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How to be a better model

How to Walk Like a Diva

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

The recent popularity of female icons like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Beyonce and the Pussycat Dolls signals a revival in the appreciation of the female form and movements. These famous sirens are known as much for their sensual movements as they are for their lively music. Any female can present herself in a feminine and alluring way with patience and practice, but before you can captivate and entrance even an audience of one, you must learn to move with effortless beauty. Below you will find ancient methods of educating your posture and body language so that you may unveil your inner confidence and feminine beauty.

Steps

1. Make your posture relaxed, but erect. Pretend that your head is being pulled up by a hair on the crown of your head to elongate your neck, lift your chest, and allow your shoulders to fall back. Also, pretend that there is a string attached to your sternum (breastbone) that lifts your chest toward the sky to hold your ribcage up off of your pelvis and to pull your navel into your back.
   
2. Repeat this to yourself in your head: chin up, neck long, shoulders back, chest out, abs tight, pelvis forward, and buttocks tight. At first you may feel that you are leaning back a little and you should be able to feel pressure and length in the small of your back (i.e. the lumbar area of your back which curves between your ribcage and pelvis). Stand tall and breathe calmly through your nose.
   
3. Make a conscious but discreet effort to arrange your body as slightly pigeon-toed (i.e. toes pointing forward and inward and heels outward) and slightly knock-kneed (i.e. knees bent and pointing forward and inward and hips outward) and slightly knock-elbowed (i.e. elbows bent and pointing backward and inward to meet behind your spine and bent wrists outward). Let your arms hang with your elbows bent. Your wrists should fall near to the back of your thighs. This stance enhances stability, flexibility and places emphasis on the ultimate feminine attribute (i.e. curvaceous hips).
   
4. Routinely loosen up your ribcage and your pelvis in isolation with side-to-side vertical circles, forward-backward vertical circles, and horizontal circles to optimize the slenderness of your waist (i.e. the circumference of your torso between your ribcage and pelvis) and to allow your body to function smoothly like a lithe and sinuous dancer.
   
5. Always have confidence and be fully present in your body. Allow your soul to come out from your eyes, relax your jawline, relax your lips to form an ideal shape. Focus sharply on the present moment, on your personal performance, and on your immediate surroundings (i.e. focus exclusively on one moment at a time, one breath at a time, and one step at a time, as you are immersed in your environment). Present the best possible you in each and every present moment.
   
6. Place each leg directly in front of the other leg, the way a cat does. The majority of weight shifts should occur near your center of gravity, which is between your thighs and belly button. Aim for your footprints to form a single line as if you are walking on tightrope. This motion dictates the extent to which your hips and arms swing. Keep your head and shoulders relatively still as your body moves and try to appear as though you are walking into the wind to push your shoulders back and force your pelvis to lead you forward.
   
7. Take all steps to the inside edge of the ball of the foot, maintaining a bent knee, and then slightly lowered to the flat of the foot (i.e. ball-flat footwork), to make the steps feel and look like you are pushing into the floor. Synchronize the motion of each bent knee with that of the ball of the foot below it for greater control. Alternatively, you should instead synchronize the motion of each bent knee with that of the heel of the foot below it if you prefer to execute a heel-to-toe strut.
   
8. Make your strides more or less pronounced by lifting your legs boldly or subtly in the same manner as a horse trot. Lift your foot a moderate distance off the ground with your knee bent, and then place it down a moderate distance in front of the supporting leg. As a knee bends, the same hip drops (and causes the other hip to rise), and as a knee straightens, the same hip rises (and causes the other hip to drop). If you wish to add a bounce in your walk, do it by making complete weight changes (i.e. allow each hip to abruptly drop when you bend and raise the knee on the same side of your body as your weight is transferred to your hip from the foot below it).
   
9. Move as little as possible when performing practical or enticing actions. For example, if you wish to look over at something or someone, move your eyes first until they cannot move any more, then move your head, then your torso and adjust your lower body last and only when necessary. Always return to your most relaxed state and never maintain a tense position.
   
10. Appear inviting even when you stand still. Arrange your left foot slightly in front of your right foot (your left knee should be slightly bent), and these toes should point forward and slightly inward with only some of your weight bearing on the ball of this foot. Your right foot should be almost directly behind your left foot and turned to the right to be perpendicular to it, and these toes should point to your right and slightly inward with most of your weight bearing on the ball of this right foot. Attempt to gently bend your knees toward each other to exude more panache. Additionally, your body should be turned to position your right elbow behind your right hip, and you should delicately turn your head toward your nearest shoulder (i.e. your left shoulder) to complete the pose.
    

Tips

• It is normal for the head and spine to subtly tilt forward and then to the backward-right side or backward-left side with each stride.
  
• Contra-body action refers to the natural tendency of the ribcage and pelvis to move in opposite directions when a person walks. The natural walking action of humans is for the right arm and shoulder to move backward as the right leg moves forward, and conversely, for the left arm and shoulder to move backward as the left leg moves forward. However, you should try to keep your shoulders still and your elbows positioned just behind your pelvis for more freedom of movement. Further, you should only allow each shoulder blade (i.e. scapula) to subtly fall backward, downward and inward along with the bent elbow on the same side of your body so as to contradict the alternating forward, upward and inward motion of your lower body.
  
• Keep your hands open with your fingers nearly totally straightened. Pretend as though you are gently holding a feather from a seagull in each hand and keep all movements fluid.
  
• Walk slightly slower. Everything done just a little slower looks graceful and sexy.
  

Warnings

• Maintain a bend in the elbows and knees and do not strain to assume any of the postures. Rather, allow flexibility to develop gradually to avoid muscle trauma or damage to joints.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Walk Like a Catwalk Model
  
• How to Look Like a Model
  
• How to Improve Your Posture
  
• How to Be Confident
  
• How to Be Photogenic
  
• How to Be a Fabulous Diva
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Walk Like a Diva. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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Model Searches

What They Are:

Some "model searches" are nearly complete scams: they claim they will get you "exposure" or even modeling work. But it turns out that, at best, the "modeling work" is for one or two low-paying promotional jobs (typically something like handing out flyers at the mall). They make their money by selling high-priced "portfolios" or by charging highly inflated fees for putting you on their web site. Only rarely is any interest shown in a model by good agencies or people wanting to hire them. But it doesn't matter; the search company has left town and the check cleared.

Despite these unfortunate companies, the legitimate model searches and conventions do something very different. They assemble a group of scouts from model and talent agencies from around the country (and sometimes from around the world) who are given a chance to see you, and talk to you if they are interested in what they see.

Model Searches
Recruiting:

The typical model search will send an advance team to small- and medium-sized cities months before a search event. They may advertise on the radio, on television, in the newspapers or on job-placement sites on the Internet. People who respond to the ad are invited to a free “screening session” (which may be described as something else) at which they are told about an upcoming search event, and some of the attendees invited to go to it – at a price. The more scrupulous search companies make an effort to screen out people who obviously have no hope of being selected by a model or talent agency, but not all are very scrupulous, and a wide net is cast. Sometimes anyone who is willing to pay to attend is allowed to, no matter what they are like.

The search firm invites both model and talent agencies to their events, so the people competing are often not “models” at all. They may be singers or actors who are looking for a chance to be seen by an agency. At most events, the “talent” applicants outnumber the “model” applicants. The total number of attendees needs to be several hundred just for the company to make their expenses, so typically a model search will have 800-1,200 model and talent contestants.

At the Event:

In total there may be 30-50 or more model and talent agents doing the scouting at these events. The model agencies are predominantly “editorial fashion” agencies, although there may be a few commercial print and promotions agencies in attendance as well. Most will be from major market cities: New York, Los Angeles, Miami and perhaps Chicago. There may also be a small number of local agencies in attendance.

Usually a search is a two or three day affair. The first day may be taken up by various types of training and seminars (all offered at additional cost) conducted by industry professionals. They will usually have a photo booth set up too, so attendees can purchase headshots at the event. The second day may involve more seminars and some “competitions”. Each competitor will be given a number on a large badge, which they wear so agents will know who they are.

For “talent” the competitions may be as simple as giving each of the hundred or so contestants a short (15-30 second) opportunity to perform at a microphone (a short a capella solo or monologue) for the talent agents. Then everyone (model and talent alike) take part in the “runway” competition. All the agents (model and talent agencies both) assemble around a runway, and the contestants walk down it at 15 second intervals or so.

There may also be another opportunity for contestants to parade by the tables of the agents, holding pictures of themselves. That’s an opportunity to make in pictures whatever statement you don’t make in person.

At both the runway and talent competitions agents have “callback sheets” that they use to write down the number of people they are interested in seeing later. At the end of each competition these are turned in to the search firm staff.

Following the competitions, and after a break for the staff to compile callback requests, “callbacks” will be announced, either by posting them on a bulletin board or by announcing them to the assembled contestants, by agency and the contestant numbers each agent wants to see. The agents will be at tables in one or more large halls, and those contestants with callbacks let into the halls. They may have to stand in line for a while, depending on the number of people an agency has called back, but they will get an opportunity for a brief personal interview at the callback.

The agent may take measurements, ask about their personal interests and situation, or inquire about their ability to relocate to work with them. If the agent is interested he will ask for the model’s contact information (telephone number). In exceptional cases a model may be offered a contract on the spot, but most often the agent will choose a subset of those he has interviewed to follow up with later.

Some searches also have “open calls” at which agents agree to see anyone who comes to their table. Again, it gives the attendee an opportunity for a brief personal interview with the agent.

The important part of the search occurs after it is over, when agents go home, sort through their notes and decide who to contact and invite into the agency. In almost all cases, the trip to the agency will be at the expense of the model, and she will be told she will have to relocate (at least for a while) if she wants to work with them.

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What about Modeling Schools?

Things you should know!

1. You don’t need to go to modeling school to be a model. In fact most real model agencies would prefer you hadn’t. You will get the experience and training you need through test shoots, experience on the job, through conversations with your agent or personal manager, and, if necessary, from brief classes arranged, usually for free, by your agent.

2. A lot of what modeling schools teach is wrong! It’s a pretty good bet that the instructors are models from years gone by, from places you will never model in, and are types of models you will never be. That’s if you are lucky. A lot of instructors aren’t models at all, and never were. They are just graduates of the schools, imperfectly passing on what they learned. Or worse. They probably don’t really have the skills a professional model needs, and probably don’t know what skills you need.

3. Pictures from modeling schools aren’t what you really need. That’s not always true, of course. Once in a while a school gets lucky, or the manager is really good, and they get real, professional quality pictures done for their models. But the vast majority of the time they get junk. The school counts on the students and their parents not knowing any better, and they are usually correct. So all the money you spend on pictures is wasted. You could get selected by a real agency with simple snapshots just as easily.

4. They don’t tell you what you really need to know. At least, not if it keeps them from selling you classes, or pictures, or attendance at expensive conventions that they say you should attend. They are a business. They make their money by taking it from you, not making it for you. So you can count on them not to tell you what keeps them from making money. What are some of those things?

a. There isn’t much modeling work where you live.

b. You can’t be a model in a big city unless you live in the big city.

c. Unless you are a skinny, long-legged 5’10” 16 year old girl, you are going to have to pay all the expenses of relocating to where there really is modeling work. And with no guarantees of ever actually getting any.

d. Unless you are that same 5’10” girl, no model agency in any major market city is going to make you an offer to front expenses to work with them. Even then they still might not.

e. People who hire models, and model agencies, don’t care that you’ve been to modeling school.

f. You don’t need to know how to walk on a runway. OK, maybe if you are that tall skinny 16-year old you do, but the agency will teach you that in an hour. Nobody else needs to learn the runway walk. That’s not the kind of modeling they will do.

g. A photographer can’t take good portfolio pictures of ten people in a day.

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Theatrical Performers needs

Theatrical castings require a headshot, 8”x10” glossy and done in the style used in the theatrical market. (Note: color headshots are used in California and New York City. In other markets, either Black and White or color may be used. Check with a talent agency in your area for guidance.

A lot of them will be needed for submissions to castings, so we strongly recommend that they be mass printed (laser or offset) rather than original photographic prints. We do not recommend you print your own headshots on a computer - it simply sends a message to the casting director that you are not professional enough to get good pictures printed. It is not uncommon for performers to have more than one headshot with different looks, so that a choice most appropriate to an upcoming casting can be submitted.

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Commercial Print Model Marketing

The bare minimum needed to market you is a headshot similar to those used by theatrical performers. If all you have is one really great picture, that may be what you use at the beginning of your career. (Note: new fashion models sometimes start with no more than simple Polaroids taken by their agency. But they need to change that as rapidly as possible. The fashion clients are heavily influenced by pictures.

If you are going to be a model looking for fashion or commercial print work, you should have a printed composite card that can be sent to potential clients. Typically “comps” are 5 ½ x 8 ½ inches, printed on card stock, and double sided. They normally contain a good head shot on one side, three or four other pictures on the reverse, and your stats and agency contact data. Most agencies prefer pictures to be mostly color, but will accept good-quality B&W comps. The agency will probably need at least 50 copies of your comp card in their files. Normally comp cards are updated as you get better pictures or tear sheets that can be included on them, so it often isn’t necessary to print more than 100-150.

If you already have an acceptable comp card it will help greatly for a commercial agency to immediately market you. Fashion agencies and most small market agencies will require you to have a card produced under their guidance. If you do not have a card, but have good quality pictures of the right style, the agency can assist you in finding printers who can produce quality comps at reasonable prices in only a few days.

A “portfolio” or “book” is vital for a fashion model, although less necessary for commercial models. In the larger markets pictures should be 9”x12” or tearsheets from published work. In smaller markets 8x10 may be acceptable, but you should check with local agencies to be sure. Some agencies have adopted other sizes for "walkaround" books, while keeping the "main book(s) at 9x12. For commercial models it is helpful if your comp (or portfolio) contains shots of you portraying some of the “types” that get commercial castings, and that are appropriate to your look. If you can look like a doctor, executive, “young mom”, “active retiree”, “character”, or any other frequently requested “type” you should ensure that you have pictures showing you in clothes and a setting, and with the “look” or attitude appropriate to that type. Also if you are planning on being a “body” or parts model your comp should contain a picture of your specialty as well. Some models with an especially strong specialty may choose to have a second comp card printed which focuses on that specialty.

Your agency should advise you on the contents of your comp and portfolio, but a large market commercial agency will often simply accept one (if it is well done) from new models.

ONLINE solutions also exist. ModelVanity.com offers this service free of charge. Anyone interested can look at your portfolio any time.

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Tactics for being Discovered

Aspiring models, just waiting to “be discovered.” The notion is that they can hang out, doing whatever they do, and someone will come along, spot them in the crowd, pluck them out of their hum-drum day-to-day life and suddenly they will be “discovered” and on their way to modeling success.

The worst of it is that once in a while, once in a very, very long while, something like that really happens. When it does it happens to fashion models, not commercial models, and it is a very rare event. Models aren’t “discovered,” they work their way through the system very much like you do in any other job.

But in another sense, the more successful models are “discovered.”

It is a great benefit to a model’s career if someone (or several someones) takes an interest in them, sponsors them and chooses to give them opportunities in preference to other people who could have gotten those chances. Photographers and art directors like to work with people they know, like and have had pleasant experiences with. Agency staff chooses who to send on jobs, and who to recommend to clients in preference to others in their agency who may be equally qualified. There are lots of models, few jobs by comparison, and choices have to be made. It is human nature in all of business for those choices to go to friends and people we like, and in the subjective world of modeling it is all the more true that personal relationships can make or break a career.

Models should always take advantage of opportunities to gain that kind of sponsorship from people with influence in the industry. Virtually all of the most successful models have used “sponsors” to achieve their success.

Beware the phony talent scout: These are sometimes people representing organizations that promise you jobs in return for some investment. Generally these have mixed results.

Another point: Hang out in places where you will be noticed. Walking red carpets, partying at the Playboy Mansion, and dating rockstars sometimes does benefit. Generally, as a rule, photographers do not have connections either, no matter what many may say.

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