The Wide World of Modeling

As the former Director of a Boston- based modeling agency and it's affiliated schools in New England, I'd like to set the record straight about the modeling industry.

1. Modeling isn't just about fashion and sex.
2. Modeling is about selling things via advertising.
3. Models come in all all sizes, shapes, colors, ages, and yes, even species Hello! Remember "Morris the Cat?"
4. Models can have very specialized careers like hand models, whose charms grace all sorts of packages, or voice models who do voice-overs for commercials, to name two "niche" markets. More on that in a moment.

5. Depending on where you live, and what your strengths are, modeling can be a great, fun and lucrative second job. If you want a full-blown fashion modeling career, start preparing before you hit puberty.
6. Like any other career or job, you need to have some knowledge and training, not only to succeed, but to protect yourself from those who would take advantage of you; because unlike most jobs where the "work" is separate from the "person," in modeling, you are the job!

An Overview of Modeling Niche Markets:

1. Live Sales Modeling almost every large mall department store has live models demonstrating fragrances, etc. Trade shows are another arena. You have to be attractive, but not necessarily a given size or age, and you usually need to be personable. This work can be found virtually everywhere.

2. Photographic Modeling again, this is a huge market, from business brochures to packaging and print advertising, and including specialized markets such as "body parts" i.e. hands, feet, hair, etc. Pays more than the above, markets exist everywhere but different areas of the country have different markets depending on the industries in the area. You need to know how to present yourself to the camera, and have an awareness of what your "look" can help sell, whether it's household products, fashion or anything else under the sun.

3. Commercials TV, video, radio this is probably the most lucrative market, because you get residuals payments for every time the commercial runs! Remember the guy who "got up to make the donuts" for Dunkin Donuts? He was a model, not an actor, and he became a very wealthy man. The point being, he certainly was not a sex symbol!

How to get started and find jobs in modeling?

1. Look for local modeling schools, agencies and talent agencies.
2. Find out what kinds of jobs they actually handle. Look

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