I overcame all the difficulties that modeling could offer so I am enjoying the whole things that involve in it. I feel happy with what I do and more importantly I am proud of being a model not because I am a model but because I chose my path, followed and made it happen. At the same time, I am not just a model. I know how to show clothes I wear on the shoot good and I know roughly how to pose, but to me modeling is more than that. Modeling is a place where I express myself. I move as I feel given that I show the clothes best possible. I am in my world as soon as in front of camera. I do not see anything else but my world. I always take photographers and clients' ideas into account but I think models finish up the product. Each model is different by nature so that's why clients have to see you at castings so they can be sure you are who they are looking for. It is corroboration.
With you having a good book, great attitude and personality, you have more chance to be successful. You do not want to become one of many. Always remember being yourself and feel comfortable within your own skin because that will show in photos. Photographs do not lie. I still go to countless of castings everyday and get rejections, but it' just a part of my job to get turned down. I just think this way ‘Fair enough! That just opened up other opportunities to work for other clients'
Let me talk about posing. By the way, I do not call it posing myself. I hate posing. I actually used to hate being photographed. I call it movement because I believe models should move as they feel in front of camera. If you pose like you see in lots of magazines, it's boring. Honestly it is. Don't you think? You want to see something different don't you? So I never pose or even try to pose. Please don't misunderstand because I roughly know what works and doesn't but most of the time, some wicked pose will just happen when you least expect it to happen. I cannot possibly teach you how to move but you have to come up with your own way. Be creative and inspirational. Don't worry if you look weird or ugly if you move this way or anything like that. That just would make the matter worse as you need to relax to be photographed well first of all! You only get a few stunning shots out of a thousand anyway. So just relax and enjoy!
When I see clients (castings), I always try to smile and be nice to them. You do not want to work with someone whom you feel uncomfortable with or tends to be grumpy. You cannot be too demanding while having your own style of working. You need to find the right balance. Try to talk to them as you do to your friends but in a polite way. All you have to do is not missing any change and try to look as fabulous as possible. Whether you get the job or not is not entirely up to you so stop worrying. As I said before, worrying gets you nowhere. Sometimes you have to act if the casting is for a commercials or a role in TV or films. I had a training before so I don't get nervous if I have to act but for those who don't have any experience, I suggest you take some acting course so you get to used to it or even you can do it in daily life by pretending to be a lawyer or whatever. It feels silly to do this when you are alone in your room, but who cares? If that's what you have to do, just do it!
Having a good relationship with your agents (bookers) is vitally important. You have to trust them and vice versa. Without trust, it just won't work. You have to find a right agency or person that believes in you and then everything begins from there. Talk to them if you are concerned with something; ask them if you have questions. Let them know who you are and what you are. However, you cannot reply on them in everything. Their job is to represent you and forward you to the right castings. You have to do the rest. Sometimes if it's a big agency and has hundreds of models on its book, they just put you to any castings regardless of the nature of castings whereas small one could be picky with models and they can spend more time on how they would work with each model. There are always pro and cons with big agencies and small ones, so you have to choose what you want. In my case, I do not do shows because of height but I do beauty, editorial, commercials and so on, so I need to have some agency that deal with those criteria.
Finally, the most important thing of all is to get to know what you are. It is about self-realization. Maybe it is about your traumas that have been holding you back, depression, rape or it could be anything bothering in your life. These are very sensitive subjects so you might need some professional help to get them over with, but you really have to face them. As soon as you do, you are ready to pursue your dreams. Otherwise, you will end up blaming whatever or whoever for not being able to make your dream come true. Personally I had a tremendously difficult time with my family and it caused a lot of traumas. And I went into depression after having suffered from them for a long time and it went on for about 2 years. I was also sexually assaulted, raped a few times in the past and experienced domestic violence.I developed panic attacks over time and I still get them from time to time. I did not any confidence in me and felt lost all the time, but I brought myself to wake up for my future sake. You have to decide what you want and you have to be determined to change. Don't be afraid of changes. Chance equals new beginning.
To me, modeling is about enjoying being who I am and being true to myself. I express myself in front of camera. I hope my story helped you somehow or made you aware of what modeling business is about. It is totally a personal perspective towards it but I do modeling full-time and I believe in what I do. Make sure it is what you want to do and get ready to face constant rejections, criticism, loneliness, and financial difficulties if it might occur. Uncertainty will always be attacking you so if you don't think you can cope with it, please find something else that will make you happy. You have to enjoy your life and life is too short to spend your time on what you don't want to do or you cannot show your best possible potentials and skills. It is high time to become what you really are and enjoy yourself!
