Five Things to Know about Social Media Modeling and Industry Modeling

Yesterday I attended a local modeling casting call, my first in over four years! I was nervous to the point of my heart feeling like it would fall out of my chest, hit the floor, and shatter into pieces. When I got there I found out I was one of the first models to arrive. As models started trickling in I noticed that all these beautiful girls had a common theme that I was lacking.

THEIR FACES WERE SNATCHED!!! DONE UP FOR REAL FOR REAL.

Everyone was wearing  a good amount of makeup except for me, because the rule of industry modeling and go-sees is “always come with a fresh face” This is because as a model, unless you are the creative director of your own photo, you are a canvas, but in this day and age my foundation and mascara did not stand up the full faced beauties, I have not received an email back and that is ok.

I am by no means coming down on the women who supported makeup, I just want to point out how social media trends have changed the local modeling game. I say local because I am positive high-end companies and agencies still go by the modeling handbook. So here are Five things to know!

|Industry: Models should arrive with light makeup |Social: Research the Casting Directors.|

I explained this one a little but I just want to reinstate it! How do you know what you are working with, what type of skin, moles, freckles, if your model shows up with a face so snatched you had to take a triple take? Of course, because of rising social media trends snatched faces have become the everyday face. If you are going to a “Go See” for an industry job go with minimal makeup unless you read otherwise. For social jobs, research the casting director, you can usually tell from their style what they are looking for. If you aren’t good at reading people, send me a message and I’ll help, I did attend school to read others and would like to use my degree for something…seriously.

|Industry: Always bring your comp card  |Social: Bring it anyway, just in case |

Do people even use comp cards anymore? An artist named Malanda, recently state “Instagram is like your resume” I think he might be on to something. Social media definitely plays into getting the gig and not getting the gig. So make sure yours is up to date. I am in the process of changing mine.  For industry jobs always bring it and just in case always bring it to social jobs as well. This is something that could mess up your chances of getting the gig.

|Industry and Social: Size still Matters|

From what I have seen, if you want to do any high fashion size matters despite the new body positive wavy on social media. If you are a thicker girl, let’s even say a waist size 34 (myself, no shame.) You might be overlooked for some gigs you want. This industry is tough so be tough. There is always work out there even for the thick beauties. PLEASE NEVER GIVE UP. For both, there are going to be some issues, but a little less for social media. I have seen some amazing thick women, not just slim thick, with great social media presence.

|Industry and Social: Practice Your walk|

Make sure you can strut whether it’s in the social market or the industry market. I had not practiced my walk in about 7 years and I completely butchered it when I went to the casting call. PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT that’s what my art teacher Kathy used to tell us, nothing is perfect.

|Industry and Social: Be YOURSELF|

I know that is corny and overplayed, but it’s true. If you go into something being someone else, eventually your true self will shine through anyway, right. It’s better to just be who you are from the GET and be unapologetic about it. As long as you aren’t walking into the room and talking down every woman in there, your good. Don’t act unless you are auditioning in either industry.

Well…those are a few things I’m learning. I have been commercial modeling on and off since I was an infant and I still don’t know anything or everything. There are some differences and similarities between social media modeling and industry modeling, just make sure you know what you are getting into and never get discouraged.

Solidarity