The man in the lens: how to become a model

There are not enough men in the modeling business. There is low competition in this environment, and any modeling agency will gladly accept into its ranks any male representative with an attractive appearance and a good figure. Becoming a fashion model is much easier for a man than for a girl, and besides, the stronger sex is in demand in this business in any age category. What does it take to become a model?

First steps

At the first stage, determine your advantages, external data and their compliance with modern requirements:

Age. Even “if you are a little over 30,” there is every chance of becoming a conqueror of catwalks and photo studios. Many famous male models began their careers at this age. There is practically no age limit for strong representatives; you can pose up to 55 years old and even longer if a man takes care of himself and keeps himself in good physical shape. Conventionally, the categories of models are divided into young (from 15 to 25 years), adults (up to 35 years) and older ones (50 and older).
Conditional standards. The model's height should be within the range of 180 cm to 190 cm. The body should be fit, in good shape, flexible enough, but not have a pronounced muscular pattern. Bodybuilding masters most often become fitness models. The absence of hair on the body is also important; if it is present, then it is necessary to undergo a depilation procedure.
Evaluate your external appearance soberly ; if there are a lot of pimples and acne scars on your face, then you should look for other areas to apply your efforts.
Character . Just like for female models, it is important to have a psyche that is resistant to stress and overload, to be disciplined, to show patience, sociability, hard work and commitment.
Education. The work is suitable even for students; there are no special requirements on this issue. For a model, the main thing is the ability to pose, present oneself and the advertised object, such as clothes and a car. Knowledge of English is an advantage for a male model; this opens the way to European agencies. The desire to become a successful model will certainly push a person to broaden his horizons, which will inevitably affect his appearance and communication skills. Build up your personality!
Readiness for overloads . You will often have to work from early morning until late at night, go on business trips, and conduct photo shoots in difficult conditions for several hours at a time. No one will lead you by the hand and adapt you to a rapidly changing environment.

Professional requirements for guys

What does a man need to become a model? There is a whole list of requirements. They are worth studying carefully to decide whether it is worth becoming part of the modeling business.

Main criteria:

height: 180-190 cm;
category of young models: 15-25 years old;
adult model category: 25-35 years old;
weight requirements: 63-75 kg (mass index is also taken into account);
clothing size 50-52 (Russian).

Also, do not forget about hair removal. Among male models, you rarely see people with excess hair on their backs and arms. Male models have one important advantage: they can be provided with contracts even at 50 years old. Women can lose their jobs as early as 25.

Work on yourself

Success always accompanies the persistent and hardworking; talent is often not of decisive importance. Don't quit your day job or school after receiving several offers to model for a catalog or advertisement. A modeling career may not become a source of main income; luck in this business is changeable.

Change your lifestyle, constantly monitor your physical fitness, follow a diet, and devote time to caring for the skin of your face and body. This should be done not occasionally, but constantly. In this case, it is necessary to show dedication, discipline and consistency.

Determine your image, you can do this yourself, but it is better to contact a stylist. A professional, based on your character, charisma, and temperament, will select comfortable, up-to-date clothes, a haircut, recommend looks and arrange wardrobe elements.

Watch your manners, learn to behave in any society without losing your dignity, remaining at your best in the face of any challenges of fate. Make acquaintances in the fashion industry, where not only external data, but personal individuality are highly valued.

Model agency

The company plays an intermediary role between models and customers. The agency's services are used to advance their careers. The company conducts advertising events, resolves financial issues, and provides image support.

Agency employees ensure profit generation. Customers receive guarantees of high-quality order fulfillment. The company has a percentage of the transaction and is interested in its own reputation in the market and increasing the number of orders. Modeling agencies provide the following conditions:

provide models with work;

protect the interests of employees;

provide security;

negotiate with the customer;

promptly notifies about the time and place of castings;

pay compensation if the terms of the contract are violated.

As a rule, models work with one agency, but can move to another, which is specified in an individual contract.

Profile training

Attractive, bright appearance is not enough for a successful career; you need professional skills, without which it is impossible to work in this field. A modeling school will help you gain the necessary knowledge and skills. Teachers will teach you how to act relaxed in front of cameras, how to pose, walk on the catwalk and much more, which will turn an interesting man into a professional in the modeling business.

Education at such a school is always paid, but you can only gain systemic basic knowledge and skills among professionals, in addition, promising acquaintances will be made there and, perhaps, the first contracts will appear. Choose your school carefully, based on reviews and the institution's reputation. After completing the course, be sure to receive a diploma, certificate or certificate, it will confirm the specialty you have received. Quite often, modeling schools contribute to the start of a career, giving the student the opportunity to conclude their first work contracts.

Casting

You don’t get hired as a model just at first sight; you have to go through many castings, where the competition is simply crazy. Despite the lack of experience, you should not show your excessive excitement, but confidently demonstrate your desire to work and professionalism.

It is very important to bring your appearance into line, and be sure to get enough sleep before the casting. It is forbidden to be late for such events, so that people are sure of the seriousness of the intentions of the future employee.

A man must be as focused as possible so that any assigned task is completed. Before going, you need to inquire about the dress code to fully comply with the event.

Models are especially valued for their sociability at castings, good mood and beautiful smile, clean appearance, and emphatic figure. It is recommended to apply light makeup, take the necessary things with you, give up bad habits, so that there is no unpleasant odor, only fragrant light perfume.

Only hard work on yourself and following the above recommendations will be the key to a successful career for a man in the modeling industry.

Portfolio

In addition to basic knowledge, a male model needs a portfolio in which he will be depicted in several images. A portfolio is a personal visual book that highlights the strengths and versatility of talent. A professional photographer can create a high-quality first portfolio; do not turn to amateurs and do not settle for pictures taken using a phone.

What should be in the portfolio:

Full-length photographs (profile, full face, from the back, ¾ turn, torso).
Several portraits, including in black and white.
Artistic photographs in a tracksuit, underwear, business suit.
Beauty shooting.
Reportage footage.

The photographs must be of high quality, with the condition that they can be printed in high resolution on A4 or A5 format. A professional photographer will give you a lot of advice during the photo shoot; the master will also probably take hundreds of photographs, only some of which, after processing, will end up in the portfolio. Don't go for quantity, in this case quality is crucial.

If you have experience working under a modeling contract, add work materials to the lookbook, this way you will confirm your experience, demonstrate your participation in projects and the variety of your capabilities.

And even appearance is not the main thing for a male model

If, when you go to a casting for male models, you have no doubt that you will pass it successfully just because your appearance meets their requirements, don’t rush.

Appearance is good. But charisma is even better. Facial expressions, gestures, ability to improvise - all this will be assessed. If you, an incredibly handsome guy, strike poses with a straight face that tell you, what chance do you have? We would say almost none.

Be more confident and relaxed at the casting. Don't be shy. And in this case, you may have a much better chance of passing it, even if there are some questions regarding your appearance. In the end, a pimple that suddenly pops up on your face can be hidden with foundation. And if you don’t have any emotions on your face, no cosmetics will create them.

Define the scope

The variety of areas of activity where the services of a model are required makes it possible, already at the start of a career, to narrow the scope and define one’s goals, without being scattered into episodic participation in unpromising activities. Narrow specialization at the initial stage will allow you to focus on preparation, creating a portfolio, searching for a contract, etc.

Areas where male models are needed:

Advertising shoots for clothing.
Fashion shows (defile).
Fashion model for fashion magazines, advertising shoots, lookbooks.
Cooperation with stylists, clothing designers, clothing manufacturing brands.
Part model (shooting body parts to demonstrate a specific product - watches, underwear, cosmetics, etc.).
Work at presentations, show parties, exhibitions, etc.
Fitness model (shooting for catalogs of sportswear, nutrition, healthy lifestyle, etc.).
Model for demonstrating underwear.

Experience

Of course, you can jump into the modeling business the first time by signing a contract with a modeling agent, but having some experience is always welcome in any job. To begin with, you can take part in advertisements for newspapers and various magazines, appear in some television program, and only then at a fashion show. So, you can attract attention to your person, not only with the help of agents.

At the same time, it is important to remember that grabbing any job that comes your way is not always the right decision. You can’t do something that could negatively affect your future career, even if you can pay decent money for it now.

Often young guys fall into the trap of asking to be photographed in complete nudity. Normal photographers will never offer to shoot underwear unless the work is associated with a well-known company specializing in such products.

About the training of “physicists”

They do not have a single program. Everyone selects a basic complex based on the effectiveness of the exercises and the degree of development of individual zones.

Everyone, without exception, pays attention to the deltas, working on each beam in isolation.
To emphasize the width of the shoulders, they focus on a narrow waist, focusing on exercises for the oblique muscles. Wanting to keep it thin, many refuse deadlifts, which expand the lower back area.
The judges also evaluate the shape of the shins. What matters is the fullness of the calf muscles and the relief appearance. For this purpose, the mandatory program of “beach” bodybuilders always includes tiptoe lifts.