How to Become a Plus Size Teen Model in Washington
So many teens dream of traversing the runways of New York, leaping through the pages of Vogue or doing fabulous ad campaigns for the likes of Chanel and Dior. But less glamorous modeling assignments make up the bulk of the work, even for top models. Advertising agencies and marketers are finally acknowledging that not every customer is a size 4, 6, or 8. The demand for plus-size models has expanded as a result. For teens in Washington State, persistence may be required, but modeling jobs are available.
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Instructions
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Get clear photos. Mcklyn, the New Faces booker at top agency Seattle Models Guild, suggests getting a few clear face and body photos. Do not be tempted to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for "professional" photos before you know what types of photos an agency will need to best represent you. Maybe you would make a great lifestyle model, in which case friendly, smiling head and body shots are in order.
Or perhaps you would do better as a catalog model. In fact, says Jamie Fish of Seattle's Heffner Management, one of the largest brokers of plus-size talent in the country, the bulk of a successful plus-size model's earnings come from catalog work. Avoid making a large investment before you get advice from a reputable agency.
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Take your photos to an agency to seek representation. Jamie Fish reports, "We find teen models the same way we find any other model..." You can submit photos and relevant experience online, but in Washington State, many agencies have what are called "open calls" at least one day of the week. You can walk in to Heffner Management, for example, Monday through Friday between 2:30 and 3:00 pm. During an open call, anybody can visit the agency and be evaluated by agency staff. You may have a quick meeting with someone who will look at your photos and make suggestions about improving them. You may find a negative response, in which case you might resolve to visit another agency. Or, you may be accepted right away, in which case you will be advised of next steps.
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Go to model casting events. Jamie Fish says Heffner Management regularly scouts model search events. In addition, according to Mcklyn, such plus-size retailers as Fashion Bug, sometimes hold weekend casting events where they seek catalog and runway models from the local community. Grab your photos and go to one of these events. You may not be picked to model right away, but at least the organizers will see your face and your updated photos. After a Fashion Bug event, for example, write a thank-you note to the local or regional coordinator to help yourself stand out from the crowd. There may come a day when she needs just your type to model the local store's fashions.
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Tend to your hair, skin, nails and teeth. "Our emphasis is on health," states Jamie Fish. "Healthy hair, healthy skin, healthy nails...." are what the agency likes in teen and adult models.
Whatever the agency, good grooming is critical. Keep your hair clean and get regular trims. If your agency recommends a new hairstyle, take their advice. Sloppy presentation will not help you find work.
If you are a novice with makeup, take classes, work with a makeup artist, study magazine how-to sections and practice at home, so you can show up at auditions looking your best and feeling confident.
Skin care is a must. Having clear skin means you may need less makeup when jobs come up. It also makes a better impression on a potential client than a face that is splotchy or broken out. If your skin starts having problems once you start wearing makeup for jobs, seek the advice of a skin-care specialist or dermatologist. Very often, such problems can be adequately controlled with quality care.
As to nails, if you are not your own best manicurist, visit a salon as often as is practicable -- stay within your budget, of course -- and follow up with good nail and hand care at home. Nails must be well-shaped, neat and free of hangnails and fungus issues, at the very least.
Teeth are also important. Visit a dentist for a good cleaning and if necessary, whitening and/or straightening treatments. The need to brush and floss daily goes without saying. Looking your best will boost your confidence and help improve the likelihood of securing jobs.
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Take care of your body. Yes, you are a plus-size model, but keeping your body fit is critical. States Jamie Fish, "toned, balanced bodies" in good proportion are what Heffner requires. In addition, getting regular exercise and quality sleep will help keep your energy up, improve your attitude and put a sparkle in your eye. A model with a negative attitude is a drag, and in smaller markets like Washington State, word gets around. The field is so competitive, clients will start skipping you if you appear to be sluggish, tired or ill-mannered. Take care of your body all the way around. After all, it is the vehicle via which you are lucky enough to earn good money. Respect it always.
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Tips & Warnings
Persistence is a must in a field like modeling. Keep up with school and your favorite extra-curricular activities as you continue to look after your hair, skin, nails and general health. When opportunity does arrive, you will be more than ready to take advantage of it.
As to earnings, Jamie Fish says plus-size model rates depend upon experience, marketability and the quality of the images in the model's portfolio. For print or online catalog work, a brand new plus-size model might be paid $1,500 for the day, while an experienced model with an excellent "book," or portfolio, can earn as much as $10,000 or more. (As it happens, Heffner also gets its models work in countries all over the world.)
Most models in Washington State, plus-size or not, do not work every day of the week, so it is not possible to offer annual "salary" figures with accuracy. Clearly, an in-demand plus-size model, at the $10,000 per day rate will enter six-figure territory even if she books only one job per month.
That said, the Bureau of Labor Statistics pegs the annual mean earnings of models in Washington State at $29,570.
In addition, opportunities for plus-size models are burgeoning the world over, according to Fish. More runway shows are being produced in Europe and the United States and fashion editorial opportunities are even growing. Product packaging assignments are also on be rise. The BLS expects modeling employment opportunities to grow by 16 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Beware of "agencies" that claim you must take their classes or shoot with a certain photographer to be signed. Such businesses are not reputable.
Never go to a photographer's studio to do portfolio or test shots unaccompanied. Take a parent or at least a friend to help ensure personal safety.
References
- Photo Credit PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
