How a short girl gets ahead as a model

A girl on facebook sent me an Instant Message this was part of our chat about shoter models and finding opportunities:

"I think modeling for a shorter girl is really about knowing how to market yourself, it is about knowing what you CAN model, and focusing on getting photos that represent this. If you only focus on your height you will not find modeling work but if you focus on what you do have that a product, brand, company might want to work with you can find opportunities. So first I would think about what you CAN actually model. Notice ads that are not so fashion forward because modeling is not just fashion forward. Print modeling is the most active area of modeling. And you see girls of all heights, ethnicities and sizes."

Then she said she had been trying but was having a hard time so I asked her:
But do you have your own compcard and headshot? Have you mailed it to print modeling agencies more than once?

See it takes ALOT of work to model, get a modeling agency and book work as a shorter girl, but you have to put aside the height factor and focus on what you CAN model, focus on "WHAT IS MARKETABLE ABOUT ME." And "WHAT ADS COULD I SEE MYSELF IN REALISTICALLY?"

I mentioned "making her own compcard."

"Well I think it is best for a shorter girl to make her own compcard. A must. Without it how can you market yourself? It takes a lot of work to launch yourself as a model! More than the internet, more than the games on these model-sites too..(just know any sort of show off your photos "modeling website is not real modeling"), it is best to get professional fast and a compcard, get a headshot done, put some thought into your photos, be picky about the photographer you work with, and really research the good print agencies that work with print models."

"Aside what you see on reality tv and within fashion the shorter model, the print model many times has to be her own agent, and when an agency forces you to use their photographer, and printing services it can actually be a rip off or scam so be careful. It is best to always make your own marketing material and not rush into signing ANY contracts. Stick to being non-exclusive until you have some experience and freelance with many print modeling agencies because one agency is hard to count on for a new model with no experience. Modeling for a shorter girl within print is different than fashion modeling agencies that pick up girls, house them, and all that stuff..it is a totally different hands on world for a shorter girl focusing on print modeling and she has to be prepared for the grit, the hands on real work involved."

Later in our conversation I went on to share..."The main reason these not-as-tall-girls-find opportunities is because they have produced the right photos that sell them in a commercial way for a print agency. And a lot of self marketing is involved. ALOT of hands on work. Researching the right agencies, creating the right photos, making compcards, mailing, not being afraid to simply try."

I ended with..
:) "..if you want something, especially in modeling, especially if you are short, you have to keep your head up. be smart about it, and really focus on the best ways to market you :) goodluck!"

New Modeling Photography tips video-just posted

Isobella shares photography tips for shorter-than-average models and she wrote about her photography mistakes that she overcame in her memoir Almost 5'4". Enjoy!

Photoshoot for Almost 5'4" today!

Just did a photoshoot for Almost 5'4", went to some of the neighborhoods mentioned in the book & shot some kickin stuff. Atmospheres include SoHo,outside the apple store (read in chapter 13), Harlem (prologue and chapter 15), Astoria (Chapter 13), and Brooklyn Heights(chapter 3-9), all featured in the book. Shot on film on Black and white, so excited to see results during our breakfast meeting tomorrow. Will see the contact-sheets. Shooting digital just isn't the same. Dropped film off by Union Square, saw Almost 5'4" sitting proud in BN looking so HOT!

I am so excited to see these photos, especially since the story of the shots co-sides with Almost 5'4".

It felt so good to shoot on film today. It is a more planned out process, each shot is delivered, precise. We had 9 shots left towards the end at the last location in Brooklyn Heights, and it was a test, a challenge, to nail them and make each one amazing, I love the pressure of making something look amazing so much. Could do it every single day, and in our digital world wish more photographers would shoot film. I wish these camera-holders would learn about shutter speeds and lighting and all the good stuff that makes a photo timeless and a well told story within the photography.

"Don't just take my photo, tell my story"

Should an aspiring model contact brands directly?

A girl asked me recently about contacting brands and if she should as a new model, this was my reply which you might also find helpful:

Without some great experience and a fantastic headshot, I would not submit to brands at or magazine editors yourself. Mainly because you want to show great quality photos, photos that are well done, and you only want to show the best of you to anyone in the modeling, advertising, magazine business, etc. So if you do not have experience I would focus on getting your photos to be as quality as possible first.
Then mail agencies. And when it comes to brands, stick to aspiring brands.
A girl who wants to model should try to work with a good photographer to get a very nice headshot. Then submit it to print agencies. If you want, to get some experience you could try with aspiring designers, hit up a tradeshow, craft fair even and mingle with jewelry designers or handbag designers, accessories are best. Ask if they need a model. Perhaps you could be in their catalog. And continue to mail modeling agencies your compcard, headshot, new images and as you get better photos send those as well. You see, it might take more than one mailing to get an agency to call you back, but you want to keep updating your photos, improving as a model so working with aspiring brands is a great way for an aspiring model to grow her experience. Mailing the agencies is important. Without mailing an agency you will miss out on the bigger jobs. Top brands, magazine, etc, use agency models the majority of the time. So knowing this, it is important to market yourself with photos that a print agency can use. Of course you can try to market yourself to smaller or growing brands, try to get some experience modeling, and research to find the person who hires models at a growing company, or the photographer who shoots for a certain brand, however this does involve ALOT of research and work and marketing. So I would say, without any experience to focus on getting a nice headshot, and to hit up the modeling agencies first, and try to network with aspiring brands if you can for some experience. I hope this helps. -Isobella

Getting modeling jobs tips and marketing

A girl recently asked me: Should i try and get with an agency to get me jobs or is there a way you can do it all yourself like sending to advertisement companies ect. i was asked to do this commercial print camp for this company page parkes but they asked for $1000 and I saw on your site you should not pay for all that stuff.

MY REPLY:
In my experience you should never pay for anything basically but your compcards and for those I make my own. I then give compcards to the agencies I work with.

When you say Advertising companies do you mean ad agencies or the brands themselves?

To work with brands directly I would start small and work your way. Experience will bring opportunity. For example approach smaller brands, aspiring brands, jewelry designers, handbag designers and ask to model for their catalog, online, print or linesheets,tradeshows. Get in the mix with aspiring designers and companies. Not only is it great to surround yourself with creative energy but you will hopefully get some good experience from it and good photos that show you "modeling" something. Once you havesome experience/ aka a credible portfolio you should market yourself to an agency with it. Your experience can also help you get an agency working with you. In smaller cities an aspiring model could contact a local magazine editor, and an aspiring model can do that with magazines such as Marie Claire and Glamour but I don't want to get ahead of ourselves if you do not have marketable photos yet...or a compcard. It is possible to self hustle, but it does take showing quality photos and knowing how to market to each agency, brand, magazine, etc. If the brand is a handbag company then you will want to show them a photo of you holding a handbag..see.

It is also best not to get strung up on the money at the start, you might model for an aspiring jewelry designer and not get much pay but if the photos, photographer is good, then it will help you and could lead to more opportunity.

Also being VERY picky about the photographers you work with. It is better to shoot only a few things that will benefit your portfolio and where you want to be, than just randomly shoot with no plan and waste time. So be very picky about that.

As for ad agencies it is hard to get in the door as a new model with an art director at an ad agency to model for their client's ad's, etc. So it is best to work with modeling agencies because the art director will most likely call the modeling agencies and have their models go to a casting for a certain brand, ad campaign, etc.

I hope this helps! :)
Isobella

Isobella Jade at the LUSH store in SoHo Video

Isobella shares an in-store experience at LUSH in SoHo

Isobella on Fashion Modeling (video)

Isobella shares her thoughts on fashion and the short girl.

print modeling has no age

A girl recently told me on Facebook she wants to get into print modeling. We have exchanged some messages and I think this one from me to her will also inspire you.


"Modeling has no age, I went to a casting today for a nail company for a nail polish ad and there were women there in their late 30's, and grandmothers are modeling! :) So think about the ads you want to be in and target your photos around them. Also notice the websites of the print agencies you want to work with, notice the types of photos the girls have, and try to create something similar. When you know what the works with,and how to market yourself it is ALOT easier. Some agencies have told me I have a young look, some market me as spanish, some send me out for body part jobs, so it is all about knowing all angles you can market yourself in, or the main one, and pushing that look, and getting it to the right agencies. Make a compcard and mail it girl!"
Isobella

TRYING IS THE BIGGEST PART TO GET ANYTHING YOU WANT IN LIFE

Photography tips & Casting for hand modeling

So I have a casting on Monday for a well known nail care brand. Which is cool but it inspires me to write a post here about the importance of "showing in your photos what you CAN model."

Many girls often write me curious about the types of photos they need to start modeling, my advice: Think about what you want to model. Create photos based around that. Of course be realistic, if you are only five feet tall don't be too stiff, still, and *itchy in your photos, do create shots that show you modeling a handbag, a shoe, but don't go too high, high end. Agents want to see you can model products but the castings you will be sent on for print will most likely NOT be products found in Vogue.

I would not show logos or a brands name in a photo but a shot that shows you modeling "something" is important. See photos here:


For the casting I have on Monday I will be bringing and showing in my portfolio the best shots I have of my hands. I will bring tearsheets from hand modeling jobs but also some of these shots I will show I have created, art directed to get, printed myself. No matter what you want to model: It is important to be incontrol of what you want, and if you can model "something" you need to show it in your photos.

What you show in your photos tells the agent, editor, art director: This girl can do the job. So you want to show images that represent how you, your look, relates to the jobs and casting you are going for.

Modeling agency: why you shouldn't wait

There is no perfect day, outfit or hair day that should tell you when you should meet an agency, a girl recently told me she was about to set up a meeting with an agency but she was concerned about how she gained 5 lbs of muscle. She was going to postpone the meeting until it went away. This is what I told her:

I don't think you should worry about this 5 lbs of muscle, infact being petite it is good that you ARE tone, you will look leaner and longer in photos. Also you could use your muscle to your advantage and mention you would be great for fitness ass. Fitness modeling these days doesn't mean being ripped, it means being tone, and having some muscle could actually help you book a job. I would go to the meeting proud of who you are. 5 pounds of muscle...many people would cut off their arm just to get that! Don't postpone it anymore. Go. Don't self analyze THAT much. Think of ads, products and brands that use models off all heights and sizes. Analyze That. The less you talk about your height and what you consider your flaws, the less the agent will notice anyways…so focus only on sharing THE GOOD, what you CAN offer. Agents want to hear that more than about your concerns about muscle. :)

Isobella

P.s: An agency tip to consider, if this agency doesn't end up working out...just keep going. Keep trying...don't let anything be the end-all. You never know what's around the corner tomorrow.

If my leg can model so can yours

Modeling is tough, keep the fire going.

The answers are not always given to you
You have to seek it out sometimes
You don't win them all
but how boring life would be if you did,
Trying once doesn't always bring results
you have to try throughout doubt
Getting no's comes with the pursuit
of trying to be who you want to be
But the no's should just be wood to your flame
keep the fire going.

Fashion hates the short models but who cares

In this segment of Model Talk Radio on Weds the 8th at 1pm Live the topic is:
Fashion hates the short girls but who cares. You can listen live or to the archive by clicking here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade/2009/07/08/Fashion-hates-the-short-girls-but-who-cares

I will sharing how the history of modeling has been a rollercoaster from the early days to today. From the first fashion models being not as tall, to the Giraffes taking over the runways, to the advertising world giving the shorter girl her ticket. Inspired by the MET Model as Muse exhibit.

Short models in ad campaigns

What I have learned is that modeling is advertising, and where there is a product there is a model in need, therefore models are of all types but it is important for an aspiring model to market herself in the right ways. Think about it everything from sponges to furniture, computers, cell phones, haircare, shoes, tampon commercials! So much out there needs a model. So your perspective of what modeling is can help you as well. Think of advertising, keep advertising in mind and it will help you see where models of all heights are used. High fashion is not everything.


Isobella

P.s: If you are looking for a modeling agency don't look for a "petite" modeling agency, focus on getting with a print agency because "petite" modeling agencies do not exist... yet.

Shorter models can find opportunity modeling

Your size has nothing to do with your chance, it has more to do with your own will. And how much time and effort you put into it :) I suggest getting a compcard, getting headshot, keep working on it.

Another big part of finding opportunity is to not expect someone else to do the work for you. Not even an agency. Many print models make their own compcards, themselves. They go to printing services and print compcards. Actually this is how a girl gets an agency, by mailing their compcard. So I suggest making a compcard, mailing it out, and hustle, hustle, hustle. Don't think that mailing one time is enough, it might take three different mailings with three different cards, but if you want something you must not give up. There is marketing involved in modeling.

Shorter models can find opportunity modeling but it is work.

Ever made a bad shoe purchase? Modeling Mistakes

Ever made a bad shoe purchase? Mistakes come with the word model, here I share one of mine.

FLASHBACK to 2001:

So I was doing some bad photography with some bad "guys with cameras" and I figured that some high stripper shoes to look taller in my shoots would be perfect. (even though I was not a stripper) So I went to 8th Street hunting for height. An experience I mark in my memoir Almost 5'4". Those stupid shoes, they were $50 which was a LOT for a college student to spend her weekly stipend for food on. Later, when I REALLY needed the money for food, I would regret spending money on these stupid shoes, which I hardly wore because after a few shoots I realized a “talented” photographer could shoot my proportions well without those slutty things on my feet weighing a ton.

These days 3-4 inches is cool. 5 inches is great, but those stripper heels are not in my life and never will be again that's for sure!

Modeling compcard tips for new models

A girl recently asked me: Should I make a compcard at Kinkos?

My reply:
Well, I have never heard of professional modeling compcards being made at Kinkos. For now, I would stick to printing your cards at a place that know how to make compcards. Although YOU as the Model should have a plan of how you want your compcard to look ahead of time. Making your own compcard involves thinking about the market you are trying to capture as a model, the modeling jobs you want to get, and the agencies you want to target.

On a budget, I think it is best to use www.compcard.com, you can get a compcard for pretty inexpensive. You could test out like 30-40 cards, mail them out to agencies, casting directors, etc, and see what happens. If you do not hear back, make a new card, maybe your card wasn't commercial enough the first time for print? Maybe you need to work on the headshot more, regardless, keep trying and mail again, it could take a few submissions before you hear back from agencies and you might have to make more than one card obviously. :) It is work, it is time, it also involves visiting the post office. ALOT. :) I suggest when using a professional printing service and more options are to the right of my blog. I suggest also getting the proof of your card mailed to you in the postal mail. The reason: What you see on the computer screen doesn't always print the same. color, etc. You want to physically SEE the compcard in your hand before you approve.

Model as Muse on 4th of July

Some people BBQ on the Fourth of July. I go to the art museum. Yesterday at the Met I saw the exhibit Model As Muse, I loved it!
It is a must see for any model out there, or person who is curious about modeling. Appreciating the history of modeling can explain to you why things are the way they are in the industry. I loved looking at the older issues of Vogue. Ironically Dorian Leigh, one of the first fashion models, was a mere five-foot-four. (OMG!) Also you will see how modeling began, why models were needed, and the women that shaped the root of the profession. I bought the book Model As Muse and I will be sharing my favorite pages in a video this week.
Also here are some random photos looking at a gallery of amazing furniture and fixtures. Visiting the Met any day intrigues and inspires me.



Now it is time for a burger!
Isobella