How to Become a Successful Model

You've seen the glamorous models in magazines, fashion shows and TV commercials. You know you can do it too, because people go on and on about how beautiful or handsome you are, your awesome shape, or your razor-sharp muscles. This article aims to guide you through the process of becoming a successful model.

1. Be sure you want to do this. Most people think modeling is child's play: show up for an audition, get casted, do the job required, get paid, everyone is happy. Believe me, that's exactly what I thought when I first started modeling, and after a few castings and auditions, I was so frustrated I had to take a break for a while, in order to reevaluate myself. You have to be 100 percent sure you want to be a model. And Um, spoiler alert: you cannot be a full time student and Model at the same time. It just doesn't work. Both will suffer, unless you have the most understanding agency ever, which brings us to...

Become a successful model

2. Join a reputable modeling agency. As a newbie in the modeling world, it is always a better option to join an agency, preferably a small one, as small agencies have more time and patience to teach and groom you, though the jobs may be fewer than with a big modeling agency. After a couple of years you should then find a big agency, or better still, become freelance (work on your own).

3. Groom yourself. Why bother doing something, if you're going to be mediocre at it?  My advice to anyone interested in a cause is to aim for the very top, and this applies to modeling too. Groom yourself to be irresistible to casting directors, fashion show producers and advertising agencies. Go to the internet, find out what to wear, how to look, things to bring along for auditions and casting calls and the likes.

How to become a successful model

4. Work on yourself. Stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself. Find out what features about you stand you out of the crowd, and make it a point of duty to showcase them in your professional pictures. Do you have awesome eyes, teeth, high cheekbones?  Tell the world then. Exercise if you have excess fat jutting out here and there. It is Infact, very easy to start an exercise routine, but the problem is sticking to it without fail, and this is where most people come short. You have to carefully map out time for your daily exercise, and make it a point of duty to keep to it. Also find out what camera angles accentuate your features, and try different poses to see what suits you.


5. Pictures, pictures, pictures. You're a model. You earn your living by being in front of the camera. You have to learn to love the camera, and take pictures wherever and whenever you can, because you never know where your big break is coming from. Post on Instagram and other relevant sites and platforms (Nairaland?) and get the exposure you need. You might also need to contact up-and-coming photographers in your neighborhood and request to work with them in other to build your portfolio. Given that they're not yet established, they most probably will work with you for free.

Nigerian model