My Top 5 Tips for beginner models

Please Note: Unfortunately this post was one of the blogs (pre.28th of July 2014) that suffered a 'Blogger' crash.. which saw all images vanishing! I have tried to replace the images from the crash as best as I can. However images of me with products etc.. may be lost as a result and therefore the images you see may not match the text(which is original and was not effected by the crash). My blog has therefore had to start fresh and all blogs starting from July 29th 2014 are correct with the appropriate, original and correct images but unfortunately the same can not be said for images lost in posts before this date. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. Shahira xo

Hey blog readers!

Thanks for stopping by :)

I once did a YouTube video on 'How to get into modelling' which you can watch by clicking here. 

I did the video a long time ago! and on a bit on whim-I kept getting messages asking me how to get into modelling and it was hard to reply to everyone so I decided to do a video.. I propped my camera on the table and started talking-I never expected it to get 20,000 views on YouTube -Which may not be a lot to a professional YouTube guru but considering I just decided to post a video up randomly -it was a surprise to me that it did so well.
I plan on doing more videos in the future. However, for now I've been putting it off as my living situation is a bit "all over the place" at the moment and I want to do it when I have a better set-up in a room that's not totally "shadowy" so that you can see me properly etc...

I am addicted to YouTube tutorials and vlogs-I watch YouTube more than I watch TV and it all started when I found my favourite youtube guru, Kandee Johnson. Click here to check out her channel :)

Kandee Johnson

As I said I do plan on starting my own youtube channel properly but in the mean time my written blog is my way of expressing myself and giving advise to anyone interested. My YouTube video has meant that a lot of people from across the world have emailed and contacted me, having found my video, and now seeking extra advise. Today (it is Wednesday as I write this) I had a young girl from Scotland write to me looking for modelling advise so I thought I would do a quick blog on my Top5 Tips for beginner models: as inspired by some of the questions she asked me in her message.

1) If you don't have much money you don't need to pay ridiculous amounts to start building a portfolio.
Sure you can pay a professional photographer to do a shoot with you so you can begin to build a book but if you don't have the money for that then it's not the end of the world.

Network and begin to work on a TFP basis (Time for print) in this situation everyone works for free -you/the makeup artist/the photographer.. in order to add photographs to all of your portfolios.
Amateur photographers or student photographers are often happy to work on tfp as they are building their portfolio also.

May I add if you do want to work with a pro there are some professional photographers who may be willing to offer you a discount if you explain to them that you're low in cash for whatever reason (student/unemployed etc..). Basically if you don't ask you won't recieve.

2) Never meet someone from the internet/or that you don't know well on your own! There are thousands of creeps out there who would only love to trick you into believing they are a genuine photographer (or they could be a photographer and still be a creep,lol) in order to meet you and for you to be in a vulnerable position posing for them. Stay safe!! Always have someone you trust with you or make sure someone knows where you're going and simply keep your wits about you. 

Saying this if you are bringing someone think about who this person is.. Will their presence make it awkward/uncomfortable for the photographer and yourself e.g perhaps a boyfriend, instead think of sepne you can give a job to-a friend who's a makeup artist/hairstylist someone who can help to style or be an extra pair of hands & help out. If they have a reason for being there it's a better situation for all involved!

Also never pose in a way that makes you feel in any way uncomfortable! When setting-up a photoshoot have a mood-board agreed with the photographer (a collection of example photos) so everyone is on the same page and you have an idea about the type of photos you want to get from the shoot.

3) What to bring... I could do a whole other blog on this topic but five things I always bring with me to a photoshoot are:

• a snack (shoots can go on a lot longer than expected), a bag of nuts is perfect! 
• nude coloured seamless underwear and black underwear -  You don't want to have VPL (Visible panty line) 
• a dressing gown or long/warm jacket - for changes and keeping warm! 
• Hair grips and go-gos 
• Safety pins -You'd be surprised how often these come in handy!

4) You don't need hundreds of photographs to approach an agency with a portfolio. Quality is better than quantity. Pick 6-10 of your best photographs and display them nicely in a folder.

5) The long term aim is to earn money, not to spend it. People will offer you the moon and stars and get your hopes up based on a dream simply to get your cash! An agency who is truly interested in you and believes they can get you work will never make you pay to join - The whole idea is that they will make money (normally about 20%) from booking you on paid jobs.

I hope you liked my Top5 Tips for beginner models!
If you have any other modelling related questions just post a comment below or get in touch with me on my facebook business page and I'll be sure to answer them :)

Did you read my last blog post?...Are you wondering how my lashes by Monika are lasting???
Follow me on instagram @ShahiraBarry to see a video of my lashes 1week on!

Lots of Love, 

Shahira Xo

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