Dubai Fashion Photography: Fashion Modeling FAQ.
As the owner of a Photo Agency, I can tell you the following truth.

What modeling is about?
Modeling is about three things and three things only: SELL!, SELL! AND SELL!
First: You have to sell yourself to agents.
Second: You have to sell yourself to clients.
Third: You have to help to sell clients product."

What are the first steps in modeling?
First steps are very critical for modeling career and it is very important to learn how to make those steps. Just one mistake can destroy your future! More than 97% of modeling career are finishing without even starting. Many aspiring models do not take the modeling business seriously enough. Please understand: When you start a modeling career you are starting a corporation under your own name!

What size do you have to be a model?
Fashion and editorial models are tall and thin. Women are 5'8"-5'11" tall, with hips not more than 36". Male models are 6'-6'2" tall and wear a 40 or 42 jacket.
Commercial / character, body and parts models can be any size.
Plus size modeling is a fast growing market. Especially in the Middle East.

Evaluation.
It is a very critical and sometimes is a most difficult step - you have to be honest with yourself!
Look in the mirror and ask yourself: Do I have what it takes to be a model?
The best scenario if you are young, tall, slim and beautiful. You have good teeth, long neck and full lips. In this case your modeling potential has no limits. Any market!
But If your body is not slim- it is already a limit. If you are not tall enough - it is a limit. If you are not young - one more limit.
And each additional limit makes your modeling market narrower and narrower.
Some people think that anybody can become a commercial model. But commercial modeling still has one very important requirement - you must have an acting talent.
So, ask yourself: What kind of modeling is good for me? What is my market? What can make clients choose me to promote their collections and product?
Give yourself honest - I repeat - the honest answers and you can avoid many problems and save a lot of time and money. And you will never be a victim of scams.


HIGH FASHION MODELING
High Fashion Modeling is the modeling of designer clothes, either at fashion shows or in publications. Sometimes, the modeling of jewelry and cosmetics falls into this category. The models are hired through agencies, and the pay rate is the highest among all modeling jobs. Of course, the advertisers' expectations also run high. The agencies choose models with a proven track record for this type of modeling.

EDITORIAL MODELING
Editorial Modeling is similar to High Fashion Modeling, except that the model works for a particular publication. The readers of that publication make up a target audience for the photographs taken. Images in the non-advertisement sections of the fashion magazines are good examples of this type of modeling. The physical requirements are less stringent than for High Fashion Modeling, but the pay rate is considerably less. Many more models are needed for Editorial Modeling, and Editorial experience opens the door to High Fashion Modeling.

GLAMOUR MODELING
There are no glamour modeling in the Middle East. All shoots and productions of Glamour imagery are produced outside M.E.

CATALOG MODELING
While some Catalog Modeling involves posing with products, most is done wearing store-brand clothes. Even though pay rates are considerably lower than for High Fashion Modeling, it is desirable to get booked as a Catalog Model, because hours are consistent and repeat-modeling opportunities are high. Look through some mail-order catalogs to get an idea of what is involved. Physical requirements are not stringent. Usually, the side of the clothing not shown on the photograph will have many alteration pins attached, and some models find this inconvenient.

RUNWAY MODELING
Runway Models must have measurements that fit an actual standard clothing size. There are many different kinds of Runway Modeling. Many modeling agencies specialize in Runway Modeling bookings. Two of the opportunities for Runway Models are:
1) Designer Fashion Shows, where clothes designers present their upcoming designs.
2) Fashion Shows, run by a store or by a designer in a store, mall, hotel, or club.

SPECIALTY MODELING
Models with long fingers and well-manicured nails have opportunities to display their hands demonstrating domestic products. For men, a demand exists for the husky, masculine hand, or alternatively the more elegant, long-fingered hand. Women with well-proportioned feet are needed for shoe advertisements. Advertisements of stockings, pantyhose, and razors require women with nicely shaped legs. Hair products call for female and male models with good hair. There are numerous other Specialty Modeling opportunities. However, you should not start by concentrating solely on Specialty Modeling. Just prepare a standard portfolio, including a few photographs that emphasize areas of your body you might use for Specialty Modeling. Most agencies pick models for Specialty work from their regular modeling pool.

CHARACTER MODELING
Some jobs require models with an everyday look, such as a truck driver, mechanic, grocery clerk, schoolteacher, cleaning person, appliance repair person, and so on. All models in television commercials are character models.

CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW MODELING
These shows use many female models to demonstrate products, hand out leaflets or brochures, and answer questions. We categories such models as event girls !
THere is a mojor need of event girls in the Middle East.

MODELING IN TV COMMERCIALS
TV Commercials offer a growing area of opportunities to models with some acting background. Many modeling agencies now include a TV Commercial Department or Casting.


How much do models get paid?
We suggest you ask this question to Dubai model agencies. We do not interfere in Model Agency prices.


Are models the employees of the modeling agencies?
No! You shall be acting solely and exclusively as an independent contractor. Modeling agencies and managers provide business support services to the models they manage i.e., advertising, public relations, accounting, bookkeeping, invoicing, collections, and legal support in the form of standard contracts.

What kinds of advertising materials do models use?
Composite cards, portfolios of test pictures, tear sheets, participation in agency books. Today, most imagery are distributed digitally via email and internet website.
PhotoModa.com can help you

Who pays for the advertising material?
The models always pay for his/her own materials. Online distribution of your portfolio is free when we complete your modeling portfolio.

How much do pictures and composites cost?
Pictures are anywhere between 1300 to 2500 AED for a portfolio session that will produce 5 to 10 photographs. These photos will be VOGUE cover style and PhotoModa.com will ensure you will get the best photographers in the middle east. PhotoModa pricing is 1900 Derham (AED) per session

How important are the pictures?
Very important!!! The first step to getting noticed in the modeling industry is to produce a portfolio that will showcase your work as a model. The first thing most modeling agencies ask is to see your photographs. Sometimes they will not schedule an interview unless you have a portfolio. Remember: The great portfolio is your main promotion tool.

How many photographs should include portfolio at the beginning of modeling career?
At the beginning of your modeling career your portfolio should include no more than 3 - 5 pictures:
Head shot;
Full-length shot showing proportion of your body;
Fashion
Action.
Agencies receiving a lot of photographs each day. Your pictures must get attention!

Copyright
PhotoModa.com will provide you all photos taken during your session. The photos are released after the shoot to its owner, the model.

How often should I update my portfolio?
Your portfolio needs to reflect your current look. Since hairstyles and clothing styles change rapidly your portfolio needs to reflect not only your current look but also the current look of Fashion.
You have to understand that photos in your portfolio will compete with other portfolios. If your portfolio is great - you will win. But if your photos are not good enough - you will loose! What does it mean? You never get a good job and probably no job at all.


How much money necessary to get started?
The minimum is AED1300- 2500 AED depending on the market. (This applies to the middle-east market). European and US market price are usually double or triple. You will have photographic materials to get noticed.

Do agencies ever finance models material?
Some will loan money to very promising newcomers, but it is so rare. Modeling is a business. If you don't have or do not want to invest the required capital, it will be almost impossible to become a professional model. PhotoModa.com does not interfere in this kind of requirements.

Do agencies charge you to represent you?
No! Agents make their money by charging you a commission (15-25%) on the contracts they negotiate for you. In Dubai, we have seen 70% up-mark some models. Beware. If you don't work, they make nothing. Also, do NEVER discuss the price directly with the end client !!! Always ask your agent.

What are the chances of being discovered?
Almost Zero. Especially if you just seat and wait. To be successful in modeling you must be tenacious when it comes to promoting yourself. Knocking on doors, go to auditions, go-sees, cattle calls and make sure that you are in the right place at the right time. Without this personal drive and commitment toward marketing your services, you may get some jobs, but it is unlikely that modeling will blossom into a career.

How long does it take to get paid for a finished job?
Usually it takes within 30-90 days of the work assignment. In some cases, it is paid 50% in advance and 50% at the end of the project (This is PhotoModa internal rules)

What can you say about modeling schools and modeling conventions?
If you can find a good Modeling school it can be very helpful. Unfortunately, you have to be very lucky to find a good one. However, those businesses have nothing to do with your modeling career. Any modeling school or convention always accept you even if you do not have any chances to be a model.
How many girls and boys have been caught by these words: “You have been chosen!”
But the truth is: EVERYBODY WHO IS WILLING TO PAY IS ALWAYS CHOSEN BY MODELING SCHOOLS OR MODELING CONVENTIONS!
The modeling schools are making money by selling classes and modeling conventions are making money if you pay for participation in conventions. If they will give honest opinions to aspiring models they will loose a lot of money and even can go out of business.

I just found info on internet that all "slim and beauty" models almost are gone and to be a model you can look as regular people on the streets. Is it true?
Browsing the internet you can find tons of absolutely stupid information and recommendations. ...It is very easy to get an answer on your question. Just look throw latest fashion magazines. When models will look as regular people on the streets they will be paid also as regular people: AED30 - AED50 per hour. However some ads and fashion collections require the "street" look.

Modeling forums on Internet.
Modeling forums are not the best places to get professional advises .
It is OK to share your opinions or info, but.....
Successful professional models do not have time to waste it on forums or in chat rooms. All models who spend their time on different modeling forums and give a lot of recommendations ARE NOT THE MODELS AT ALL OR JUST ARE VERY BAD MODELS! They are pretending to be the experts and are ruining many modeling careers.
Please understand: How can they teach you to be successful in modeling if they could not succeed themselves. They can teach you only one thing - how to destroy your career!

I was talking to several photographers and all of them told me that I need to have not less than 10 -15 photographs to show to model agency.
That is A CLEAR MISLEADING! Your initial portfolio must be: for female - not more than 6 photographs, for male - 3 photographs is enough.

I know that I have everything to be a great model. I've tried to work with several agencies and some photographers. Unfortunately I'm nor very lucky. What should I do?
The most common mistake which makes a big damage to modeling career is when model thinks and acts like that: "I AM SO GREAT! MY CAREER IS NOT SUCCESSFUL ONLY BECAUSE OF BAD PEOPLE AROUND."
Never blame somebody except of yourself in your problem. If you blame everybody around in your problems you will continue to make the same mistakes again and again until your career is absolutely ruined! Always try to analyze and ask yourself:
Why did I not get this job? Or why this client does not want to work with me anymore? What did I do wrong? And if you can find right answers you will avoid the same mistakes in a future.
Follow this rule and you will make your career more successful!

PhotoModa.com team
Michel. S
PhotoModa Managing Director
0502282010