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The subject of our most recent blog dealt with how photographers should treat their models with professionalism, courtesy and respect. Well, the street happens to run both ways. Models also have responsibilities in the world of photography if they want to succeed.

And if a photographer is taking the time and trouble to shoot you, he or she deserves your full and complete effort and cooperation. I listed some rules for photographers. Here are some rules for models.

Rule 1 – Show up and show up on time. In fact, show up 15 minutes before the call time. Know in advance where you need to go and what you need to bring with you. Ask if you should arrive at the shoot made up or without make up. Bring your own make up in case you need it. Wash your hair the night before and know if you need to do your own hair for the shoot or if there will be a hair person.

VERY IMPORTANT: Do not stay out late the night before a shoot. Do not drink alcohol the night before a shoot. Do not do drugs of any kind before the shoot. If you smoke, stop smoking. It’s bad for your health, your skin, your teeth…and it stinks.  If you need help with alcohol and drugs, please refer to the resources provided on the next page.

“If you haven’t shot with this photographer before, ask to see some of his work or look him up online. If there will be nudity, ask if there will be anyone else at the shooting.”Rule 2 – When the shoot is scheduled, ask the photographer or the booker what the pay will be (if any) and what the photos will be used for. Ask if nudity is required and to what extent. Ask how long the shoot will likely take. If you haven’t shot with this photographer before, ask to see some of his work or look him up online. If there will be nudity, ask if there will be anyone else at the shooting.

Rule 3 – Do not under any circumstances bring your boyfriend, husband or girlfriend to the shoot. If your boyfriend/husband is driving you to the shoot, he should understand that he should leave upon dropping you off. You can call him when it is time to be picked up.

“There is a friendly way to say no. You don’t want to come off as a prima donna but you shouldn’t do anything you don’t want to do.”Rule 4 – Be cooperative with the photographer on the set but do not assume any pose you are uncomfortable with. There is a friendly way to say no. You don’t want to come off as a prima donna but you shouldn’t do anything you don’t want to do. Be warm and friendly but be careful not to send the wrong signal.

Rule 5 – The photographer should show you and ask you to sign a release before the shoot. Take a moment and give it a read but don’t try to turn yourself into a lawyer. If you have a particular limitation you want to put on the situation, ask the photographer if it is ok if you write something on the release such as “Images are for the promotional use of the photographer and model and no further use of the images can be made without my additional consent.”

Rule 6 – Remember that modeling is work. It’s not supposed to be easy. The photographer may have a lot of pressure on him to succeed. Your job is to help him succeed. And it takes practice to be a good model. The more you are in front of the camera, the more comfortable you will become.

About Gary Cole

Rule 7 – Eat healthy, be healthy. Listen to objective opinions about your weight, your hair color, etc. You don’t want to wind up anorexic. No modeling career is worth that disease. Extensive tattoos and body piercings will make you unsuitable for lots of modeling jobs so think twice before you ink.

“Ask yourself: Why am I doing this? If you think it is to further your career, think again because it probably won’t make a difference.”Rule 8 – Think once, twice, three times before you even consider plastic surgery or botox. Ask yourself: Why am I doing this? If you think it is to further your career, think again because it probably won’t make a difference. Think if someone had told Penelope Cruz that she needed a nose job…and she did it. I can think of at least three women I know who have had nose jobs that went bad and many more that I thought, “Oh, she has a nose job” when I met her.

The same goes even more so for breast enhancement. In my 30 plus years at Playboy, I saw far more bad boob jobs than good ones. And, most of the time, the girls went too big, out of proportion with their frame. And you can’t go back because breast reduction is much more “In my 30 plus years at Playboy, I saw far more bad boob jobs than good ones.”problematic than enhancement. If you feel you must have a breast enhancement, do a lot of research, look at lots of photos and make certain you have complete confidence in the surgeon. And, please, no botoxed lips. It destroys your ability to smile naturally.

Rule 9 – If you have trouble accepting rejection, modeling is probably not for you. Rejection is simply part of the business. And if you don’t get a job, don’t assume you know why. It might be because they were looking for someone just a little taller, with a different hair color, with a certain look. Read the biographies of some of the famous models and almost any actor or actress and you’ll learn that nearly all of them suffered rejection at some point or other in their careers..some of them many times. The best advice I can give is work at your craft and be ready for opportunities when they present themselves.

Shootthecenterfold.com has some of the most beautiful glamour models working today. Go to shootthecenterfold.com to take a quick peek.

~ Gary Cole

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