You’d normally associate models with humans strutting it down the catwalk in Milan, creating a demo for a beauty ad or even a glossy print in a mag, but what about another species taking the modelling world by storm?

If you’ve got a pet, and chances are they are super cute and sweet, could they become a model as well? The answer is: yes! Animals are featured across the board – in the digital world and print.

How can your pet step into this world?

Find an agency – a reputable one with a strong history of success stories. Our modelling agency, Models Direct, is one of them. We have plenty of modelling divisions to break into and yes, we’ve got a pet modelling section called Starpets, specially dedicated to all those adorable friends of ours with fur, feathers, spikes, shells and scales.

Don’t worry about Olympic-quality tricks, the industry is looking for animals with a great attitude, pzazz and just to be themselves.

Let’s get the ball rolling

Wondering what the next steps are? Well, you’re at the right place and at the right time. First off, your little champion needs to be accustomed to new settings. This can often mean chaotic production environments where there’s lots of hustle and bustle – plenty of new faces, noise, lights and ground to cover. If your pet is adaptable, social and trained to cope with the switch, then you’re good to get the modelling ball rolling.

Sit, stay, roll, play

If your pet can respond to your command, that’s even better! Being able to follow some basic commands can open the doors and enhance opportunities further but it isn’t a must-have skill set. Ultimately, animals are animals – they have minds of their own and have other skills such as being intuitive, smart, friendly and funny.

Calm in nature 

Having a super excited pet isn’t something unheard of and is certainly a great trait to have – it’s a natural disposition. However, when at work, pets do need to let their calm and sensitive side filter so that they can display all sides of their personality (even their professional one). Clients know that they’ll have to make provisions for bloopers and hiccups but overall, they’ll want their star of the show to be cool, calm and collected when the time calls for it.

Take lots of snaps

If your animal friend isn’t used to being in front of a camera with lots of noise and people walking about, then maybe it’s time you got them camera ready. Of course, not all animals are aware of exactly what is happening within their surroundings but you can start by getting them prepared. Preparation is key.

Hop, slither, stomp, leap, waddle or climb onto the modelling ladder

This tip can start at your home setting or a place they’re familiar with and with people they know. You can slowly introduce new people and different settings to spark a change and wean them out of their comfort zone. Hopefully, with time, they’ll get used to all the brilliant and different sights, sounds, smells and textures around them, and when you next say, “Sydney, get ready to say cheese!” chances are, they’ll know!

We give our starpets the best oppawtunities to be put forward to the best in the biz. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with our team for some miaow-tastic advice and room to explore a career path your pet could embark on, and of course, be paid for!

Extra skills are not always necessary

We often supply extras for TV commercials, film, promotional work, outdoor events, trade shows and even the theatre (to name but a few) where our models get the taste for practical work that will involve using more than iconic modelling poses. Cue in acting, singing, dancing, instrumental or any other skills that will make heads turn. 

However, even if a model doesn’t possess any of these extra skills to make it as a modelling extra, this doesn’t diminish their chances of landing a role in perhaps a walk-on part such as a public scene like a street gathering, a bustling shopping environment or a celebratory occasion. This is what makes it accessible and appealing for those who may be thinking about what life would be like as a modelling extra. One thing for sure is, it’s a whole lot of fun!     

Adding flair to your modelling experience 

We like to keep it interesting for our talent otherwise life would be a bore if they were doing the same, monotonous job day in and day out. Modelling is anything but a bore. It’s lively, thriving and delivers an out-of-the-box experience in comparison to some other professions. Working as an extra adds even more variety and zest to a model’s interpersonal skills and CV which is why, if you’re reading this, you should consider going for it too! There are no modelling limitations such as height and body size to worry about – anyone can come forward as a modelling extra and get the chance to star in something quite wonderful and memorable. 

What qualities do clients look for in an extra

It’s down to a client’s specification as to who they’re looking for to feature as an extra. Once a model is selected according to a client’s needs, they will want someone who is:

• Confident
• Professional 
• Available 
• Flexible 
• Punctual
• Keen to gain experience
• Open to feedback 

Our work

We have worked with amazing clients who were hunting for extras to complete their marketing vision. Aviva wanted our models onboard for an online commercial focusing on the company’s retirement scheme, whilst Pampers featured our talented models Renaat and Alisha for a cute commercial. Just You, a UK singles holiday company, and Oliver’s Travels, private villa holiday experts also requested our models for commercial purposes where they all whipped up a treat! Have a look through our blogs and Facebook videos to explore more about these ads.

Next steps…

Working as a modelling extra with Models Direct means doors opening for more opportunities. It’s a fabulous way to expand experience in this industry. You can see how it all comes together for marketing projects and earn money for your time and skills. 

We’re committed to cultivating an environment that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe everyone’s unique qualities must be celebrated as they’re critical to our innovation in the modelling world. Our models bring their authentic selves to work every day, no matter what their age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, sexual orientation or disability status is. This helps us get closer to our company’s ethos – opening modelling opportunities for anyone interested in creating another career path at any point in their life. Inclusion isn’t just an initiative at Models Direct. We strive to embed it not just into our core values but throughout our entire workplace setup. 

Join us by connecting with our modelling and talent agency on our social media platforms and getting in touch with our expert team today.

Alicia Keys to Reese Witherspoon, TikTok is an A to Z of celebs and everyday people creating some fantastic material for the world to see, and we couldn’t wait to join them. So, it’s really (and finally) happening now and we couldn’t resist, what with all our Models Direct platforms doing brilliantly and with the 3.7 million active UK users that are scrolling through their TikTok feeds, it’s been a no brainer. We wanted to capture the TikTok generation and add this to our content and increase engagement with our long-standing modelling agency.

Our dedicated team are going to give you the best clips to populate your feed, and you never know, some may go viral but for now, we’re looking to get some short snappy videos out there and gain some traction for likeable and shareable content.

Our stance forever has been that we want to represent real people – everyday normal people who go out, do the shopping, go to school, go to work – you catch our drift. It’s all well and good having that perfectly structured model that walks down famous runways but what about the rest of us?

That’s where we’ve stepped in and for 30 years, which has been amazing every step of the way as we’ve expanded our services, Models Direct have had thousands of everyday people walk through our doors and have been paid for modelling work, which gives us so much pride in what we promote – fair access to modelling opportunities encouraging diversity and inclusion.

What to look out for

We’ll be dropping in Gen Z slang when we add our content to this amazing new cultural landscape that’s shaping our digital world. Don’t be surprised if you see some funky captions, so if you’re not on the app just yet, there are captions floating all over the internet to help. You’ll know what POV and OOMF mean in next to no time!

We’ll be pushing trends, hashtags and edits straight to your phone to let you the latest on our models, and their modelling assignments with behind-the-scenes content to delight your senses, which brings us to the next exciting part!

TikTok videos created on set

We’re also asking our talent if they’d like to create their own TikTok feedback video which they can do so by sending them to bookings@modeldirect.com. Seeing the experience through their eyes will be quite something and invaluable for those who haven’t just dipped their feet into our waters, and even for those who are interested in what everyone is getting up to. We hope it’ll inspire and motivate us all to push further, push boundaries and push the great work we have our models collaborating on with our prestigious and well-known brands.

Wrapping it up

Follow us for the latest! We promise you’ll enjoy the content which will keep you scrolling for more on what’s happening at our agency. Join us on our TikTok revolution, we can’t wait to meet you there and don’t forget to share and like what you see.

Celebrating our hands

For a more practical outlook, our hands tend to bash at our keyboards, answer calls, post messages on social media or carry out more mundane tasks like washing the dishes, taking the bags out and doing the ironing! Well, we think you catch our drift now.

Our hands are responsible for millions of jobs and this blog, unfortunately, won’t be able to cover all the miraculous things they do for us. Whether we realise it or not, the wondrous gifts we have to help us do so many tasks should be celebrated! Well… they definitely are in the modelling world. Here’s how!

Hand-fuelled marketing

Now, you see, when you see a pair of hands in a TV ad, in print or on a digital platform (particularly being showcased in the beauty industry) pause for a moment and contemplate. Those beautiful hands that you see applying eyeliner, creating loose curls or applying cream, didn’t happen to be there by chance. Nuh-uh! They didn’t appear out of nowhere and without purpose. There’s a reason why you’ve seen them and why that particular pair were featured.

Models Direct will explain: their owner is a hand model. Their hands picture well, in images and film – it’s that simple! We usually tend to see them being showcased in the beauty industry, as hinted earlier, but we’re also seeing them unboxing goodies and wowing us with the latest product reveals on social too. The scale of their demand is high and potential exposure is huge so you can imagine how much attention this modelling division is getting.

A handy thought

If you’re a proud owner of gorgeous, slender, blemish-free, well cared for hands, take a few snaps because you might be destined for hand modelling stardom. (If you’re in doubt, please do contact our dream team. We’ll discuss any queries you may have before applying).

In the meantime, set up a manageable routine to take care of your hands by following some simple steps:

· Wear gloves when washing up, or using any chemicals that may come into contact with your hands.

· Cover them up when gardening or cooking with skin dying ingredients such as turmeric or food colouring.

· Moisturise them regularly, paying attention after hand washing and before going to bed, with nourishing hand cream.

· Wear sunscreen (even in these colder months) when going outside. Skin is thin so susceptible to ageing, skin spots and pigmentation due to the sun’s rays so layer up with a high SPF of 50+.

· For nail biters, try and quit the habit to maintain healthy nails and skin. Nail-biting solutions are available to help.

Next up, begin building a portfolio of your hands from different angles, holding different objects, in front (or behind) different backgrounds and settings. If you’re lost for ideas, our Models Direct team can help inspire you with recommendations.

After you’ve done this, simply jump on your phone or laptop, and get your hands working by filling in our modelling application form. Upload a few images so that our team can see your hands and we’ll take it from there. Remember: it’s all in your hands! We’re looking forward to greeting your hands and welcoming them to this busy modelling category.

If you’re an existing model, you’ll know that you’re in a quirky profession that offers hands-on skills, excels your interpersonal skills, broadens your horizons and shines on your CV. You’ll also know that you’re in good hands with Models Direct as we make every effort to give all of our models the chance to be put forward for work that will suit them.

Earn an income and enrich your CV

Modelling is also an excellent way of gaining extra money through part-time assignments especially when times are hard. Moreover, you can harmoniously work around projects to suit your current commitments so you’re not tied into anything restrictive which is a bonus. The beauty of this is that you have the opportunity to pick which assignments you want to do…or not. You won’t be called upon it or questioned about your choice so don’t worry about being put on the spot.

Depending on your experience, the client’s budget, and the length and nature of your assignment, you could be earning anywhere from £150 for the day up to £1000’s. What’s more, no two jobs will be alike, so you’ll be going into each project learning something new whilst adding to your thriving set of modelling skills, and your CV. 

Let’s talk about the commercial perspective

Commercial modelling is a lucrative business and is always yearning for fresh faces of any age and all walks of life. We don’t want to give the impression that current models aren’t valued the same though – they are, and always will be!

The unrealistic look of modelling

As a top modelling agency with a solid 30 years behind us, we aim to welcome more and more people to our platform. Why? Well, we know how it is to become a runway model. To have the whole package – “perfect” (unrealistic, if you ask us) characteristics such as height, build and striking features – isn’t possible. The way catwalk models look isn’t what the general population can relate to either; the idea of perfection can be more damaging than anything. It isn’t inspirational or motivating to see flawless models with moody looks and to-die-for figures in clothes you could never pull off (or fit into, mind!). Thus, Models Direct’s ethos for all these years is to encourage diversity and inclusivity of everyone, giving everyone the chance to be in the spotlight.

If you want to find out where the Models Direct action is happening, read our positive appraisals shared by our talented models about how their assignments went. Our glowing reviews say it all so please have a read when you get the chance. Head on over to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see stills and videos, or stay in the loop with our latest blogs that are released every week.

2021 has been another successful year at Models Direct, and we’d like to praise our wonderful models and clients for all their hard work.

As a bit of a eulogy, we’re showcasing some of the assignments which made this year one to remember. We won’t forget 2021 in a hurry, but through the Covid uncertainty, we’ve continued to push the boundaries of commercial modelling and carried on as usual – through hard work, determination and encouraging our models to do what they do best in some of the most prestigious commercial modelling jobs around the UK. Other agencies may have been halted by the pandemic, but not us! We’ve posted regular information on Covid, explaining why guidelines dictated that modelling could still be a viable working option for models, and we’re grateful that our business didn’t succumb to the virus. 

So, we’d like to highlight a group of notable assignments that took place this year, and to congratulate our talent for their gritty resolve! Here goes…

First up was a quintet of models who helped London-based charity Centrepoint with their vital marketing message. They assist young homelessness people, giving them a better opportunity with accommodation and life advice, with the ultimate goal of helping them back into full time education.

One of our models, Bradley, said, “This was my second shoot and it was amazing – the people were amazing and made it so much fun. We had to pretend to cook, study, try clothes on and act like we were talking about our health etc, which was something I’d never done before. The shoot itself was great, with a lot of laughs and chats, so there was never a dull moment. Thanks again to Charlie for getting me the photo shoot.”

If there’s a better assignment than giving a hard-working charity a helping hand, we’d like to hear it. Thanks again to our models Annie, Michaela, Shayo and Brooklyn, who modelled with Bradley and helped this be a truly memorable modelling experience!

MORE INFO: https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/commercial-modelling-is-fun-lucrative-and-sometimes-for-a-very-worthwhile-cause

Spare a thought for the hospitality industry, which was greatly affected by a decrease of custom. However, things got better, so the UK’s largest pub operator, Greene King, requested some models to help promote their new menus. For Jasmine, the Greene Kind assignment was her first commercial assignment with us. She said, “I had my first shoot this week with Models Direct. It was at a pub to take images of the new menu, and everything was well arranged. I was given the right details and the job went well. I hope for more shoots soon!”

MORE INFO:

https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/greene-king

Flexible working was all the rage during the pandemic, so new company Smartdeskers asked for seven models to star in their promotional video as extras.

Experienced model Nigel commented, “I’ve been a model and actor for twenty years, now working in London and Europe. I moved to Norwich (Models Direct HQ!) three years ago from London, but I missed working in the industry, so I contacted Models Direct and they wanted to represent me. I was booked for an acting job last week; it was very professional, and a lot of fun, and it was great to be on set again. I met some lovely people. Role on the next acting or modelling job!” Welcome back into the modelling fold, Nigel!

MORE INFO: https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/smart-working-solutions-modelling-for-smartdeskers

We all know the big players in the supermarket business, and Morrisons is one of the “Big Four”. The Yorkshire-based company requested a glorious family to help promote their newly-refurbished cafes. Step up the Semedo family from Hull, who did themselves – and us – proud.  

If you’re a family intent on breaking into the modelling industry (and earning a fee along the way), have a look at the link below to get you in the mood. Family modelling is a very realistic dream job, so get in touch with us now and you could soon realise that dream!

MORE INFO: https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/morrisons

The fantastic jobs during 2021 kept coming in! Next up was Transport for London – one of our regular clients and an important organisation in developing and improving transport around our national capital. It was a particular success for our debutant model Anoop, who beamed, “It was a great day. Although it was my first paid photo shoot, I felt completely at ease. The photographer was great and the other models were fun to work with. Looking forward to other jobs from Models Direct.”

CHECK OUT MORE HERE:

https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/transport-for-london-debuts-new-campaign-starring-models-direct

Coco & Eve are an amazing beauty company which has its origins in the Indonesian island of Bali. Totally tropical! They asked for two “starpet” bunnies to join them in a promotion for gift hair towel wraps, so we were delighted to put forward Delilah and Sparky, who promptly “hopped to it”.

Animals are just as important for modelling campaigns as humans, so if you have a pet that’s not camera-shy, get in touch!   

SEE HOW DELILAH AND SPARKY GOT ON HERE:

https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/starpets-feature-in-campaign-for-cocoeve

Cash and Albie took a tiny step in the “rite” direction when they modelled children’s shoes for Start-Rite in Norfolk. Albie’s parents told us, “Albie had a fab first time with Start-Rite Shoes. The bookings team at Models Direct are so lovely. Great experience with Models Direct!”

Child modelling is a great way for little ones to gain confidence and interact with adults.

HAVE A LOOK IN MORE DETAIL HERE:

https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/start-rite-shoes

Our final assignment we’d like to highlight was for Dewhirst clothes. Five male models took to the stage in Camden to star in this prestigious shoot – check out the link below for the spectacular results:

https://www.modelsdirect.com/blog/dewhirst-our-male-models-show-how-its-done

If there’s one thing 2021 has taught us about the industry, it’s that whatever setbacks may hit us with, we’ll always do our best to keep our models and clients happy, and to keep being professional and successful. Our models know this, and it’s one of the reasons why we’re still the no.1 commercial modelling agency in the UK.

Now, what will 2022 have in store for us  – and you?

https://www.modelsdirect.com/reviews/

https://www.modelsdirect.com/

The energy and expectancy during these glorious years should be cherished. Teens are more mature for their age than ever, and parents should be encouraged with their children’s aspirations. The world is their oyster, for sure.

For obvious reasons, parents and guardians are the best judges of what their children can accomplish (other than the teenagers themselves, of course). First and foremost, parents want their children to be happy and safe. Successes and achievements will fit in nicely as long as a teens’ wellbeing is realised.

Commercial modelling is a very realistic opportunity for teens for a variety of reasons. It could lead to something else; it may not. After being in the industry for over 30 years, we’ve risen to become the UK’s no.1 modelling agency, so we’re fully aware that the hundreds of “live” modelling assignments for teens might have a number of long-term outcomes. What we can confidently say is that signing up with us is the best way to get talented teens seen by some of the biggest names out there – again, we should know, because these household names are our clients! And – if you didn’t already know – teenagers are always desirable in commercial modelling jobs. In fact, they are one of the most requested models by our clients. Click on the link below for more information:

https://www.modelsdirect.com/teen-modelling/

If parents think their teenage children have what it takes to become one of our commercial models, here is a brief “tick off” list of criteria. If you can put a nice, big green tick against all of these, then the next step is really quite simple: contact us via our application form, and our experienced booking team will take it from there. So, onto the list:

Is your teen child:

·       Enthusiastic?

·       Pretty flexible around school days / holidays?

·       Keen to earn decent money?

·       Presentable and punctual?

·       Wishing to get involved in working with professionals in a safe environment?

·       Willing to travel with you?

If there are six ticks next to these points, we’d love to hear from them!

When teens sign up with Models Direct, both parents and themselves can expect certain prerequisites from us – and our clients. Through our experience and knowledge, we have a few “tick lists” ourselves. These include:

We’ll do our very best to put forward the right teen models to our clients (and we have lots of them!)

We understand that not every assignment is right for everyone. When you decline a modelling job, we simply work harder to find one that is right! You – and your child – have the right to accept or decline any assignment – no ifs, no buts.

We always pay our wonderful models within five working days. The reasons are three-fold:

  1. We collect fees from our client before the assignment.

  2. We adhere to statutory modelling regulations.

  3. We respect all our models.

There is no pressure on our models – especially our child models. We want them to be safe and happy – like all parents. But we ask teens and parents to ask themselves what they want to achieve. It could be that just one modelling job during the summer is enough to break up the routine – great! It could be that teen models wish to break into the industry with real aspirations of a career. This is achievable when signing up with a reputable agency, but all parties should be pragmatic. Long-term success is in your hands, but it almost certainly won’t happen overnight. Alternatively, teens could just want some spare cash doing something enjoyable – and be the envy of all their friends. Brilliant! If that’s the case, go for it!

If you’re a teen, we’re jealous! You have the world at your feet, so do what makes you happy. Modelling is ideal for all kinds of teens looking for something a little bit different, and the feedback from all our teens so far demonstrates that modelling makes them happy – and a little richer!

To end this blog, a few of these pointers will give teens some encouragement to enter the wonderful world of commercial modelling:

·       Listen to your parents (sorry!)

·       Choose which modelling jobs you think you’d enjoy the most.

·       Be happy in everything you do, as being happy brings about confidence, relaxation and success.

·       Don’t give up if you don’t get offered a modelling assignment straight away.

·       Please read our brief and straightforward guidelines before applying – it’ll be valuable in the long run.

For a little more insight into teen modelling – and how to apply with us – have a peek at the below link:

If under 18 years of age, we ask that a parent or guardian fills out the application form on behalf of the teenager. Thank you, and good luck!

Maybe you’ve been watching a film and thought a character wasn’t as realistic as the others. You can’t put your finger on why the character didn’t fit in with the cast, but you were simply aware that the character was unconvincing and, dare we say it, unbelievable.

Well, looking for a family in a commercial modelling campaign must be the exact opposite to this scenario for the campaign to be a success. Credibility goes a long way to entice customers, and to maintain the interest of viewers and listeners in all sorts of campaigns.

When clients come to Models Direct with a request for a family, we generally put forward real families. True – families can be made from professional models who have never met before, and sometimes this arrangement can work. But there is no substitute for the genuine article, and this is why lots of our assignments cry out for real families from all four corners of the UK.   

When it comes to family modelling, there are many advantages that work in a family’s favour. Have a look at the below points:

·        Social bubbles during the past few months of lockdown have been beneficial for families, because same households were allowed to participate in commercial modelling jobs as laid by the government. And – heaven forbid – families will still be able to pursue their modelling dreams should another lockdown take place.

·        It’s much easier for a real family to be booked by a client. Not only will there often be just one point of contact (the “head” of the family, possibly?), travel arrangements are made that much more convenient when booking numerous people from the same household.

·        Even if genuine family members live in different households, there’ll be no pretence in resembling a real family because…well, you are a real family!

·        If the assignment calls for a family with very young family members, a real family will know the requirements of the younger members. For example, this will prove invaluable if there are allergy or dietary concerns for the “little ones”. Think how many requirements might have to be considered if the family was assembled from four or five individual models who’ve never met before?

·        Have you worked before as a modelling family? No problem – if you have the looks we’re looking for then experience is not essential.

Family modelling works because of the complete relationship between family members, the result of which is a sincere group of people shining on camera and not pretending to be natural. Sometimes, only authenticity is required for a modelling assignment to work – that is, it’s a case of giving a family minimal instructions and letting nature take its course. Families who love and respect each other often excel at commercial modelling because of trust and the enjoyment of being in each other’s company. 

So, when you see a family in print (holiday brochures are a good example), online (think hotel websites for family accommodation and food) or on TV (Christmas adverts for example), most of the families are likely to be genuine ones. And, just think…your family could soon be the “genuine article” if you sign up to Models Direct. When you’ve  applied with us, our booking team will look forward to putting your lovely family forward for fun and exciting family modelling assignments.

https://www.modelsdirect.com/become-a-model/family-modelling

https://www.modelsdirect.com/family-modelling-reviews

At Models Direct we always stress you don’t necessarily need professional photographs.

Most people can take good enough shots at home, with a friend of family member behind the camera.

These days, with the ever-improving photography facilities within a smartphone – this is truer than ever.

So, here are our top tips and modelling advice for taking great portfolio shots with a smartphone:

1. Use a tripod

Investing in a special smartphone tripod is not a huge outlay and will make all the difference when it comes to a steady shot. Set it up, take some practice shots and then conduct your own photo shoot safe in the knowledge your images will be clear and crisp.

2. Try a remote shutter button

If you want control of your photo shoot yourself, you might want to try a remote shutter button. These are available for some smartphones and will allow you to click from your pocket when you are ready. Remember, however, that a friend or family member taking pictures for you can be objective and offer you advice while shooting. This could be invaluable.

3. Avoid the temptation to zoom

You need to be well framed and well positioned within the shot. Our clients want to see you clearly and in focus, they are not interested in your garden or other background. Achieve this by taking a clear shot, where you almost fill the frame. Don’t take a long shot and then zoom in digitally from the smartphone. This process simply involves cropping the original shot and is likely to give you a grainy photo.

4. Experiment with a lens

Some people, however, do have good telephoto lenses for their smartphones. If you have one of these, you are likely to be able to achieve a much crisper image than with the phone’s own digital zoom. But do remember practice makes perfect and don’t send us anything that is not clear. Mostly, the quality of image required can be achieved with a standard smartphone.

5. Frame with a grid

Many smartphones have a grid facility within the camera function. Use this to help you or your photographer friend to ensure you are well framed within the shot.

6. Use natural light

Good lighting is essential in any photography would-be models might supply and where possible use natural daylight. The LED light thrown out by a smartphone’s flash can be harsh, unnatural and unflattering. Yet, without it, photos taken inside might be gloomy and unclear. The best thing is to take your smartphone outside on a nice clear day and to work the natural light to give you the best pictures. Make sure the photographer has his or her back to the sun and that the light is shining on to you rather than the camera.

7. Avoid filters

There are so many wonderful smartphone filters out there to play with, but while they are great fun, these are not the photos we or our clients want to see. Resist the urge to send us your beautiful modelling shots with sepia tints or colour washes across them.

8. Take lots of pictures

The beauty of the smartphone is that you can shoot and keep shooting. Take as many pictures as you like in all sorts of location, positions and outfits. Then be ruthless with the delete button and choose only the very best to submit.

9. Don’t edit your photos

If your smartphones pictures have been taken properly there should be no need to edit them. Be careful when using the editing functions on your phone as we can end up with pictures that look unnatural, grainy and distorted.

10.  Don’t compress your images

When retrieving your images from your phone always try to retain them at their original size. If they are compressed when sent, saved or uploaded into the cloud, they can end up pixelated when resized, uploaded or printed put in the future. Again, this means they won’t be clear.

At Models Direct we are approached to find female and male models for all kinds of promotional assignments, ranging from major exhibitions and events to in-store and shopping mall promotions and demonstrations.

To be a great promotional model, you don’t have to have done it before, you simply have to be friendly, smiley, confident and approachable.

You have to be proud to represent the brand, product or campaign you will be promoting, and you have to be happy to interact with the general public and chat to passers-by.

So, what else should I know about promotional modelling?

1. It can involve teamwork

Promotional models must have the self-assurance to work on their own; approach members of the public and undertake whatever is required of them. At the same time, however, there is often a team approach to the assignment. They need to be able to work together and support each other. This, of course, can make it great fun….

Some of our promotional models had the opportunity to work with Poundland on a fragrance campaign and had a great time as a modelling team.. (this assignment was pre covid).

2. It can suit people with other talents

You don’t have to be a skilled actor or accomplished musician but do tell us about any special talents you have as this can help. Clients like to employ models who are used to stepping out on stage or performing in public. Perhaps you are a singer or dancer? Or perhaps you are someone with sporting or public speaking experience? Just let us know…

3. It can be ideal for those with good memories

Promotional modelling is perfect for anyone who is quick to learn and great at retaining information. Part of your job may well be to explain about a product or present a campaign. Clients look for models who are bright, eager and intrigued about a subject – then ready to make it interesting to someone else!

This is exactly what happened when some of our promotional models took part in a campaign to help the Fertility Partnership find egg donors.

For the event, artist Stuart Semple created an installation using giant balloons.

Our models were then asked to give some of these valuable items to the public, in turn asking them to pass them on.

Here is what some of our models had to say:

Aina Sutka:

“When I first received information about my assignment, I was a little bit worried as I didn’t know anything about fertility treatment, fertility clinics based here in the UK or elsewhere, let alone anything that is connected with egg donation. There was no reason for my worries, because everything was explained, people that I ended up working with were very interesting and their knowledge was on top, the day flew by, because I was intrigued and in that way it helped a lot with passing the information on to the public. Being a mum myself I loved the idea of helping families that struggle in creating a miracle of their life’s. The cause of this assignment was incredibly sincere! It is never too late to try something new. It is never too late to achieve your dreams.”

Chloe Smith:

“We were directed to stop passers-by and give them a balloon; this balloon was only one out of 1000 with a Stuart Semple artwork on it and each was worth £350. We would give these to a passer-by and then get them to pass it on, the idea being just like when you donate your eggs, you are giving away something precious and amazing. It was a great experience and will be a good thing for my portfolio.”

The opportunities for promotional models are endless with brands looking of new ways to promote their products and get noticed in such a competitive environment. Yes, the retail world is quite different at the minute, but not long from now brands will be looking for the perfect models to push their products like never before….