Models Direct has numerous clients who are headquartered in London – and the production companies, crews and locations they use are also often in the capital or its surrounding area.

We do, of course, send our models across the UK, and beyond, but for those who take up our assignments in London, spending time in the city can also offer the chance of a little fun once the work is done.

And aspiring models, who have not yet landed their first booking, might also like to visit the city, just to see some of the sights and to experience London’s unique buzz.

Here are our top tips to having fun in the city:

1. Why not snap some shots for your e-portfolio in some of London’s most iconic locations. In one day, you can easily travel around the centre to take photos with places like the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge against clear skies in the background. And you get to experience all these exciting places at the same time. Ask a friend or family member to take the pictures, however, as clients don’t like to see selfies – and ask them to make sure you are carefully positioned without too much of busy London behind you.

2. Treat yourself to some delicious food while you are out and about – and London has it all. Visit vibrant Borough Market to taste sizzling hot street food from around the world; try Brick Lane for an authentic curry; Gerrard Street for all the colour and taste of Chinatown and the Portobello Road area for a true cockney pie and mash.

3. Fashionistas among you will also be spoiled for choice and wannabe models will probably want to take a stroll down the King’s Road in Chelsea. Famous for its role in fashion history, this is still the place to see an array of boutiques and top fashion brands: window shop, try a few outfits on and you never know you might find a bargain. You should also take the opportunity to wander off down some side streets to seek out charity shops that may yield some very special finds!

4. If you are looking for somewhere cool and trendy to meet up with your friends for a drink, while you are in London, you will have no trouble finding anywhere. Try the Soho area for some truly quirky and colourful bars or Shoreditch for places that ooze style and sophistication.

5. Then, later on, you may well want to continue your night out: how about heading to Leicester Square to catch a film in a cinema where the premieres are screened or up to a theatre in the West End to see one of the big shows? You might also want to go clubbing – and again, you can take your pick. Depending on your music tastes, you might like to head to Fabric, Heaven, the Ministry of Sound or Cargo.

Newborn babies welcome the world with a new life and tremendous spirit. Companies looking out for models to star in their marketing campaigns sometimes turn to newborns to feature in their ads to stir emotion and build connections with their target audience. But enough about the theoretical viewpoint behind why newborns are needed in ads, we will be focusing on what types of assignments newborns are booked for. This will give those of you reading this who aren’t too familiar with this industry, some idea about what work could mean for your bundle of joy if you’re looking to enter the modelling industry. 

Well, there’s no surprise that this market is staggeringly huge. There are lots of products on the market that are aimed at newborn babies and their families, and it isn’t all about nappies and baby formula. Our team has had jobs booked for our newborn talent over the 30 years we have been active as a talent management agency. We have had many requests for newborns to be featured in various campaigns, one being where a production company was searching for a newborn girl, preferably premature, for a six-part drama series.

Newborns are put forward to promote everything from baby skincare to being featured as TV and film extras, promotional work and commercial campaigns. The assortment of work is vast and a great way for little ones to start a career. After you’ve read this, we’re sure you’ll start to spot newborns on the silver screen, online or in print in your everyday life and we’re pretty sure that most would have been cast by clients as the face of their campaigns. 

If you wish to go ahead and carve a career for your newborn as a model, with Models Direct you will be in complete control when accepting work for your bundle of joy. We ensure our models and families are thoroughly informed about the work beforehand and what it entails – the client’s vision, work involved, location, duration, accommodation (if required) and so on. We’re a well organised agency and intend to keep all our models, their families and friends happy coming away from each experience with positive vibes, confidence and enthusiasm. Not to forget that travel and expenses are reimbursed and of course, you will be paid for your lovely baby’s talent and time. 

Have a think about it – if you have a newborn, new tiny faces are always welcome and wanted – and they don’t come much newer than newborns! Have a chat with our team, apply and scroll through our website, blogs and social media platforms to discover more about the world of newborn baby modelling. Who knows what doors and opportunities will open for your newborn!

What is a brand?

You might think that a brand is a logo that identifies a company but it’s something deeper than that! A brand is the meaning that a target audience attaches to an organisation, products or services. It naturally takes time to build rich veins of emotional connection between a company and consumer which is more than just sight and sound. A powerful brand helps company’s leverage their presence and influence, making them memorable through versatile and timeless campaigns.  

Building a strong brand is achieved through branding, which is the management of the brand’s meaning. (Sounds a little confusing but we promise it isn’t!)

Next up is the brand identity. This is where anything visual identifies a brand such as logos, colours, consistent style of images and typography. It also extends to sound, touch and even smell. This is where the brand comes to life for all to see, hear and experience with the help of advertising campaigns. 

Why are brands important?

A brand helps leverage a company, regardless of its size, and gets it noticed so that it cuts through all the noise being made out there. Simply put, it’s the key to helping a business grow faster and easier therefore developing, launching and managing a brand effectively is really important. It creates a lasting impression, and if executed correctly, something that remains cemented in consumers’ minds. 

How do brands increase work for models?

When a company wants to increase their brand awareness, it will call for powerful branding strategies to drive it forward. Whether these are online brands such as fashion brands, cosmetics, health, fitness (or any other industry for that matter), brands inject power into companies. To front these campaigns, models may be considered as part of a perfect marketing solution. So any upcoming promotion for a service or product may very well signal the call for models from all walks of life to come to the centre stage and lead the brand message’s direction. 

What types of models do brands want?

Companies are ensuring that their material is fresh and relatable for their target audience so to keep in line with this, they understand that if they include models in their campaigns they need to appeal to their consumers. This means that models of all ages, sizes, genders, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations and backgrounds can come on board and be part of something timeless and powerful.  

Our ethos

In case you don’t know, Models Direct are a modelling and talent agency that understands the movement within the modelling industry. We observe the need for fair representation for all those who are seeking an opportunity within this industry and carry this through for all those who walk through our doors. For leading companies and individuals who are spearheading a marketing campaign for their new brand or rebrand, our agency has an extensive hub of models who represent the real population as opposed to the stereotypical one that dons the runways and catwalks around the world. And it’s our job to connect them with companies who are requesting their look! 

And there you have – an insight into the world of brands in a nutshell. We hope you enjoyed reading this and have taken away a little bit more about the modelling industry and the big things our agency does!

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The median age in 2020 was 40.5, rather than 35.8 in previous years, according to Statista. Do advertising and marketing reflect the ageing population? Yes!

The ONS states that in 2019, the non-UK-born population was 9.5 million and the non-British population was 6.2 million, making our country more diverse than ever. But are companies marketing these different cultures? Yes!

Why are we talking about this? 

As a UK number 1 modelling agency, Models Direct understands that with the changing population, diversity needs to be at the forefront of advertising and marketing to represent everyone collectively. Are we getting there? Definitely – with our diverse models being booked with top clients such as BBC, Sky Sports and Aviva, diverse modelling is continuing to climb the ladder fast! We want to help this movement by playing our part as a talent seeking agency. We want to continue representing all of the intricacies of society be it someone who has a disability, a 65-year-old lady or a size 20 talent. 

Major brands such as L’Oréal, River Island and Nike have implemented diverse models to connect to their target audience, and it’s worked! Their sales have rocketed and continue to reach a wider audience, capturing more interest. Their campaigns have been successful due to their choice of models where they have captivated consumers. 

We can take further interest in this division by heading over to social media platforms such as Instagram where social influencers such as Tess Holliday and Olakemi are really hotting up the place by being vocal about body positivity. Age-positive models Nicola Griffin, Jacky O’Shaughnessy and Marie-Sophie Wilson are making waves on the modelling scene as famous mature models. There’s an unbelievable amount of potential in this division and every day new faces and new talent are being added and booked with top clients. The diverse world is expanding and we’re on board to help facilitate it!

The takeaway

We’re guessing that our population is continuing to diversify and expand with more age groups, genders, sizes, cultures and disabilities. We’ll only find out the initial census findings in March next year and the final release of outputs in the following March of 2023. We’re sure it will encompass diversity and reveal how rich our population is. 

Are you a budding model or know someone who wants to be one or would make a great model? Get in touch with our professional agency to find out what the next steps are in our registration process or if you’re ready, hit the apply button and fill in our simple application form to get the ball rolling. 2021 could be your year of doing something out-of-the-box, quirky and interesting, and of course, adding ‘model’ as your profession.   

The answer, of course, is that a model’s wages vary depending on the job. This is because not all jobs are identical, and clients have different budgets (these could also vary depending on the time of year). What can be said with some authority is that commercial modelling can supply a model with useful income to supplement a regular income. And who wouldn’t want that?

The benefits of commercial modelling are apparent to everyone. Commercial modelling places “everyday” people in promotions and advertising campaigns, thus the model’s task is to represent the client to a large customer base: usually the general public. That’s why a lot of commercial models don’t require specific modelling experience. Confidence, knowledge of the client and an outgoing character are important qualities all successful commercial models require, and the more jobs a model takes on, the more in demand they become. Naturally, more bookings should follow, equating to more money.

When it comes to hard facts, the amount is difficult to disclose. If we were pushed to mention a figure, commercial models can earn from £150 per assignment, right up to thousands of pounds. Sometimes – not taking into account travel – a commercial modelling job may only last a few hours. Our commercial models certainly have fun, and earn more than most for their efforts, so the work ranks highly in terms of payment and is well worthwhile.

Finance can be a tricky subject. Fees, too, are difficult to negotiate successfully. Fortunately for you lucky bunch, Models Direct has skilled booking agents who correspond with our clients, ensuring our models are paid fairly with some of the best rates in the industry. Additionally, we discuss travel expenses and transport options, as well as food and drink, so taking care of our talented partners is an essential part of our business.

Crucially, we don’t allocate any modelling assignments on the basis of “TFP” – “Time for Prints”. This is where models and photographers have an arrangement where neither party is paid, but they both receive the photographs from their collaboration. It’s designed to be symbiotic – whereby both model and photographer benefit – however this way of working isn’t for everyone. All our model’s assignments are paid work, getting the most out of our client’s needs and our model’s talent.

So, to summarize. Fees are dependent on the following:

• The client’s budget. Loosely speaking, the larger the client, the bigger the budget.
• The time of the year. Do clients set aside more promotional budgets for the summer than, say, January?
• The scale of the job. Obviously, a job requiring days rather than hours will command higher fees.
• A model’s experience. Generally, an experienced model’s fees are higher than those of a newcomer (although inexperienced talent is always welcome!) 
• Additional talents. Models who can also act, sing, or play an instrument may very well achieve higher fees.

Models Direct is a top trusted UK agency through which paid models thrive, have fun, and increase their regular wages. Click here to see how some our models have fared.

You’ll soon be gaining contacts and benefitting from enjoyable work, complete with extra income in your back pocket!

BUT – if you answer in the affirmative to the following questions, a career as a sports model could be right up your street: 

• Do you enjoy tennis or other racquet sports?
• Are you capable on a football or rugby pitch (even if you say so yourself!)?
• Do you have gym membership and like to take advantage of it regularly?
• Is your figure favourable when sporting tight-fitting vests, shorts, or leggings?
• Do you like running a few circuits of an athletics track?
• Are you the type who wakes up at 8am to take part in boot camp training – and it’s your idea of a good time?
• Are you a personal trainer, or yoga practitioner? 
• Do you have a low body fat percentage?

A few “yes’s” to any of the above is a clear advantage in your quest to becoming a sports model. Also, it helps if you’re good looking! Plus – there are opportunities for both men and women, so the world of sports modelling is an open invitation for anyone who stays active and relishes keeping in tip-top condition.

Perhaps the best aspect of being a sports model is the feeling when an assignment goes perfectly, the model knowing all that hard work has paid off. Sports models rarely have an ideal modelling physique without putting in extensive effort; what’s better than getting paid by notable clients by starring in campaigns and promotions because you’ve cared for your body and lived a healthy life? 

With so many sports / fitness products out there, it’s hardly surprising sports models are in demand. But this makes it super competitive, although this shouldn’t put off athletes looking to dip their toes in the modelling industry. After all, competition is what makes sport popular, and models are no different. Sports models are confident, realistic, and always looking to better themselves. Pushing oneself and going the extra yard is what keeps them in perfect condition – and they love the workouts! 

Sports models don’t have to be narcissistic, but many are partial to practicing certain poses in front of a mirror. Lace up your trainers, put on your favourite tracksuit top and see how good you look serving a tennis ball. How about doing some squats with a barbell, or simulating a runner’s position before a 100m sprint? Perfecting sporting poses may also make you more comfortable on set – any little tips you pick up about the industry could pay dividends. 

Find out more here to become a sports model with us. Just think when you next visit the gym or play your next sports match and your friends ask what you’ve been up to…being a sports model is one of the most enviable jobs going, providing you continue working hard!

Fortunately, diversity in commercial modelling has been on the increase. Companies now respect that models shouldn’t be packed into convenient categories, pigeon-holed in cute stereotypes. Take a model who is six feet in height without heels, has tanned skin and golden hair. Great! There is a need for this type of model in the industry – no question – and they should be encouraged to keep doing what they do best (we should know – we’ve placed many in top jobs for years). But the industry has shifted somewhat, and the need for diversity is perhaps two-fold:

1. To banish bias and prejudice, thus promoting tolerance and open-mindedness. Basically – for humane and moral reasons.

2. Marketing departments of companies (whether global, national or local) understand the importance of diversity, if only for profits. Without criticising companies for merely thinking about money (they all don’t, even though profits make or break them!), they’d be losing out if their products aren’t targeted to everyone. If there’s a need for merchandise for every type of consumer, companies don’t want to miss out on selling the products – that’s business, folks! Are CEOs forced to promote diversity? Probably not. It’s just unwise for a large business to ignore diversity. And that’s where commercial models come into a league of their own. Who better than diversity models to promote anything related to diversity?

Which brings us to posing the question: what are diversity models? It’s really quite simple! Models of diversity represent the breakdown of universally-perceived “normal” social barriers, thus including everyone from whole communities and demographics – regardless of sexual orientation, gender, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, looks, size or disabilities. Everyone is different, so everyone should be included. Indeed, everyone has a unique set of talents, and these should be broadcasted to help achieve unreserved equality.

Commercial modelling is perhaps the genre where diversity has the most influence, because it is arguably seen by the most people. Every single person is a potential customer, so companies would be foolish not to tap into the diversity ethos.

Feedback from Holly’s assignment (pictured above):

“Holly really enjoyed her day having her photograph taken. She was made to feel the centre of attention which she loved, so would definitely like to do this sort of thing again.

Holly had to pose as a customer with her ‘mum’ and visit a car showroom to choose a new car. She enjoyed sitting in the car and pretending to drive. The day has boosted Holly’s confidence, as she just loves making people smile.

We’d definitely recommend doing this to anyone who asked, but you must be confident.  This is the first role Holly has had with Models Direct, and we hope it is the first of many more. This is something which holly could potentially consider as a career when she is older, if she decides to continue.” – Holly’s Parent

Click the link to hear how model Clare got on on her first modelling assignment: https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/models-direct-supports-diversity/

Regarding advertising, diversity models can be utilised in various campaigns, and not just confined to fashion shoots. An example is our disabled model, Gary, who appeared in Kwik Fit’s short film promoting their “worry-free packages”, replacing wear-and-tear car parts, including tyres. As the UK’s leading fast-fit supplier of tyres, Kwik Fit saw the benefit of featuring Gary (who has a prosthetic leg) to illustrate how partial mobility shouldn’t be an obstacle. After filming, Gary stated, “As ever the day went very well and was quite seamless despite the very early start! The crew were very well organised and very welcoming, and it was once again a great insight into just how much effort and planning goes into such a short presentation“.

The final short film can be viewed by clicking on the link: https://www.weareiris.co.uk/kwikfit

Whether you’re a wheelchair user or living with a neurological / genetic disorder and you fancy modelling, we’d love to hear from you. Models from all backgrounds should get in touch with us, and together we can continue our mission to promote diversity to the masses! Join us by clicking here.

Models Direct have put together an easy and time-saving morning routine for men, which will have you looking and feeling your best for your day ahead. Models will know how important incorporating a beauty regime is to achieve good skin and hair care no matter what the time is. Teen models and senior models will also benefit from these tips. 

Read on to reveal our ultimate male grooming guide… 

Multitask in the shower

As soon as your alarm bell rings or your funky notification on your mobile alerts you, it’s time to get out of bed and pop straight into the shower. A quick morning shower will help to awaken your senses and energise you to take on whatever the day throws your way.

Focus on using gentle products that are suitable for everyday use. It’s quite easy to forget or postpone for another time but taking care of your skin early on will help maintain its overall condition where positive results will show in later years. Don’t let a good routine slide because you think you’ll do it some other time. Chances are, that “some other time” will never come. 

Who says you can’t multitask? (and do it well!)

When it comes to showering, you can fill in a couple of extra beauty chores to get things done quicker whilst saving water. Try brushing your teeth or tackling body grooming whilst you wash to save time in the morning and to get things done all in one go.  

Set up your skincare routine

If you’re new to the humongous world of skin products, don’t fear. It can be a daunting task to find what will suit your skin and much of the process can be trial and error. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily mean that will work for another in the same way. 

Before you dive into making expensive and regrettable purchases, we’d recommend figuring out what type of skin you have in the first instance. 

Ask yourself the following if you’re finding this point difficult:

• Does your skin feel tight or is it flaky? 

• Are you showing signs of shiny skin or do your pores frequently clog up? 

Skincare routine and tips

If you have normal or dry skin, you could:

• Cleanse daily with a gentle cleanser, and immediately after any exercise

• Moisturise after cleansing with an enriching moisturiser specially formulated for dry skin

• Scrub your face once a week to remove the build-up of excess dirt and impurities 

If you have oily skin, you could:

• Cleanse at twice a day with a formulated cleanser, and immediately after exercise

• Moisturise after cleansing with a non-oily moisturiser

• Scrub your face twice a week to exfoliate skin

Bonus tip: Don’t forget to use products that contain SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.

Take care of your facial fuzz

To achieve a smoother shave, it’s a wise idea to do it straight after having a shower and cleansing your face. This helps to soften facial hair and open pores making the shaving process smoother. 

If you prefer a rugged beard, make sure you trim and shape regularly to keep you looking sharp. Alternatively, you can ask your barber to shape and style it for you. Beard oils and products are helpful and can maintain your facial hair, keeping it looking on top form!

Nourish your eyes

Your eyes need TLC because they work super hard for you. It’s worth adding an eye serum to your men’s skincare kit to help keep the delicate skin around the eyes moisturised.  

Don’t forget your hair! 

Your hair should be a part of your skincare routine too so don’t neglect it. Get yourself booked in for regular trims to keep your hair in good shape.

Look out for a shampoo that suits your hair type. Again, does your hair tend to be on the dry side? Do you suffer from dandruff? Does it get greasy very quickly? Opt for a shampoo that fits well with your hair needs. Shampoos containing niacin help to increase blood flow to the scalp, helping to keep your follicles healthy. 

You’ll also want to condition your hair regularly too, particularly if you have long hair, to help replenish lost moisture. Conditioner helps smoothen every single hair to support your hair’s health. 

These easy tips will streamline your grooming routine and have you looking your best all year round. Try them out and let us know your thoughts.

If you’re ready for a new opportunity, why not contact the Models Direct team today and discuss your modelling potential…click here to apply and find out more about male modelling!

The beginning of a new year is almost like a ‘reset’ button for many of us, we feel a pressure to better ourselves, make changes to our lifestyle which we don’t seem to have been able to do at any other point of the year, what it is this all about and is it not OK to just stay the same?

Making beneficial changes to your health and lifestyle can only be a good thing, the Models Direct Head office seems to be chocolate free at the minute which is unusual and many of us have new exercise regimes in place, all good, realistic? possibly not!

Research suggests that 80% of new year resolutions fail by mid February, you may think you are one of the 20% who will stick to a new regime and that’s great, but the majority of us are expected to feel a wave of guilt and failure of giving up on our new found motivation within the next few weeks – that can’t be good for anyone!

In an attempt to avoid this vicious cycle, ask yourself a few questions:

• Am I happy as I am – do I want to change in anyway?
• What small changes could I make to reach my end goal?
• How can I motivate myself to stay on track? What is my incentive for this change?
• How will I measure my success of making this change?

The Models Direct team are talking with models everyday, many of them discussing their goals, what assignments they would like to win and focusing heavily on how they want to change or improve their appearance to further their modelling career. This is all great and shows huge determination and dedication, but long lasting change starts with baby steps. For example, no crash diet is going to help you lose weight long term, the same as one mad sesh in the gym will not give you the toned bod you’re longing for! Long term change comes from perseverance and small daily changes, you have to really want it and ensure your expectations are realistic and achievable.

If you have made the decision you would like to make a change then understand we all have the freedom and the power to do this at any time – you don’y need to wait until 1st January!

The team at Models Direct wish you a very happy new year and remember how incredible and capable you really are!

Let’s do this 2020!!

Learning how to smile sounds ridiculous – surely everyone can do it? but when the photographer requests a smile, how do you make it look genuine?

Models Direct gives you some helpful tips to giving your best genuine smile on demand.

In almost every modelling assignment, photographers need the models to convey some kind of emotion through their facial expression or body position.

You can work on facial expressions by practising them in a mirror. Everything you feel is reflected in your face, and models need to be adept at projecting all the major emotions.

Make a list of key emotions (love, hate, sorrow, joy etc.) and practice expressing each emotion in front of a mirror. After you have practiced for a while, try out your skills on a friend and see if they can tell what emotion you are conveying.

How to smile

Learning how to smile sounds ridiculous – surely everyone can do it? In fact, smiling on demand is a real skill, and one that professional models need to master.

To improve your smiling skills, position yourself in front of a mirror and practise the following steps.

• Put your lips together without moving them. Look at your face in the mirror, concentrating on the eyes. At first, they’re lifeless. Now lift up the corners of your mouth and watch your eyes come alive.
• To create a smile, say “MMM” without opening your mouth. No teeth should be showing. Don’t forget to turn the corners of your mouth up.
• To create a broader smile, say “MMM” again with your mouth still closed and again, don’t forget to turn up the corners of the mouth.
• This time say “ME”, whilst opening your mouth and showing your teeth but keeping it soft. Next say “ME” again, this time with a big smile showing all your teeth.
• When you say “HEY,” you produce a very natural facial expression. Say “HEY” and hold it – you will notice your tongue is coming forward and your lips are apart. Now try it again, saying “HEY” with a smiling expression.
• Create a gaunt look by saying the word “POOR”, keeping the lips very soft and sultry and holding for a few seconds.
• To achieve an open and happy laugh try saying “HAA”, remembering to focus your gaze on someone or something to avoid a “lifeless” look.

Posing

You can practise posing in front of a full-length mirror. Check out some fashion catalogues to find the most popular poses. Pay attention to the tilt of the head, the position of the hands and the turn of the ankle. These little things can make a big difference – just as with facial expressions, your body posture can convey a variety of emotions. Consider taking up activities that teach you how to move your body gracefully. Dancers and gymnasts move well in front of the camera because they know how to create long sweeping lines with their bodies.

Both facial expressions and poses can be improved by practising with props, products and wardrobe. Examples of props could be a floppy hat, a long shawl or a beach ball. The idea is to practise using and reacting to the prop.

Since one of the key areas of modelling is promotional and marketing work, it is a good idea to practise with a product that might be sold – a perfume, household product or foodstuff, for example. Practise holding the product so it may be clearly seen and you don’t cover the label.

In fashion shoots, you’ll be selling clothes, so practise showing the important features of each item. Show off the pockets, collar and belt or how the garment moves. You need to bring attention to whatever makes the garment interesting.

Click here for more modelling advice or to speak to a member of the Models Direct team