So, before you decide whether or not to try modelling yourself, it may be worth considering what you are interested in.

Models Direct has been in the business for 30 years now and mostly specialises in offering its female, male, child and pet models part-time work.

Those who accept assignments through us for our wide range of well-known clients could be helping to promote products and services in almost any area, from fashion and beauty to sports, homeware, banking, insurance and holidays.

We offer work to models of all ages, levels of experience, backgrounds, heritages and abilities.

We require plus-size, curvy, tall and petite models for assignments, as well as couples and families.

Our models accept a variety of assignments for different types of model.

Here are a few examples :

Fashion models

Fashion models are men, women and children are asked to model items of clothing and footwear. This might be at a live event, such as on a catwalk or at a fashion show or for a photo or film shoot.

Lifestyle models

Lifestyle models are also sometimes known as “everyday models.” Our clients need real people to represent genuine members of the public in their advertising and promotions. Models Direct therefore requires a broad selection of different individuals to undertake lifestyle modelling.

Commercial models

Like lifestyle models, commercial models may be employed to promote everything from high street and supermarket products to healthcare, travel and entertainment. They are often photographed or filmed enjoying the product or service in question – or they are simply pictured as content individuals leading the type of life the rest of us aspire to .

Promotional models

Promotional modelling is a live form of advertising and brand awareness. Our promotional models attend a specific event or location to help draw attention to a specific product or service. They might have to chat to members of the public, hand out leaflets and perhaps dress in a particular colour or branded outfit.

Fitting models

This is another form of live modelling – but without an audience! Fitting models are used by a clothing designer or manufacturer to check the sizes, shape and style of a garment. Fitting models have to try the item on and stand still while it is assessed and adjusted.

Fitness and sports models

Fitness modelling is where clients request a particularly sporty or fit-looking model who looks as though they may well indulge in the specific sport or form of exercise being promoted. These models may be modelling sportswear or equipment.

Bridal models

As we all know, weddings are big business these days and so Models Direct is frequently asked for models to pose as happy couples. Bridal models can be used to promote any products or services that might be associated with a wedding – and the photo or film shoot may well also involve other models who step into the role of other members of the wedding party.

Parts models

Parts models are male and female models who are employed for specific parts of their body – perhaps their hair, hands, feet or nails. They might have especially striking, attractive or unusual parts of the body that may be suitable for close-up photography. They may be employed to advertise footwear, jewellery or hair products, for example. Many parts models also undertake other kinds of modelling too.

If you are interested in a particular area of modelling, then fill in our form, send us a photo and tell us what you are keen to focus on.

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.

On top of that, the sun is now at its strongest and so, like other uncovered parts of our bodies, our hands are likely to be exposed to a high levels UV rays when we are out and about.

Whether we are hand models or not, most of us will want to do all we can to look after our hands and to keep them looking young for as long as possible.

Hand on heart, it is never too soon to start caring for our mitts – so here are Models Direct’s three top tips to keep your hands looking young:

1. Stay away from the sun

Hands down, this is one of the most important steps to take.

Ideally, you should apply a sunscreen of SPF50 or higher every time you leave the house, but especially when the sun is at its strongest (between March and October).

Remember to use a waterproof product if you expect to swim and to reapply it regularly, especially after washing your hands.

Wearing a pair of light, UV, sun-protection gloves can also be a good idea, especially when you don’t want to have to drive, work or take part in another outdoor activity with sunscreen on your hands.

2. Stop smoking

Smoking can also cause premature aging to the hands, as well as to the rest of the body.

Not only can nicotine cause stains, wrinkles and loose skin, but it can also prevent cuts, grazes and other blemishes from healing as quickly as they should.

Hand models and others keen to have magnificent mitts should try to stop smoking as soon as possible for the health of their hands as well as the rest of their bodies.

3. Wear gloves as protection

Keep a pair of gloves handy for every eventuality.

Outdoor and gardening work can roughen hands and make them look older than they are so if you enjoy these activities invest in a pair of special gloves.

Likewise, make sure you always wear rubber gloves for washing up and cleaning the house as hot water can remove natural oils and detergents can also be extremely damaging.

During the winter months, when the cold weather can also cause dry, cracked skin, ensure you wear a pair of good thick gloves to keep your hands warm and protected.

4. Use the right lotions and potions

Once again, in this era of intensive hand washing, make sure you moisturise your hands frequently, including first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Ensure you choose a simple lotion that can be applied liberally, with regularity, and that does not cause your skin to react in any way.

Likewise, washing your hands with an unscented soap can be a good idea and remembering that overly strong bath products can also sometimes have a negative effect of hand skin.

5. Look after yourself

Remember, the health of your hands goes hand in glove, with the health of the rest of your body.

A sensible diet, plenty of exercise and a good night’s sleep will improve your circulation and help to stop your skin from getting too dry and your hands from suffering.

Look after yourself to keep yourself generally looking and feeling younger – and hopefully your hands will also benefit from your overall sense of improved wellbeing.