A little intro to our team

For those who are not familiar with us and our work, we have a dedicated assignments team who work actively to source new modelling opportunities and connect our models with our reputable clients – click here to check out ourextensive client list.

Clients approach us with their brief

We start our bookings process when our clients approach us looking for a model – whether that’s a baby, family or animal. Our talent and model coordinators work through each brief rigorously as our clients state their requirements.

Selecting models according to the brief

We then move on to collaborating and selecting all our models within our database who best match their needs. Our searches are thorough and we try our utmost based on the brief to get give our talent the modelling opportunities they deserve.

Presenting our models’ ePortfolio

We then move forward by presenting our models’ ePortfolio to our clients. This is where having current photos becomes so imoprtant and we reiterate this point to all our models – clients want to see your look as it is now, not your previous dated look which you might have been sporting a few years back.

Clients select their model

Once our clients have seen our selection of models, they make the final decision of who they would like to book for their campaign. Sometimes, however, it can be tricky to gauge who will be the best person (or people) for the shoot by just looking through the ePortfolios, so the selected models may then be shortlisted in for a live audition/casting. Here, clients make their final selection, once that has been established our coordinators then begin the process of turning the assignment into reality!

We get the show on the road

This is where the fun really begins! We have the privilege of sharing the exciting news with our selected model so we give them a call and surprise them. We love hearing unexpected gobsmacked responses and sheer joy – it makes all the hard graft worth it.

Our coordinator then explains the entire schedule for the assignment – from start to finish taking the stress out of our model’s hands. This means fees will be discussed and if our model is happy with what they’ll be paid, we will go on to further discuss the client’s background, travel, refreshments, apparel, project timescale, aims and objectives.

And that’s it… that’s how our assignments process works and it does work! For us, our models and our clients – it has been for the past 30 years and we hope it continues.

Our vision

Our bookings for campaigns continue to work better for our models than sourcing assignments themselves. We negotiate fees, secure payment, verify the safety of the client, walk our models through everything they should know about their day and ensure that we are only a phone call or email away should they have any questions. We follow-up our models’ assignments with a ‘happiness check’ to make sure they were satisfied

What we offer

We offer more than just a showcase of photo reels which plenty of other “agencies” do. Showcase agencies will showcase their models online without actively looking for modelling opportunities for them. This can be quite misleading as they can give the illusion that their models are high in demand. But the problem is, how can they be if their “agency” isn’t actively looking for work for them? Worse still, these modelling agencies are dishonest as they hide their services in small print – may be in hope that no one will read them! Most take snaps (and charge a hefty price tag to make matters worse) and leave it at that. Essentially it is down to models and entertainers to do their own background research and decipher which talent agency will represent them best and help them find work. 

Models Direct don’t conjure make-believe assignments full of unrealistic earnings from thin air. We have standards to adhere to and we follow them through, every time. We extended our market and branched off into the entertainment industry because we know just how competitive it is and how real everyday people should have the capability of being introduced to their market with a strong agency backing them.

We like to chat about our pastimes, share our interests and listen to what others have been getting up to in their lives as well. There’s no doubt at all that we have all been able to do much less socialising this past year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And, despite hooking up more by phone and video chat, we are all probably still feeling a lack of face-to-face social contact.

The good news, however, is that the world around us is opening up again.

Not only can we now meet more of our friends and family members outside, but we are looking forward to meeting them indoors too.

We will soon be able to book a table inside a restaurant, have a glass of wine inside a bar and attend weddings, parties and other celebrations to catch up with those we have been missing.

Modelling is a particularly sociable business and although we at Models Direct – and our clients – have continued to work as best we can, we do realise the social aspect of the job has been affected.

We – and our clients – have taken every precaution to ensure the safety of everyone, from our models right through to our staff and the crew, who has worked on assignments for us this past year.

Social distancing and other measures have been taken, including using models who live together in social bubbles wherever possible.

But we realise it is not the same – and we look forward now to a time this summer and beyond where we can all work together in a much more natural way.

We want our new and existing models to be able to get out there and interact with those around them.

We want them to have the experience of getting to know the other models on a job, as well as the photographers, directors, stylists and other team members.

Modelling is fun and can be a great pastime or career for anyone who enjoys meeting new people and engaging in new experiences.

Filming work for a campaign, promotional modelling and lifestyle assignments can all be ideal for anyone who describes themselves as a “people person.”If that is you, why not make the most of your newfound freedom and take an exciting step towards work that is as sociable as it is fun and interesting?

We have greeted so many changes, from the way we work through to how we live our daily lives. As a result of the changes, our models are mainly working in the great outdoors and taking part in fantastic projects. 

However, we know that working in an outdoor setting isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Not because we have to adhere to all the new rulings – face masks, 2 metres distancing, washing hands regularly, applying hand sanitiser, promoting good ventilation and immediately binning used tissues – but because of the unpredictability outside can bring.

Models Direct takes you through a few factors that can affect an outdoor photoshoot or filming just to give our new and existing models a heads up if they are called for an outdoor project. Here’s what to expect:

Time Delays

Schedules and timetables don’t always run to plan especially on practical projects. Even waiting for other models to show up on time can cause delays so ensure that you aren’t one of the reasons the project doesn’t run to plan! Other factors such as lighting, the weather, traffic and noise can all cause some type of time-lapse. Being patient, on standby for sudden timetable changes or reschedules (and even punctual!) is key. Outdoor projects can bring an element of unpredictability but that’s what makes modelling such an exciting and enticing profession! Why should life be monotonous and bland? Modelling could be your next big career move for 2021! 

Unpredictable Weather 

Come rain or shine, checking the weather forecast is essential whenever planning anything in the great outdoors. Modelling assignments are planned and scripted to a tee by the production company, and what the weather permits are taken into consideration. If you’ve been chosen for a spring/summer shoot, get ready to wear apparel accordingly much the same for autumn/winter productions. Our clients will let you know if you need to wear your own clothes (which colour schemes, print and clothing type) or if they’ll be providing you with a selected wardrobe.

Troublesome Traffic 

Another factor is traffic. Our clients sometimes want shoots or filming to take place in the hustle and bustle of busy city streets, on public transport or in quieter, less active areas. Wherever you are placed for the job, expect it to be busy where you may need to stop and start filming or camera work. Also, expect there to be a lot of onlookers and spectators at points who will be eager to see what’s happening. If you’re feeling anxious or self-conscious our clients and their teams are great at helping our models feel confident and giving them a confidence boost. 

Nuisance Noise

Engines revving, ringing bicycle bells, dogs barking and of course, your mobile phone’s notification sound are just a few of the noises you’d expect when you’re outside. Be prepared for some sounds to be included in filming and some to be omitted which means waiting for the sound levels to ease or working through a busy photoshoot ignoring the external noises. Either way, noise can be a nuisance or helpful – just be prepared for lights, camera, action and loud sounds too!

Even though it can be unpredictable and stressful to work outdoors on photoshoots and filming, it can equally be exciting and spontaneous. Our models are always briefed before assignments and taken through the general structure of what their day or even week could look like. Some things are out of one’s hands, like the factors mentioned above, but if you go with the flow and are patient, it will become a memorable experience for all the right reasons.

If this sounds right up your street and you haven’t applied to our agency before, do get in touch with us, we’d love to hear from you and get your modelling career kick-started with outdoor jobs. Check out our Instagram pages to see what our models have been getting up to. 

Ideally, a modelling agency like Models Direct will ask you to update your photos once every three months to ensure we have your latest look, as well as suitably seasonal images.

It really is not essential to have professionally taken photographs, but there are a few guidelines we suggest you follow when taking them yourself.

Your pictures need to help you to stand out from the crowd and it is therefore vital you take and supply them as we need them to be.

Ensuring you have a suitable backdrop to each image is a key part of creating the perfect picture.

Influencers and celebrities with a heavy social media presence spend time creating their sets and backdrops, often with astounding results.

You don’t have to do this but being creative while also ensuring you follow our guidelines can often yield fantastic results.

Here are Models Direct’s top tips for achieving a great backdrop:

Every portfolio picture you supply us with must have an uncluttered backdrop to ensure you stand out well. Clear anything behind you that detracts from the focal point – you!

Try not to stand in front of heavily patterned wallpaper or in a room with too many vibrant colours around you.

When in doubt have your photos taken against a plain background – for some shots you can’t go wrong with white.

All your shots need to be well lit and taking them outside in the natural light can really help with this.

Try to choose a picturesque outside location as your backdrop, but again ensure that whatever is behind you does not draw the eye away from you as the centrepiece.

Now spring is here, and the weather is warming up, you could perhaps find yourself some beautiful, green locations in which to take your photographs.

Perhaps also look for outdoor locations that might work as a backdrop with some edge – natural wood, concrete even corrugated iron could work well if you want an urban feel.

Try making your own indoor and outdoor backdrops to add interest to your shot without overwhelming the picture.

You can start with a large piece of board or plastic and then cover it.

These might range from velvet or another textured fabric in a colour to complement your clothing to something like strips of natural wood.

If your backdrop is solid, you can always experiment with different colours by repainting it as necessary.

Don’t be afraid to have fun with your backdrops but also be ruthless when it comes to editing your images down and discarding anything that doesn’t work.

The most important thing is to make sure your ePortfolio is looking it’s best, why you would be ideal for a particular modelling job, how confident and versitile you are infront of the camera and please update them regularly!!

Whether you are in the modelling business or another profession, making sure you have a good break from work and a genuine opportunity for relaxation is essential for our health, according to recent research.

A study by Syracuse University, in New York, USA, has revealed that having a holiday can be especially good for the heart, explains Bryce Hruska, an assistant professor of public health at the establishment’s College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

“What we found is that people who vacationed more frequently in the past 12 months have a lowered risk for metabolic syndrome and metabolic symptoms. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If you have more of them, you are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.  This is important because we are actually seeing a reduction in the risk for cardiovascular disease the more vacationing a person does.”

But how do you ensure you really do have a holiday, and the chance to relax and refocus if you are unable to reach the white sands and clear waters of your favourite holiday destinations?

Models Direct’s top tips to holidaying at home…

• Make sure you really do absolutely no work at all during your time off – don’t be tempted to check your emails or to respond to voicemails. Tell your boss and your colleagues that you are going to do this. Just because you are at home does not been you should be available.
• If you can plan a few days out during your time off then do. If not, then try to arrange some shorter excursions, walks or cycle rides to places you have never been before and take a picnic or a few treats with you.
• If you live with friends or family members then take turns at doing the cooking to ensure everyone has some time off. Try to think up fun and exciting menus that you have never tried before, dishes from around the world perhaps…
• Treat yourself to some new garden equipment, such as a hammock, recliner or bean bag. If you have children, investing in a paddling pool, water slide or other play items will also help them to feel as if they are on holiday.
• Organise cinema nights, where everyone sits down to watch the same film together and perhaps you treat yourselves to popcorn or other tasty snacks you might not normally indulge in.
• Adults might also like to treat themselves to cocktails they have not made before or have enjoyed away on holiday and to sit in the garden or by an open window on warm evenings.
• Splash out on a couple of new holiday reads and make sure you find time to slip off for a quiet hour or two with them on your own.
• Sleep in, stay up late – your time is your own so you should enjoy not having to set the alarm clock or being bound by a routine.

Summer is a super busy time for photo-shoots and filming work too, it’s the perfect chance for outdoor shoots and the Models Direct team can’t wait to to hear from you!

Photo-shoots consist of a creative team, the size and experience of the team can vary depending on budget, location, brand, etc. Larger budgets will afford a stylist, make-up artist, hair stylist and assistants, however this is not always the case! We do know it will always include a model and a photographer.

A photographer’s role is complex, often they are the glue that keeps the creative team together and more often than not the person who leads the shoot. Being a successful photographer is of course about technical ability, but more importantly being able to make a model feel comfortable infront of the camera and in your company by giving them the encouragement they need to believe in themselves – if you master this you will be a busy photographer!

Making a name for yourself as a photographer is not easy, it’s competitive and to get bookings you need to stand out.

Here are some tips to make the best name for yourself as a professional photographer and how to work with models and get the best from them:

Shoot Preparation

• Make sure your kit is complete – Shoot days can be stressful, with lots going on, locations to find, new people to meet, schedules to keep to along with many other factors, so it’s important to make sure your kit is complete, clean and batteries charged. A day or two before the shoot do a kit check, you may not have put it away properly from your last shoot, so make sure you have the lens’s you need, your camera batteries are charged, you have enough memory cards and any backup equipment you may need. You can’t predict technical issues, but you can prepare for them, so having all the right equipment gives you peace of mind and allows you to simply focus creating incredible images.
• Locations – Whatever type of shoot you are doing there will be shoot locations involved. It may just be one, but make sure you know where it is and how you can access it. If you have numerous locations for one shoot it’s a good idea to scout them out prior to the shoot so you are familiar to them and know what you’re going to be working with.
• Timings – It’s a cliche, but time is money and your time is valuable! However you have quoted for this job it will come down to time and the client will still be expecting amazing images within the time frame you have set, so be aware of it and stay focused. You may only have your creative team for a certain time frame, be sure to know the schedule of the day and find ways to make sure you can get the shots you want with in it.
• Vision – To ensure you or your client will get the images they want you need to have fully understood their vision. Whether you are photographing a product, model or scene, sometimes all three, by asking the right questions beforehand, researching your client and talking with your client you will both be on the same wavelength, which is essential to guarantee your client is satisfied with the final images.

Shoot Day

• Models – Sourcing the right model for the shoot is very important. The Models Direct booking team spend lots of time speaking with photographers to fully understand what they are looking for to ensure they source the ideal model(s) for the right price too.

Click here to speak to one of our helpful booking agents

• Model Experience – This will depend on your budget really as more experienced models requests higher model fees, however you may not need a model with lots of experience, it all depends on the nature of the shoot and the shoot budget, something your booking agent will discuss with you. Some models work well with little direction and others need more specific directions, either way a good photographer will be able to click with the model quickly and make be able to make them feel relaxed and comfortable infront of the camera.
• Remain Professional at all times – As a photographer you may be required to work closely with a model, you may have given direction to a model but adjustments still need to be made to get the best image. It helps to have a stylist with you or even an assistant who can make adjustments to the models clothes, hair or make up, but be sure to have permission from the model before doing this.
• Happy Model – Modelling is tiring and shoots can be long and not always comfortable for the model, make sure your model is well looked after and is as comfortable and happy as they can be. Offer regular breaks and by make sure there are refreshments on set for them, this will help the model keep their energy levels up and stay focused. If you are shooting outside make sure the model isn’t too hot or too cold, you may need to make sure you have an extra coat to hand or even a fan if it’s a particularly hot environment. Try and meet your models demands, you want to get the best from them and to do this they need to feel at their best, so be patient, professional and listen to them, it’s important to keep them on side and work as a team to create the stunning, eye-catching images you envisaged.

The Models Direct website has a clear query request form for you to complete when looking to book models, by submitting this a member of the team will be in contact straight away to discuss your requirements in more detail:

Have Fun!

It’s important to have fun while shooting, by creating a positive, upbeat and fun environment will benefit you, your model and therefore the images! A photographer who is confident, capable and relaxed will instantly make a model feel at ease and you are then set for a very successful shoot!