As you know, we at Models Direct have a glorious array of models of all types on our books, from babies and toddlers, to children, teenagers, men and women.

Our clients come to us asking for people to play the parts of members of the general public in their advertisements, campaigns and promotions.

Therefore, we need models of all ages, looks, backgrounds and types to be able to offer them.

Once a model has joined us, they create an e-portfolio – and this is what we and our clients look at when trying to find just the right model for every booking.

Our process is simple: clients make specific requests to us, explaining who they would like; we offer them a selection of models that fit the bill and then they make the final choice.

And so, in order for a model to stand out from the others who also match requirements, they should ensure they have fresh, up-to-date photos on their e-portfolio  – images that really show them as they look now and that reflect their personality.

Spring, summer, autumn, winter…at Models Direct, we always suggest updating modelling e-portfolio shots with the arrival of a new season.

That way a model’s latest pictures will always look current and of the moment.

So, although the weather is not yet sizzling summer-hot, why not try to get out and about on a sunny day to take some pictures that suggest it is?

Rummage through your wardrobe, flick through the secondhand apps you sometimes buy through and put together one or fabulous new summer looks.

Think cool and collected, bright and beautiful, and try to bring in items of clothing and accessories that will bring a unique summer glow to your pictures.

Then, wait for a lovely sunny day, ask a friend or relative to help you out and head off to somewhere with a lush, green, summery backdrop to start taking your pictures.

Keep snapping away, trying out different poses in different locations, making sure we can see your face at all times.

Then head home, choose the best one or two and upload them to your e-portfolio ready for the arrival of summer.

That way, if you get put forward for a job in the next few months, our clients will see photos that look as fresh as a summer day!

This year is flying by, isn’t it? It’s not all bad news, because it means that although summer has departed for this year, you’ve all been super-busy and enjoying the sun.

Autumn isn’t all doom-and-gloom. Far from it. A recent poll found that 22% of Brits who voted found autumn to be their favourite season. Autumn was tied with summer as the favourite time of the year for 18-24 year olds, with 29% of the age group finding the autumnal shift a particular welcomed change.
Just as we all evolve and change our looks, so does the world. It’s a wonder of nature, if you think about it. There are all sorts of biological and geographical influences that create different landscapes, and the seasons play a huge part in the rich diversity of Mother Earth. Meteorological changes around the world produce impressive photo opportunities, and autumn is too good a season to pass up on making Instagram reels, vivid photos and other social media videos.

Capturing your look in autumn is a sure-fire way for models to successfully present their appearance to us. Models know that an outdated portfolio can work against them because our clients need to see a model’s true reflection; as the climate and surroundings change, so should your photos and reels. We’re not suggesting every model suddenly goes out to get new tattoos on a whim or that they update their hairstyle just because the season has changed; your appearance is personal and you have complete control over it. But autumn really does provide glorious natural scenarios for models to modify their portfolios.

Consider the following:

1. How about taking glorious snaps in leafy woodlands? Capture the real essence of an autumnal scene to really boost your portfolio.

2. Leaves changing colour is the quintessential “postcard perfect” autumn image. Use them to your advantage!

3. Portfolios should be packed with clear, varied photos and reels. Why not go “off piste” and explore coastal regions, castles and moorlands? Every rosy-cheeked model can capture amazing images given the perfect setting.

4. Think of the amount of brands that promote their fashion products ahead of a bumper autumn season: wellington boots, stylish coats, scarves, woolly hats…let us know how good you look when you’re rocking these items!

5. Are you a dog owner? If not, why not ask a friend to take their dog for their daily walk so you can capture the best of both worlds: you looking splendid against an autumnal background and the friendly pooch lapping up the scenery. It could spark the start of a beautiful relationship between human and hound, and your new four-legged friend could be one of our superb pet models.

Don’t be left behind – start your autumn shoots right now. Our clients may well be looking for the perfect model to fulfil their autumn marketing campaigns earlier than you think; after all, planning is everything! So don’t leave it to the last moment!

The winter is well and truly over, despite occasional blips in the British weather. Barbecue sales increase, demonstrating an optimism not seen for weeks. Holidays are booked. Sun cream is on our shop’s shelves! May is a wonderful time of the year, with everyone in a buoyant mood, the general cheerfulness sweeping across the country. Summer is just around the corner!

Oh, and it happens to be the perfect month for models! May should be the time when models update their looks and their portfolios. It’s good practice for models to regularly revise portfolios at any time, and to acquire new photos simply as back-up – but now more than ever models need to be looking at how they can best present themselves to potential clients.

Check out handy tips for sending us your updated snaps by clicking here!

Consider this time of the year as a spring-clean – literally. It’s a modelling revival – a rebirth where opportunities increase. It is, in fact, our busiest time of the year, and models should be ready! Seasonal fashions appear frequently throughout the year, but perhaps this season could be the most action-packed yet. On what do we base this prediction? Read on…

·       Lockdown (Ahh! That word again!) is slowly unwinding, with companies emerging from a commercial slumber dictated by the pandemic. Companies need growth, both in revenue and promotion. This is great news for models, and they all should be itching for worthwhile assignments up and down the country!

·       National optimism! Everyone’s moods have shifted in the right direction. A lot of people will be keen to start something new, and that’s why modelling is expected to be even more popular (if that’s possible!)

·       Summer is a particularly important season for models and clients. Whether the assignments are holiday promotions, beachwear or for the food / drink industry, there’s something about the summer that seems to bring out the extrovert in all of us. Maybe it’s the sunshine, increasing vitamin D levels; maybe it’s the longer days. Summer is a favourite season for many, and we’re expecting the 2021 summer to be the most hectic and fulfilling Models Direct have had.

Are you ready? Well, you should be. When you’re updating your portfolio, try not to exclude any information – even if you think it’s irrelevant.

Parents – photos of babies, toddlers and children should be updated more often than those of adults, simply because a youngster’s appearance and growth change far more quickly. The key word here is “accuracy”: clients need to see a truthful and correct image of child models.

On the subject of accuracy, summer photos are a great opportunity to represent yourself in the best possible light (well, you wouldn’t take a photo in the dark, right?). Make sure the sun is behind and to one side of the photographer, and avoid wearing a lot of make-up. Be confident!

Photoshop? No thanks! We require two realistic photos  – and there’s no need to use a professional photographer. Phew! A digital camera or Smartphone are perfectly suitable. There are some great tips in the links below:

Embrace the summer, and think of it as a launch pad for your modelling career. Equally, for experienced models, use summer as the season to gain more work and to add to your modelling CV. Optimism is in the air – and modelling work goes hand-in-hand with summer!

So  to help you out the Models Direct team, of which a large percentage are parents, have compiled their top tips to make travelling with kids that little bit easier!

Our junior models also often have to travel for assignments , generally within in the UK, but sometimes it means going in a plane and travelling further afield, so what ever your reason for travel it helps to be a little bit organised and take the stress away.

If your travels this season are taking you over seas  here are Models Direct ‘s  helpful tips to flying with children:

1 –  Comfort:   It’s a good idea to  dress your children in comfortable clothing when travelling, make sure they wont be too hot or too cold and are not restricted by what they are wearing. There’s no need to look super stylish when travelling, it’s much more important that your children have comfortable clothing on so they can relax and  can sleep if tired and   can sit in it for long periods of time.

2 –  Food & Snacks: Food can  be expensive and sometimes difficult to find when travelling, so have a bag of tasty snacks with you . It’s a good idea to have a variety of different things, some healthy snacks, some treats and also some thing the children haven’t tried before  to keep it interesting. As we all know children get super grumpy when hungry, so a little pick me up during a long flight or car journey can make all the difference. Also carry plenty of water with you, it’s very important to stay hydrated, particularly if it’s warm or you are flying, dehydration can make you feel very tired, so often regular sips of water can keep moral up!

3 –  Activities:  With tablets available to many of us it’s very easy to sit a child down with a tablet and headphones, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing,  parents are now able to download educational and fun games for children of all ages , so make sure you have updated your /their tablet with some new apps and games that will keep them interested.  If you are on a long journey then it’s useful to pack a variety of activities and space them out over the travelling time, so they are new to the child, could be a new coloring book, spelling game, maps and maze puzzles, reading book,  etc – there are lots to choose from on the market. Trick is to not give  them all to your child at the same time, keep their curiosity!

4 –  Stay Calm:  As a parent it’s really important to try and stay calm with your children while travelling, try and avoid arguments and upset as this will make the journey and travelling experience much more stressful than it needs  to be.  Aswell as looking after the needs of your children make sure your own needs are met also so you feel the best you can.

5 – Sleep:   If you are travelling for a long time make sure your children have a chance to rest and ideally sleep! Try and stick to their routines as much as you can, feeds and naps are essential especially with babies and toddlers. So if you are flying make sure your baby is fed when they usually are and  made comfortable so can drift off to sleep rather than getting over tired and grumpy. It can be useful to have a small blanket and pillow with you if in the car or a plane so that your child is comfortable and  warm.

6 – Other Passengers:  Whatever mode of transport we may be on we are often in close proximity to other passengers, so try and be cheerful and polite to the people near you, especially if you have a baby or young child with you who may be noisy or cry, it’s useful to have the people around you on your side  and possibly may help you out if you need it!

7 – Organisation:  There is so much for parents to think about before going away, it can often seem overwhelming, but organisation is key and will make your travelling experience much calmer and enjoyable. Plan ahead with your packing, don’t leave it until the last minute! Make sure your hand luggage is organised and prepared in a suitable bag and has everything you need for the plane or is within easy reach in a car or train, you will be calmer if you know you have everything you may need for your baby or child.

Whatever the distance you are travelling, the most important thing is to stay calm and try and make each part as fun as possible, it’s all part of the holiday experience and  can be a great time for your children to learn and see new things!