If you want to become a model, you do not need to pay for professional modelling photographs.

This is the trap that many would-be male and female models often fall into.

It is also very common for parents eager for their beautiful babies and cute kids to become young models to assume they need to pay for professional photography.

But any individual or organisation that insists you buy professional photographs from them is unlikely to be a genuine agency.

The more likely scenario is that they are simply a “showcasing” operation.

They are likely to be an individual or organisation that charges an exorbitant fee for “professional” photos then simply showcases these on a website.

Genuine employment agencies, such as Models Direct, must by law seek work for their models.

They must be registered and accredited by the government and actively look for assignments for their models rather than simply upload images and hope a potential client spots them.

Models Direct has a long and impressive list of clients that it has worked with many times over the decades.

Our professional team members not only field requests for models from both these clients and new clients on a daily basis, but they also reach out to potential new clients in search of work.

Of course, our models and would-be models are very welcome to upload professional photography to their e-portfolios if they have it.

And, yes, once they have completed assignments with us, it is essential that these professionally shot stills and videos are up there too.

But in the first instance before you have carried out any work with us, your own photos, taken on a good phone or digital camera are absolutely fine.

Follow our tips and guidance on how these images should be taken, stored and uploaded.

And, as long as they are sharp and we can see you clearly in them, then they will be all we need to help us and our clients decide whether you are right for a particular booking.

Please don’t do what so many others have done before you and spend money you don’t need to.

Please do also carry out thorough research on any agency you are considering joining.

Read reviews from models or their parents who have actually worked with an agency and find out how their process really works.

At Models Direct we are always here to answer your questions if you are considering joining us or have already signed up.

We are always happy to explain more about how we work and about the kinds of photographs we need to see.

Models Direct ask their models to take their own snaps and to report back on their experiences so those who are attending an assignment for the very first time can find out more.

Read some of these model assignment reviews, have a look at photos and videos that have been posted and remember we are always happy to answer any questions you have before heading off.

In the meantime, here is a little glimpse behind the scenes:

Your arrival

Before heading off to your photo or film shoot, you will have been given all the details of where to go, when to arrive and what to bring with you. When you arrive, you may well be met but if not then report to the head of production, the director or whoever is in charge of the shoot. They are then likely to run through the day’s events with you; explaining what will take place and when you will be required.

On set

Photo and film shoots do vary from project to project. Some bookings may simply involve one photographer, while for others there may be a whole team of people, each with a different role. For some assignments, you may well be sent to wardrobe, hair and makeup. These professionals will show you what you will be wearing, help you to dress and make any necessary adjustments. They will also ensure your hair and makeup achieve the look required for the shoot. On every set, there will either be a stills photographer or film camera person. There may also be people dealing with sound, lighting, set design and props. The director is likely to oversee everything. All of these people are there to help you and guide you through the day. They understand you may not have done this before and will be happy to answer your questions.

Other people

It is highly likely other people will be milling about the set and the location too. There may be runners, who are there to assist everyone and make sure you have everything you need. If any children are involved, then their chaperones will be there. If animals are being used in the commercial or advertising campaign, then their professional handlers will also be around. There will be somewhere to sit and relax when you are not called upon and you may well meet other models in these places. We always advise our models to take a book or magazine, bottle of water and snacks with them, but you may find there is catering on your shoot. Remember to let them know if you have any special dietary requirements and don’t be afraid to grab a drink or something to eat from them. Modelling can be hard work – and you will need to keep your energy up!

Booking briefs are usually short descriptions of types of models required for a job, requested to an agency by a client. A common (but nonetheless important) booking brief might be similar to the following:

“Female models aged 40-49 years required for a photo shoot.”

Clients know we have some of the best selection of models in the UK, so a generic booking brief as per the above works just as well as a more specific one. This is because our booking team is experienced in selecting the right models for the job, as per the brief.

Our team takes into account all the necessary details – that goes without saying. If a client looks for models of a certain age and gender, then we’ll start our “shortlist process” with those two criteria. If it’s a client we’ve worked with before, we might put forward a model who’s previously been on an assignment with them.

We have modelling jobs throughout the entire UK, so we may look for models close to the job location for convenience. That said, we welcome models who like to travel – and actively encourage it! – so a booking brief often doesn’t need to ask for models within a certain catchment area. Indeed, one of the aspects of our business that clients like is that we have a thorough national coverage of models – we’re not tied to a certain city or county.

So, a booking brief gives the modelling booking agents – that’s us – instructions for which models should be used for their assignments. Some briefs are generic, others are more specific. Consider the following booking brief that came in recently:

“Female model required for clothing brand promotional video.”

We took a look at the client, gauged what their target audience should be, and went one step further to specify an age range, which was 25-35 years old. This was to fit in with the brand’s target audience, meaning the video will be more effective than if a much younger or older model was put forward.

Generic booking briefs are not always restricted to humans – after all, we book hundreds of pet models each year. An example of a general pet booking brief is:

“Cat required for TV advert.”  

The breed, age, size and colour are not specified, so it’d be our job to assess the qualities of each cat we might shortlist to determine whether the individual felines would be suitable.

Clients will often want specific qualities for their modelling campaigns. How about this booking brief:

“Female model shoe size 4 required for a shoot.”

This reflects a particular requirement, as set out by the client’s needs. Though the age range was 18-35 years, a model without a shoe size of 4 would not be considered.

Often assignments connected to clothing brands will be much more specific with model measurements, this means we can only put forward models who have those specific measurements on their portfolio.

Two more examples of a precise booking include:

“Russian models required for a TV show.”

“Grandma and granddaughter required for a TV promo.” (18-80 years of age)

One of the advantages for our models is that we have an eclectic range of clients, and we have a broad range of models to cater for them. It’s win-win all round!

https://www.modelsdirect.com/search/request/

This is where you and your agency are able to showcase exactly what you can potentially offer a client and what you might bring to a particular project.

Your agency should use it when putting you forward for work and it will also be a valuable tool for the client when they are trying to choose just the right models.

In order to maximise your bookings and ensure you are the right person for commercial and promotional assignments, you should ensure your e-Portfolio is kept up-to-date.

Here are our top tips:

• Set aside one morning every month to go through your e-Portfolio and assess it. Try to look at it dispassionately and to imagine what a client might think. 
• Ask a good friend or relative to look at it every so often too and to give you their honest feedback.
• Sit down after every assignment, open your e-Portfolio and decide whether it needs to be enhanced or updated based on the recent job.
• Every time you complete a different type of job, add it to your e-Portfolio. The broader the modelling work you have undertaken, the greater the opportunities will be for you. 
• Make sure your photography is always of a high quality and reasonably recent. If you are a child or teen model this is especially important as you are likely to be growing and changing at a rapid rate! If you are an adult male or female model you also need to make sure your images reflect the way you really look. 
• If you change your hair colour or style you must update your photos. Clients choose models on the basis of the way they look and if someone arrives looking markedly different to the pictures in their e-Portfolio, they may well be displeased.
• If you are considering having a visible tattoo or piercing, think carefully before going ahead. This may affect your modelling opportunities. If you do, however, choose to go down this route, once again, it is vital to update your e-Portfolio.
• If you learn a new skill, develop a new passion or embark upon a new pastime that could enhance your booking potential then make sure you add it to your e-Portfolio.
• Whenever you complete an assignment, ask for a reference for your e-Portfolio. Again, these can be decisive factors in ensuring you continue to receive a steady stream of work.

If you have any other questions or would like to speak to a member of our team get in touch with us today..

There’s no better way to experience the sights of London than by bike, models Sarina and Banaris were selected for a photo-shoot cycling around London for Transport of London. They visited London Bridge, Elephant & Castle and Walworth while being photographed, the posters will be displayed on the London Underground to promote the benefits of cycling in the capital.

Here’s how they got on on their recent assignment from Models Direct for Transport of London:

“I received a photoshoot opportunity in London yesterday which involved cycling around London. I was really pleased with the outcome, had great fun and met some amazing people. The complete process was smooth and I’m glad my representative/assistant Molly talked me through the requirements and provided continuous reassurance. Thank you Molly and Models Direct I appreciate it!” – Sarina

“Yesterday I had a photoshoot cycling around London that was one of the best photoshoots of my life, I really enjoyed and had fun with colleague models and photographer. I’m very thankful to Models Direct and TFL for choosing me and giving me this photoshoot opportunity. Especially Molly a big thanks“. – Banaris

“We had a fab day yesterday! This was the perfect first assignment for my daughter and she did so well (in that heat too!)” – Lily’s Parents

“Beau had a fantastic day yesterday shooting promotional shots for a footwear brand. The day was very well organised and we knew exactly where we needed to be to start the shoot and also additional locations we would be visiting. Models Direct were very clear on instructions, going through everything on the phone then following up via email. Charlie answered all the questions we had about the shoot in a very comprehensive manner and also called us the day after to check everything went okay and to discuss next steps. We can’t wait for the next opportunity, thank you xx ” – Beau’ parents

“We had a fab day yesterday! This was the perfect first assignment for my daughter and she did so well (in that heat too!)
The client was lovely and very patient with the children. The location was great as it was in our hometown so not much travelling for us and familiar surroundings for her first assignment. She had a great time meeting a new friend and trying on lots of shoes!
Great communication from Models Direct, very prompt with responses to questions and instructions for the day. She’s very much looking forward to doing another assignment.” – Lily’s parents

If you are interested in your child being considered for modelling assignments like this click here and talk to a member of the team today.

Learning how to smile sounds ridiculous – surely everyone can do it? Models Direct gives you some helpful tips to smile on demand!

In almost every modelling assignment, photographers need their 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 ‘to order’ 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

Five costumes of different shapes and styles were created almost entirely out of Roofshield, Wraptite®, Fireshield®, Reflectashield TF0.81 and Procheck® Adapt. They were then professionally modelled and photographed at the A. Proctor Group’s factory location. For all the details please see the final campaign linked below.

Check out the full campaign and all the details: Final Campaign

Check out the behind the scenes footage from the shoot

The models involved in this shoot were very excited about the fittings and organisation involved in creating such a masterpiece as this! The campaign for The Proctor Group has now launched and the first ad is featured in this month edition of Architecture Today.

“Had a great experience with this company recently. I attended a model fitting for a shoot I will be doing very soon, Marie couldn’t have been any more helpful. Really enjoyed the experience, thank you for giving me the opportunity!” – Anna

“Recently had a great experience with this company! I attended a photo shoot which I loved! The company arranged hair and makeup for the shoot, everyone on the shoot was very helpful and accommodating. I also received a cheque in the post from models direct a couple of days after the fitting I had for the photo shoot.
Marie from models direct was so helpful from start to finish, I highly recommend Models Direct if you are looking to enter the modelling world.
It has boosted my confidence greatly and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
Thank you so much for an amazing experience!” – Gemma

“I went for my second fitting last week! Everything was still super comfortable and easy! Communication was still a key feature from Models Direct as answers to questions were answered quickly! Glad to see the costume coming together and I cannot wait until the shoot!” – Rameesah

“I had so much fun modelling for proctor Group (roofing company) which was unusual and unique for me as I didn’t know what to expect. It was by far such a great experience and as soon as I was picked up by the marketer for the company (Lucas) I felt at ease and confident. They made sure you were okay all day and provided up with warm fleeces! Which came in handy! Overall such a great experience and I can’t wait to see the photos in the magazines!!” – Rameesah

“Had my first shoot arranged by models direct and can not be happier. Working on a unique concept, my fittings went smoothly with such lovely people, and the actual day of shooting was so much fun. Everyone was very friendly, and the photographer was great at helping us get comfortable and deliver his vision. Only minor snag was the length of time spent shooting which went on way longer than was initially advised and lack of clarity on the part of Models Direct how this is handled.” – Llyanna

“It was a bit longer than expected The photographer was great as was giving clear instructions There were making sure we are warm as it was freezing there The atmosphere was great Good experience, especially for first time. Very good experience for this company. Looking forward to other jobs.” – Anna

The final images the Models Direct team have received from a recent shoot with  Caldecotte Lake Business Park are fantastic, both models Alicia and Terry did an incredible job!

Model Feedback: Terry – Model Fee: £100

“The shoot for Lakeshore Fitness was extremely fun with plenty of laughter. The photographer and team were very organised and easy to work with, which made the project flow smoothly. Working with fellow model Elisa was very natural. It really helped having a natural chemistry with her which shows in the photos.”

Model Feedback: Alicia – Model Fee: £100

“Just on the way back home to London. The shoot went really well, very professional and kind. It was mostly fitness shots which required a lot of physical movements but they made sure I had water and that I was comfortable at all times. Thank you for featuring me as a starring model, I look forward to receiving more jobs as it’s been a pleasure! ”

Every day at    Models Direct    our lovely team of Booking Agents are communicating and building relationships with clients across the UK and beyond!

Modelling is an incredibly competitive industry, with lots of different agents all competing to get   their    models/talent noticed and seen by influential people, production companies, advertising agencies and casting directors – this is no easy job!

Models Direct     have successfully been doing this for around 27 years now and continue to work hard in making new contacts in the industry, sourcing the perfect talent and understanding client briefs.

The Assignments team receive new enquiries daily from companies across the UK looking for a particular look or talent for their latest campaign, photo-shoot or promotion, it’s then up to the team here at Models Direct to search for the models who would fit the brief.

Once a search has been created of potential models this is then presented to the client for them to view and make a short list from.  The Booker at   Models Direct   will then contact the models shortlisted and check availability and discover whether it’s and assignment they would be interested in doing – the client then makes a final selection from the models who have said ‘YES’ they would be be interested.

Contacting the selected models is always a nice part of the job, you can hear their excitement and enthusiasm for the project, it’s now up to the booker to brief them and make sure they are fully prepared for the up coming assignment – how exciting!!

Being a Booking Agent comes with it’s frustrations and in the modelling/entertainment industry things can change very quickly, so our booking agents are thick skinned and determined people!