Modeling is Not Glamorous

When people think of the modeling industry, they think of the prestigious European fashion week runways, Victoria's Secret models, and Tyra on America's Next Top Model. While all of these things are a part of the modeling world, they do not paint an accurate picture of what working as a modeling is truly like.

I worked as a touring freelance model for several years and made a decent living at it. But the glittering glory of all that came at a big price. Most models wash out before they can start making any real money, and most just do it as a fun hobby. Here are the ugly truths to being a pro model behind the camera.

When people think of how models self-maintain, their first thought goes to exercise and dieting. And while that is a part of staying in top form, it only plays a small role. Most models are in the industry because they naturally have the body type preferred by their market (whether willowy for the runway, or busty for glamor), so there's no need for extreme dieting or hours and hours of exercise to maintain body shape. Most exercise is to stay toned, and most dieting is actually for skin care, not for weight.

Most models do adhere to strict diets and eating habits, but not for why you think. As mentioned previously, most models don't need to do much more than eat healthy and get a moderate amount of exercise to maintain their body shape. The reasoning behind the diets is to keep skin clear (prevent oiliness and breakouts) and to prevent bloating. Most days that I had a gig, I wouldn't eat for at least 4-5 hours before the gig, and I would restrict myself not to eat bloating foods like dairy until after the gig. Some days my first real meal wouldn't be until 9 o'clock at night simply because I had so many gigs and was so busy traveling that I flat out didn't have time to eat a proper meal. Most models carry snacks to eat while they're in the car, or getting ready in the makeup chair.

Coffee is the lifeblood that keeps you going due to the lack of food and sleep. If you aren't a coffee drinker yet, you will be once you start modeling. Coffee runs are a necessity at fashion shows and photography workshops. While touring, I drank 3 lattes a day and would sleep only about 3-5 hours per night, sometimes staying awake for as many as 48-72 hours at a time, before crashing on my scheduled "Sleep Day" to sleep for 24 hours. On tour, you sometimes have to drive for multiple days to get to your gigs on time. At workshops, you're often up for 8am hair and makeup call, and then just starting the private shooting slots at 9pm after a full day of doing the standard workshop modeling routine. And fashion shows, they're a big hurry up and wait with hair and makeup call at 5pm, but the show doesn't start until 10pm, most times even later. Coffee is the easiest sleep substitute, but the exhaustion is why some models will develop coke habits to keep themselves going. It's not healthy, and I don't conde it, but it's something you just learn to accept is part of the modeling world.

Getting your nails done sounds like a fun perk for modeling. And while it is another great naptime slot, it's also a big source of stress. Having perfect nails can mean the difference between getting a gig and being passed over. Breaking a nail or chipping polish means an emergency trip to the salon to have it fixed as soon as possible. Photographers hate photoshopping chipped nails, and unkempt nails are simply not an option.

I had acrylic nails for five years straight. My real nails became so thin that they were essentially just tough skin under my falsies. I had to wear gloves when doing any sort of housework to protect them. And breaking a nail was absolutely a tragedy, not just because it's incredibly painful to break an acrylic nail, but it also means another expense and having to sacrifice time at the salon. Super glue will become your best friend for quick fixes, but it adds to the deterioration of your real nails.

Your vanity will be filled with all sorts of lotions and potions to keep your skin, hair, and nails photo ready. Daily checks to ensure eyebrows are plucked (and any other stray hairs) and body hair is shaved and groomed are key. Photographers hate editing out stubble and razor burn. Visine to clean up red eyes, and spoons in the freezer for the bags under your eyes to clear up the fact that you're constantly exhausted. It's a long list, and one you have to follow, lest you lose out on gigs due to bad skin or a haggard face. A big rookie mistake is to party the night before a gig and think you can show up hungover, or even still drunk with bloodshot eyes, puffy skin, flushed skin, and that "dead eye" look. Trust me, you're not fooling anyone and it's a quick way to get blacklisted.

While it feels fun and glamorous at first, models soon realize that having your hair and makeup done everyday, often multiple times per day, is a huge toll on your skin and hair. At the height of my career, I was having to scrub my face so frequently changing looks for gigs that my skin actually started peeling off my face, and I had to go to the salon for monthly "caviar" treatments because my hair was so dry from all the elaborate hairstyles. The longer you model, the "uglier" you become.

Sleep is for the weak in the modeling world. Your day will be jam packed with emails, casting calls, gigs, skin care routines, etc., leaving little room for anything else. My typical day looked like wake up after about 4-5 hours of sleep, morning care routine, answer emails while eating breakfast, check the message boards for casting calls, apply to gigs, go out to one or two casting calls, grab a quick lunch, return home to scrub up and pack for the photo shoot or fashion show, work the gig, come home to eat dinner, scrub up, and brush out all the hairspray and back combing; check emails again, prep suitcase(s) for tomorrow's gig, evening care routine, sleep, repeat. My routine was pretty standard for most in the freelance modeling world.

On average, most photo shoots only last about 2-4 hours depending on how many looks you're doing. It's all the work you do before and after the gig that takes up the bulk of your time. On top of that, modeling is a "small window" career, so most models pack their schedules as full as they can because they know they only have a few years to work at most. It is true that models can make a long career out of modeling (10+ years), but the "golden years" are ages 21-24 when you receive the most and best paying gigs. Beyond 25, the gigs are more difficult to find and there's more competition (unless you're signed with a commercial agency).

Remember when we talked about how you're going to be exhausted all the time? The hair and makeup chair is your naptime slot. This is the only time you'll get to decompress and possibly even snooze for a few minutes. Veteran models are unbothered by all the back-combing and hair spray, and can stay perfectly still for the makeup artist to apply the most elaborate of liquid eyeliner art. You'll learn to catch your Zs when and where you can.

I can't tell you how many outsiders actually thought I was bussed to my gigs in a limo. I was lucky enough to own a car to get me to my gigs. Many models have to rely on public transportation to get to their gigs, which adds more time to their day and more stress to their scheduling. Getting to and from gigs is far from glamorous. It often involved a trip to Starbucks, both ways, and picking up some random food to eat in the car after the gig was over.

The only time I was in luxury hotels was for an hour or two working a photo shoot with a photographer. When it came to bunking while on tour I had three choices - spend about $60/night at a cheap hotel, do a trade with a trusted photographer to shoot for "free" and crash on their couch, or sleep in my car. Hotels were the last option and only booked in my "big money cities" where I was spending at least a week and making the big bucks with tons of gigs. Hotel fees and gas add up fast while you're on tour. You cut expenses where you can.

Speaking of luxury, most gigs won't have an on-set stylist. This means, you have to learn to be your own stylist in order to maximize your gigs. Shelling out for your own stylist is expensive, and many gigs won't pay enough to justify the cost. Learning how to be your own makeup and hair stylist is the best way to maximize your profit and your gig opportunities. On tour, I traveled with two train makeup cases jam-packed with makeup and a whole kit of brushes just for myself. You learn a lot while in the chair with pro stylists, and with YouTube tutorial videos. It's not difficult to put together your own looks for gigs. Wigs are also a necessity for models, as it allows multiple hairstyles and hair colors to be used in a single gig without damaging your hair and saves an enormous amount of time.

While the rumors that many photographers are "actually axe murders that are going to keep pieces of you in their fridge" is a ridiculous tall tale, it is frighteningly common how many "photographers" molest and sexually assault models. I had my run ins with a couple of these, and I'm lucky I didn't suffer worse than what I did. The best way to keep yourself safe and help prevent something truly heartbreaking from happening to you is to check references. Ask other models what their experience was working with a photographer. The community is tight knit, and models do work to protect each other from creeps.

Never believe any "photographer" who tries to tell you that sleeping with them will grant you any sort of success. It's an old tired lie used by gross predators. Don't be naïve. Protect yourself. Stand up for yourself. And leave the gig as quickly and safely as you can.

Setting your limits and sticking to them is an important part of working as a model because they will constantly be tested. Photographers will constantly ask for more, regardless of how far you're willing to go. If you only do clothed modeling, they'll pressure you do to glam lingerie shots. If you're willing to do lingerie, they'll pressure you to do implied nudes. If you're willing to do implied nudes, they'll pressure you to do full nudes. If you're willing to do full nudes, they'll pressure you to do close up erotic shots. It never ends. Some are simply obsessed with getting a model to do more than what they would "normally" do with anyone else. It's gross and you have to be prepared to stand your ground. It's okay to change your limits later on, start off doing clothed modeling and move on to nudes later in your career, or to never do nudes at all. It's truly up to you. Yes, you'll "miss out" on gigs if you say no, but they're gigs you're not going to want to do anyway. Say "no", stand firm, and leave if they don't respect your limits.

As pathetic as it is, there are many "photographers" and "designers" out there that will try to pull a fast one on you - aka make you work for free. The first example is the "Nude Bait and Switch". This is where a model is hired to do a clothed shoot for her clothed shoot rates, and then the photographer "changes their mind" once you arrive on set and decides they want to do nudes instead, but they think they can get away with paying the clothed rates because that's the rate you "agreed to". The second is the "I Forgot My Wallet". Always make sure they have the money at the start of the gig and only take checks from reputable professionals that have good references. I had a couple of bad checks at the beginning of my career, and those bounced check fees are not fun to pay. If they can't prove they can pay you upfront, leave. The last is what I like to call the "Goodbye Dance". Some photographers actually think you're stupid enough to "forget" to be paid for the shoot. They'll do their little song and dance, talking to you while getting you packed up and out the door and "conveniently" forgetting to pay you. Stand your ground and refuse to leave until that money is in your hand. It's not rude. It's business. Professionals understand this. Scammers will try to make you feel bad for demanding your pay.

At the end of the day, modeling is an incredible experience that not many are able to do. I have no regrets taking my journey as a model. It afforded me the ability to live a fantasy lifestyle, visit many places, and meet all kinds of people. It's a fast-paced crazy world that takes thick skin and hard work to succeed in, but it was so worth it.

Photo Credits: https://pixabay.com/