AleanElston.com

Tag: models

  • Model Professionalism #modeltip #modeladvice

    It has come to my attention that a lot of models don’t understand that professionalism goes a long way in this business. Maybe its because, a lot don’t think of it as a business, but more so as something to do because they find it to be fun for them and love the attention and the way they look and feel in a photo-shoot. While all of that is fine, one must understand that it may be fun for you, but for others, its a business, lifestyle, and a way of supporting their families. You mess any of that up or you rub someone the wrong way, you can be sure that your fun career will not move and prevent you from moving forward.

     

    Here’s a list of 3 things that models do that industry insiders say can prevent them from working with that model again:

     

    Arriving Late to a Booking

    Personally, I think we can all understand that time is money, in any industry. But what I seem to see quite often are models who think that things revolve around their schedule… Let me be the first to let those of you who think this is the case know: YOU CAN BE REPLACED!!! Sure there are circumstances that may have held you up and prevented you from getting you there on time, but when you decide not to call anyone and let them know that you are running late. You are holding up the production and wasting money and possibly light (daylight) to get the job done! What will usually happen if you don’t call AHEAD of time when you are running late (and by that I mean, call when you know you are running late not when you are running late and its 5 minutes before you are supposed to be there) is that there will be another model willing and waiting in the wings who is available and will take your job. Then because they were such a lifesaver and time saver, they will be called upon for more gigs. Lesson: BE ON TIME and if your not, let somebody know ASAP!

     

    Having an attitude

    TUDE TUDE TUDE!!!!!! ATTI-TUDE that is… It says a lot about your work ethic, your personality, and your state of mind. One thing people must begin to master is the ability to control their attitude in what is often known as checking your emotions at the door. This is very important when on set, or backstage because to be frank, NOBODY CARES about whatever is bothering you!!! There is a task at hand that needs to be taken care of and you need to execute. If you want your bad attitude get in the way of that, or if it rubs someone the wrong way or if you just can’t seem to contain it. Don’t bother coming in. Bad attitude can effect everyone and no one (especially me) wants to be hanging around a dark cloud or negativity. I’ve seen plenty of girls be replaced simply because they couldn’t suck up their feeling about what happened outside of a photo-shoot or outside of a show and get down to business. Attitude is an emotion, and emotions are personal, and Personal issues can inhibit proper business. When you get an attitude remember the saying, “Nothing personal, just business” and get the job done.

     

    Talking bad about others

    NOBODY ASKED YOU!!! Well maybe somebody did ask you… but that doesn’t mean you have to spill the beans about everything that you didn’t like about the way they did things. This industry is very small. Especially if you are working in a particular area, and begin to advance in the industry. you will start to see that you will see some of the same people over and over again. All of those people talk and you don’t need to fuel any fire talking about another one of the members of the already small industry circle. When in doubt about discussing another photographer, MUA or stylist, just smile or look shocked and act like they are the best thing since sliced bread. lol! You never know who is related to who, or could be friends with the person they are asking you about.
    Stay tuned… next tip will about being professional in reaching out about modeling jobs!
    Stay pretty!
    Alean
  • Makeup Artists at fashion shows and photoshoots #modeltip #modeladvice [VIDEO]

    Makeup Artists at fashion shows and photoshoots #modeltip #modeladvice [VIDEO]

    Backstage behind the scenes of a fashion show can be very exciting and nerve racking, especially if it is your first professional show. You want to make sure you look your best when out there in the spotlight. Here is my tip for selecting the right makeup artist to work on your face when you are backstage at a show or you are about to do a shoot. Let me know what you think! and be sure to share this #modeltip!

    Follow me on Twitter! – @CompleteBeauty

  • 3 Reasons Why You Didn’t Book That Modeling Gig #modeltip #modeladvice

    1. You showed up to the casting all types of wrong!

    If you wore any of the looks that Tyra is wearing in the above picture, THAT’S WHY YOU DIDN’T GET THE GIG! Let’s go down the line here…

    • If you are attending a swimwear casting, you need to wear a SOLID color bikini under your clothes(preferably in all black or white, stay away from neon colors, stripes and patterns and flashy embellishments), just in case there isn’t anywhere to change. One piece swimsuits or Monokinis don’t really show your shape, they can hide your shape, body flaws and in some cases make you appear worse. And leave the huge hoop earrings and Hater blockaz (huge sunglasses) in your purse, don’t wear them to the casting.
    • Wearing a ton of accessories is a NO NO when it comes to castings. Keep everything to the absolute minimum. Colorful necklaces, huge costume jewelry, and kiddie cute headbands, please leave that stuff at home.
    • Wearing a bad lace-front wig or a hair color that has no business being matched to you for your skin tone. Do I really need to go into details about this one?

    and…

    Did you wear all of the make up you own to the casting, complete with hot pink eye-shadow and lipstick, and lashes that make you look like a puppet? Casting agents don’t want to the “All Made Up” you, they want to see the natural beauty that you really are. Castings are meant for the decision makers to see what they’ll have to work with from scratch, they’ll make you over to what they want you to look like. The most amount of makeup you should be wearing is a light application of concealer to cover up problem spots (or a sheer application of foundation all over your face), mascara, and a neutral lip gloss.

     

    2. Your portfolio/comp-card is wack or non-existent

    I hope this makes since and I’m going to state the obvious here…

    IF YOU DON’T HAVE A PORTFOLIO TO SHOW WHAT YOU CAN DO, YOUR CHANCES OF BEING BOOKED ARE SLIM TO NONE!!!

    In the words of Iman, “If you want to survive as a model, you have to be a good businesswoman and understand that your pictures are your currency.” Loosely interpreted, if your pictures aren’t on point, or they don’t exist, you don’t have anything to use to help further your career and make you money! It takes money to make money people! Invest yours in QUALITY photography (stay away from Guys with cameras aka “GWCs” who just want to see you for reasons other than professional ones and take a bunch of “booty” flicks) and watch your return increase. Another note to this: GET YOUR PICTURES PRINTED! I cant tell you how many models I have met that have said, “You can see my port on model mayhem, or on “abc dot com” here’s my account number.” If they wanted to select you based off your pictures on a website, they would have done so! When you meet someone in person, especially at a casting it is expected that you leave something behind (a comp-card or a picture from your port with your info on the back). If you have nothing to leave behind, guess what? You won’t have to worry about getting booked! Be a professional and get your pictures in a portfolio book and make sure you have various looks please!

    A rule of thumb I use when selecting photographers: If their portfolio of work doesn’t look like something that should be in a magazine, I will not work with them. Also, if they are new photographers I’ll consider working with them considering they have grasped certain concepts. i.e. lighting and not cutting off vital limbs and great photo elements to a shot.

     

    3. You’re all tatted up!

    I know I know, you know plenty of models with tattoos that are working, and blah blah blah.

    Well, I have been to castings and on jobs where models have lost the gig SOLELY because they had tattoos that they didn’t/couldn’t/wouldn’t cover up. Granted that tattoo of Winnie the Pooh on your shoulder blade might look cute to you, but to a fashion designer and her strapless or backless gown, they wont find it as the right complement to their look and thus can result in you not getting booked. Best way to get around this in case you do have tattoos is to invest in Dermablend. Its a brand of makeup that can cover up tattoos and large scars very well. Get in the habit of applying it if you don’t want to be turned down for jobs!

     

    Are there any reasons why you have been turned down for modeling jobs? Let me know, comment below or tweet me with the #modeltip hashtag. 3 MORE reasons will be coming soon!

  • Tyra Banks Joins in on the Teen Fantasy Novel Craze

    Just wanted to share this. Modelland written by Tyra Banks

    **Item is on my birthday list in case you were wondering lol 🙂

    Here’s the Synopysis from the publisher Random House:

    No one gets in without being asked. And with her untamable hair, large forehead, and gawky body, Tookie De La Crème isn’t expecting an invitation. Modelland—the exclusive, mysterious place on top of the mountain—never dares to make an appearance in her dreams.

    But someone has plans for Tookie. Before she can blink her mismatched eyes, Tookie finds herself in the very place every girl in the world obsesses about. And three unlikely girls have joined her.

    Only seven extraordinary young women become Intoxibellas each year. Famous. Worshipped. Magical. What happens to those who don’t make it? Well, no one really speaks of that. Some things are better left unsaid.

    Thrown into a world where she doesn’t seem to belong, Tookie glimpses a future that could be hers—if she survives the beastly Catwalk Corridor and terrifying Thigh-High Boot Camp. Or could it? Dark rumors like silken threads swirl around the question of why Tookie and her new friends were selected . . . and the shadows around Modelland hide sinister secrets.

    Are you ready? Modelland is waiting for you. . . .

    Buy the book here: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/208106/modelland-by-tyra-banks

  • 17 Days of Fashion (Philadelphia)

     

    Click the image above to see all the events going on for the 17 days!

  • Fashion and Photography Experts Give MODELEVILLE the Thumbs Up

     

    MODELEVILLE is a social media platform that caters creative professionals in the modeling, fashion, styling and photographic industry. It is an arena that showcases the imaginative works as well as a ground of meeting people with the same passion.

    Since MODELEVILLE launched in October 2010, it has more than 30,000 sign ups (though not all profiles are approved), viewed in more than 150 countries.

    MODELEVILLE is open to all kinds of photographers and models from glamour, lifestyle, nude, body part, swimsuit, portraiture and of course the tall and slender fashion models.

     

    • “Modeleville connected us with both, potential consumers and talent for our fashion shoots and shows.”

     

    – Amanda Che, designer of A Che swimwear. from the USA

     

    • “I think Modeleville is the next big casting website for serious industry models, with a lot of great contacts to be made!”

     

    – Caitlin O’connor, model and runner up for Miss Philadelphia 2011

     

    • “I met several top photographers through MODELEVILLE who, I ended up working with. It’s a very easy and direct way to connect with some of the best creatives in the industry.”

     

    – Kristina Korsholm, Model/Actress, in new feature film “Madoff – made off with America”

     

    • “Drifting through the social networks for years… it is refreshing to finally find one which is equivalent stylish and state of the art too!”

     

    – Volker Fleck, Los Angeles based fashion and celebrity photographer

     

    • “Modeleville is a great new site for all professionals in the modeling industry.  It is easy to use and view profiles and I find it more useful than any of the other sites I have been on in the past.”

     

    – Justine Price, FHM and Maxim Photographer from the USA

     

    • “MODELEVILLE is an amazing platform for all fashion business professionals and beyond! You can easily get in touch and collaborate with top notch agents, photographers, editors, publicists and models. I truly enjoy the Internet presentation, which is stylish and classy with very well composed portfolios. You can also link your page directly to all the major social networks. All in all, it’s great and outstanding website that I can highly recommend.”

     

    – Sylvia Ray Arden, Model/singer from Germany

    SOURCE Modeleville

  • Things you MUST have to be a GOOD model (Part 1)

    ANTM Cycle 7 Models (no that is not me in the top of the picture, although I do get mistaken for her a lot)

     

    I usually get a lot of questions about modeling and what it takes to get ahead in the industry. Every time I am asked I always make it a point that being a good model, means being a “model person.” What I mean by that is, be the model that you want to be. You have to model a model in order to be a good model! That means getting into the mindset of a model and executing those mannerisms in your daily life. For example, when you are starting out as a model, you might compare yourself to your favorite model. Not saying that you look like that person, but their successes and thier persona. Don’t mimic what they do, but research what it is about them that has gotten them to the point in their career that they have reached.

    Aside from the physical things that one needs in order to be a good model there are a few things from within that a model must have if they want to get ahead. One of the main things is a personality.

    Personality

    As a model, you will meet a lot of people and the key to you getting more modeling work often lies within meeting these people. You will need to be able to talk to people and project to your potential client that you are a confident and capable person. How do you do that? You have to talk and let people have a feel for the way you are!

    Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t really know at social functions. Doesn’t have to be anything deep, it could be about the weather or better yet, compliment them on something you like about their outfit. That is usually a small ice breaker that can usually get the conversation flowing, who knows where it may go.

    Another thing that most models need to be a good model is a good head on their shoulders, you have to be SMART!

    Be a smart model…

    I can’t tell you how many models I have met that seem to be the stereotype of the “DUMB” model. Very pretty but can’t count to 10 worth a damn! lol. As a model you are in this business as a self-employed business, you are independent. Even if you get signed with an agency, you are on your own. The agency works for you, you don’t work for them, no matter what you may think. Whatever jobs they send you out for, it is your choice whether you go or not. You are on your own to take care of how  you secure it, your transportation to get there, your hair, makeup, clothes, etc. you are responsible for it all. If you don’t know what you are doing, I strongly suggest that you do a lot of research about the business or start asking some questions. No client wants a model who doesn’t know what they are doing, and the ones that do, WILL exploit you for your ignorance. (MESSAGE!!! *in my spike lee voice*)

    The last thing that I will mention for this article is:

    You have to have “THICK SKIN”

    What I mean by that is., you have to be able to take criticism, let downs, and whatever else this industry will throw your way. You can’t take everything personally and let it get you down in this business. Not everyone is going to book you, there will be times when people will tell you no and then IF they tell you why they said no and its a negative reason, you have to be able to take it as this is just the way the business is. If you cant handle someone telling you that you weren’t chosen because you have a look that they weren’t looking for, take it as you didn’t fit for this particular gig but there are plenty others where you would fit. When you find it, find out how you can exploit it and make your money to get in where you fit in! Don’t let one let down, let you down completely.

    Part 2 will be up, pending the feed back from this post! 🙂

  • Miami Fashion Week Casting (Philly, NJ, NYC Area Models)

    “Casting Couch” The Fashion Show & Swimwear Model Competition

    Prize: Paid air fare & hotel for 1 first place Male & 1 first place Female model to Miami to particapate in the Miami Slpash: Dive into Fashion Swimwear Showcase – Catalina Hotel, South Beach Miami, Fl. – July 16, 2011

    “Casting Couch” The Fashion Show & Swimwear Model Competition
    To take place at the Key Club, 58 Park Pl., Newark, NJ 07102

    Fashion Show Date & time TBA –

    Female Model Criteria:
    Height: 5’7″ to 5’11”
    Dress size: 2 to 4
    Attractive face
    Swimwear model physique
    Experience runway walk
    NO DIVAS!

    Male Model Criteria:
    Height: 5’11” to 6’2″
    Waist: 32″ to 34″
    Attractive face
    Muscular physique (comfortable in speedo)
    Experienced runway walk
    NO DIVOS!

    All interested models must email Bernardmoore09@gmail.com the follow to be considered: City & State of residence, 2 swimwear photographs (NO LINKS), measurements (dress/jacket size), bio/resume & complete contact info – Please note: Only emails containing this info will be responded to.

    Other than the first prizes of air fare & hotel, the winning models will be paid $75.00 rate to participate in the Miami Fashion Week Show as well as other perks.

    Thank you! GOOD LUCK!