Starting a modeling career in high school can be overwhelming, don't panic! You can do it! I had only been signed with my agency for a few months before the white tents of Bryant Park went up and calendars of NYC's most elite were booked with fashion show pre-parties, and seating arrangements were all publicists could think about.
I was 16 and in my junior year of high school in my small home town when my new agency wanted me in New York for go-sees the week before Fashion Week. Go-sees, of course, were to be followed with Fashion Week itself. To be honest I was a little nervous, but I knew this was my shot and I had to work it out.
After receiving approval from my high school to take a two week work leave, I had arranged to stay with Taaseen, my agent, for at $50/night (nothing's free!) which beat staying in pay-by-week hotels with shared bathrooms. As non-glamorous as some of it sounds, I was ECSTATIC. I was 16 years old and paroling NYC on my own. I had go-sees every day and the appointment book began to overflow.
Although it was a big step, it was my dream and I loved my first traveling experience. I learned and lived more than my parents ever could have tried to teach me.
It can be overwhelming when you get your start in this industry, but just remember, take it one step at a time and stay focused. Check out my tips below for being prepared when beginning your modeling career.
What You Can Do to Be One Step Ahead:
- Always be prepared with your model bag! Include EVERYTHING (that includes an extra pair of heels that you are comfortable strutting your stuff in. Even if you're an actress, a killer runway walk shows off your confidence).
- Have at least 5-6 comp cards/headshots PER audition that you're booked for. So if you're doing more than one a day, accommodate! Also, don't forget to pack your book!
-Bring baby wipes for make up removal or any freshening up you may need to do.
- Know what the client is looking for and tailor your look for that specific audition.
- Know your schedule ahead of time. If they book you at the audition, know if you're available.
- Practice photo movement in front of a mirror and have a close friend/parent take test shots so you can see what your Polaroid will look like at a go-see.
- Depending on where you're auditioning (NYC, LA, etc) know the addresses of everywhere you have an appointment and who to contact if you're lost.
- If you're an actress, know the part that you're auditioning for and what happens with your character. If you're a model, know what the designer usually looks for and what his/her collections in the past have looked like.
- Be a smart model!! No one wants to book talent that needs to have her hand held the entire time. Be self-sufficient and able to take direction well and go with it.
- Know that every time you don't book a job, it only makes you stronger. Ask your agency for feedback from the client so you can improve your auditioning technique.
- SMILE! You can do it! :)
Point is, if this is something that you want, go for it! You're not going to get anywhere if you don't work your hardest and give it everything you have. If I hadn't gone to NYC and hadn't experienced Fashion Week, I would be regretting every second of it today.
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