You may not have “Bette Davis Eyes,” but do you have Betty Grable legs? If so, there’s money to be made from those appealing appendages. While you probably won’t need to insure them for $1 million, like Grable did in the 1940s, they can definitely be an asset in the modeling world. Here's how to get a leg up on the competition.
A leg model is someone who models their bare legs and leg-related items for advertisements, editorials, and other commercial campaigns. These images are used across different mediums, such as print, digital, video, new media, and billboards. While other features, such as a model’s face, are not photographed, close-ups of ankles, buttocks, and feet may be part of the brief. Leg modeling involves changing and holding various poses and positions while following the direction of the photographer or client.
The types of products and brands requiring a leg model are broad, covering everything from fashion to health. The latter includes beauty treatments, self-tanning, wellness, fitness, and pharmaceuticals. High-fashion and catalog leg modeling incorporates garments and accessories such as shorts, skirts, pants, shoes, and jewelry.
What makes a good leg model?
To excel at their job, a professional leg model must have the following qualities:
- Striking legs: While agencies, brands, and campaigns have different requirements, typically leg models have long, smooth, and shapely legs free of veins, scars, and blemishes. Still, this doesn’t mean that scars and other differences will prevent you from your leg modeling dreams; for example, Body Parts Models Inc. looks for “all body types” for a “virtual index of perfect and imperfect body parts of all age ranges and skin tones.”
- Professionalism and collaborative skills: Clients and photographers appreciate models who meet expectations and exude professionalism. You’ll need to be able to respond to directions and collaborate with your colleagues, whether the product is high-end footwear or a pharmaceutical medicine.
- Flexibility: The best leg models are flexible in both mind and body, meaning they adapt to new situations, can pose in challenging attire (such as high heels), and are able to stretch and flex into different positions.
- Detail-oriented: Read through each modeling brief thoroughly so that you’re ready to strike certain poses or highlight a specific part of your leg if the job calls for it. You may be asked to get your pump on before lending your legs to a Nike campaign or leave your legs unshaven if doing a waxing demonstration—it’s all about paying attention and responding to the needs of each client.
How much does a leg model make?
Like any model salary, leg modeling earnings can vary greatly. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for leg models in 2023 was just above $65,000.
Stay mindful that agents and model management companies usually take between 10% and 200% commission. Commercial modeling jobs can pay between $25 and $175 an hour (pharmaceutical modeling jobs can pay significantly more). In some cases, overtime and a bonus of over $1,000 (depending on ad format, location, and length of time it will run) are negotiable.
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1. Research
Knowing what is expected of leg models, whether shooting a video commercial or an editorial, is crucial. So it’s important for you to stay on top of current trends in the industry. Learn to strike the right poses and be mindful of current campaigns online, on billboards, and in print. Research other successful leg models to add to your understanding of the creative and collaborative part of the business. Agency websites are a great place to source poses for different campaigns as they typically have an extensive archive of their previous campaigns and work.
For open calls and castings, read the submission guidelines closely. For example, Body Parts Models Inc. stipulates that image submissions should be well-lit and capture your natural skin tone. For legs, “skin should be well moisturized with a nice mani and pedi, clean and simple, please take photos in a solid bikini and/or boy short, no busy patterns.”
2. Build a portfolio
While modeling headshots are less important for body-part models than traditional ones, you’ll still need a professional portfolio of your work that showcases your unique look and skills. If your legs are longer than most or you can stand “en pointe,” be sure that’s conveyed in your images.
Investing in professional pictures of your niche modeling appendage is wise when you are new to the business. While this could set you back anywhere between $75 and $250 per image, your portfolio will have high-quality images using top-of-the-line equipment and lighting. Ensure you use traditional leg poses; some agencies request a full-length shot and one from the waist down. You should also create a comp card featuring your photographs, personal stats, and contact details.
If you have a website, be mindful of the online images showing your specific modeling body part. Clients and agencies might look at your digital output in addition to what you submit. Again, ensure these look professional and fit the industry standard for leg modeling. You can also include a demo reel to show how your legs look in motion.
3. Apply for gigs
Casting call databases are an excellent way to find out what kind of work is available for a leg model in your area. While remaining vigilant about scams, try out for multiple jobs to help build experience.
4. Promote yourself
Use social media to promote yourself and build your brand and follower count. Instagram is a hotbed for aspiring models, so post your best images with leg-model-specific hashtags such as #legmodel, #legsfordays, #leggy, as well as more general modeling hashtags such as #printmodel and #modelsearch. Cross-post across other sites such as TikTok to help build an audience, and try experimenting with different lighting, accessories, and poses.
5. Sign with a modeling agency
While being a freelance leg model is possible, finding an agent is key to turning leg modeling into a career. Two of the biggest names in leg modeling are Parts Models in New York City and Body Parts Models Inc. in Los Angeles.
Make sure you have a professional portfolio and résumé when attending open castings and go-sees to demonstrate your commitment. Details like this could earn you that all-important contact for future work. Remember that reputable agencies will never take money upfront and will only take their fee once you start booking jobs.
6. Look after your legs
Keeping your legs in model-ready condition is crucial to this business, from moisturizing to hair removal. You don’t have to copy French actress and singer Mistinguett and insure your legs for half a million Francs as she did in 1919—but protecting your pins from potential harm is vital.
- Use beauty products: Many find exfoliating scrubs, moisturizers, sunscreen, and a cellulite-targeting foam roller to be worthwhile investments, as well as leg sculpting and smoothing treatments.
- Exercise: Keeping your legs in peak physical shape is essential. Exercises such as squats, lunges, and donkey kicks help maintain tone and build muscle.
- Reduce harm: Be mindful of what activities could jeopardize your moneymaker. Don’t leap both feet into contact sports, and steer clear of anything that could potentially damage your legs. Don’t wear anything that could leave a mark or irritate your skin.
7. Persevere
Modeling is far more challenging than it looks. The hours can be long, the work can be hard, and rejection is an inherent part of the business. If you don’t land a desired gig, don’t let it get you down; instead, keep striving to put your best foot (and leg) forward.