Whether it’s Tyra Banks captivating audiences with her signature smize or András Arató (who you may know better as “Hide the Pain Harold”) going viral for his stock photos, modeling requires more than just striking poses. As attributed to Banks herself, “Beauty’s easy. Modeling is not just about being pretty.” If you want to get your start in this field, you’ll need a fierce fusion of charisma, versatility, and the ability to convey narratives through every glance and gesture.
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There are many types of modeling, each with its own set of physical specifications—but overall, commercial modeling is easier to break into than fashion modeling when it comes to height, weight, and age.
Height: The industry prefers those who are on the taller end of the spectrum for strutting their stuff on the catwalk. For fashion and runway modeling, female models must usually be at least 5'9" and male models at least 6' tall.
Weight: Tall, thin bodies still dominate the runway—female fashion models usually have a waist 10 inches smaller than their chest and hips, and male runway models usually have a 32-inch waist. Still, fashion modeling is seeing more diverse body sizes than ever before. If you don’t meet the requirements for fashion modeling, you may still meet the model measurements required for other types of modeling.
Age: Many may wonder, How old do you have to be to model? For runway modeling, the answer is usually between the late teens and 20s. However, there is no set age limit for other types of modeling. Babies, children, teens, and seniors are being sought out more than ever.
Other types of modeling, such as print, fitness, body part, or brand-specific gigs, may have varying height, weight, and age requirements—or no requirements at all. Any specifications will usually be noted by modeling agencies and clients.
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If you’re looking to start your modeling career, the best places to find runway and editorial work are New York City and Los Angeles. Still, many aspiring models find success from anywhere in the world by using social media, building up their personal brand, and creating a killer portfolio.
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Camera readiness: Modeling is not just about your appearance, but also the looks and poses you relay through images or while you walk the runway. It’s vital that models are camera-ready, natural, and at ease throughout photo shoots.
Confidence: Confidence is critical to slay in front of the camera and for live events that require you to walk a stage in front of an audience.
Personality: As a model, you’re often representing a brand and helping it sell a product, which means creating an authentic connection with its audience. The best way to do this is to know how to convey your personality through images.
Work ethic: Modeling is a demanding career that requires a strong work ethic with a high amount of discipline and dedication. Those hoping to make it in the industry must meet strenuous modeling conditions, like attending multiple go-sees, working long and irregular hours, and following photographers’ and clients’ instructions.
Physical upkeep: To succeed as a model, you must prioritize the factors that impact your health and physical appearance, such as eating nutritiously, exercising regularly, and maintaining proper sleep hygiene.
Professionalism: It’s important that models be reliable and courteous of their colleagues and clients in order to keep landing jobs.
Collaboration: Models have to work with designers, photographers, makeup artists, and many other professionals in the industry. Being able to collaborate with others will help you succeed long-term.