Become A Model

Types of modelling

Having decided you’d like to be a model and you now want to kick-start your career - you couldn’t wish for a better team than FMBN Modeling agency to take your hand and guide you through your first exciting steps.
Unlike many companies, we will be totally honest with you and tell you, not only if you have the ability to be a model, but also which areas of modelling will best suit your profile.

Commercial modelling

Commercial modelling is one of the most accessible areas of the industry and covers a vast area; including catalogue, cosmetics, commercial print, product, and swimsuit. It can also be surprisingly financially rewarding, with lots of steady, well-paid work.
The type of models required in commercial modelling is exceptionally broad; open to all ages, looks, shapes and sizes.
At present, there is a greater demand than there are models for this area of modelling - which provides lots of opportunity. A more womanly or curvy figure is often sought, for example.
Teens are also in huge demand.

Commercial modelling covers areas such as:

• Teen modelling
• Child modelling
• Plus size modelling
• Promotional modelling
• Acting work for casting companies
• Hand modelling
• Male modelling
• Fitness modelling

Important things to know about commercial modelling

• Commercial models must be confident in front of the camera because they often appear in television commercials.
• Commercial models tend to be more regular-looking people (the girl or boy next door type).
• Commercial modelling is about businesses promoting, and ultimately selling, their products - so they are looking for models who are attractive and likely to appeal to the widest range of people in their product market.
• Models need to be photogenic, energetic and confident in order to make the product more appealing to potential customers.
• Retailers will generally look for models of a particular size, look and style that best represents their products and image: something their customers can easily identify with.
• Editorial modelling is mainly used in magazines, to accompany stories and articles. This type of work is most sought after because it provides great exposure for the model.

Teen modelling

Teen modelling covers many areas of the industry; such as high-fashion, catalogue, commercial, teen magazines, television and film extras. The requirements for teen modelling varies - however, it is important that the child is friendly and outgoing. No agency wants to work with a diva. Remember, in this industry, as with many others, it’s not only what you know (and how you look) but also whom you know. So be friendly - and a useful tip for the parent is to get to know the team you are working with. By doing so you will make invaluable contacts, any one of which could lead to your big break.

• As your child’s manager, you need to know your child’s stats; including age, height, weight, dress-size, hair and eye colour, and ‘look’. An agency may need this information at a moment’s notice. A good way of providing this is through the use of a Z-card - this is an invaluable marketing tool which allows agencies to keep your child’s updated stats to hand, which means they can market teenagers much more effectively.
• Most teen models will be able to find work to suit them. This includes elements such as catwalk, sportswear, teen magazines, beachwear, and even promotional work. It’s just a matter of identifying which brands, designers and companies your style is best suited to - and then ensuring you are marketing to those companies. There is always a demand.
• For most teen models, modelling is a part-time job and schoolwork should remain to be their number one priority. Agencies always try to set castings and work outside of school hours.
• If you are serious about teen modelling, and we believe that you have the talent to make it in the industry, your parents should have no problem with helping you to achieve your dreams ... provided you keep up your grades at school, of course!
• To become a teen model, most people get signed to a reputable agency who actively seek work for them. The other option is to go the freelance route, which means you will do all of the job-hunting yourself. As a freelance, you don't have any agency fees and you can control how much, and when, you work. Whatever option you choose, the better quality your portfolio is, the more likely you are to succeed.
• FMBN MODELLING will help you determine which type of modelling you are best suited to and give you a taste of the modelling industry - so you can quickly decide if it’s a career you want to pursue. We will be completely honest with you: if we don’t believe you have the talent we will tell you. However, if we believe you do have the talent we are more than happy to help you achieve your dreams and ambitions.
• Our shoots are fun, exciting and educational. Why not bring your parents along so they can see just how serious you are about modelling - and how good you are at it!
• Our model coaches and photographers will teach you all about posing and the proper use of facial expressions to help you look good in any shoot. We will provide you with all the help you need to start your career in teen modelling.

High Fashion modelling

At FMBN MODELLING we provide you with all of the knowledge, contacts and tools you will need in order to ‘front-load’ your modelling career. Our model coaches are trained to identify the attributes required to succeed in high-fashion modelling. And if you have these attributes, we provide the support you need to launch yourself in the high-fashion section of the industry.

Things you need to know about high-fashion modelling

• Most models aspire to be involved in high-fashion modelling.
• It is usually the most financially rewarding type of modelling.
• High-fashion modelling covers areas such as; catwalk, super brands, high-end editorial and, of course, fashion shows.
• Many fashion designers will tailor-make the clothing for you. As a result most designers will allow you to keep the clothing.
• High-fashion modelling stages both national and international campaigns. You will need to be very flexible - to go when and where required, sometimes at short notice.
• The requirements for high-fashion models can be incredibly strict. Striking, exotic looks are highly sought after, as can be seen with models such as Gamma Ward or Agyness Deyn.
• High-fashion models are often not beautiful in the conventional sense, but have striking, distinctive or exotic features that stand out from the crowd.
• High-fashion modelling is the most demanding area of the industry; with long hours and a huge amount of travelling to and from various shows and photo shoots.
• High-fashion modelling is becoming increasingly competitive; models need to be incredibly adaptive in order to deal with the constantly changing demands for both their looks and performance.

There are certainly stories of top models being picked from obscurity. Kate Moss, for example, was approached by a model scout at J.F.K. airport when she was just fourteen years old! These instances are rare, of course; most top models achieve their success by pushing and promoting themselves. This dynamic high-finance industry doesn’t drive forward by relying solely on chance meetings. Models are very often chosen from portfolios sent to fashion shows or castings. With this method, one of the designers may like your portfolio and choose you to model for one of their shows - many top models are discovered by using the portfolio route.

Plus size modelling

Plus size modelling (the more regular, curvier model) is becoming more sought after by clothes designers and fashion houses. The range of clothing for larger-framed women is now more readily available, and the demand for plus size models has increased to cater for this market.
As a plus size model, you still need to be confident, and you must love your body; for this can easily be reflected through the lens or to an audience. As a model, your objective is to make others feel good about their bodies and inspire them to look as good, and feel as confident, as you do.
While size zero is becoming far less desirable - many fashion houses now refuse to use size zero models - the plus size industry is growing to fill the changing demand, and in a few years time will surely be a staple part of the fashion industry.
At present, there is a huge demand for anything retro, swing and burlesque.
Advertising is actively seeking the curvier woman.
Like all other models, you must look after your skin, hair and nails.
Plus size models have recently been in vogue for catalogues (printed and on-line) promotions, advertising and commercial. Yet there are still not enough models to satisfy demand.

Child modelling

Child modelling is generally agreed to cover children aged between two and twelve years and is probably the least restrictive genre of the modelling industry. While other types of modelling have certain requirements for height, size and weight, child modelling only really requires a happy, easy to work with, and attractive child.
For children to model successfully, the child’s temperament is of the utmost importance; a child who is happy, confident, co-operative and not shy around strangers will make an ideal child model.
You need to be aware of the laws concerning child modelling in the UK. For example, licenses are required to permit a child under sixteen to work, and strict guidelines are in place to limit the amount of hours that children can work. This ensures the child is not being exploited and that their educational obligations are met.
All reputable model agencies will insist that a biological parent or legal guardian attends the shoot with the child.
There are many areas of the modelling industry open to children; these include catalogue, advertising, high street fashion, television, and film extras. Many major fashion houses are now expanding into profitable child-lines, and this has resulted in more opportunities for child models.
It is advisable that the child’s parent or guardian acts as their manager/agent because nobody has your child’s interests at heart as much as you. Helping your child’s career to flourish can also prove to be a great bonding experience.
Our model coaches will give your child the very best tuition in modelling and also provide expert advice, information, ideas and invaluable contacts.