Models

Summary

Models pose for artists and photographers.

Quick Facts: Models
2010 Median Pay	$32,920 per year $15.83 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Less than high school
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	1,400
Job Outlook, 2010-20	14% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	200

What Models Do

Models pose for artists, photographers, or customers to help advertise a variety of products, including clothing, cosmetics, food, and appliances.

Work Environment

Models work in a variety of conditions, from comfortable studios and runway fashion shows to outdoors in all weather conditions. Many models work part time and schedules can be unpredictable. Most models have periods of unemployment.

How to Become a Model

No formal education is required and training is limited. Specific requirements depend on the client, but most models must be within certain ranges for height, weight, and clothing size to meet the needs of fashion designers, photographers, and advertisers.

Pay

The median hourly wage of models was $15.83 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of models is expected to grow by 14 percent from 2010 to 2020, as fast as the average for all occupations. This occupation attracts many applicants, and competition for jobs will be strong.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of models with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

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What Models Do About this section

Models make changes to their expressions in order to capture a look desired by the photographer.

Models pose for artists, photographers, or customers in order to help advertise a variety of products, including clothing, cosmetics, food, and appliances.

Duties

Models typically do the following:

• Pose for workers taking photos or creating paintings or sculptures
• Promote products in commercials
• Display clothing, such as dresses, coats, underclothing, swimwear, and suits, for a variety of audiences and in various media
• Model accessories, such as handbags, shoes, and jewelry, and promote beauty products, including fragrances and cosmetics
• Work closely with photographers, hair and clothing stylists, makeup artists, and clients to produce a desired look
• Wear designers' clothing for runway fashion shows
• Create and maintain a portfolio of their work
• Travel to meet and interview with potential clients
• Conduct research on the product being promoted—for example, the designer or type of fabric of a particular article of clothing

Many modeling jobs are for printed publications, such as magazine covers and articles or magazine, newspaper, catalogue, billboard, and online advertisements. Print models participate in photo shoots, in which they pose for photographers to show off the features of clothing and other products. Models change their posture and facial expressions to capture the look the client wants. The photographer usually takes many pictures of the model in different poses and expressions during the photo shoot.

Models also pose live in a variety of locations. At fashion shows, models stand, turn, and walk to show off clothing to an audience of photographers, journalists, designers, and garment buyers. In retail establishments and department stores, models display clothing directly for shoppers and may be required to describe the features and prices of the clothing. Other models pose for sketch artists, painters, and sculptors.

Almost all models work with agents, who provide a link between the models and clients. Clients prefer to work with agents, which makes it very difficult for a model to pursue a freelance career. Agents look for “fresh faces,” advise and train models, and promote them to clients in return for a portion of the model’s earnings.  

Models may also work with hair stylists and makeup artists to prepare for photo shoots or fashion shows. The stylist and makeup artist may touch up the model's hair and makeup and change the model's look throughout the event. Models might sometimes be responsible for applying their own makeup and bringing their own clothing.

Models spend a considerable amount of time promoting themselves by putting together and maintaining portfolios, printing composite cards, and traveling to meet potential clients. A portfolio is a collection of a model's previous work and is carried to all client meetings and bookings. A composite card contains the best photographs from a model's portfolio, along with his or her measurements.

Because advertisers often need to target specific segments of the population, models may specialize in a certain area. For example, petite and plus-size fashions are modeled by women whose size is, respectively, smaller and larger than that worn by the typical model. Models who are disabled may be used to model fashions or products for consumers with disabilities. “Parts” models have a body part, such as a hand or foot, particularly well suited to model products such as fingernail polish or shoes.

Work Environment About this section

Models may work in studios with photographers and stylists.

Models held about 1,400 jobs in May 2010. Most models work for educational services, including modeling schools; however, others work for retail trade establishments or for employment placement services, such as casting and modeling agencies.

Models work in a variety of conditions, from comfortable studios and runway fashion shows to outdoors in all weather conditions. Schedules can be demanding and stressful, although some models may enjoy the frequent travel to meet clients in different cities.

Work Schedules

Many models work part time, often with unpredictable work schedules. They must be ready at a moment’s notice to attend photo shoots or shows. Most models have periods of unemployment.

How to Become a Model About this section

Specific requirements depend on the client, but most models must be within certain ranges for height, weight, and clothing size to meet the needs of fashion designers, photographers, and advertisers.

No formal education is required and training is limited. Specific requirements depend on the client, but most models must be within certain ranges for height, weight, and clothing size to meet the needs of fashion designers, photographers, and advertisers.

Education

Some aspiring models attend modeling schools that provide training in posing, walking, applying makeup, and other basic tasks. Attending such schools, however, does not necessarily lead to job opportunities. Some models are discovered when agents scout for “fresh faces” at modeling schools, but most agencies have “open calls” and allow applicants to email photos directly to the agency. Models who are well liked are then invited to be interviewed and seen in person by an agent. Some agencies sponsor modeling contests and searches.

Advancement

Because models' advancement depends on their previous work, maintaining a good portfolio of high–quality, up-to-date photographs is important to getting assignments.

Models advance by working more regularly and being selected for assignments that have higher pay. They may appear in magazines, print campaigns, commercials, or runway shows with higher profiles. They may work with clients who will provide them with more widespread exposure.

A model's selection of an agency is an important factor for advancement in the occupation: the better the reputation and skill of the agency, the more assignments a model is likely to get.

Important Qualities

Specific requirements depend on the client, but most models must be within certain ranges for height, weight, and clothing size to meet the needs of fashion designers, photographers, and advertisers. Requirements may change slightly from time to time, along with common public perceptions of physical beauty.

Courteous. Models must interact with a large number of people, so it is important to be polite, professional, prompt, and respectful.

Discipline. A model's career depends on the preservation of his or her physical characteristics, so models must control their diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep to stay healthy and photogenic. Haircuts, pedicures, and manicures are necessary work-related expenses.

Organized. Models must be able to manage their portfolios and their work and travel schedules.

Persistence. Competition for jobs is strong and clients' needs are specific, so patience and persistence are essential.

Photogenic. Models spend most of their time being photographed. They must be comfortable in front of a camera for photographers to capture the desired look.

Style. Models must have a basic knowledge of hair styling, makeup, and clothing. For photographic and runway work, models must be able to move gracefully and confidently.

Pay About this section

The median hourly wage of models was $15.83 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.53 per hour, and the top 10 percent earned more than $28.86 per hour.

Many models work part time, often with unpredictable work schedules. They must be ready at a moment’s notice to attend photo shoots or shows. Most models have periods of unemployment.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of models is expected to grow by 14 percent from 2010 to 2020, as fast as the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the growth will result in only about 200 new jobs over the 10-year period.

Growth in the occupation will be driven primarily by the use of models in advertisements, in both print and digital formats. Advertisers will continue to use models in fashion shows, catalogs, and print campaigns as a way to increase awareness of their product. Models also will be needed for online publications as spending on digital advertisements grows in response to the continuing increase in online sales. However, businesses may cut back on their advertising budgets during economic downturns, making them less likely to develop new advertising campaigns or hire models.

As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse and businesses become more globalized, demand for racially and ethnically diverse models may increase.

Job Prospects

Many people are drawn to this occupation because of its glamour and potential for fame. Some enjoy traveling and modeling for famous designers. In addition, there are no education or training requirements for entering this occupation. Therefore, many applicants will be competing for very few job openings.

Modeling careers are typically short, and many agencies and clients look for “fresh faces.” Therefore, younger models with a solid portfolio will have the best opportunities for jobs.

Job opportunities are expected to be best for those willing to relocate to large metropolitan cities. Although small cities also need models for local businesses and shows, these job opportunities are limited. The largest number of job opportunities will be in large cities, such as New York and Los Angeles.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For information about modeling schools and agencies in your area, contact a local consumer affairs organization, such as the Better Business Bureau.