How To Get Paid For Modeling

So you may not be the next Gigi or Kendall, but you can still make a pretty penny with your pretty face. The typical modeling gig may not be as glamorous as the profession is often depicted, but if you wanna be on top (cue Tyra smize), modeling is a great way to rake in some extra cash — or start a whole new career. If you’ve been voguing and posing since the day you were born, here’s how to get paid for modeling:

Model for Art’s Sake: Comfortable in the nude? Consider disrobing and posing as a nude model for a life drawing class. These kinds of models typically make around $20 to $25 an hour, and the gigs often last three hours or more. Just make sure you’re able to keep a single pose for at least a half hour — it’s a lot more physically taxing than it sounds! Dancers and yogis often make great nude art models since they’re hyper aware of the lines their body creates in different poses, but you can practice disrobing and posing in the comfort of your own home before your first gig to get familiar with the practice. Just beware of responding to Craigslist ads looking for nude models; your safest bet is calling around to local art classes and colleges to see if you can be put on their model list.

Spice Up Stock Photography: Yes, you too can be a woman laughing alone with salad! While modeling for stock photography isn’t super lucrative, it’s perfect for people who don’t quite fit the traditional model mold. For example, there aren’t really strict height requirements, and stock photography features images of people of all ages. It helps, too, if you have a naturally expressive face and a background in acting, since stock photography relies on models to bring specific concepts and scenarios to life — as opposed to just looking good in front of the camera. You can team up with a freelance photographer to come up with photo concepts, or explore whether there are any studios in your area that specialize in stock photography that are in need of new models.

Go the “Traditional” Route: If catalog and editorial modeling — a.k.a. the gigs most people think of when they imagine model work — is really your dream, you’ll need to find yourself a reputable agency — and be ready for some fierce competition. These kinds of models will need to adhere to strict height, weight, and measurement requirements, which most modeling agencies list on their websites. The body positivity movement, however, has opened up the size requirements quite a bit, and there are now a handful of agencies that specialize in plus-size or “in-between” models, like JAG Models and Muse Model Management. To get started with this kind of modeling work, you can submit photos and your measurements online directly to an agency for consideration. Typically, agencies want to see a few close ups and full body shots, and they often stress that you should look natural and make-up free in your photos. A word of warning about scam agencies: if an agency requires you to pay them large fees for modeling classes, that’s a red flag. While agencies do take a commission on each gig booked (typically around 20 percent), they exist to make their models money, not the other way around!

Do you have any experience modeling? Where did you find your gigs? Share your tips in the comments below!