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Home » Blog Posts » 4 Mistakes a Model Makes…

4 Mistakes a Model Makes…

Last Updated: March 30, 2018. Published: May 9, 2012. By Sarah McDowd 18 Comments

4 Mistakes A Model Makes

Authored by & copyright ModelMentors.com

1.      Photoshop Dependence

It is important to understand that you can NOT rely on Photoshop to do your dirty work for you. Don’t get lazy; rationalizing your bad habits with dependence on a software program is foolish at best. Do not slack off on your diet, exercise, or skincare regimen. Do not go out, get wasted the night before your photoshoot, drag your hungover self out of bed, skip your shower, show up sporting puffy, bloodshot eyes along with last night’s smeared makeup, and then expect this poor photographer to be excited about wasting hours of his precious time editing your miserable hungover photos… all because you were too inconsiderate to act like the mature and responsible model he had hoped he was shooting with. Do not let your hygiene or appearance go to waste because you figure “there’s always Photoshop”… Respect others, and most importantly, respect yourself!

2.      Bad Attitude. (or “Badditude” – it sounds cooler)

Never let your pretty face or toned body elevate your ego to the point of an ill-acquired superiority complex; these shallow attributes do not entitle you to act like a royal pain in the ass. In many ways, treating others with respect is JUST as important as physical beauty when it comes to booking work. Many models underestimate this, act like a diva, and then wonder why they are never contacted for work. This correlation is not rocket science. Never lose sight of your manners or your graciousness… not only is it the right thing to do as a “model”, but it is the right thing to do, period.

Model Sarah McDowd photographer Andrew Fashion

3.      Misrepresentation.

It is prudent to represent yourself properly in this industry. If you have gained 20 pounds in recent months, yet continue to forward old (skinnier) photos to potential clients, you are asking for trouble. Nobody appreciates being deceived or having their time wasted. And the fact of the matter is, you are wasting everybody’s time, including your own. Stop this while you are ahead; presenting yourself in the most honest and accurate light possible will ALWAYS benefit you in the long run.

4.      Lack of Communication.

Failing to respond to voicemails or emails within a reasonable amount of time is just plain dumb – and disrespectful. You can’t book a job via telepathy (last I checked anyway). And don’t expect the job to still be waiting for you if you finally get around to replying… some 48 hours after you received the initial voicemail. People move quickly in this industry- keep up or get out of the way!

If you have any comments or questions for us, please leave them below and we promise to answer as soon as we can!
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Filed Under: Blog Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rossy WElch says

    June 12, 2012 at 3:19 am

    Totally agree thank you for this article 🙂

    Reply
    • admin says

      June 13, 2012 at 9:42 pm

      Of course! Thank you for the reply! 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  2. Mickey Gentile says

    May 16, 2012 at 12:37 am

    This info is almost a lame as the stuff posted on Yahoo. Come all you have posted is common sense material. Is that all you have to offer?

    Reply
    • admin says

      May 21, 2012 at 9:58 pm

      Ooh la la… my first hater comment! Welcome! With your comment comparing me to Yahoo – the fourth largest website on the planet – your “criticism” reads much more as a compliment, to be perfectly honest. So far that, I thank you! 😉 Have a fantastic day!

      Reply
  3. Justene Dudash says

    May 15, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Very well said, especially about attitude and misrepresentation!

    Reply
    • admin says

      May 21, 2012 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you sweet girl! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Steve Reddin says

    May 13, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Hi, I was wondering if you’d mind this being included in our next issue of Flawless? Your name etc will be included of course.

    Steve Reddin
    Editor, Flawless Magazine

    Reply
  5. admin says

    May 11, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    Aww thank you for such kind words Greg! And by the way we need to shoot again 😉 Hope you are doing wonderful!

    Reply
  6. Quinlin O'Connell says

    May 11, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Thank you Sara for sharing the tough truth so many are reluctant to express! All of the examples of unprofessional behavior you illustrated above give every model challenges. It is unfair to be judged by so many others bad behaviors; however, that is precisely what newcomer professional models have to deal with. It is really simple…we should all treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves.

    Thanks again Sarah and every blessing be yours now and always!

    Sincerely,
    Quinlin

    Reply
    • admin says

      May 11, 2012 at 6:49 pm

      Absolutely… in the end it really all boils down to respect! Aretha said it best! 😉

      Reply
  7. Wes Adam says

    May 10, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    Bravo. It’s good to know that there are models that are telling it like it is.

    Reply
    • admin says

      May 11, 2012 at 6:47 pm

      Thank you! Appreciate the support!

      Reply
  8. Barney Douglas says

    May 10, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Beautifully, perfectly and succinctly put.

    May I have your permission to repost this on some of the British modelling websites please? I will of course fully credit you.

    Kind regards

    Barney

    Reply
    • admin says

      May 10, 2012 at 6:45 pm

      Definitely! I would just ask for a link to my site as credit…that would be awesome! Thank you Barney 🙂

      Reply
      • Barney Douglas says

        May 10, 2012 at 9:29 pm

        You have my email address. Please drop me an email and I will give you details of the relevant sites. I would also like to seek your advice about one particular site operating within the USA but based elsewhere.

        Kind regards

        Barney

        Reply
        • admin says

          May 11, 2012 at 6:48 pm

          Definitely- our email is themodelmentors@gmail.com

          Reply
  9. R@ndi Bennett says

    May 10, 2012 at 2:41 am

    This is so true!!!

    Reply
    • admin says

      May 11, 2012 at 6:47 pm

      haha thank you! Glad you agree 🙂

      Reply

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