When the word "Model" is mentioned, quickly a matrix is formed in our mind that "this is how a model should look and this is what they do". Society has a certain impression about models and the modelling career. Many of us like models but not every one of us would encourage our children to be a model. Such is the perception formed in most people.
At the same time. many people today thinks that, if a picture of them is taken, than they too are considered as a model. Well I am no model and I am in no position to tell you what is model and modelling all about. So each week, I will get one friend of mine, who has been an active model to shed us light on the whole modelling industry.
For the first week, we have the amazing, gorgeous and talented Nisha Kumar on here to give us an insight about the entire modelling journey. Special thanks to Nisha Kumar for spending some time of her busy schedule to be able to feature on my blog
Nisha Kumar
1. What is a model and how you define it.
A model to me is a person who displays and outfit or
any kind of subject matter on or around them with an intention to
display and eventually sell it, ie: runway models do that, by wearing an
apparel and walking on a ramp we display the movement and the beauty of
that clothing piece with the intention to sell it for the designer..It's the same in product photoshoots..
Photography models, are models in
the sense of that they are the subject of that artwork, photography to
me is very much like modern day electronic painting to me.. And the
subject of that art is also known as a model.. I strongly disagree
people who use usherettes as a branch out under the model label, I
strongly disagree! That's not what models do, I take pride in my
profession as one and I've personally never done ushering and I'd never
do because that is really not what models do
2. How much
difference there is between society's perception about model and the
real thing about models.
I've noticed that in today's Facebook likes defined
media world, more and more girls are becoming "models" what more with
the fast mushrooming owners of DSLR, who call their ownership of having
that camera as photographers.. Lol. You are only a legit model when a)
you're with an agency and you HAVE DONE OR APPEARED ON newspaper,
magazine, TV or billboard .. Or b) when you are on a recognized fashion
show showcasing an established or upcoming qualified fashion designer
It is really sad to see the word "model" be thrown around and used by
anyone and everyone!
Modeling is HARDWORK, we stand on 6 inch heels and
walk down a 30 feet long runway carrying effortlessly whatever we are to
wear without a flinch on our face for a good 2-4 hours.. A photoshoot
or shoot lasts from sometimes 6 to 12 hours! And I can't even begin to
tell you the places we have to shoot and look not only comfortable but
beautiful in it! The amount of retakes they have for a commercial and we
have to look on point on every take, it's work not only with the body,
but mind and heart as well
3. Your achievements as a model.
I've been working on my modeling journey since I was
19, but i only started calling myself a model after I appeared on
various magazines, TV ads and billboards.. Working on being a model and
being a model is to me two distinct things, I have great love and
respect to my profession and that is why I only started addressing
myself as one when I felt I fulfilled its criterion.
Achievements as a model,
- seventeen magazine cover girl top two 2012
- Cleo magazine cover girl top ten 2013
- female magazine cover girl top 5 2014
These are standard modeling competitions,
- Besides that my involvement in
beauty pageants helped me to build my portfolio as a model and it also
gave me an opening into runway modeling .. I have since then appeared on
7 runway shows, 10 magazine spreads.. 2 billboards, and 5 TV
commercials and of course I have been the photography model for
countless photoshoots (I have one every week)
4. The challenges you had to face in your career.
The challenges I had to face was the field itself,
modeling is a very competitive industry and to standout in it you have
to really find your unique look, I believe everyone has something unique
about them and once you discover that strength and bank on it, you can
make it far in this, my biggest challenge as a runway model was that I'm
short and petite, but I learn as I said earlier to play up my strength
and overshadow that I'm vertically challenged
See with the growth of numbers of models, so are growth of agencies in proportion.. But often times some of these agencies are scams targeting young amateur models, some of them operate by urgent job calls and ask them to send sexy and inappropriate selfies
If the models are unsure they should always check with a senior model to avoid being victimize and they should know professionally NO agency or agent will ever request for such pictures
5. Your
advice to those who want to be a professional model
My advice to those who wants to make it as a model
would be to understand that with any other job, this one too takes hard work and dedication , it will show through in your pictures and in
your walk on stage.. But all good things take time, perseverance is
key..
And passion added to dreams can surpass any difficulties.
Times have changed where people have become more receptive to being a
model and thus more and more training schools for models have started
up, making the whole journey so much more easier . So go for it if
that's what you want!
Next week, we have Karishma Krishnasamy on board with us to share with us about her modelling life
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