Model Behaviour

Now, I don't want this to come across as mean, unnecessary, rude or ungrateful. I get to work with some wonderful, fun and beautiful models via Lady K Loves. Photoshoot are most definitely one of the high lights of my job, that and seeing people out and about wearing some LKL. I also use facebook a lot, (potentially an unhealthy amount, I work by my self for the most part of the day in the studio, facebook can provide company and a place for advice from other friends in the industry.) I also really like the new feature where you can send a message to a fan page, it's helped fan pages be able to interact more with the fans......

However, personally I don't think it is the place to approach a company you would like to model with, certainly not as the first contact. I've had a few too many models recently sending me what comes across as a hastily dashed out facebook message, requesting I take a look at their page and that they'd love to work with Lady K Loves. It's even less convincing when I can see they've only just 'fanned' the page.

So, rather get all bitter and twisted over it, here's my advice to anyone wanting to model for Lady K Loves or any other business on the 'scene'

1. Make first contact via professional e-mail as stated on the web site. This comes across as so much more professional. You are applying for a job, be it shooting for clothes, a loan of clothing, shoot for pictures, etc how would you approach any other potential new job?  Do the same here please.

2. Check and double check. Make sure everything in your e-mail makes sense, there are no spelling mistakes, the grammar is correct, what you've written is to the point. There are a lot of up and coming new models out there after work, make sure you stand out in the right way, rather than being one who gets instantly dumped in the bin becuase you don't bother to use a capital for i. Yes, I know we're considering you for your appearance in photographs, but I will refuse to work with you if you can't manage to hold down the shift key while typing, it's that simple. (I'd also like to reiterate I'm dyslexic here. My spelling is not always as good as it should be, but I write and double check things, and when it's really important get my mum to check it, becuase she's really good at that sort of thing).

4. Hit the right tone. 'Hiya doll! I <3 your brand and would love to model for you! i've done a couple of shoots.... :) ' ending with kisses and including emoticons are a big fat NO for me. When you know me sure....once we've worked together a few times and have a friendship I love that sort of thing. But please, please, not when you're sending something which is supposed to give me a good representation of your ability to represent my company.

5. Include pictures. But only about 3, make sure they are relevant in terms of style. What does the company do? What do their pictures on their site or facebook page look like? Try to send things which have the right look and feel. Remember this is an introduction, so a flavour and taste of what you offer is what is necessary here. I would prefer to see a beauty shot, full body shot and something which helps give an idea of what you either love doing, or do which works for my company.

6. Your stats. This is so important, the best introductions I've had have this information in and as such they are the people I will look at using. How tall are you? What shoe, dress, bra size are you? Sorry if that feels a little personal but I'm not looking at you like a hungry boy thinking you're some prime girl steak! I'm thinking, 'what size in my clothes does she wear? what's her figure like? I know I have someone I'm working with who is slim/hippy/curvy/miniature/Amazonian, and I need someone who is the opposite right now'

7. Location and availability. Where do you live? Where can you get to? How can you get there? Do you work week days or weekends? Can you switch your day's off around? Take holiday? Because if you're in Ireland and are asking a small company in Italy if you can shoot with them that's a bit of a cost to the company before even taking a bunt on you. Particularly if you work a 9 - 5 job and can't really take a day off here or there and then want them to work the weekend, but they do shows and festivals over the weekend you could accidentally lead them on a bit and create a bad name for your self.

8. Terms. Do you want paying? If so how much? Is travel and travel time included in that? Will you shoot for clothes/shoes/underwear/accessories/pictures/puppies/fairy dust/whatever. Because if they're going to use you over other people they have worked with before they need to know what they're getting and what they're giving.

Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back, some people and companies have the girls they work with and aren't looking for more, some scott out girls at shows or events, some run competitions, some use 'normal' models. It's not the end of the world becuase there will be someone out there who is interested if you keep putting your self forward to a variety of things. Be polite and gracious, nothing is better than a girl who's just really lovely, that ALWAYS makes me want to shoot with them more/again/at some point.

And that is probably it, rant over.......If you've taken offence to this I am sorry, but it does drive me crazy!