You Can be a Teenage or Female Adult Model Under 6' Tall

How Tall Do I Have to be to Model? Types of Modeling? What are the Requirements? What Goes in My Portfolio?

Constantly, I am asked the question of how tall do I have to be to model along with the others listed above so I found these interesting suggestions from a model who knows. You can have a career in modeling even if you are not a tall girl. So, do you really have to be tall to work in the industry. Well, yes and no. Read on to find out why.

Just starting out in teenage or female modeling? Here are a few tips to get you going and to help you know where you stand when it comes to finding jobs in entertainment.

What Height Do You Need to Be?

First, it's a given that if you are 5'9" or taller you do have an advantage in most fields; especially if you plan to walk the runway or be on the cover of Vogue, Seventeen or other top list high fashion magazines. The same is true if you take the plunge and contact agencies such as Ford, IMG or Elite who mostly reside in New York City, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and Milan, Italy (You don't have to be Italian to apply).

These supermodel makers are management companies who, if they accept you, will take your career zooming. But, don't expect an easy go of it. Just to be considered, you need these requirements ...

• Height - 5'9" for Females and Teenagers - 6'0" for male models (with some exceptions)
• Age - Generally 13 to 21 Years
• A slim Figure
• Perfect Teeth
• Hair Not Filled with Split Ends
• Excellent Complexion
• Willingness to Travel

There are others but these will do for a start. And, even if you have all these attributes, you still have to be selected from the thousands of other girls and guys applying for a few positions. If you feel you have what it takes to compete, go for it!!

Local Agencies

So, you are not quite a super model yet? There's still hope! All around the country there are local talent agents representing from super young children to teens to adult men and women in areas like catalog, local fashion shows, commercial modeling, promotional and even figure / artistic subjects to pose for photographers or college art students.

Commercial

This field is open for models who are very outgoing and express themselves easily. You'll be expected to work in the world of advertising and be adept at selling products through pictures. Expressiveness is very important here and you need to learn to move effortlessly when posing for the camera.

Promotional Male and Female Models

A bit different from the type modeling you would imagine as this genre has little to do with the performing arts. Promotional models are those you see taking care of a booth at a trade show or roaming around at an event such as a football game or auto race giving out credit card applications or other promotion materials. Not glamorous buy you can make some extra money while you are waiting for that fashion photo shoot.

Glamour

To coin a title this type of modeling is for the bold and the beautiful and not the faint-hearted. You'll need a curvy figure and be willing to show it off. Poses might include those like the women posing in swimsuits you see in magazines or maybe wearing even less clothes in many cases. If you want to remain fully dressed go back up to the commercial area. To get into glamour and model for catalog or maybe even Victoria's Secret you'll need to be somewhere around 34-D bust, 24-25 waist and 34-35 hip size.

What Do I Need in a Model Portfolio?

Many beginners ask this question and it is a valid one. Your pictures in your portfolio should be professional and geared toward the type modeling you plan to do. A high fashion book will look different than commercial or glamour. What I suggest is to use some creative ideas within those niches to have a variety of photos and looks in different outfits, poses, etc. Show your versatility in your port or comp cards.

Do be sure and show only your best photos in your portfolio. You'll need to include at least 8 to 20 shots consisting of headshots, full body and 3/4 length. If you are interested in commercial work, you will need some lifestyle such as a business setting, playful and serious shots; well, you get the image. Just ask yourself, What do I need to portray to agencies in my model portfolio? What kind of jobs do I want to get?

Then, set up a photo shoot with a professional portfolio photographer and ask him or her to help you create the photographs you need to tell your story to the talent scouts. This is the beginning of your career so do it right!

How to Learn Modeling Poses for Photographers

Another Q&A I get is how to practice and learn modeling poses for photographers. If you are going to break into the business, you'll need a repertoire of posing ideas before doing photo shoots. Here are three steps to pose like a professional model.

1. Look at Professional Female Models

You'll find them everywhere; on calendars, in fashion magazines, on billboards, in advertisements. Look at what they are doing. Try to dissect the pose by paying attention to the body language, the outfit , the surroundings, the facial expressions, etc.

2. Copy the Model's Pose

No, this is not plagiarism. You are learning to become a model. Many stars in all areas of entertainment and performing arts had a mentor or someone they drew from. You can too! Try at first to do the modeling poses just as they do them. After you've mastered them, start to change the pose or expression little by little until you have a new look. Then, make it yours and add to the collection. Repeat until you build a set of poses to use when you get in front of the camera.

3. Practice!!!

The third step is to practice your new modeling poses everyday so you'll be professional when your photographer is ready to shoot. It's almost that simple!

Where to Find Agents and Jobs

One of the simplest ways of becoming a model is to put together a portfolio of pictures from a professional photographer and start contacting model agencies near you. Most larger cities have them and some small towns will sport an agent or two.

Find one that represents the type modeling you want to do and then find out about open call times and dates. You can find a list to get you started ...

Watch for Scams

When applying to these female or especially teenage modeling agencies watch for scams. Unfortunately, they are common and these "scouts" will lure you in and promise the world. You should suspect a scamming agent if they ask for large sums of money up front before representing you. Some charge as high as $4,000 just for a portfolio and comp cards. Don't do it! Go on to the next one until you find an agency that's right for you.

There you have it!~ Just because you are not a tall woman or man does not mean you should give up on your goal for becoming a model. On the contrary .. Girls and boys come in all sizes and so do modeling jobs. The question is still " How tall do I have to be to model ?" but now you know the answer... Any size will do! - Bob

Bob Pardue Photography