Starting out in the industry!

YOU DO NOT NEED AN AGENCY TO GET STARTED!

When I first started out in the industry I went all out trying to find an agency to represent me. I was finding it so hard to get into anywhere to get headshots or anything done and ended up doing a one day course with Country Girl Management. On this day we learnt some simple posing, catwalk moves and some self confidence builders. The day was useful and it was one of the best days I've had out but it really wasn't a completely necessary step for me to get started.

So how did I actually get started?

Around the middle of last year I remembered that I had signed up for a website called 'Star Now'. This site is basically a tool for Models, Actors, Influencers, Make Up Artists and Photographers to find paid and unpaid work. Through here I applied for a few TFP (Time for Print; basically a free shoot for both photographer and model) shoots and made a few friends along the way.

Through these shoots I was able to make a start on my portfolio by getting a mix of natural make up photos and also by getting some more glamorous makeup shoots.

Moving on to Instagram..

After starting out and getting my first few sets of photos up onto Star Now, I decided to re-do my whole Instagram. I contemplated starting a new page but I already had a base of followers so I found it easier to archive all my posts and start my portfolio from there. Once my portfolio had started, I checked out who my previously used photographers were following. Whether I ended up shooting with these photographers were never actually the aim of my game, I just wanted to surround myself with photos that I wanted to recreate and locations that I wanted to visit.

So who contacted who?

In my own case, all I generally had to do was follow photographers, like and comment on their works that I liked and they would eventually reach out to me for a shoot.

From there I would always remind photographers that I was new to the industry and that I might need help with posing and other such things. Every photographer that I chose to meet with was professional at the time of shooting and I loved getting my photos back so I decided to continue on. Once a few more sets of photos were posted a number of photographers were then keen to work with me and thats where it all stemmed from.

Utilising Facebook as a tool

Once I had built a small base on Instagram I decided to look into different ways to connect with the community around me. While searching I found that there was groups within Facebook for Photographers, Models and MUA's alike to put out casting calls, TFP shoots and collaborations as such.

Through these groups I began commenting on posts and connected with a number of MUA's and also Photographers who offered both Collaborative and Paid shoots alike.

A few of the groups that I am apart of on Facebook and would recommend joining include;

• Last Minute Models/Photographers/stylists/makeupartists

• Last minute models/photographers - admin'd

• NSW Models/photographers/hmau/stylists/designers

• Sydney Photographers, Models, MUA's & Hair Stylists

To find groups specific to your area just search up 'Models' and your area.

Other Websites and Apps

So this is a list of other websites and apps where you're able to find more job castings and modelling/acting/photographic work;

• Model Mayhem - Be very very careful on here and be extra careful with your background checks

• Backstage - More Acting jobs then modelling but they do offer extras jobs too

• Model Bliss Net - I have never booked or contacted anyone on this site but it is another to find models

• Model Management - Again I have never booked through here but there is jobs

On the next blog post I'll be discussing;

Some of my favourite outdoor locations close to Sydney!