I have a lot of new models writing to Glamour Photo asking about advice and it always worries me that I end up sounding like their dad, so I searched the Internet to see what sort of advice was out there. I found a huge amount of sites that offered advice followed by of course, we will take your pictures for you and we are safe. OK maybe they are, but who are they?
Eventually I found one of the models that advertises in our own directory Rachel Levy had written an excellent page of advice. With her permission you will find it reproduced below. As photographers we endorse everything she says and say please read the "Things to remember before a shoot" section carefully! :-) We say "Oh Yes". One last thing I will add. If you are a new model and have never done a real studio shoot of any sort, please don't expect photographers to pay you top hourly money. Try TFP to get a book together and practice, or expect the rate to be below the standard. We have to work much harder and are far less likely to get great results with a novice model. I am certainly not saying get paid peanuts to pose and sign a release, but you will not get top money either.

A photographer paying top money expects the model to change quickly, put on the slap and be under the lights ready to go in double quick time. Then he expects her to move through poses without being prompted all the time. Her eyes will always be open when the shutter fires and she will not look awkward. That comes with practice and I have to say from my experience with models, a fair degree of talent. So now read what Rachel has to say and hear it straight form another model.

Eugene Struthers Editor

This advice page contains lots of do's and dont's, and also gives you a chance to ask questions. If there's anything that I've missed out please contact me and I will be sure to add your point. The main thing for all models to do when approached by a photographer/studio/agent is to ask for at least 2 references. If they've got nothing to hide then there will not be a problem!

Another thing NOT to do is go off on a location shoot somewhere, try and find a studio near to your home that you can work from, there will always be someone there with you that way. You can always ask to take a 'chaperone' with you as well, most photographers are OK with this as long as its not a jealous boyfriend or an over protective mum! lol Always make sure that you ask the photographer first though.. I wouldn't recommend just turn up with your chaperone unannounced.

You have to remember that this is the internet..anyone can start up a modelling website whether they have experience or not, don't be sucked into any scams. ALWAYS CHECK THEM OUT! When I started modelling I was always too embarrassed to ask for references..please don't be, you'll come across a lot more professional to the genuine photographers if you do..!

When arranging a shoot please have a list of your rates at hand, let the photographer know what you are charging per hour. Stick to your rates when you've decided what they are..if you don't know what to charge its always best to have a look at other model sites and see what they are charging. You'll notice that most of them are very similar. Here's a rough guide...

£25 per hour for Fashion
£30 per hour for Lingerie
£35 per hour for Topless
£40 per hour for Nude *

* Most studios will only pay you £35p/h for doing nude work.

State also whether or not you want your travel expenses covered. It's a good idea not to price yourself too high. Some professional photographers will be put off by this and therefore will not approach you. You can always state whether or not you're open to negotiation. Also, please state your style of modelling( fashion,topless,nude,men's magazine,stills,video or both? ) as well as what level of work you are willing to go up to -

Fashion - Model is fully clothed, no nudity.
Swim wear - Model is to wear swimwear,bikini or swimsuit. Again no nudity, the models breasts are covered.
Lingerie - Model is to wear underwear which may include things like tights, stockings, thongs, knickers, suspenders. See-through items are not included at this level, unless discussed beforehand.
Glamour - This has lots of different meanings - sheer or seethe clothing, maybe FHM (lad magazine) style, usually clothed but sexy and provocative.
Topless - Breasts are showing, such as what you see on page 3.
Semi-nude - This could count as topless, half of you is nude, such as breasts then the bottom half would be covered. Or it could mean that you are totally nude but laying in a certain way that makes you only partially nude.
Art-nude/figure/classic - Model is nude, but not in an explicit way. Pubic hair may be showing but legs are not open, this is a very tasteful level of work and is done mainly in black and white rather than colour.
Magazine style/full nude - This style of modelling is what you will see if you look at top shelf magazines, the model will have her legs open and be totally nude, there are allsorts of level such as UK magazine, US magazine, continental etc. UK is the softest level as explained above, then US is where the model holds herself open, continental is where insertion is used (such as toys or fingers). Then there's 2 girl (or girl/girl) and boy/girl, this is where you pose for stills or video with a male or female partner at either a hard or soft level.

If anything here is not clear or you don't understand please let me know at..... mailto:rachel@rachel-levy.co.uk?subject=Model question via GP

PFT or TFP meaning 'prints for time' and 'time for prints' (both are the same thing). This is where you work for the photographer in exchange for prints,or a CD of your images. You DO NOT get paid on this type of shoot. It's an ideal opportunity for you to get good images for your book (portfolio), and in this case no model release should be signed. The pictures should only be available to the model and the photographer for their personal promotion. No payment either way.

Model Release Form - If you sign this, then that means that you have signed the rights over to the photographer (copyright) and he/she can therefore go onto do whatever they wish with the pictures without your say so (unless stated otherwise in the release form). If you are going to sign a form please make sure you read through it properly and understand it before signing. You can charge a price for signing a release form. (Again, look around on other model sites)

If you're under 16 you can only do fashion modelling (fully clothed). You will need a chaperone.
If you're over 18 you can do topless, (Glamour-Photography would advise taking a chaperone on your first couple of shoots.) Keep safety your main priority.
If you're 18 plus you can do any kind of level including 'magazine' hard and/or soft.

Things to remember before a shoot

Legs, Armpits, Bikini Line etc. - If you shave - at least 24hrs before, If you wax - 48hrs. This allows any red marks, and skin irritations to alleviate.
NEVER use fake tanning creams. You will appear on film as the "Orange Tango woman!
Wear loose fitting clothes to travel. T-shirts and loose baggy trousers are best. Avoid anything with elasticised waistbands, cuffs, collars and tight bra straps etc. If your travel circumstances allow, try to travel without underwear. Once you have ugly red marks on your skin from tight clothes, they cannot be hidden and can take around three hours to disappear.!!
Also remove any tight watch straps/jewellery etc. which mark your skin.
Please bring high heels in both light and dark colours. Even when they are not in the shot, they force you to stand very upright which improves your posture and figure.
Try to bring a variety of underwear, preferably matching sets, in both light and dark colours.

Keeping Safe

- Never give out your address or phone number.
- Always ask for the photographers contact number and email address.
- Always phone the photographer dialing 141 first to withhold you number.
- Always Check with the studio that the photographer has in fact booked the agreed time and date under his own name.
- Never agree to work from your own home.
- Ask to see some examples of the photographers work. Do these compare with his stated level of experience?
- Tell somebody where you are going! What time you are expecting to be home, who you are meeting, contact phone number at the studio etc.
- Take a mobile phone if you can.
- Take a chaperone until you feel comfortable enough to attend shoots on your own. But make sure you inform the photographer beforehand.

Agencies

There are a lot of scams out there, people claiming to be someone they're not. On the Internet. they are pretty much avoidable, just remember to ask them questions and check them out. If someone approaches you and you're not sure who they are..you can email me (mailto:Rachel@rachel-levy.co.uk?subject=Model question via GP) and if I've not heard of them I will know someone who has and whether or not they are a good or bad agency! If any agency asks you to part with any money I seriously wouldn't advise it..! Its one of the most well known scams in the book! If an agency feels that you have potential..either as a fashion or a glamour model they will make their money by getting you plenty of work. If you hand out a load of cash to them you will never hear or see of them again!

I hope this hasn't been too boring for you. You have hopefully learnt a few things that you may not have known before. I'd appreciate feedback from everyone who reads this..and again if you feel I've missed something out let me know and it will be added!!
All the best and be safe!
Rachel
xxx

Thank you to everyone who helped me put my advice page together.
We at Glamour Photo have a list of photographers willing to provide TFP for models to start their book, or to improve it.