Starting out

Here is a guide to some important things that you will need to consider when beginning your modelling career and how to get started

Attitude

Three things you will need to be a model: The right body, awareness and a thick skin.

Remember that this is a highly competitive industry where you will inevitably fail at some point, you can't get every job. How some self-awareness, understand what you can expect to get from modelling and focus your energies on targeting the right route within the industry.

Make sure you have an understanding of what your strengths and weaknesses are and how you can develop some of your characteristics to help you in your professional outlook. There is more to a career than looks, this is a job.

You must be able to take direction, understand the skills and qualities that other members of a team are bringing to the job and ensure that you maintain a high level of professionalism, making sure colleagues enjoy working with you

Do not make crazy demands, there are a lot of people out there who would willingly take your place, even when you are at the absolute pinnacle of the profession a bad attitude will make people reluctant to work with you.

There is no guarantee that you will be successful, you must be able to take rejection, not take criticism personally and be persistent to achieve your goals.

Sell yourself

Once you are satisfied that modelling is the right career for you decide on a strategy for marketing yourself through the correct channels.

You may want to be signed up with a top agency or work freelance. Agency work will mean that you will build up good contacts and be put forward for jobs you may not otherwise know about. Working freelance will mean that you will have to do lots of research so that you know how to deal with situations, where to go, who to contact so you can forward your career.

Depending on what market you aim for, you may need no more than a few simple photos - or you may need a model portfolio.