How to get Fashion Model Skinny.

How to get fashion model skinny.

I hate this subject. “Is she too thin?” “Is she too fat?” ‘Will she fit into the clothes?” “Rob, my agent is going to measure me! What do I do?” “I just got weighed at my agency and they said I am fat.” “We tell models to starve themselves.”

Weight is a sensitive issue in this business but a real issue. As a fashion photographer I know that if I am handed some designs to shoot I need to work with a model that is going to fit into those clothes and the fashion photography had better be good. That is the bottom line. So, if your quest is to be a fashion model then you need to be fashion model skinny.

Here are a few tips:

1. Eat right. I am guilty of it too. Only an hour ago I was in the drive thru at Taco Bell ordering a Nachos Bell Grande with extra sour cream and a crunchwrap supreme. I was at the gym this morning in spin class. But the two, cancel each other out. I have to make better choices but remember, I am not a fashion model. Raw veggies are very important. Stay away from fast food altogether and stay away from processed foods. No Coke. (For those who live in Hollywood this may have a double meaning. Stay away from both.) Drink lots of water. Eat lots of protein. There is a lot of great protein in chicken and nuts and I always have protein bars within reach in case I get the munchies. The important thing is to eat about six times a day to keep your metabolism going. Also the portions should be small. If your lost and have no idea what I am talking about then hire the services of a professional nutritionist. He or she can put you on the path to being model skinny.

2. Exercise! Hello, anybody out there? If you are a fashion model you need to take care of your body and exercise. Not only should you have a cardio workout you need to get in the gym and start lifting weights. I recommend lifting lighter weights at a higher reps. Stay away from the heavier weights. I used to lift pretty heavy weights myself in the gym. A few weeks ago I was talking with a personal trainer who has an amazing physique. He was bench pressing 50 lbs and a 45 pound barbell. This is pretty light weight for a man of his size. All of the other “gym buffs” were lifting around 135 lbs plus a 45 pound barbell. When I asked him why we were lifting such heavy weights and he was lifting such easy weights the trainer told me it was all about “ego.” “You really don’t need that much weight to build a great physique if you want to be ripped but lean. You watch other people lift heavy weights so your ego competes with them and tells you that you have to lift more and more.” I listened to him and started working out with less weights and more reps and my body is already starting to make noticeable changes. If your a woman and you don’t want that “bodybuilder look” I suggest the same strategy. Also, consider the services of a personal trainer. Be sure to work with someone who is actually in shape and appears to know what he or she is talking about.

4. Don’t cheat. If you workout hard that does not give you the right to go home and snack on junk. All of your hard work was put to waste. I understand that as people we all fall off the wagon and go through rough patches. The trick is to recognize you are off track and get back on it.

5. Crash diets. These are not good if you don’t change your eating habits. I have lost a lot of weight on them. I used to partake in the “Lemonade Diet.” Each time I was on it I lost approximately 20 pounds in a two week period. The problem was the diet was so severe that I never changed my eating habits and gained all the weight back in a matter of months. Keep in mind I was exercising on that particular diet and results do vary. Men seem to lose weight quicker than women from my experience on crash diets. Here are a few model recommended plans for a healthy way of eating.

Heidi Klum – The New York Body Plan Diet. Heidi shocked her fans at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show by walking the catwalk just weeks after having a baby. She gave credit to the New York Body Plan Diet for helping her regain her fabulous figure. It promises radical changes in just two short weeks. Alchohol, bread and dairy products are a definite no-no on this plan. It also limits your calories to 1200 per day. Heidi strongly suggests eating every 3 hours and loves to snack on apples to keep her full between meals.

Adriana Lima – The portion control diet. Adriana Lima is famous for her fantastic physique and suggests the Portion Control Diet. On this diet you can eat almost anything but in small portions. Be reasonable here. If you eat small portions of processed foods all day long you are going to stay in the same boat your in if you are not already model skinny. Adriana loves salads (no dressing – exactly what my trainer suggested) and her preferred workout is Capoeira Aerobic a fun and rhythmical workout.

Gisele Bundchen – Loves meat. Gisele has also admitted to having a fondness for cheeseburgers. Keep in mind Gisele also supplements her cheeseburger diet with yoga and lots of cardio and let’s face it, most of us cannot eat cheeseburgers and look like Gisele. It’s hard enough to do that eating healthy foods! Gisele also uses cayenne pepper a spice that speeds up your metabolism with her meals.

Just remember, exercise and nutrition are the keys to being model skinny.

A word about anorexia. There are a lot of models out there that are anorexic. They starve themselves. As a photographer I can tell the difference easily between an anorexic model and a thin fashion model. Anorexic models are not attractive to me. Be healthy. Please!

Posted by: Fashion Photography Blog

Fashion model guide.

You wanna be a fashion model? Sounds exciting! The money can be extraordinary and the job allows you to travel to Paris, New York, Milan, London and many other fantastic destinations. But you need a little help figuring out how to become a successful fashion model. That’s why your here.

When you think of a famous model names like Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss and Heidi Klum come to mind. These women are fashion models. However, you do not need to look like a supermodel to become a model. The modeling industry is looking for many types of girls. If you have your heart set on modeling you need to determine what kind of model you are.

1. A Fashion model. Fashion models are usually hired to promote fashion and makeup lines. A perfect measurement for a fashion model is 5’9″ tall and weighing between 110 and 120 lbs. However, markets outside New York and Paris may be less strict with their requirements. A petite model usually stands 5’2″ tall to 5’4″ tall and wears a size between 2 and 4. A plus model can be anywhere from 5’2″ to 6′ and wears a size 12 to 14. Check with your local model agencies if you are a petite model or plus model and find out if they represent your type.

2. A High Fashion model. A high fashion model works with famous designers and fashion photographers. To become a high fashion model you generally have to have a proven track record. Some models are plucked off the street and become high fashion models but this is generally not the case. A high fashion model generally has a very distinctive face, with high cheekbones, stands approx 5’9″ to 5’11″ tall, measures 34-24-34 and weighs anywhere from 108 to 130 pounds depending on their height.

3. A Runway model. A runway model displays clothes for designers while walking down catwalks. The measurements for a runway model are most closely watched. Check with your local model agency about body type requirements. A runway model has very long legs.

4. A Showroom model. A showroom model wears clothes at fashion showrooms, parties and boutiques. This is live modeling.

5. A Catalogue model. A model who appears in a fashion catalogue. The great thing about catalogue modeling is that it pays much more than fashion editorial work. Catalog models also have less stringent measurement requirements.

6. A Glamour Model. A glamour model generally appears in swimwear, lingerie or partially nude. Top models have frequently appeared nude in fashion editorials and there is generally at least one nude or semi nude image found in the pages of most fashion magazines. Many top models also walk in fashion shows topless or wearing sheer garments. In the world of fashion modeling nudes that are tasteful, artistic and beautifully photographed can be considered art and are perfectly acceptable. Pay rates are usually higher for glamour models.

7. A Promotional model. A promotional model appears at a convention or trade show promoting the clients product.

8. Specialty models. A specialty model models a part of his or her body or face that is very attractive. These parts can include: hands, feet, hair, legs or torso.

For super secret tactics and insider advice on how to become a successful fashion model keep reading. There is a wealth of information here. Read about how to become a supermodel and how to become a Victoria’s Secret model.

And don’t forget to visit my personal website at:

Robert Voltaire Photography

How to become a model

Posted by: Fashion Photography Blog

Los Angeles Modeling Agency – Advice

So, you really want a Los Angeles modeling agency? You’ve arrived. It’s unbelievable! You made it to Los Angeles “the big time” and your ready to make money. Well, now that your here and ready to work let me give you a few tips to help you land your first agent.

1. Have a few natural light snapshots taken of you by a friend. Before you approach an agency you will only need snapshots. Agencies prefer to see you as you are.

2. Check the Los Angeles modeling agency’s website or call the agencies and find out when they see models. This is referred to as an “open call.” Agents set a certain amount of time per month aside to meet new models.

3. Bring your snapshots, dress well, be nice and prepared to answer any questions asked of you.

4. Be thin. The ideal fashion models height for women is approx 5’9″ tall. You should weigh between 110 and 120 lbs. It is very important for you to keep this weight and maintain this weight throughout your career as a model to succeed in this business. Hire a personal trainer and employ the services of a nutritionist if necessary. Find a way.

5. Be on time and don’t party until the crack of dawn. There is nothing worse than a client being stood up by a model who partied too hard the night before a shoot. If a client, fashion photographer and crew are waiting on you then you will be easily replaced and possibly dropped by your agency. Be a professional.

6. Get amazing pics from professional photographers. Now that you have a modeling agency you need to practice your craft and get as much experience as possible. I have never understood models who don’t test. I met a celebrity actor in an acting workshop. He was extremely excited to practice his craft. You need to have that same ethic. This business is a process and you need to keep shooting, discovering, and reinventing yourself.

7. Subscribe to fashion magazines. Know who the players are in this business. Educate yourself.

8. Choose the agency that chooses you. There are so many agencies in LA. Ford, Elite, Next, Nous, Photogenics, Wilhelmina, Click and more. Go with the agent who is most excited to work with you. Trust your instincts.

I know many models in Los Angeles who are making a ton of money with the help of their Los Angeles modeling agency. Please continue reading my blog for secret tips on how to become a successful fashion model and visit my personal website at:

Fashion photography by Robert Voltaire

Los Angeles Modeling Agency

Posted by: Fashion Photography Blog

How To Become A Successful Fashion Model.

The world of fashion modeling can be a very exciting business. What may start as a part time hobby can quickly launch into a full time career giving a model the chance to work with some of the world’s most talented and creative people. Imagine yourself on a private jet to Tahiti to work on a swimwear campaign or signing an exclusive contract with a cosmetic company that will pay your bills for years to come. Sounds exciting right? Right! The question is: how to you get from where you are to where you want to be?

Top 10 Tips to becoming a fashion model:

1. Join a modeling website. Do a google search on modeling websites and start practicing your craft with other photographers and makeup artists who have your interests at hearts. Be sure to research them and make sure you are working with professionals.

2. Go to the open call of a reputable model agency. An open call is a time reserved during the week for a prospective model to visit a fashion modeling agency. The agent will quickly look over your book and determine your potential as a model. Be sure to dress nicely and get plenty of sleep the night before. Bring some simple, natural light snapshots with you.

3. Invest in your career. Get amazing pics from professional fashion photographers. If you can’t afford them then work student and up and coming photographers. Keep in mind however that industry professionals have a very high standard and working with established photographers will ultimately make or break you.

4. Subscribe to fashion magazines. Know your market.

5. Move to a major market. You can model in your hometown or smaller markets but when your ready for the big time you need to move to a major market like New York City or Los Angeles if in the U.S. Move to Paris, London or Milan if you are in Europe.

6. Network. Get to know makeup artists and hairdressers. Read fashion magazines to know who the major players in the business are.

7. Be fit and stay fit. This may be the hardest one of all. Start eating healthy. Stay away from fast food. Employ the services of a nutritionist and trainer. If you can’t afford them get to the gym and use common sense. Agencies measure girls in major markets and advise them to stay thin.

8. Check yourself. Fashion models generally start their careers between the ages of 14 and 20. Agencies do have departments for mature models as well. To become a fashion model ideally you should be 5’9″ tall and weigh approx 110 to 120 pounds though many markets (like Los Angeles) have less stringent requirements. If you are much shorter look at commercial modeling (acting agencies) and look at on camera acting classes.

9. Avoid scams. If you meet a manager that makes too many promises, run. People prey on beautiful models and fill their heads with dreams that they cannot guarantee.

10. Keep at it. I know many models who are doing very well in this business. It takes effort and dedication. You may have to keep a job for a while, at least part-time, until your career takes off. Have fun!

Visit me on the web at:
Fashion photography site by Robert Voltaire

Posted by: Fashion Photography Blog