Take your own measurements for agencies, castings and jobs
How can you take your own measurements and make snaps yourself? You will learn this within a few seconds. With regards to an application at an agency and looking for an agency it comes down to your self-assessment. The awareness, which agency you fit in as type. If you want to be in one of the top agencies in order to work internationally top measurements (as already mentioned) are a must. If these measurements vary too much and the proportions do not fit the agency you should not apply there. You save yourself and the model scout time. Just apply at agencies in which you fit in and where you have a chance of being accepted. Which models work with the agency? You will find out by looking at the model board. In the model board you will directly see which types of models the agency represents and which measurements they have. Once you have found the perfect agency for yourself you just need one more thing: perfect pictures.
Agency standards: Snaps + measurements for models
Many models are asking: “How many photo shoots do I have to do in order to apply at an agency?” The answer is simple: none. As a new face you don’t need any pictures for your application at an agency. Model scouts and agencies are very well trained in their job. Their eye is very sharp and they only need some natural snaps from you.
Polaroids are easy to take. No posing, no styling, no extras. What you can make of a model with stylists and make up artists, the agency knows. It is more important to them to get a natural impression of you when you apply. Polaroids are not only important for your application. These snaps will accompany you throughout your entire career. They are the most important factor for a booking. You need polaroids for your agency and future jobs. That is why I dedicate polaroids an entire chapter of this book. So you know what is important if you are taking your fist snaps. How should you take snaps for your application? We will go through this step by step.
Do it yourself: Bust, Waist, Hips and Height
These are the measurements points for your first modeling agency application. Take care, that you are totally honest.
How to take your own polaroids?
Your first thought about snaps should always be: as simple as possible! For good snaps you only need your cell phone with a camera. Professional models usually take some snaps for the next job in their hotel room or even short clips for e-castings after a job or in breaks. This shows how “easy” and simple they are. Polaroids are clean pictures of your face and body showing different angles and facets, to give the agency an impression of you. You can take them yourself or with the help of a friend or your family.
Polaroids should be taken in front of a clean background with daylight, so that nothing can distract you. Try not to have any shade. This works very well if it is a bit overcast. No make up, simple clothes, tight like skinny jeans or leggings, and a clean top or t-shirt. Women should also wear high heels. One snap should also be taken in bikini or underwear. Same for men. So snaps in jeans and shirt, and underwear in order to show your figure. On one picture you should smile, and on the other you need a more clean expression. Very important: no over posing! The snaps should be simple and natural.
- Polaroids – in short:
- Light, clean background (ideal)
- Daylight, no shades (if possible)
- No make up
- Simple, tight clothing
- High heels for women
- Portrait and full body picture (also bikini/underwear)
Polaroids set: Be who you are!
A set is a recommendation. It is important though that you are shown in a natural way for the agency. From different angles and perspectives with daylight as you will see on the following pages. You should not pose too much on your polaroids. For the scout it is important to see you as natural as possible. Just imagine yourself standing in front of the scout life. You would also not pose then. Just be yourself, natural, look straight into the camera with a neutral expression. Modelling agencies will need following snaps from you:
- Snap of your face (front)
- Snap of your profile
- Full body snap (front)
- Full body snap (side)
- Full body snap back (to show the length of your hair)
If you are taking them with a friend you will not need more than twenty minutes. No styling no make up, just dark jeans with a white shirt (you have that in your closet for sure). Now you only need to take your measurements.
Taking measurements yourself
You have never taken measurements yourself before?
For your career up to date, measurements are just as important as polaroids. Your measurements are simply taken with a usual measuring tape. If you are unsure let somebody help you. Ideally, you only take your measurements in underwear, as they cannot be falsified in doing so. Every modelling agency needs four measurements form you: height, bust, waist and hips.
Height – stand tall with your back at a wall and mark the exact height. Fastest way would be with a friend and a book or cellphone and pencil. After you have marked the height, you only have to measure the distance to the floor.
Bust measurement
In order to take the measurement of your bust you need to put the measuring tape at the widest point and around your bust with tension. If you are wearing a bra, for the girls, take 1cm off the amount you measured (for a push up bra at least 2cm off).
Waist measurement
Measuring your waist is putting the measuring tape at the tiniest place and then around your waist.
Hips measurement
Again put your measuring tape at the widest point for your hip and then around your hip and back. Perfect modelling measurements for women are 90-60-90 (a reference).
