Client vs. Model

Good morning friendsss!

Happy Thursday! Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like January is flying by? Before you know it, the spring will be here it will be that much closer to summertime!

I’m loving that a lot of you have been e-mailing and commenting with questions regarding modeling. At first I wasn’t quite sure how disclosing this whole thing was going to pan out, but I’m glad to say that I am happy with the outcome thus far.

Modeling has a lot of stereotypical views that simply aren’t true, and I’m glad to try to change this stereotype for the better.

If you missed any of my previous modeling posts, you may want to do a quick recap before reading this one.

A Side of Me You May Not Know

Modeling-How it All Began

Shows, Shoots & Past Work

Client vs. Model

The first question I usually get when I tell someone new that I model is usually something like this:

“Wow, I bet your closet is full of free clothes!” Or “That’s so cool, do you get to keep any of the clothes?”

Sadly, the short answer to this question is no. I usually do not get to keep any of the apparel that I model. Sometimes I am given a gift card or discount for the store or brand that I worked for, but for the most part getting free clothes is not part of my job description.

My closet is full with lots of clothes, just not ones that were given to me for free!

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, like the rare occasion that Betsey Johnson let all of her models keep one of her signature shirts!

As well as other times when I’ve received some free socks, sports bra’s, headbands or other small items, but like I said this is a rarity that occurs less than 10% of the time.

I’m sure that Victoria Secret models have a life supply of free bra’s whenever they want, but for the purpose of this post, I am referring to your average model; not the Adriana Lima’s of the modeling world!

Source

Most people are usually confused when they ask me this question and I respond with something like, “No, why would I get to keep the clothes?” The garments do not belong to me, they belong to the store, client or designer. They aren’t mine, all I do is model them.

It’s funny how most people think that modeling is “all about the model” when in reality it is much different. Modeling is all about the client, not the model. 

All I do as the model is help the client achieve whatever look, style or persona they are going for.

It really doesn’t matter whether or not I like the clothes, think they look good, approve or disapprove of certain photo’s, or my general opinion at all.

Of course I have standards, for example I don’t do lingerie modeling, nothing against it, it’s just not my thing. Side note– Bathing suits and lingerie are two very different things!

I can’t even count how many times I have had to wear an outfit that I would never wear out in public, my hair in the craziest possible hairstyle ever, my makeup done in strange ways that I didn’t even know were possible as well as having to dress up in clothes or shoes that were much to big, small or just plain wrong for my body type (at least I thought so).

Again, this is because it’s about the client, designer, store, magazine etc. When you think about it, the model is there simply for “marketing purposes”.

I the model help you the client sell your product. Get it?

The client has a vision for how they want their product(s) to be displayed. Since I am being paid help them get their message across, I do not get to choose the clothes, hair-styles, makeup colors etc. make sense?

For the record, most of the time I LOVE the clothes/styles that I am put in. Sometimes I’ll even go out and buy the look that I wore in a shoot/show the next day (there goes all the money, woops!) <—-This happens way too often!

For the times that I don’t, I just put a smile on my face, and remember that in the clients eyes this looks good. If polka-dotted tights worn under metallic shorts, coupled with bright pink shoes that are 6 inches high and a lots of glittery makeup, then so be it (yes this has happened before!)

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Every had to wear something you thought looked horrible, but someone else loved on you?

 

***Please remember that I ultimately choose to discuss this topic because I aim to show that not all models live unhealthy lifestyles. I want to lead as an example, and show that it is possible to model (or pursue any passion) while living a healthy and balanced lifestyle***