Modeling has been described as both a very fun and very tough career. Every girl wants to be admired and to portray herself as fashionable and sophisticated. The downside, of course, is tremendous competition. Most people do not understand the complexities of the industry, and the truth is that not everybody can model. The reality is that there are many steps to becoming a professional model.
The first thing to understand is that the modeling industry is broken into three rough but fluid tiers. The most common models are amateurs who pose in different clothes or swimsuits without pay. They do it for fun, to build a business, or to create a portfolio that later attracts talent scouts. Many models start as amateurs and create both a following and a portfolio of good pictures. The easiest way to start is to become an independent business owner and attract small-time customers.
Someone who attracts a few customers is effectively paid to model or else to represent products for a small company and for a low fee. Most women who do this are independent working part-time to represent products and services. A model might also be an employee who is chosen to represent the company and is effectively a public relations worker in addition to their normal job. To that end, a model might already work for a company.
Small-time models represent products or else work as an accessory to introduce products while a spokesperson does the talking. This is not as glamorous as strutting the catwalk, but it proves both the desirability of the model as well as her social charm. Since models must be both beautiful and graceful, it is essential to hone grace and interpersonal skills. Avoiding trouble is one aspect of working with the public.
A model for the walkway or other position of high exposure is usually both very attractive and well connected. They might have friends who recommend them or might have slowly earned these connections over time. The most certain thing is that models are expected to exercise a great deal in order to stay trim. It is true that plus-size models exist, but they are still attractive and tend to exercise.
The most important thing is not to stress too much when facing disappointment towards fulfilling a dream of becoming a professional model. Such people must be able to meet high standards, which means appealing to fairly refined gatekeepers. Most women are reasonably attractive if they stay in shape, but very few aspiring models make it to the top. The most professional thing to do is to accept rejection and not stress too much. This career is stressful because of the many possible rejections.