Why I Decided to Try It

I originally signed up for Model Mayhem, which is an online modeling and networking site because I knew it was something I wanted to try, but was always afraid to. I told myself I wasn’t a model and I didn’t have what it takes. But I really wanted to network and get my feet wet so since Model Mayhem is a free modeling website, I signed up anyway to see what it was all about.

I felt this was a step in the right direction on my journey to more self-confidence because this is something I would have NEVER seen myself doing in the past. Just fear alone was stopping me from exploring this avenue, and that is never good. I had to overcome this fear.

This was a really big deal for me! I scuffed at girls who were “trying to model.” I judged those girls for whatever reason (probably me being jealous of their own confidence) and now I had to face my own fears and insecurities which would be staring at me through the camera lens.

So I took the first step, made myself a free account as a freelance model, entered my height, weight, bust size, etc. and uploaded a couple of pictures I thought were good quality. I was also able to choose what genre I was into (you can choose anything from editorial, swimwear, lifestyle, lingerie, fit modeling, fashion, sports, etc.) entered my location and bio and I was ready to go!

What You Need To Know: Beware of Scammers & Creeps

Something I learned very quickly is there are just as many scammers on this site as you probably get on Instagram. At first, as a newbie, you are intrigued because someone is messaging you saying they have a paid gig that they want you to be a part of. Although exciting, I found it strange since I had no prior experience and was upfront about this.

It’s SO important to do your research on the company reaching out to see if they are legit. I always Google them, look on reddit, look at the Better Business Bureau,in the Model Mayhem forum and on their profile to see previous comments and if anyone else has had a bad experience. A red flag for me was when a brand said I had to pay money up front and then they would refund me. LOL what?! That was 1000% a scam and you should never agree to that. You should be the one getting PAID!

Another thing you should look out for is male photographers who don’t exactly align with your style. Personally, if a photographer reaches out and I look at their current portfolio and it’s all nude women or bondage photos, I’m out. Totally cool if that’s your vibe and I’m not saying all of these men are creepy but for me personally, it’s not my aesthetic so I always pass on those. Always look at their pictures and ask if they have an Instagram to see what their photoshoots tend to look like prior to agreeing to anything!

Some photographers also request that you come alone to the photoshoot. I spoke with another photographer on this topic and it is sometimes common because they don’t want the distraction but if you do bring someone the photographer might put that person to work! Haha not a bad thing if this is your preference. If you feel uncomfortable about meeting up with someone for the first time, always be sure the location is public and bring that person REGARDLESS! Your safety is the most important thing here and there are some horror stories out there. If the photographer is really against you bringing someone with you, I would pass on that opportunity. This is just not worth it for me.

Tips for Newbies

If you are just starting out, and you are looking to gain a little experience in the world of modeling, I have two suggestions for you:

1. Request TFP. This means Time for Prints. It’s a great way to come to an agreement with another photographer who is maybe new to photography or looking to change or boost their portfolio. You agree the meet-up is 100% free and they get new photos and in exchange, they will share SOME of those photos with you. Be clear on this prior to meeting up. Most photographers will agree to only share the photos with you that they deem are good enough and that they have touched up. I can understand this since the photo reflects their brand so they want to have as much control over what is out there. TFP is a great way to get some practice in and it’s a win-win for both the model and the photographer. This is also a great way to network!

2. Schedule a Call. If you find a photographer who you feel is a good match, set up a call prior to the shoot to discuss expectations, locations, outfit / outfit changes and overall goals. You should be clear and on the same page with your photographer so there is no awkwardness once you get on-site and you can just get right to shooting!

3. Don’t Settle. I was on Model Mayhem for months and spoke to many photographers before I found the one that was right for me. I was eager to get out there and have this experience, but I needed to find someone I felt like I could trust and had the same vision as me. Even stating I was a “green model” in my bio still had my inbox filling up so don’t worry about that! I finally landed on a woman photographer which made me feel a lot more comfortable right off the bat.

4. Be Strategic with Your Bio. The photographer that I worked with noted there were many opportunities to be found through the website other than just photographer meet-ups and suggested that I seek out brands this way by writing in my bio that I was interested in partnering with any petite brands that needed models for an upcoming shoot. Being specific with what you are looking for in your bio can really weed out some of the non-eligibles and save you some time. I thought this was a great tip to really getting the right exposure and working with a reputable brand.

Takeaways & Final Thoughts

All in all my first experience with Model Mayhem was successful. I ended up doing a TFP with a woman photographer which made me feel more comfortable, especially because I was going alone.

We had a call prior to the shoot, and I sent her photos of my outfits in advance as well. We met in the Design District, which is a very public outdoor shopping area in Miami and spent about 2 hours together. She was professional, helpful and overall a joy to work with! She even gave me constructive criticism post shoot which I thought was above and beyond and super helpful!

Within a couple hours of the shoot I had photos in my inbox that she chose to send me. Her only request was I upload the photos to my Model Mayhem gallery, tag her and make one of the photos my profile picture - easy!

I have to say, this experience was eye opening. I give credit to all the models out there because it is NOT easy to pose a certain way and have a natural look on your face AND be engaging. I got a lot of posing help like, “Cross your legs, move your arm, smile, smile less, tilt your head, GREAT!” It was intimidating to hold a pose that was maybe not the most comfortable, suck it in and still look natural. I struggled and some of my photos are cringe-worthy for sureee!!!!

Overall, this was a GREAT leap in stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new. It was fun, exhausting and an amazing learning opportunity all in one. I ended up posting some of the photos on my Instagram and tagging her, which I truly believe led me to connecting with another great photographer through IG.

Model Mayhem I do believe is a great way to put yourself out there through an online modeling site. If you take the necessary precautionary steps and always have your safety front of mind, it’s easy to navigate and you are sure to land at least one gig! If you are interested, feel free to reach out and I’m happy to discuss my experience further!