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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that anyone can pass themselves off as a "model" these days?

56 replies

JellyDiamond · 28/12/2014 21:37

Please some correct me if I'm wrong, I don't claim to know an awful lot about the world of modelling, but I used to be addicted to Americas/Britain's/Australia's etc Top Model and my knowledge of the industry comes mainly comes from that. I know that there are different types of modelling, print, commercial, high fashion etc

Anyway back to my point, to me a model is someone who is signed to a professional agency and has a proper portfolio etc. But in the age of the internet it seems that anyone can get dolled up, offer themselves up to an amateur photographer, get some photos done, upload them to the internet and pass themselves off as a "model". You can tell these a mile off as they are usually badly lit, awkwardly posed and the "model" doesn't really know what to do with her face. Hell a lot of the time the "model" isn't even photogenic. Going back to ANTM, and yes I know that Tyra Banks talks of a lot of shit a lot of the time, but she always harped on about "smiling with eyes" and how to tilt your head a certain way. And she's right, proper models just know what to do with their faces and just how to pose at the right time.

I don't believe that anyone can be a model, you NEED to be photogenic first and foremost. Even glamour models need to photograph well. I will never be a model because I look fucking hideous in every single photo of me.

Why do so many girls these days, you see them on Twitter, Instagram etc call themselves models when they are clearly not?

OP posts:
CatsClaus · 28/12/2014 22:03

well tbh all these Pro Photographers need people to practise photograph so maybe there's your cause.

WoodenGo · 28/12/2014 22:08

Due to a boring and complicated set of circumstances my left hand featured in a ad for wine. So I used to tell people I was a model, just to see their faces since the rest of me is in no way model like. It was a full page print ad with my unfamous left hand holding a glass of champagne. No-one ever recognised my hand and I never received the glory and adulation I felt I deserved. I coulda been someone....Sad

WorraLiberty · 28/12/2014 22:12

WoodenGo, I recognised your hand a couple of years ago when you handed your money over in a shop.

I was too shy to say anything as my heart was beating so fast.

Do you remember me? I was the woman standing next to you, wearing a black coat.

If you don't, I'll be crushed forever Xmas Sad

WoodenGo · 28/12/2014 22:28

Gasp, I think I do recall that, Worra. Was it you who reverentially grasped the hem of my garment?

Sorry if I brushed you off, I didn't have time for the little people back then.

I have typed this entire message with my left hand as a present to you, my one and only fan xx

pinkrocker · 28/12/2014 22:31

Remember the binatone phone from the 80's? I knew a girl who knew the owner of the hand on the advert I was so impressed at me "knowing" a real life model! !!

MrsDeVere · 28/12/2014 22:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

usualsuspect333 · 28/12/2014 22:38

I wrote your hand a fan letter,Wooden.

You never replied Sad

FrogIsATwatInASantaHat · 28/12/2014 22:45

I did a fashion show in the 90's . I am now a cleaner. Can I choose retired model as my profession as opposed to bog scrubber?

WorraLiberty · 28/12/2014 22:48

Gasp, I think I do recall that, Worra. Was it you who reverentially grasped the hem of my garment?

Yes

Do you have any contacts in the business?

I'd really like them to give me a hand job...

HoHonutty · 28/12/2014 22:48

I reckon I could pass myself of as a fire man.

gincamparidryvermouth · 28/12/2014 22:53

I'm glad you started this thread, because earlier I was thinking about people who say "I'm a runner" when what they mean is "I like running and I do it fairly frequently," as opposed to "I run for a living;" and it made me feel a bit annoyed but I couldn't be bothered to start a thread about it.

FyreFly · 28/12/2014 22:55

I was never signed to an agency, however a few years back I did some modelling (at live shows, inc. Salon International, in photoshoots and in small in-house showcases) for a very large and well-known hair company whose initials are not dissimilar to D&G. I don't say I was a model, I just say I used to model. I have a handful of shots left over which I have on facebook, mostly because I like looking at them and wondering if I could pull off such wacky colours these days Grin I don't have duck-face in any of them (this was pre-duckface phenomenon though Blush )

I work on the basis that if you're paid to do it (not those phoney fashion-shoot places where YOU pay THEM) then you are or have been a model. Tango-skinned duck-faces on instagram don't count, but they're pretty harmless :)

ouryve · 28/12/2014 22:58

YABU.

WoodenGo · 28/12/2014 23:06

My career crashed and burned. My pride led me to treat my fans with disdain. Sorry usual for not replying to your fan letter, I was trying not to wear out my fabulous asset.
I'm afraid Worra has put her finger on my main problem that arose from the hand fame. Advertising myself as being available for hand jobs led to some uncomfortable situations and caused problems with my dh. I had to quit the business. To this day I sometimes catch dh looking at my used-to-be-famous left hand with distaste.

Take it from me, modelling is a tough business.

MrsDeVere · 28/12/2014 23:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SorchaN · 28/12/2014 23:57

Fabulous! I'm definitely going to start describing myself as a model. Can't wait to see what my 15 year-old has to say about that!

I have a friend who is now in her 60s and used to be a model years ago. She still has the bone structure, the posture, and the ease of movement I associate with modelling. And a PhD, which (I'm embarrassed to say) isn't one of the first things I think of when I think of models...

QuickSilverFairy · 29/12/2014 00:01

Im too sexy for this thread..I'm a model, you know what I mean? When I do my little turn on the catwalk..#Giselle is my real name.

musicalendorphins2 · 29/12/2014 05:19

I used to be a short order cook chef!

MammaTJ · 29/12/2014 05:44

My 19 year old DD describes herself on her FB profile as 'Bed model at Dream' but I think she is alluding to her love of her bed, rather than a career as a model! Grin

DropYourSword · 29/12/2014 05:48

No, they're not hurting anyone. But modelling is a proper profession, they even have a models union. You wouldn't get away with passing yourself off as a nurse or a teacher or a firefighter and get away with it would you.

So do models have to take an exam then? Wink

DropYourSword · 29/12/2014 05:54

And wooden I sent you a glove!

Romeorodriguez · 29/12/2014 05:54

I was a hand model, I got paid ridiculous amounts and saw my hands in top magazines. I just had pretty hands. I now work in one of the other professions you mentioned. I had to go to university for a very very long time and work my arse off. It is hardly the same league, anyone can be a model, not everyone could do what I do now.

valrhona · 29/12/2014 06:06

What's the cut off age for being a hand model?? views knarly veiny stumpy hands

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 29/12/2014 06:33

Sorry..I just can't seem to get worked up about this

GaryShitpeas · 30/12/2014 09:04

I modelled clothes in a catalogue when I was 14

People at school found out and The hate and bullying I got for it went on till I left Sad

I'd never want my dc to do it

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