SUPPLIES
- Internet access
- Makeup and hair supplies
- At least one vintage costume
- Digital camera
- Web site or blog
- Portfolio
Overview
The classic pin-up girl (such as Bettie Page and many of the actresses of the 1940s and '50s) has come back into style in recent years. Popularized by the resurgence of the vintage scene, rockabilly culture and burlesque, pin-up modeling is once again an option for women who do not necessarily fit the current requirements for mainstream fashion models. Pin-up girls are traditionally curvy, and today's pin-up culture displays many different body types. Although getting work in the business is complicated and the competition is fierce, success is not impossible for the smart, savvy pin-up girl. To become a vintage-style pin-up model in the look of the 1940s and 1950s, read the following guidelines.
Building Yourself Up
Step 1
Work on your look. Determine what type of pin-up girl you would like to be--whether classic or rockabilly inspired--and practice executing the types of looks associated with pin-ups. Practice hair, makeup and wearing clothing in the styles of the 1940s or 1950s. There are many resources on the Internet, including YouTube videos, to help you craft your own unique, vintage style. Remember that you want to be as versatile as possible and should be able to wear many different flattering looks.
Step 2
Work on your posing. The most important thing for a model to master is looking good for the camera in poses. Study old pin-up pictures, new pin-up pictures and mainstream fashion magazines to get a good idea of what kinds of poses look good for the human body. Stand in front of a mirror and test your poses out, and make adjustments as you see fit. Practice by setting up a digital camera's timing function to take pictures of yourself, and evaluate your poses later. It is important for you to learn what poses make you, in particular, look good.
Step 3
Work on your facial expressions. Pin-up modeling is not exactly like regular fashion modeling in that it is more about being playful and innocently sexy. Study what other pin-up models do and start playing around with facial expressions in front of the mirror. Take practice photos and learn your angles. What angles in relationship to the camera make your face look its best?
Step 4
Get a portfolio of pictures together. Do not take the pictures yourself. Find a good photographer and pay him for a few shots or, if you have a friend who is a photographer, beg a favor. The quality of the photos is important, so don't skimp just because you don't want to spend the money. This is what your future clients will be looking at to decide whether they want to hire you or not. Keep taking more photos as time goes on, and leave only the best in your portfolio. Also take a head shot to put onto a composite card, which has your personal statistics on it.
Step 5
Start participating in the pin-up community through the Internet. There are plenty of other women out there also looking to be pin-up models, and many of them belong to support boards where models share information and tips.
Building Your Presence
Step 1
Create an online presence by joining social networking sites and modeling sites where models are allowed to post their pictures. Pin-up modeling is largely freelance, and many models begin advertising themselves through sites like Model Mayhem or simple MySpace pages. You may also consider making your own Web page to promote yourself. This can be done on a paid-for domain or by utilizing the blog function of sites like Wordpress and Blogger.
Step 2
Attend vintage-inspired events or events that vintage aficionados often attend so that you can get a feel for the culture. Start networking. Learn who's who in that world so that you can make educated and informed choices about your business.
Step 3
Make friends with photographers, makeup artists and hairstylists, and see if you meet anyone who you might be able to build a business relationship with. If you get booked for a shoot, it is a bonus for you to bring along your own team rather than have the client have to arrange everything. This way you come as a package deal.
Step 4
Start making business contacts and promoting yourself. Network with other models, photographers, stylists and designers. Attend casting calls and send out polite letters of inquiry to designers who may not be actively looking for new models. Seek out local businesses that may need a model. At first, you may need to take work for no or little pay because you do not yet have recommendations from clients. Some clients prefer to pay with clothing, especially to a new model.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Work on your attitude as well. Professionals want to work with friendly, professional people versus those who are difficult or demanding. Many of the clients who look for pin-ups are small-time and are unlikely to tolerate bad behavior. This can severely hurt your reputation.
- WARNING : Do not take rejection too seriously. This can hurt your self-confidence and your business relationships.
Avoid the porn scene or nude photography, as these will not help you get jobs modeling pin-up clothes and can sometimes ruin your credibility.
Make sure to take a friend with you when meeting new clients for the first time. You can never be too careful.
Resources
