Your first modeling assignment (Part I): What to Know Before You Disrobe!

First of a two-part posting.

In my last post, I gave you some advice on looking for your first modeling gig. And after networking your tail off, you finally found someone who's willing to use you. Congratulations!

So where do you go from here?

If you haven't done so, your first step needs to be assembling a model kit. This needn't be expensive. At a minimum, you want to have:

- a bathrobe (lighter fabrics work best. You really don't want a terrycloth bathrobe)

- cheap flip-flops (those floors get dirty quickly, and there are always stray tacks around. You also may very well have to change in a restroom. The less said about that, the better)

- gym bag or similar over-the-shoulder garment bag

- book or magazine to keep you occupied during downtime (especially if you're working with a class, as there will be frequent breaks where the professors lecture the class or facilitate group critiques)

- a timer. Most professors will offer to keep the time for you. I initially took them up on this offer, but have slowly come around to the point where I'll keep the time. There have been numerous instances of what I call "a long 10 minutes." Basically that 10 minutes morphed into 15 minutes or longer. Poses that are comfortable at the 10 minute mark may start to get quite uncomfortable for longer stretches of time. A trick taught to me by an old hand at this suggested adding an additional 5-10 seconds to the timer. So if it's a 10 minute pose, set the timer for 10:10. This extra time can be used to get yourself into position so that you can give the class the full duration of the pose.

If you want, you can add things like a small plastic bag with bandaids, aspirin, lotion, comb/brush, mirror, etc. You probably won't need all of these things, but they're nice to have just in case.

You probably have a cell phone already. You'll want to keep one handy (I'm not a cell phone talker, so I have to force myself to remember to carry one) in case there's a last-minute cancellation or you get stuck in traffic. Be sure to keep the phone number of the person you're working for handy in case you need to get in touch with them before your session. And also keep a set of directions handy.

Great! So now you've got the necessary tools at your disposal. Now you need to know exactly what it is you're getting yourself into :) Pretty much all of this applies to nude modeling.

First, I would think long and hard about how many people you choose to tell about your new side job. I would personally recommend not telling anyone about this until you've had your first gig and have had time to process the event. I'll be quite honest: I first modeled because I realized I hadn't done anything truly out of my comfort zone in ages. I needed something that would make me know fear, trepidation and know what it meant to truly overcome these feelings. And modeling has been a great way for me to bring some variety in my life and have fun (and get paid!) doing it. To that end, I posted on yelp a review of the artist's studio where I had my first assignment. I was at a bit of a crossroads in my life at the time, and I honestly thought it was such a positive experience that I needed to share it, and in doing so, gained even more confidence. Like I can do anything!

Your own experiences and desires may be more pedestrian. In any event, only you can determine who in your social circle really needs to know about this. Surprisingly, my mother has been much, much more supportive of this than my father (who isn't opposed to it. He just doesn't care to know that I do it, if you follow). I suspect that the more you model, the more comfortable you'll be in telling people. But you may think you have a totally open relationship with your parents only to find out how dare you do such a thing. Telling your friends and parents will hopefully feel easy and natural. But I would give serious, serious thought about telling your coworkers about it. I opted to, and they've been incredibly supportive (and curious) about what I do.

In my grad school classes, we talked a lot about blowback. Unintended results and unplanned resistance to policy implementation. You need to be aware that you might experience considerable blowback from people whom you may think of as being incredibly tight with. America has a real, real hangup with nudity. I just want you to reflect on who you'd like to share your new job with, and who really needs to know about it.

Similarly, you need to prepare yourself for the very remote--but still possible--chance that someone may recognize you as a result of your work. I haven't bumped into anyone I know before or during a session, but I did have another model come up to me before a session because she recognized me from a (get this!) ballpoint pen sketch another professor did in an earlier class. She introduced herself and asked her if I was today's model, because she recognized me from that professor's work. I was honestly flattered! But I do want to caution you that there's always the remote chance someone may recognize you, and you need to be prepared for that.

Hopefully, you've thought about all of this before you started your networking. But I wanted to mention it now, because if you're having second thoughts about this, you need to cancel any bookings well in advance of your class(es)! It's pretty common knowledge that a lot of models simply fail to show up for their bookings, and I think a lot of that is because someone waited until the 11th hour to give serious thought to what it is they were planning on doing, and got cold feet at the last minute. It's totally okay if you start to second guess yourself, but if you realize this isn't the career move for you, you need to cancel with as much advance notice as possible so another model can be secured.

You also want to consider how you'll manage your earnings, especially if you're paid in cash. You may initially tell yourself you're using this money to pay bills or save for a vacation, only to blow it on useless junk since it's not the money you bust your ass for 9-5. Also, some schools may pay you with a check but not withhold taxes, in which case it's incumbent on you to pony up with the IRS (a lot of places that don't withhold will notify the IRS at the end of the year, so don't think you can dodge this). Something to think about.

Okay, lecture over!

There are two basic types of modeling: portrait modeling and figure modeling. I'll talk about portrait modeling first. Figure modeling needs to be discussed in much more depth, so I'm going to save that for my next post because there's so much more that it involves.

Portrait modeling is generally done in a seated position and is performed clothed. You'll sit down for about 20-30 minutes at a time and focus on a particular spot on the wall to keep your head aligned. Don't focus on a student, easel, or any other object that could move in class. Your head will have a tendency to "drift" as your eyes are transfixed on a movable object. Make sure your eyes are comfortable and that any glare from the studio lights won't be a problem.

Now, all you need to do is sit completely still until your timer goes off :) Wash, rinse, repeat.

Before you leave, you'll want to check to see if you'll be needed for the next session, and if so, if you'll be required to wear the same shirt and tie (if applicable) over the series of bookings. If so, you'll want to have whatever you're wearing from the waist up washed or pressed the next day, so you can have it ready for the next session. You might want to put a reminder on your calendar just so you don't forget! You also don't want to get a haircut, color your hair, grow facial hair, etc. between sessions if they want you to keep the same look.

Don't wear your best clothes to a portrait modeling session (well, any modeling session, really) as you don't want to ruin a nice garment because somehow you got paint on it. I'd suggest wearing chinos and a button down shirt that, if push came to shove, you could live with if it got ruined.

When the professor calls for a break, don't immediately break pose. Hold it for another 5-10 seconds so that the class can make that one last addition to their work before you move. It's a small gesture, but I think it's generally appreciated.

During breaks, you can get up and walk around for a bit. Before breaking, try to remember exactly how you were sitting on the chair (straight up, leaning to one side, looking up/down, etc.). As you sit back down, you'll notice how your muscles "remember" how you were sitting as you get back into position. Chances are you won't return to your pose exactly the same way, so feel free to ask for some guidance from the artists who'll help steer you back to your original pose.

Keep in mind that you could easily have a group of 10 artists, and nine of them agree you're back to the same position, while one will insist that you're "off" somehow. I personally wouldn't worry about it. If you're back seated to the liking of the professor (or whoever's in charge) and the rest of the artists, that's what counts. Don't be entirely surprised if that last artist, however, doesn't sigh, mutter, or do something along those lines. It's rare, but happens.

Next post: figure modeling--taking it all off!