Hair Tutorial Thursday! Feather Braid!

This look is so so pretty!!

I hope you all enjoy this! 

I know I sure did!

Feather Braid

This would be so awesome for Halloween!

Modeling Scam's

Avoiding Scam's

By Samantha Tribble

Scams. They are everywhere! They are an especially large part of the modeling world. Most new models will encounter at least a handful. I know, starting out, I sure did. But, I quickly learned the signs of a con and have become able to ward them off!

Several modeling sites, such as Model Mayhem (a site for networking between models, photographers, editors, etc.), even has a pop-up when searching for castings that tells you the basics to avoid scams:

                                                                    Avoid Scams!

Don't get scammed. Here are two rules that you should ALWAYS take into account:

1.    If it looks too good to be true, IT IS! Turn and walk away.

2.    NEVER give someone your social security number, a credit card number or any other personal information unless you are absolutely sure of the situation. If someone asks you to pay them for an opportunity where you will (seemingly) eventually be paid back, it's a SCAM.

(http://www.modelmayhem.com/education/using-mm/2854-avoiding-scams-the-basics)

For your entertainment, I will even provide a story of my own as to give an example of a basic scam.

I was maybe two months into my modeling career when I received a message via my Model Mayhem account with a great offer that directed me to e-mail the company directly via my personal e-mail. It was for a “commercial in my location”! How exciting, right? Wrong. The email I received after contacting the company going by the name Optimax asked for my information such as where I lived, my phone number, etc. while including a quite extensive list of vague details. They gave me two weekends in which to choose from to shoot. I started to notice that something wasn’t right. Instead of confirming a date I sent them a list of questions in which I received no response to. A few weeks later I received a check in the mail for $2,950. This package came first-class, overnight, and with nothing but the check from a Christian school in Georgia with an address on the envelope from Oregon. I am a full-time student and had been informed that I had received a new scholarship; so, I thought that this check was from one of my donors. Roughly an hour after I received the check I received  an e-mail from Optimax instructing me to immediately cash the check, withdraw $1,900, and wire it to the “designer”. The designer just happened to be a 50 year-old construction worker in the mid-west. I called my attorney and was instructed to cut contact with company. I told the company that their check was fraudulent and to cease all contact with me. They have not and continue to harass me.

Let this story be a huge lesson and learn from it! Just as the Model Mayhem scam section says, “if it sounds too good to be true, IT IS!”

This type of scam is one of the many out there. There are even scams out there that are legitimate businesses. For example, I recently encountered a modeling agency located in New York whom of which not only charges anywhere between $1,500 and $2,500 for a TEST SHOOT with no guarantee of signing you but they also charge their talent $40 a month to stay on their agency website. This is NOT how agencies work! Now, I’m not saying that you are expected to put nothing down, being a “talent” and paying for your book or portfolio is an investment but by no means should it cost you anywhere near what this agency is charging nor should you ever pay a fee to stay on their website. A real agency’s/ company’s goal is not to make money from you but to instead make money off of you by booking you with paying clients in which they make a certain percentage off of what their talent makes; the percentage is deemed by your state’s modeling/talent laws.

Another common scam involves clothing companies that require the models and/or photographers to purchase the clothing with no reimbursement after they have been photographed in the clothing or have photographed a model in the clothing. The company then uses the photos, a lot of the time without a release from the photographer. They claim to be able to help you gain “national exposure” but in reality you are only working for free. This is the company’s way of gaining free labor, models, and, pictures. The owner is typically the only person who profits and he typically only profits off of the models and photographers who purchase the clothing. I have also encountered a company like this; thankfully I did not shoot for them! The owner stated that for every person who puts your name in the referral box when purchasing the clothing the model would receive 2% of the profit off that order. Well, not only did the owner not follow through with this he also was using his company to sexually exploit minors and prey on them. This company is currently in a heaping mass of trouble.

These are all things that everyone should avoid! Do your homework and research every company and photographer before you work for them. Ask them for references and make sure that their offer is legitimate. If you are under the age of 18, check you state’s laws on modeling and make sure your parent signs a model release form.

Learn more about general scams at these great sites!

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

http://www.phonebusters.com/

http://www.419eater.com/

http://www.scambusters.org/NigerianFee.html

http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm

http://www.modelingscams.org/

http://www.hotscams.com/blogs/learning-the-hard-way.html

http://www.fakechecks.org/

And for the minors and parents of minors check out:

http://modelalliance.org/child-models

                                                                                                                                                -Samantha

Halloween Make-up Tutorial Tuesday!

Alrighty well here's another Halloween edition of tutorial Tuesday!

I will include a few tutorials this time since its such an amazing holiday!

This time with both male and female tutorials!

I hope you guys enjoy!!

The Voodoo Doll

Zombie Barbie

Sugar Skull

Pop Art 

I cant leave the guys out!!!

Male Makeup Tutorials

Warm Bodies Tutorial

Vampire

Pop Art

Werewolf

The Importance of Wardrobe

So do you wonder why wardrobe is an important part of your modeling career?

Well DUH we gotta wear clothes.. 

Well we don't but that's another blog! 

LOL

You should constantly be collection pieces for your model closet.

It doesn't matter what it is.

Even the most ridiculous piece you think you'd never wear or use you probably will.

When collecting wardrobe for your modeling don't go in with the mind set of something "I" would wear.

But think like a photographer and start reflecting on magazines you look through.

Also remember what type of model you are.

So on that note below are a list for both male and female models.

This list consists of the basic must haves to start your wardrobe.

I hope this helps shed some light!

Female Models

1. Bra's and panties in all shapes,styles,colors and pattern's. (modern and vintage) 
2. Stockings again in all shades,styles,full coverage,thigh high (modern and vintage)
3. White fitted tshirt both in regular crew neck and V neck
4. Graphic tee's
5. Jeans in all washes and cuts 
6. Heels in black,red, & nude (but keep collecting them in all styles)
7. Nice sneakers (high and low top)
8. Boots dress and casual 
9. Accessories (necklaces,earrings,bracelets,watch,hair accessories) 
10. Hats (dress and casusal)
11. Long dress (solid color)
12. Short dress ( solid color)
13. Skirt both long and short
14. Business suit (tailored to fit)
15. Business shirts (several colors)

Male Models

1. Different styles of underwear (brief,boxer,boxer briefs)
2. Jeans in different styles,cuts and washes
3. Khaki's 
4. Sport Jacket
5. Turtle Neck
6. V neck sweater
7. Crisp white button up shirt
8. White t-shirt 
9. Graphic t-shirts (keep up with trends)
10. Cool sneakers
11. Books both dress and casual
12. Dress shoes
13. Belt
14. Messenger Bag
15. Hat's both dress and casual ( ball cap,beanie, fedora)

Ok well I hope this helps you all get started.

Remember to always add to your model closet. Even if its something totally outside your own style.

You never know when your going to need it.

Also you don't have to get all this at once. So don't feel like you need to.

Have fun with collecting your wardrobe and get creative!

Hair Tutorial Thursday!! The Hair Bow

This hair style is soooo perfect for photoshoots!

Its the hair bow style!

Enjoy!

 

This ones a bit fancier

This super fancier and for long hair anad so so pretty!

There you have it!

3 different versions of this beautiful bow look and you can take it from fun and funky to elegant for a wedding!

Enjoy ladies!

Halloween Makeup Tutorial Tuesdays!!

Since its October, I figure that all of our tutorials should be Halloween in nature!!

Soo without further a due I give you Goldiestarling's Evil Queen.

She's one of my favorite makeup artists.. 

Shes freakin amazing!

 

Enjoy my lovelies!

Makeup Tutorial Tuesday!

So sorry Im late!!

Here is a beautiful gold glitter look!

This would be great for shoots or parties!