True False: Are You Too Old to Model?
True False: Are You Too Old to Model?
By Aaron Marcus
For Backstage
Have you ever looked at an ad and thought, “I’d love to get into commercial modeling, but I think I’m too old”? Well, think again!
Unlike fashion modeling—which requires women be between 5’9-6’0 feet tall with 34/24/34 measurements, and men to be 6’0-6’2 feet tall with a 40 jacket size—commercial modeling is open to a much more diverse array of people. It’s rare for fashion models to have real success without a very specific look desired by the agency, and if a person older than 21 and hasn’t already been working in the fashion industry for a few years, it will be very difficult to get signed by an agency and hired for fashion shows.
But if you don’t have any interest in working as a fashion model or, like most of us, you weren’t born with the DNA and stats needed to work in the fashion industry, I have some great news for you.
Meet commercial modeling: a whole division of the industry that doesn’t have height, weight, or age restrictions. Where all types of people are needed. Where kids, teens, adults, seniors, and even infants are hired. That offers many categories and roles. If you can believably look like the doctor, nurse, grandparent, banker, real estate agent, athlete, yoga instructor, student, mom, teacher, biker, patient, etc., you will be considered for commercial modeling work.
Commercial models are the “real” looking people seen in virtually every non-fashion magazine. Even if you live in a small market, chances are commercial models are needed and hired for jobs. Unlike acting jobs, commercial modeling bookings typically only last a few hours. Full day bookings are wonderful but it’s more common to be booked for 2-4 hours, which means you can take a few half day’s from work, go to the shoot, and get on with your day!
One of the tricks to getting noticed by photographers and art/creative directors at ad agencies is to create powerful commercial photos. Instead of just standing in front of a camera wearing a suit with a cell phone in your hand, make sure your photos look like ads (minus logos and brand names).
You also want to show a variety of expressions and emotions in your test shots to indicate that you can model for a variety of brands and have range. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some quick tips for great techniques to use when working with a photographer.
So if modeling interests you but you’re concerned about your age, don’t be. There is work out there for you, I promise.
About the Author: Aaron Marcus
Aaron Marcus has been a full-time actor and commercial model for over 36 years.
His new book, How to Become a Successful Actor and Model is an Amazon Best Seller.
Aaron has given his seminar: "Book the Job" over 800 times spanning 3 continents.
He also offers online workshops.
Aaron saves 5 days each month to give private on-line coaching sessions.
Subscribe to his Acting and Modeling Quick Tips Channel and have free access to 270 + videos <ahttps://www.youtube.com/c/aaronmarcusactingandmodelingquicktips?sub_confirmation=1.