Helen Richardson looks at glamour modeling
When I first decided that I wanted to become a model I wasn't;t sure exactly which type of modeling I wanted to go into. We've all seen the runway models in New York and many people think that's basically all there is to modeling.Yet as you can see from this and the other articles on this site, there are many other areas and one which is well known but often overlooked by models considering a career in modeling is glamour modeling.
Glamour modeling is different to the other forms of modeling in that it generally is not associated with a product or service. For example, fashion models are there to show off the clothes of fashion designers, to make them move and flow and to draw attention to areas of particular interest .Similarly commercial modeling is there usually to sell an idea or product. For example,advertisements selling electronics or chewing gum for example will employ commercial models to impart some of their attraction onto the goods themselves. This is apparently known as transference ! Photos of glamour models are not generally used to sell a product or idea. Glamour photos are photos with a sexual theme. We've all seen the calendars or posters with bikini clad models on the beach - these are glamour models.
Glamour modeling comes in many forms - from bikini models and swimsuit models to some forms of lingerie modeling. There is actually quite a lot of debate about what the difference is between fetish, adult and glamour models. Well for me, glamour modeling is all about suggestion and implication. Once you move to anything more than this, you are entering the world of adult modeling which I would not advise any would be model to do.
Most model agencies do not get involved with glamour modeling. Model agencies generally work for clients who are trying to advertise services or ideas and they supply these clients with models who fit that product or who say what the client is trying to say. Because glamour models do not generally sell products, they do not fall within this category. As a result, glamour models can find it hard to find work .A common source of work is through the internet. There are some sites devoted purely to the world of glamour modeling and they tend to have forums where glamour models and photographers are put in touch with each other. Needless to say, andy glamour model considering finding work in this way should be extremely careful. There are a lot of weirdos out there and many of them would perhaps like nothing more than to photograph you in a bikini. Personally, I would never go to a shoot with a stranger without a strapping chaperone. Be particularly careful of the photographer who describes himself as a 'semi-pro'. When you have found a photographer, always ask for samples of his or her work, and references, and check out those references to make sure everything is in order.
Tara - Glamour Model
