Magazine modeling is all about standing out and being able to work with the photographer.
Becoming a fashion model in any city is challenging---and Cape Town, South Africa is no exception. With fashion magazines such as Elle, GQ and Glamour in circulation in this African nation, the opportunities to model for magazines are plentiful. Natives such as Landi Swanepoel and Minki Visser have gone on to become supermodels and grace the covers of numerous magazines. The key to being a magazine model in Cape Town is finding the right agency and understanding the international aspect of the modeling world.
Instructions
1. Search modeling agencies in Cape Town online. Most major modeling agencies in Cape Town such as--Max Models, Ice Model Management, and Boss Models--have websites that easily display contact them by post mail, telephone and/or email. Acquire their contact information and inquire about the casting process. Express to them your interest and be ready to answer possible questions about physical measurements. They will usually tell you to send them a head shot and full body shot.
2. Build a portfolio by contacting Cape Town photography studios and/or photographers who frequently work with magazine models. Find these studios by researching online or searching in Cape Towns local business directories found in newspapers. Many studios require consultations and there is a fee for the photo shoot that varies depending on the type and number of photographs you will be taking. Take a variety of photographs, include ones with no makeup, completely natural and some shots of you that are more styled and reflective of a magazine spread.
3. Know your physical measurements and record them on the back of your head shots. The traditional minimum accepted height of magazine models is 5 foot 8 inches. Though there are limitations in the magazine modeling world, there are markets for petite and plus size models in Cape Town.
4. Consider doing TFP modeling (Time-for-Print or Trade-for-Print), which is when a photographer and a model both exchange their time to receive prints and experience. TFP modeling is great for upcoming models, because it makes the process of becoming a magazine model less expensive. Many TFP photographers and models in Cape Town communicate through online community forums, such as Starnow.com.
5. Distribute your portfolio or composite card (a card stock of your best photographs) at open casting calls. Modeling agencies promote open casting calls on their website, in television and print advertisements, and over the radio. Casting calls are a way to meet industry individuals and find an agency that specialize in print and editorial modeling.
