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What do you think of shorter models?
I've been checking out people's profiles, and it seems like I'm the shortest person I've seen by far on MM.... 4'11". *insert "aww how cute" here* It seems to be that the only paid work a model can get that isn't nude is through an agency. But will agencies (or anyone, really) want to hire someone not only under 5'8", but under 5'0"? What is your take on shorter models? Is height ever really an issue, and if so, why? May 12 06 11:02 pm Link I keep repeating this story here on MM, but it's true: I knew a very short pair, a male model and a female model, who got lots of work posing for boating ads because their short heights made boat interiors look huge. Success in modeling is about finding your niche and marketing yourself to those jobs. Failure may result from trying to compete in the wrong arena. If the agencies in your town don't hire models who look like you, then you may have to look farther away for an agency who's clients are seeking models like you. May 12 06 11:15 pm Link Height is only a problem if you try and force yourself into modeling that you just aren't bulit for. I will never be a fashion model,and I will never change the industry to let people like me into high fashion, so what's the use in trying? Don't put up shots that make you look small, or stubby. Don't stand near obvious points of reference that will make people say "DAYUM SHE TINY". I often get messages asking if my listed height is a mistake, they think I meant to write 5'10 not 5'0. It's all in how you represent yourself. May 13 06 12:22 am Link you can always do commerical modeling or pettie runway shows with your height. I did some! Whenever i meet a photgraphers, they always tell me" ooh, i thought you was tall" because all my picture i posed to make myself appear taller and i tell them 100's times, they should of have read my bio. I'd mention 5'4". They still shoot me. May 13 06 12:29 am Link While not nearly as short as some, I only come in at 5'2. I always am sure to bring heels and platform shoes just in cause I need to be taller. May 13 06 12:30 am Link At 4'11 you have no chance as an adult model signing with an agency. Since you are 18, try going into a children's division. If you look young enough you may find some success. you can also try hair modeling as you can get work without being singed. I'm sure there are other areas to find some work. I don't mean to be cruel but sometimes you have to face certain truths so that you can head down a more promising path. May 13 06 12:33 am Link Faeawynn wrote: The required height is for a proper fit of the clothing. Not just a rule that someone made. May 13 06 12:35 am Link https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=2064 ModelMayhem.com - Short Models in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=10567 ModelMayhem.com - Too short and too fat???? What?! in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=11815 ModelMayhem.com - Short and Naked in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=17963 ModelMayhem.com - About Models being too short  in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=19935 ModelMayhem.com - Short Models? in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=19821 ModelMayhem.com - When you're short AND chubby.. in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=29769 ModelMayhem.com - Success and Short Models in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=26220 ModelMayhem.com - how do short models go about getting signed? in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=29355 ModelMayhem.com - Short Models.... in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=38736 ModelMayhem.com - Too short in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=40072 ModelMayhem.com - us shorter ladies in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=19913 ModelMayhem.com - This one goes out to all the short models out there in Off-Topic Discussion May 13 06 02:46 am Link Uhhh...back to the discussion... I prefer short models cause I'm going for a specific look that's easier to achieve with a shorter model. I also know some short models that photograph tall by the way they hold their legs long, etc.... You probably won't do Fashion Week in NYC. But that goes for most tall models too. May 13 06 02:52 am Link I do plenty of work that short models are well suited for - As others have said, remain realistic about the industry expectations and standards for the various styles and genres.... FWIW - Bill Ballard Blue Water Photography Savannah, GA www.bluewaterphotography.net May 13 06 06:34 am Link Lidia M wrote: This girl is 4'9: https://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=19831 May 13 06 10:30 am Link As long as your not trying to do runway work, or working with another model then height really shouldnt matter as long as everything is in proportion. Any quality photographer should be able to work with you without having to compensate for lack of height. Just take a look at random photos of different models, just by looking at them, in 75-80% of them you cant tell how tall the model is without looking it up. Being short does hinder your chances somewhat, but it shouldnt be the end of the world. May 13 06 10:37 am Link Short slim girls are cute as a button! There is no reason they couldn't do some sweet pin-up modelling...! -JJ May 13 06 10:39 am Link Lidia M wrote: You are a great model just as you are. Height is never an issue with me. May 13 06 10:44 am Link I use reliable attractive short models as long as their legs are not too short and their figure is in proportion, for mid-range boutique fashion. May 13 06 10:48 am Link I use them as tripods - they are best for attaching reflectors. May 13 06 11:41 am Link UnoMundo Photography wrote: Now that was way harsh! May 13 06 11:56 am Link Don't let the height thing bother you. True, you won't do runway work, but there is plenty of commercial print out there. You are not short - YOU ARE POWERFULLY COMPACT  May 13 06 12:02 pm Link I am 5 ft!!!!!! naaaa there is no issue so far.........everyone seem so friendly so far... maggie May 13 06 12:10 pm Link Lidia M wrote: I don't think highly of them (couldn't resist)... May 13 06 12:14 pm Link Lidia M wrote: It's no reason to look down on a model... May 13 06 12:16 pm Link Short models usually work well for swimsuit and glamour shots, because they look curvier than tall fashion models. Along the same lines, models with small hands are preferred for fast food hamburger type commercials, because small hands make the burger look bigger. May 13 06 12:23 pm Link https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=5920 ModelMayhem.com - height requirement in modeling Industry in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=3764 ModelMayhem.com - What's height got to do with it? in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=8511 ModelMayhem.com - Height in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=9672 ModelMayhem.com - Does height really matter? in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=12345 ModelMayhem.com - height...arrrgh! in Newbie Forum https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=14888 ModelMayhem.com - Gripe about height issues in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=15666 ModelMayhem.com - Has anyone tried those supplements for height? in Model Matters https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=23212 ModelMayhem.com - height in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=25835 ModelMayhem.com - Does a model's height really matter to you? in General Mayhem https://modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=32990 ModelMayhem.com - height-lying models...i'm not really mad :-) in General Mayhem May 13 06 12:31 pm Link Seth wrote: i agree, and which division pays MORE..?? COMMERCIALS... besides that, you can do MTV's as well... so find an agency that will take you in and make use of what you got... goodluck May 13 06 12:48 pm Link those little wiley rascals... May 13 06 12:55 pm Link Mostly I think "no." May 13 06 12:56 pm Link Lidia M wrote: As long as you are "proportional" any good photographer will have no problem making you look tall. On top of that, a lot of studios don't have an abundance of height and will often have the ceiling showing in some shots with tall models. May 13 06 01:16 pm Link they need to grow j/k lolMay 13 06 01:57 pm Link Ha, personally, I love shorter models.... 4'10 to 5'2 is kinda my preferred range. (look, if nothing else, the backdrops can be smaller.....) May 13 06 02:02 pm Link I recently worked with a 16-year-old Asian girl who is about 5'4. I knew her height ahead of time but wasn't concerned. And thank God I wasn't, because she turned out to be the most talented girl I've ever shot! She spends a lot of time practicing her poses and facial expressions, and the only direction I had to give her as a photographer was to hold a certain pose that she'd gotten into. She was recently passed over by a cattle-call but I think that if she finishes her portfolio and agencies find out how talented this girl is, she'll find herself signed - and busy- soon. May 13 06 02:03 pm Link Lidia M wrote: May 13 06 02:08 pm Link It's a simple case of "finding you nitche" and if you cannot find one, then "carve yourself a nitche"... anything is possible, especially now with MAXIM, FHM, they are not so "fashion oriented and are more friendly toward models that don't meet the 5-9 and over height requirements. We are working with models that are short and some of them are pulling down $250K annually, a lot more that most fashion models in their first year at Elite. The probabilities of a short model getting signed with a major agency is practically nill, but, there are so-o-o many other avenues for a model to pursue besides high fashion. May 13 06 02:15 pm Link Lidia M wrote: Dark Star Photography wrote: granted, there's quite a bit of difference between 4'11" and 5'4" but still, although neither will likely go into mainstream runway work, there might be some opportunity for editorial work for the young women in question; depends a lot on how they photograph & the needs of the respective agencies. May 13 06 02:16 pm Link Height is like age. Who cares as long as you can do the job. bs May 13 06 02:19 pm Link Hey listen every one who is going back and forth with this issue ,I ve been shooting for more years than I can remember (25 - 30 years) and the word Model means a person who gets something ,money etc. for performing a job like advertisements etc .now in my 25 - 30 years a can say that a person under 5'5" or below can never earn any amout of money unless the thing they are doing is some kind of a freak show something odd and not a modeling job which is normal .a model earns her living doing legit jobs not taking her clothes off and exposing her fake boops.yes you can say anything you like hey I'm a handsome movie star it may make me feel good but guys she is still a midget and no offense to little people. so i think all these wanna be models should stay out of these sites so a real girl with the right qualifications can be seen easier and not with these fakes who think and say there MODELS May 13 06 02:30 pm Link I am proud to be a "shorty". Many times I bypass the taller girls and end up in the front because I am short, and the producers want me to be seen. I have gotten alot of camera time because of my height. Most of the Hip Hop and R&B artists are short and they request shorter models to be by their side in productions. If your having an issue with your height try print work! (SOFT AND PRETTY) What many shorter models lack in height they make up for in curves. You better work what you are blessed with and quit crying.Acting is where the money is anyway. Try acting and use it to your advantage. Play a voluptuous sexy mistress one day and make millions on a highscool sitcom the next. Ask Jada Will Smith loves every tiny inch! Ask Nia Long, Jessica Simpson, Janet Jackson, Halle Berry, Shakira, Eva Longoria, Raven Simone, and the list goes on. Yeah,they might be short but their cash flow ain't!!! May 13 06 02:54 pm Link Lidia M wrote: This has been discussed alot. I am 5'4" and just have each of my kids pull on a leg and stretch everyday LOL May 13 06 03:06 pm Link BOBBY DIMARZO wrote: Nice...Im surprised you can see a keyboard what with your nose so high in the air. May 13 06 03:10 pm Link Personally, I like 'em. Means I don't have to grab a stool to do headshots.  May 13 06 03:13 pm Link Lidia M wrote: I love short models for commercial, life style and certain editorial works. I have never worked with a 4', 11" but I have worked with a few 5'-5,3" . They've been always very expressive, live and interesting people...I think because they usually have more energy in such a small package. May 13 06 03:28 pm Link |
