Forums > Newbie Forum > how to become a travel model? (my long-term goal)

Model

Jori Hope

Posts: 2

Seattle, Washington, US

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to become a travel model someday. Thanks!

Apr 14 14 06:54 am Link

Photographer

Farenell Photography

Posts: 18832

Albany, New York, US

You'd be wise to seriously read the following post:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … st16411623

...from the very experienced traveling model, Rebecca Lawrence.

Apr 14 14 07:05 am Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

Keep in mind that it's an incredible amount of hard work, that culminates in a modest living.  There are going to be a lot of times when you'll wonder why you're doing it, but then you'll have to get up the next morning, put your game face on, and be right back in the grind. You'll have trips where everyone cancels, and you have to know how to hustle your ass off, and find some replacement to fill those slots. That involves a lot of hand-wringing, and hoping, but somehow, it always worked out for me.

The best years for traveling models was probably 2007-2010. There was a serious, connected network of individuals who hosted models, and a sense of real community. A lot of that has died out in recent years, making it harder than ever to keep going. You have to be completely self-reliant. You will probably sleep in your car a lot. You'll need to not be freaked out by traveling alone, or dealing with sketchy people on public transportation. You will also have some amazing adventures, and meet a variety of wonderful, smart and beneficial people.

you can feel free to PM me with any specific questions you might have. I've been touring, on and off, since 2009. I just got home after close to two months on the road.

Apr 14 14 07:48 am Link

Photographer

MedievalIce

Posts: 233

Ithaca, New York, US

Two initial observations:
1) Learn how to do make-up
2) Build a varied and interesting wardrobe

To add to that, I've noticed that perhaps the biggest part of being a traveling model is actually reputation rather than modeling or looks.  I've noticed that models who are more visible on here and other social media tend to get booked more often than other models who may have even better ports.  So do things to get your name out there: create a blog, twitter, etc. but also contribute to the fora the POTD contests and other things here on MM.

The other part of reputation is that of being professional and reliable.  Act professionally on the fora, don't rant, don't insult people, don't be a diva, etc.  Be good and prompt in replying to messages.  This requires a bit of organization as well.  Keep track of people you have talked to, where they are, what they're interested in shooting, etc.  These are potential contacts.

Also, take Koryn up on her offer - she's great.

Apr 14 14 08:03 am Link

Photographer

Kjos Photography

Posts: 164

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, US

MedievalIce wrote:
To add to that, I've noticed that perhaps the biggest part of being a traveling model is actually reputation rather than modeling or looks.  I've noticed that models who are more visible on here and other social media tend to get booked more often than other models who may have even better ports.  So do things to get your name out there: create a blog, twitter, etc. but also contribute to the fora the POTD contests and other things here on MM.

I agree with this.

The more I see a traveling model online, the more I get know if they are someone I'd be interested in paying when they are in my area.

With online interaction, I get a feeling as to who they are, what their knowledge is, and how they are as a person in general.

It isn't like I "know" them from online experience, but I am far more likely to pay them than someone who just constantly posts availability notices with rates.

Apr 14 14 08:13 am Link

Photographer

American Glamour

Posts: 38813

Detroit, Michigan, US

MedievalIce wrote:
To add to that, I've noticed that perhaps the biggest part of being a traveling model is actually reputation rather than modeling or looks.  I've noticed that models who are more visible on here and other social media tend to get booked more often than other models who may have even better ports.  So do things to get your name out there: create a blog, twitter, etc. but also contribute to the fora the POTD contests and other things here on MM.

Kjos Photography wrote:
I agree with this.

The more I see a traveling model online, the more I get know if they are someone I'd be interested in paying when they are in my area.

With online interaction, I get a feeling as to who they are, what their knowledge is, and how they are as a person in general.

It isn't like I "know" them from online experience, but I am far more likely to pay them than someone who just constantly posts availability notices with rates.

I agree with this wholeheartedly.  Get involved in the forums.  Let people get to know you.  It will help more than you can imagine.

Apr 14 14 09:09 am Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

Forum participation has been absolutely integral to me in terms of networking for travel opportunities.

The more prominent you are on the message boards, the more people will be interested in who you are, what you have to say, and where you will be working.

It's almost like a way to build yourself a "brand."

Apr 14 14 09:13 am Link

Photographer

American Glamour

Posts: 38813

Detroit, Michigan, US

https://www.jayleavitt.com/links/guide_forum_llama.gif

Farenell Photography wrote:
You'd be wise to seriously read the following post:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … st16411623

...from the very experienced traveling model, Rebecca Lawrence.

I just wanted to compliment you for this great post!   So often, when we have new members that ask questions we are familiar with, the knee jerk reaction is to tell them to "go search."  The problem is, just because we've read the answer before, that doesn't mean they have.

As a community, we want to encourage people to post.  This is a great way to do it.   You've pointed them at an existing thread and did so in a welcoming manner.  I just wanted to give you some kudos for it.

Thanks for the great post!

Apr 14 14 09:21 am Link

Photographer

afplcc-Glamour

Posts: 133

Fairfax, Virginia, US

Jori Hope wrote:
Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to become a travel model someday. Thanks!

I"m not a model.  But I've been shooting models for 35+ years and have worked with a few traveling models.  Here are some things that I heard from them about how they got started.

1.  Start with a location that is a baby-step...maybe you have a cousin or college-roomie who now lives there.  Or it's in your state.  So there is a place to crash, maybe have someone to decompress with or vent about the creep or no-show or lousy traffic or unclear directions.  ideally it would be a city that you aren't a stranger to and maybe has metro (b/c most traveling models aren't going to have cars all the time).  If you can manage this and learn a few things then you're ready to move up to a more ambitious level.

2.  Travel light.  I picked up one TM at the airport.  She was going to be on the road for 2 months.  She had a backpack and a duffle she could easily carry in one hand.  That was her travel clothes, some lingerie, some dresses and shoes to model in, makeup, phone and charger, maybe a laptop, a jacket, a few snacks, other stuff she traveled with.

3.  Make connections.  Forums help.  Go to photographers in the area you're going to travel to and compliment their work--see if they respond with "too bad you aren't in my neck of the woods--I'd love to shoot that with you...".

4.  Travel inexpensively.  Most TMs I know will trade shoot time for plane tickets.  They'll sleep on the sofa of another model they've become buds with.  They'll use Megabus or Vammoose to get up and down the East Coast.  I know one model who flew to LA with 8 shoots set up--and 7 of them canceled.  She had to wire her parents for money so she could make it through the week and get home.  People cancel, bad weather hits, models get sick--so you can't go to a site figuring that you're going to get money that will pay for your expenses or your way back.

5.  Look for an anchor.  In a mall, an anchor store is the big store that draws a lot of people (and then they make stops and the lesser known shops along the way).  Book a shoot with a workshop.  And then try to fill in shoot time around it at that location.  And use the workshop to build visibility and rep so the next time you come back to visit that location in 6 months, you've got people lining up to shoot with you.  Or don't do the workshop and then immediately leave town--if people in the workshop will come up to you and say "hey, I had a blast....can I shoot with you tomorrow?"

All the comments about hard work and pay sound spot-on from what I've been told.  The TMs who do this tend to do it (again, from what I've been told):
(a) they like the lifestyle and/or posing.
(b) it allows them to be a full-time model (or to support another lifestyle...like being a painter) and they can't do that by staying local.
(c) it allows them a chance to travel to new and interesting places or connect with good friends who are now dispersed while having other people pay for the travel.

Ed

Apr 23 14 10:41 am Link

Photographer

Toto Photo

Posts: 3757

Belmont, California, US

I saw this in your Profile:

No nudes. Only artistic implied nudes will be considered.

I'm not aware of any successful travelling models with this limitation and assume it will decrease your bookings considerably. My advice for a travelling model would be to drop that limitation.

Apr 23 14 11:46 am Link

Photographer

Random Image

Posts: 335

Pocatello, Idaho, US

Toto Photo wrote:
I saw this in your Profile:

No nudes. Only artistic implied nudes will be considered.

I'm not aware of any successful travelling models with this limitation and assume it will decrease your bookings considerably. My advice for a travelling model would be to drop that limitation.

Sadly I have to agree with this.  Nude is a selling point in and of itself, but more importantly (at least to me), it tells me (the employer) that you have limitations that may prove problematic to work around.  To put it bluntly, if I am hiring a model, I will hire the one that can give me the most bang for my money, and if that means a choice of hiring you or another model without that limitation, I will hire them.

Apr 23 14 01:03 pm Link

Photographer

Cherrystone

Posts: 37171

Columbus, Ohio, US

Toto Photo wrote:
I saw this in your Profile:

No nudes. Only artistic implied nudes will be considered.

I'm not aware of any successful travelling models with this limitation and assume it will decrease your bookings considerably. My advice for a travelling model would be to drop that limitation.

This, 99%.

The 1%....there are a few....but they are very few and far between.

As to getting into the forums, most all of the best travel models I've known personally rarely go into the forums, so I wouldn't consider that a necessary thing.

Apr 23 14 01:06 pm Link

Model

B R E N N A N

Posts: 4247

Charlotte, North Carolina, US

I'll be in Spokane in a month. If you like message me and we can grab food or a drink and you can pick my brain.

Apr 23 14 01:10 pm Link

Model

MikkiMarvel

Posts: 112

Raleigh, North Carolina, US

B R E N N A N wrote:
I'll be in Spokane in a month. If you like message me and we can grab food or a drink and you can pick my brain.

Do this. Brennan is a professional.

I've been doing the traveling thing for a year and I just have to reiterate some of the things said.

Sometimes I wonder why I'm doing it. Then I wake up ready to go and book everything. The online presence is also a big part of it and actually something I need to get better at.

Apr 23 14 01:17 pm Link