Topteen #1 - Alessandra Liu Cover

advice
through the lens
BY jonathan route
the world of modeling is not
what it was 20 years ago, ten
years ago or even one year
ago. Modeling has been rapidly changing
from the commercialized runway
shows around the world, boasting tall
thin women and svelte men wearing
incredible designer creations that very
few can afford and even fewer could
wear. Social media has given all new
meaning to the word “model”. Instagram,
Youtube, Snapchat, and many other social
media avenues that an old guy like
me doesn’t understand or know how to
use, has turned everyday people into
teen influencers, and Youtube sensations
overnight.
With that, many parents are looking to
get their children in on the action. Navigating
the waters of this ever growing
industry is not easy and often times not
safe. Just like every other industry, there
are scammers and less than ethical people
looking to take advantage in any way
that they can.
With that being said, I would like to offer
a few basic pointers based on what
I have seen as a photographer working
with new and seasoned models and
agencies.
see anything crazy or over the
top. Give them the basic look until
a time comes that they ask for
more. Casual looks and maybe a
basic quick video is all you need
to get started. The video is getting
to be more and more necessary
with social media and video being
the biggest form of advertisement
for end users to use. Because of
that, and acting class or two may
not be a bad idea either!
Finding your reputable photographer
can be a daunting task. Do
not go to just anyone. Some of
the things that you want to look
for are a photographer that has
a professional studio, not an in
home spot with a sheet hanging
from the rafters as a backdrop.
Look for someone with a professional
website, strong social media
presence, and quality work
and references. Unfortunately
anyone can go into an electronics
store or get on line and get a
professional looking camera and
call themselves a photographer. A
good rule is that you get what you
pay for. Photographers that offer
“Instagram, Youtube and Snapchat has
turned everyday teens into influencers
and sensations overnight.
The first question I get asked is “Where
do I start to get my child involved in
modeling. You will get a number of different
answers based on who you talk
to and where their interests are directed.
But the first step should definitely be
getting your child into a reputable photographer
to get some basic digitals or
submission photos. These are often just
basic and rather boring photos, but they
give a blank canvas look for agencies
to look at. Legitimate agencies know
what they can do with hair and makeup
and wardrobe, so they don’t need to
“
all free shoots are not always going
to give you the quality that you
need. Don’t be afraid to pay a fair
price to get the quality and ethical
practice that you should be looking
for. As a child model, you don’t
want your kids photos on a page
with pictures of scantily clad or
even partially nude models, that is
a red flag that this photographer
may not be what you’re looking for.
You also want to avoid photographers
that have no photos with
models or photographers with
62 - Top Teen Magazine - Special Edition