Please Mister How Do I Become A Model? Modeling Advice Again!

When wannabe models write to me usually the same exciting question pops up time and time again: How do I become a model?

This post is highly informative and no-holds-barred! This method of writing is realistic and unforgiving.

I will skip over BS information so aspiring models will be well prepared for the naked truth, the awful rejections and the sometimes fabulous jet setter lifestyle which are all part of the glamorous entertainment industry!

What prompted me to return to sharing valuable modeling advice utilizing my usual sensitive writing style again is an unpleasant email exchange with a model.
My honesty and caring was perceived as unacceptable rudeness. Shocking!

I dared to critique a local Hawaiian model’s latest photos and called them “lame”. I recommended to her that she selects the photographers she works with more carefully. I composed my message to her clearly putting the responsibility on the photographer.
I expressed that I cared about her and the quality of her portfolio.

I usually do not send suggestions which carry a negative tone but I was genuinely disgusted how badly the photographer butchered her photos while unsuccessfully trying to capture her beauty.

Not unexpectedly she lashed out at me recommending I do not view her photos in the future if they are so lame.

Yes, she took constructive criticism personally. It is not uncommon but quite counterproductive.
I attempted to convince her with real life examples why negative criticism is as useful or even more useful than compliments:

• the TV show America’s Next Top Model clearly demonstrates how important “brutal” photo critiques are
• there are whole websites which are built around critiquing photos (example: Photo.net)

She replied saying I should not critique her photos because I do not know her. She stated it is impossible to care about people I do not know therefore I was lying when I said I cared about her.

My response was as gentle and comforting as possible. I told her that she has photo criticism completely backwards: I DO NOT HAVE TO KNOW HER in order to form a (clearly subjective) opinion about her photos.

I asked her: what does knowing her personally has to do with a photo critique? It is the photo that is being judged but in her mind it was a (negative) statement on her personality.
She is already 27 years old so I was confused about her immaturity regarding taking this so personally but then I realized it was her insecurity which prevented her to rise above the situation.
I even told her how much I personally appreciate negative criticism but it was not effective in convincing her.

I had even less hope to successfully respond to her second statement. I told her for me it is possible to care about her and people I do not personally know.

Then I realized the irony of the situation: she just accused me of passing judgment on her personality when all I did was critiqued her photos.
At the same time she DID pass judgment on my personality without knowing me stating that I was not a caring person.
At this point the email exchange with her became a ridiculous waste of time.

What does this have to do with modeling advice? Everything! Advice is guidance. Some embrace it some do not.

With that said I hereby introduce for your reading (dis)pleasure:
Not Another Modeling Advice

Related previous articles:
Flaky Models, Zen and Green Skies
Why Pay Fashion Photographers?
Nice Models Who Cannot Act Dramatic
Modeling Advice