It’s no secret that the best models know how to “move”, giving them a major advantage over others. Models are not plastic mannequins, and simply relying on good genes and the creative efforts of others to make beautiful images isn’t going to make for a great career.
Models who have a background in dance or theatre tend to have more body awareness, are more likely to know how they are appearing in the shots, and are able to bring drama and personality to the images. Runway comes easily to them since they know how to move fluidly and without awkwardness. Girls with even some basic dance training bring life to the styling, and movement to their limbs and hair, creating drama and spirit. Those who are animated and have good control of their actions are far more likely to be booked over a static, timid girl whose images are flat and boring.
Dance training gives core strength, balance, endurance, and long, lena muscles. And if you think these things don’t matter, try standing for hours in stilettos while stylists work on your clothes, assistants set the lights, editors and photographers do digitals and discuss the shots, - and then be asked to move and make magical images. Supermodel Coco Rocha created a photo book entitled “Study of Pose: 1000 Poses”, the perfect guide for new faces to learn how to model gracefully, quickly, thoughtfully, and artistically.
It is easy for a photographer to rein in a model if her action does not work for the shot or the styling, but extremely frustrating and annoying to waste time waiting for a model to wake up and come to life in front of the camera. Models who rely on their faces alone will have a very short career. Count on it. Dance training also teaches great posture, shoulder placement, fluidity, how to give the appearance of mile long legs and arms, all while selling the garments with imagination and awareness of the final image. And it’s FUN! Get some music going and practice! And do the same on set. Standing still is boring after a while and keeping your energy and enthusiasm up is professional and expected, and if you do, there is a better chance you will be booked by these people again.
Karlie Kloss at 6’2” is a great example of a model who rose above the rest by being bold and animated, quickly becoming a favorite of photographers and editors for her ability to breathe life into the images. And that isn’t easy when you are tall, to avoid looking like you are not in control of your actions. She knows exactly how her body looks to the camera and just how to make each outfit looking stunning in the most flattering, dynamic way.
Theatricality also includes your facial expressions and models who inject some personality into the photos with their face are far more likely to get top editorials over non-emotive models. They know who to portray dreamy innocence, sensuality, joy and laughter, or strength. The best models will become a character in their mind and have a story behind them so they can “act” with their expressions.
There are models who are not traditionally beautiful, or tall, or lanky, who just knew how to play to the camera, to bring emotion to the images or runway, and turned that ability into extraordinary careers, just as there are stunning models who are shy and think it is enough to be beautiful, who never realize their potential and have short careers.
At the same time, modeling is not dance and forced movements that look rehearsed can look awkward and not fluid enough for photography. Don’t be shy on set and by all means ask the photographer what they are going for in the shots, and become a part of the creative process, not a hinderance, or worse, disappointing. Being a new model is not an excuse. Practice makes perfect, so sign up for ballet barre classes, or jazz, or hip hop, and learn how to MOVE. You will be a better, more successful model for it.
XOXO Shelley
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