Discover Models Blog

After reading our article on how to measure your correct bra size, Sue writes, “I have just been wearing the same bra size for like forever and when I go buy me a new one, the size don’t work. I have been wearing a 42DD, but when I measure I get 46 inches, then add the 4 inches and get 50. The upper band is 54 inch and subtract 50 and get 4, a DD, so what size am I? Can you please help me? I need the right bra.”

You are not alone with this dilemma. First of all, all the bra manufacturers are not consistent. Over time, the way suppliers have changed clothing sizes, they have also quietly changed bra sizes. I would, therefore, suggest that you put away your shyness and get measured by a lingerie expert. I would recommend a department store like Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, or Nordstrom (Victoria’s Secret sometimes has someone mature; but most of the time they will have teenagers who have no idea what they are doing, based on comments from our readers).

If you find bra selection in high end department stores too expensive, don’t buy there; just get yourself measured there, and try on a few bras. When you feel you have a pretty good idea of the size, buy just one bra that day. Wear it for a couple of days and make sure that you feel that it fits well. Only then buy more and even after that, get yourself measured once a year or so, or if you gain/lose a lot of weight.

With the widespread use of digital cameras, we are taking a lot of pictures. Of course, it is fine to take your pictures any way you want (after all, if they don’t look good, just delete them!), but for some situations you want to look your best (Model beauty secrets). For example, in your personal ad or when you post your pictures online for whatever reason. Below are some tips on how to pose for pictures and look beautiful in photos, (and if you take photos, send them to us – we may publish them on our website):
Stand up pretty. This means stand up straight but be natural, not military style. You can do this if you imagine that you are hanging from a cord on the very top of your head. Therefore, your neck is elongated and your ears and shoulders are separated from each other. Tuck in your tummy.
The shoulders are slightly arched back so your breasts look perky.

Put one leg in front of the other. That is how Eva Longoria and Halle Berry do it. This way they look longer. The knees should be a little bent, but do not lock your knees. This not only damages them but also looks bad. Your feet should be pointing to the front.

Rotate your shoulders 3/4 to the front. This will make you and your waist look thinner.

Lower your chin slightly. See Oreke Mosheshe.

Look directly in the lens of the camera. Flirt with the camera. Imagine that the camera is your boyfriend
Let your hands be free. Try not to pose with your purse or glasses in your hands. That way the attention will be on you, not on the object that you are carrying. (Related: How to take care of your hands)

Practice. The Hollywood divas were not born like that; they all learned it and continue to refine their skills through practice and lessons. You can have your own photo shoot by asking a friend or family members to take your pictures and give you feedback.

You have seen them thousands of times, in magazines, newspapers, on billboards, posters and even on packages in grocery stores. These commercial models entice you to buy everything from food to shampoo, jeans to health insurance. When most people think of modeling, they only think of fashion models – those tall, thin, glamorous men and women who appear in ads for designer clothes. But you don’t need to look like Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, or Joel West to succeed as a model. Commercial models come in all shapes, sizes and ages. Some commercial models are gorgeous woman/ handsome men, and beautiful children, and many successful commercial models look just like everyday people. The individual who has the greatest chance of being chosen to appear in an ad is the one who can believably look like a mom, doctor, business person, plumber, student, grandparent, teacher, dad, etc. The best part about commercial modeling is that it is not necessary to have that “perfect” look in order to be successful.

While auditioning for a TV commercial there are a few things the actor can do to help bring the audience into the actor’s world. Understanding the character is crucial. For any type of acting work, whether it is Shakespeare or a television commercial, one must be able to answer the 5 W’s – Who, What, Where, When and Why. Who are you, What is going on in the scene, Where is it taking place, When is it happening, and Why are you saying the words.

It is also necessary to create the environment during the audition, so that the audience believes you. When talking to someone in the scene, find that person in the room, and talk to that character. If you just randomly look around the room while reading to one character, then your audition will not be believable.

Wearing the right wardrobe to the television commercial is also very important. It not only makes it easier for the actor to connect with the character, but also for the casting director (and all of those involved in casting the TV commercial)to believe you are the character. You do have to be a little careful with wardrobe. Some casting directors (especially in large markets) will be insulted if you walk into an audition wearing scrubs, a stethoscope around your neck and paper booties on your feet when reading for the role of a doctor. Casting directors know what doctors look like, and will just want to see you act. Having said that, I would at least wear a suit and not flip flops and a T-shirt when reading for a professional role.

Understanding the time of day the scene is taking place will greatly affect the way you talk. If the scene is happening outside, then your voice will have to be loud enough to carry over the noise. If things are happening at 3:00AM in your bedroom, your tone will be much different.

It is the actors’ job to create the character. Never ask a casting director what they are looking for. That is our job.

If there are any words you don’t understand and can’t pronounce, always ask. This is especially true if the word you are not sure about is the product in the TV commercial. If you are reading with another character and you don’t know what your relationship is with the other person, then you need to ask the casting director. Your read will change drastically if you are reading with your sister, mom, girlfriend or a stranger.

For television commercials, I try and memorize the first and last line and read them straight into the lens of the camera. This would not be true for film or TV episodic auditions.

The most important objective for the actor during the audition and on the job, is to make the words sound conversational. That is what actors do. We talk and listen to each other, like in real life.

To help you practice looking comfortable in front of the camera make a list of the different emotions you want to work on. Go through magazines and find ads that you can really see yourself being cast in. Make sure you are honest with yourself, and not spend time looking into GQ Magazine ads if Parents Magazine is a more appropriate look for you. After you have the list think of situations that will help you feel those emotions.

For example, if I wanted to practice looking happy. I would need to ask myself what kind of happiness should I practice? Am I happy because I won the 20 million dollar lottery, or because I got an A on my exam, or because I just got engaged, etc. These are only three out of many types of happiness.

Once you have figured out the specific emotion then you should think of an experience from your past that will allow you to feel the emotion needed for the proper look. If I needed to feel the excitement of winning 20 million dollars I could think about the time I hit a grand slam in a little league all star game. That is the closest thing I can think of that made me feel like winning the lottery. I can still remember coming towards home plate with my hands up in the air. When I touched home plate I just started screaming with all of my teammates. If you do not have any experiences that can easily connect you with a needed feeling then make one up. Use your imagination.

Along with happiness, and other positive feelings, work on variations of frustration, anger, confusion, feeling sick, etc. Now you have a list of emotions, and you have figured out ways of retrieving them. The next step is to have someone (a non professional) take pictures of you. You can use any kind of camera. Even the cheapest instamatic camera will do for this exercise. Just make sure that the photos are clear and your body and face can be easily seen. Have the list of emotions near by. Look at one emotion at a time, and try to remember the situation that will put you in touch with that feeling. Once again, it is best to look away from the camera while you are preparing yourself. When you are ready, look up. If you are planning to look away from the camera, and not look straight into the lens, then make sure you find a spot to use as a land mark, so you can precisely get your head in the same position after each photo is taken.

Let’s say you want to look just to the left of the camera, then find a place on the wall, or the edge of the camera to use as your mark. Whenever you look away from the lens, it is very difficult to consistently place your head in the same spot without a focus point. This is a good way to practice getting different believable looks and feeling comfortable in front of the camera. A video camera can also be used to practice this exercise, but using a still camera will give you the best training. Study the photos or tape, and see where you were successful and where more work needs to be done. Take acting classes and learn techniques that allow you to grab hold of different feelings. Mastering these skills will give you many different looks. Having access to a wide variety of expressions will make work enjoyable and challenging. Being able to take direction and translate thoughts and feelings into facial and body expressions makes you a more versatile and marketable model.