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Books for
Models |
Here I have gathered a list books that I think will
be useful for up and coming models. These books link to Amazon.com
for purchase. Some are out of print but are available used. Also,
check your local library for these books.
Books with reviews
Books about Modeling
Books about Makeup
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Books About Modeling
The books listed here link to Amazon.com where you can find
more reviews and can purchase the book. You may also want to
check with your school or local library to see what they have.
I strive to locate books on makeup, fashion, the fashion industry,
being in business for yourself, and other topics that I think
might be useful for up and coming models. |
The Modeling Handbook |
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by Eve Metheson
192 pages
Published 1999
This book is for those wanting to know how the high fashion
modeling business works. The author draws her information for
this book from experience with her daughter who was a high fashion
model in Europe and the US, and from conducting hundreds of interviews
with key individuals in the fashion and modeling business. All
of this background she distills down into an info loaded, all
too brief paper back.
This is not a how-to model book (no "how to put on make-up"
in this book) but a book that explains how the high fashion model
industry works and how to make your way in this exclusive world.
The author looks at what it takes to be a high fashion model,
how to become a model, industry terms, how to be successful,
the business (what happens after you get an agency), legal matters,
specialty modeling, and agency instructions to models. She has
extensive chapters on modeling in major markets in the US and
overseas and explains the relationship between US mother agencies
and European agencies. She also has chapters full of advice and
quotes from top individuals in the modeling industry to new up
and coming models. The weakest point of the book is that it is
too brief. The author distills down into a paragraph a subject
that I would drown on for many pages. This book is loaded with
information so read it carefully.
If you are looking for information about commercial, glamour
or smaller market modeling, this is not the book for you. If
you want a short intense seminar on the real business of high
fashion modeling, you will find this book invaluable.
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Model : The Complete Guide for Men and Women |
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by Marie Anderson Boyd
Published 1998
176 pages
I liked the book and I think it would be useful for anyone
starting in modeling. The author has worked in and now runs her
own modeling agency in Chicago. I like her point of view as being
someone outside of the New York scene. I find the information
is more relevant to how modeling works in most of the USA.
The book has topics on how to get an agency, how to work with
an agency, how to put together a composite, info on promotion
materials, and test shooting. She covers the business side of
modeling with topics like getting organized, your wardrobe, your
modeling bag, handling your finances, record keeping, taxes,
agents' fees, and what it means to be self-employed. The book
also has the usual rehash of body upkeep, skin care, makeup,
hair care, exercise, and nutrition. Also the book has a run through
of types of modeling and which big cities in the world have which
types of modeling. There are several unique and excellent sections
in the book. Some of these sections are how to put together and
arrange a portfolio, model etiquette (I loved the part on how
to behave in a photographer's studio) and a section going over
all of the other jobs involved in the industry (agents, bookers,
photographers, photographers' assistance, makeup artist, hair
stylist, and more). She even takes a rare stand in favor of modeling
schools and conventions. This book has a great deal of valuable
insider information.
Again, I think this is an excellent book for someone starting
out in modeling and I highly recommend it. Certainly it has more
information than I could put on this web site and the book is
written by someone who knows how the business works.
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How to Become a Successful Commercial
Model |
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By Aaron Marcus
Self Published 2000
95 pages
If your desire is to be a high fashion supermodel or to be
on the fashion runways of Paris this book is not for you. This
book covers how to be a commercial model and actor. Mr. Marcus,
a working commercial model & actor, shares his many years
of experience in this brief but loaded-with-practical-information
book. The overall book leaves you with a basic idea of what character
modeling (the fundamental of commercial modeling) and working
as a freelance model is all about. You come to understand that
commercial modeling requires acting talent and hard work (not
just another tall, thin and pretty face model) in order to succeed.
Though there are subject areas that could be expanded and a clearer
organization of materials would be helpful (some chapters are
more of 101 tips rather than a smooth learning progression),
this book has practical information on commercial modeling that
can be found nowhere else.
Some topics that are covered in the book are: what is commercial
modeling, how to get photos, how to put together a composite,
finding good agents, how to get work and a great deal about the
professional workings of commercial modeling. I did find the
first chapters a little thin (preparation - take acting classes,
makeup - get someone to teach you, head shot - you need a good
one) but, I found as I got into the book it had some excellent
information (the Chapters on "How to find work" and
"How to work as a professional model" were like the
101 best tips of commercial modeling.
This book is like a special seminar on commercial modeling
and for someone interested in this special part of the modeling
business. This
is the only book on the market about this subject.
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The Professional Model's Handbook |
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By Linda A. Balhorn
Published 1990
493 pages
Wow, this is one complete book on modeling. It covers the
full range of subjects from types of modeling, creating your
look, posing, makeup, hair styling, wardrobe, modeling agencies,
business of modeling, self-promotion, modeling markets and more.
This is the college level book on modeling. It was published
in 1990 so it lacks some of the technology changes that have
taken place in the last ten years (nothing about the Internet).
But other than that this book is a wealth of information. This
book has a prominent place on my book shelf and has become dogeared
through use. It is the book I reference when a question on modeling
arises or when I need to explore a new aspect of modeling. The
price is a little steep but for the amount of info you get it
is a good value. If I had a model in my studio that knew half
of what is in this book, I would be a very happy shooter.
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Model : The Ugly Business of
Beautiful Women |
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By Michael Gross
Published 1996
611 pages
This is not a "how to" book.
If you want a gossipy look at the history of modeling, here it
is. It focuses on the scandals as much as the actual history
of the modeling business. What bothered me most in this book
is that it has absolute gems of wisdom tucked in with the soap
opera. If you are not experienced in the modeling business you
won't know what is gold and what is trash. But if you like scandal
mixed in with your history and want to find out how some of the
top models and modeling agencies got started, you might find
this book "a good read". But don't believe it when
the book talks about photographers sitting around doing nothing,
they would be out of business if they did.
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The Wilhelmina Guide to Modeling |
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By Natasha Esch/C.L. Walker
Published 1996
190 pages
This is definitely the modeling world according to Wilhelmina.
If you know nothing about top level fashion modeling you may
find this book useful and interesting. This is not a "how
to" model book but more of a light survey book on how the
Wilhelmina Modeling Agency works. If you are not in top tier
New York Fashion this book does not tell you much. At this level
of modeling you learn modeling on the job and it is sink or swim.
On modeling make-up the book says, "As a model, you will,
in time, learn all the secrets from the professional make-up
artists with whom you work" (big help). On how to do runway
modeling - hire a runway modeling coach. I did find the interviews
with various professionals in the fashion field interesting.
But for me this book is going to the book reseller store. |
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Helpful Book |
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Here is the current crop of modeling how to books I have not
had a chance to read yet and other useful books on makeup, fashion,
the fashion industry, being in business for yourself, and other
topics. All of these books link to Amazon.com where you can find
more reviews and can purchase the book. Yes, I do make a buck
if you purchase from this link to Amazon. I am not completely
without capitalistic tendencies. You may also want to check with
your school or local library to see what they have. |
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How to Be a Model Books
Books about the modeling industry and models
Books on Make-Up
Books on Fashion Photography
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