Looking for a high fashion model   It is said that those individuals with the qualities to be top fashion models are truly rare. So I thought I would put it to the test. This past weekend we had our annual St. Johns Parade. This event brings out thousands of participants and spectators and I thought that would give me a nice crowd to look over to see if there were any first class fashion model types. And since the parade drew several high school bands, drill teams, dance clubs, and more it provided a large group of ordinary teenagers from which there could conceivably be the material for a beginning fashion model. To begin my selection process I first looked at height. For a female fashion model, one should be 5'9" or taller so I looked for tall candidates. Since I stand 5'9" all I had to do was stand on the curb and look over the top of the groups going by to see who stood at my eye level. This little height test, I found, eliminated the vast majority. For the folks in the crowd watching, I looked for any young ladies that were at least my height. In this case, everyone around me was eliminated. When I did spot someone who met the height test, I then evaluated that individual for size (thin), for body proportion (nicely proportioned and a bit leggy), and movement (graceful as they moved). This eliminated many more.     Finally, I looked at the face to see if they had "the look." The look in this case was someone who I thought would look attractive when photographed; someone whose face struck me enough that I thought, "That person looks interesting or beautiful. I would like to photograph her." OK. That gets us through height, weight, proportions, movement, and look. This brings us to someone who might make it as a top-flight fashion model. Out of all of folks that were there I saw two maybes (the faces were questionable and I would have to do a test shoot to be sure) and one definite, who got away before I could introduce myself and give her a business card. So, from this little unscientific test it was clear that, when you know what modeling agencies are looking for, finding a top candidate for modeling is rare; and this is just using the basic physical requirements. You would still have to do test shoots to be sure they are photogenic. There is also the question of if they want to model and have the desire to go through the rigors to learn to become a professional model. By the time you go through all of this it is rare to find that perfect formula for a model and that rarity is why top models get paid so much. Just like a rare gemstone - it takes a lot to find and unearth one and skill to polish it to it's radiant beauty.