Model Career Outlook
Models promote clothing, products and services in a huge range of different industries; therefore, there will always be a strong demand for models. Models foster interest in events and situations and may work for catalogues, magazines, Internet sites or live fashion shows. There is strong competition for high-end modeling positions and many models are unsuccessful in achieving a viable career in this area of fashion. It is necessary to have the right fashion look – one that is currently popular – in order to have a thriving modeling career.
Overall employment is expected to continue to grow by 16 percent over the next eight years. This is much faster than many other occupations. This high volume of growth is driven by a constant consumer demand for products and services. High-end and designer models will continue to experience keen competition for a very small number of openings in the fashion industry.
Models build their careers by accepting as many assignments as offered to create a public persona that becomes recognizable. As his or her name becomes familiar and portfolio content increases, higher paying and more plentiful assignments may become available.
Advertisers and marketers use models to raise awareness of their client’s brand and enhance the products and services they offer. Many models are able to secure work because of a high demand for workers in advertising campaigns, catalogues, brochures and so on.
The advent of the Internet has significantly increased the demand for models. Many online websites require photographic images for a continuum of purposes. The Internet is a boon for models seeking employment.
A large part of a model’s job involves self-promotion. Many models have an agent who seeks work bookings. In recent years, models have been taking advantage of technology for self-promotional purposes. They may have their own website, an online digital portfolio (in addition to a print portfolio) and send composite cards via email.
Live modeling for the runway, or for artistic purposes, will always offer areas of growth and opportunity. Fashion shows occur all around the world in noted fashion centers. Garment buyers and wealthy individuals attend fashion shows in order to seek inspiration and acquire the latest trends in fashion. A fashion show may be haute couture, which means high fashion, and runway models walk on a runway before an audience of photographers, fashion editors, garment buyers, and fashion buyers. Models that are willing to travel to different locations around the world to attend such live events expand their opportunity for employment.
Artists often require models to use as a source of inspiration for their paintings and sculptures. There are many job possibilities available through the art field, and also through educational arenas such as art schools. The career outlook for models who work primarily in life modeling is very good.
Modeling is a competitive and desirable field, fueled by the glamour associated with the fashion scene. It is vital to focus on developing a very strong portfolio and exceptional self-marketing skills to achieve success. Self-promotional models with confidence and excellent communication skills are more likely to experience success in this industry. An understanding of photography and a willingness to be flexible are necessary attributes and greatly improve the chances of employment success.
In 2008, there were 2,200 models employed in the United States. Employment is often part-time or somewhat insecure. As modeling is based on an unblemished physical appearance, it is usually, except for a very few, a short-term career.
Freelance models account for 18 percent of all employed models. Freelancing as a model is difficult as most employers prefer to use a model’s agent as an intermediary.
