SO YOU WANT TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MODEL? THEN WHY DON’T YOU LISTEN?

Tatsiana
Fenton Moon Media

Hello, dear readers. Here I am in the month of March, writing yet another blog. I was feeling kind of bad when I realized that I didn’t write a blog until we were in the third month of the new year, however, when I went back over the previous year, it was the same thing. I didn’t start gaining speed until March. I guess because I’ve been so busy with work (again, thank God), but also if you’ve been following the winter in New York, it’s been absolutely horrible.

The reason for this blog is I’ve been coming across a lot of models (both male and female) who have been asking me for advice with regards to their careers, and even though I am flattered, I have to let you people know something: I am not a modeling agency. I am a professional photographer with a career of my own to manage, therefore, I really don’t have the time to follow you and your career. When I DO decide to help a model, it is usually one reason why. They listen. It’s just that simple – hence the title of this blog.

When I decide to work with a model, it is because I see potential in them. I see beauty in them. I see grace in them. I refuse to work with stuck up models, arrogant models, untalented models or wannabe models. The model that is the absolute WORSE to work with is the model that does not listen. When I (or anyone in the profession that are able to help you, are wise, or can get you  - as you like to say “put on”) you should take that valuable advice and run with it. I have two colleagues that come to mind when it comes to getting a wealth of information regarding the modeling business. That’s Karen Lee (http://www.karenleegroup.com/) (formerly the director of scouting for Elite Models) and Michael Maddox (http://www.dearmichaelmaddox.com/ and http://www.michaelmaddoxseminars.com/). Right there before you is a wealth of information. Most times when models approach me, I refer them to their websites. The owners of these sites have been in the modeling industry for well over 20 years. They knows the ins and outs of the industry, the whys the wherefores, what to do, and what NOT to do. If Michael Maddox was to say “stand in the middle of Times Square at 12 noon and spin three times” you better to do it and don’t ask why.

But you know what I get when I tell models to go check it out. They go to these websites, but it gets to a point that you have to actually sign on and join (for a small fee). That means you have to pay. Guess what? They don’t want to. They expect the information to be handed to them on a silver platter. In the age of instant information and instant gratification, they feel they shouldn’t have to pay. These are the same models that think they shouldn’t have to pay for a photoshoot as well. But think about it: for the price of a decent lunch, you can have a wealth of information placed before and even ability to speak to the them personally.  Isn’t that worth its weight in gold? To think that if they could bestow a few pearls of wisdom upon you, that you can possibly get into an agency, possibly get to the next level and possibly get put on? Why won’t you do it?

Because you don’t want to listen. Therefore, since you don’t want to listen why should they waste their time with a model that doesn’t heed the advice given to them.

The reason why there's a Marcus Hill, Marlon Yates, Steph Jones, BJ Williams, Brandon Thomas, Anthony Gallo, and Mehcad Brooks, because they listen. Michael Maddox started these boys along with numerous others, and together they’ve created an undeniable team of success. Thinking that you know everything when you really don’t gives you a losing result every single time. I always likend Michael Maddox to Anna Wintour (the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine). She shakes and bakes Vogue. People may not like her that much, but she gets the results of success. Personally, I would rather listen to someone who knows the business rather than pay exorbitant amounts of money running all over the place and listening to people who can’t do anything for me, in all honesty you're not getting anywhere or gaining anything. Then what happens? You get angry with the world because YOU didn’t listen, or YOU didn’t follow the path to guaranteed success. There is an old saying that goes “the grass is always greener on the other side”.  Be careful of the other side. The roots of that grass may be weak. Listening, patience and persistence will give you a win-win outcome every single time.

So if I tell you to lose weight, then lose it. If I tell you to cut your hair because it will make you more marketable, then cut it. If I tell you that you are NOT a “high-fashion” model that you will be better as a “commercial” model, take heed.  If I tell you that a particular photographer is not suitable for your book, I am not hating on that photographer, I am telling you what you need to do to advance your career.

I gain NOTHING by telling you the truth. I gain NOTHING out of bestowing knowledge on you. I gain NOTHING out of giving you my industry “hook ups”. That’s all for you and to help you launch your career.

I have a proven track record for the work that I’ve produced for models (ask any one of the many models I helped get signed). If you let me do my job, you will get signed. If you do your job, you will get signed. If you listen, guess what? You will get signed.

The rest is up to you. So if you’re serious… REALLY REALLY serious… Then LISTEN.