A Guide to Working as a Catalog Model

I grew up in a house filled with magazines. In many of them, I’d see top models of the day appear in everything from Sears catalogs to Target inserts. What I didn’t realize was that at least two of the women I saw in many of those catalog ads were going to eventually become my sisters-in-law. When I met and married my husband, I joined a family with a long history of modeling. Discussions of fashion shows and runway jobs came up frequently at holiday and birthday dinners and plenty of other times in between.

My stepson also modeled for Christmas catalogs for L.S. Ayres, once a major part of the Indianapolis department store scene and – ironically – another son was spotted by an agent and asked to model when he was only a toddler. For anyone curious about what it takes to model for fashion catalogs, here is some information – all the basic steps, from test shoots to actual modeling jobs, based on the experiences of members of our family.

Working as a catalog model – how to land a job

When my sisters-in-law, Laura Corn and Derice (Corn) Seslar, started out, they auditioned for a local department store, then called L.S. Ayres. Although many young women also wanted to land jobs as potential store and catalog models, they were lucky enough to be among the top models selected. They had plenty of work with the department store and both were busy juggling school and modeling jobs so they didn’t immediately branch out into other fashion shoots

When I contacted them recently and asked them about what helped set them apart from the crowd, Laura noted that a certain amount of her success was due to having the right bone structure and body type to be a model. At the time, being nearly 6 feet tall was an asset (she was 5 feet, 9 inches tall) and her sister, Derice, was also quite tall. They were also very thin and able to fit into smaller sizes of clothing. They also had naturally high metabolisms, so staying thin wasn’t the issue it is for many models today and size 4 was not the standard size nor were there rampant tales of girls being told they were “too fat” if they were above a size 4!

As they built up their modeling portfolios, both young women eventually contacted a local agency, Helen Wells, and got more work through her company. You can see the current website for that modeling agency here: www.helenwellsagency.com/ and find out about how to go to open calls there. This is just one example of many local and national modeling agencies across the United States which hire models, everyone from children to men and women in their 30s and older. Since my sisters-in-law started modeling, the age range for catalog models seems to have gotten more varied and there are opportunities for many types of models that didn’t exist before – including pregnant and full-figured models as well as a wider variety of ethnicities.

Bottom line: your chances of landing a job as a catalog model are better if you have the right look. If not, you may need to diet or exercise or even change hairstyles to fit a client’s expectations. With the variety of wig, hair extensions and other options out there, hairstyles can usually be created. But having the ideal frame for a catalog model is a huge asset, right from the start. If you are pregnant or full-figured, try to find an agency that caters to these types of catalog models.

How to get work as a catalog model – build your portfolio and beware of scam artists

If you’ve had a chance to look at the Helen Wells Agency site, you’ll notice that professional photos are not necessary for the open calls. I’ve heard so much about the agency from both Laura and Derice and they were treated well there and got steady jobs, working for many years for Helen Wells. They were able to pose for all sorts of fashion shoots and catalogs, everything from swimsuit issues to back to school ads.

Laura strongly suggested that aspiring catalog models should be wary of photographers who’d promise to make them into top models. Yes, there are stories of famous models who’ve gone this route but there are also incidents where young girls or teens have been hurt, had photos taken in compromising positions or simply scammed out of their money. So do your research and go with an agency with a solid reputation, history and track record.

Bottom line: you don’t necessarily need an expensive book of photos to get signed with a modeling agency. Never go to any photographer’s studio alone and all minors should have adults with them at all times.

How to get more catalog modeling jobs – maintain an internet presence

When Derice and Laura started out, having photos on the internet was not really a requirement. But Helen Wells and other modeling agencies now routinely have websites and many of their models are represented online as well as going to potential casting calls in person. It just stands to reason that having more diversified ways for clients to find potential catalog models will make it easier for jobs to come along. At the same time, this does increase the potential risk of being contacted by a scam artist. So if you use the web to promote yourself, do so with security precautions.

Bottom line – use the web to help promote yourself but play it safe and use security precautions.

What is expected of catalog models?

Unlike other types of modeling, I know firsthand the challenges of catalog models. When my middle son was still a toddler, I was stopped in a local store and asked if he’d want to model for a manufacturer of potty seats (not exactly the most glamorous job but it was a modeling job) I was wary but took the agent’s card. As it turned out, this was a legitimate job and every child who posed that day got paid $50, with the promise of more if the ad was used. However, in order to get that one pose of my young son, I had to endure hours of waiting in a hot warehouse type building, listening to mothers chat about their children’s modeling skills and future star potential. I confess that cured me of ever wanting my son to be a top model. I was also left in awe of what my sisters-in-law must go through,having to endure hours of waiting for photographers and their assistants to get the modeling sets ready, day after day.

For both male and female models, a photo shoot for a catalog can often take hours. Also, aspiring top models should be prepared to change into many different outfits, have their hair and makeup done repeatedly and be expected to pose in clothing they might never purchase or wear otherwise. Patience, a sunny disposition and the ability to respond well to photographers’ directions are all major assets. If you expect that you’ll instantly find fame and fortune as a catalog model, think again – or just open your local Stein Mart, Target, Walmart or other weekly newspaper catalog and see how many of those women you recognize as famous models. The work may be steady but the fame may be low. However, the potential is there. Brooke Shields appeared in many catalogs I saw as a child as well as in many magazine ads. She went on to fame in movies such as Blue Lagoon and then on to television shows such as Lipstick Jungle.

Bottom line – being a catalog model can be hard work, consist of long hours waiting for photographers to get the set prepared and depend on your ability to pose professionally while maintaining calm and a flexible attitude about what you’ll wear. However, you don’t have to pose naked to succeed. Both of my sisters-in-law had limits about what they’d wear – or not wear. Don’t expect the television or film agents to come knocking on your door just because you appear in catalogs.

What are the benefits of being a catalog model?

While you may not find instant fame and fortune, both Derice and Laura enjoyed plenty of free perks from being models. Each of them were invited to parties for the Rolling Stones and met Mick Jagger, Ron Wood and Keith Richards. Derice and Laura also met John Cougar Mellencamp and other celebrities. They were often asked to appear as “new faces” at parties for top stars. Derice was often flown to exotic locations for swimsuit shoots, a definite plus. On occasion, they even got free clothing. Plus, there was the steady pay and the chance to meet famous designers and those celebrities as well as actors and actresses. They also appeared in television ads for winter coats and clothing.

While I know there are controversies about the modeling world and body image, both young women felt that being catalog models gave them greater self-confidence, taught them to get along with a variety of people or have “people skills”, exposed them to famous designers and top fashion trends and provided opportunities for future work and employment after their modeling days were over. They were also able segue into runway modeling jobs for such famous designers as Bill Blass, Yves St. Laurent, Oscar De La Renta, Liz Claiborne and many boutique names. Meeting some of the famous designers occurred from time to time and they’d even ask for Derice or Laura to model specifically for their shows.

Bottom line – working as a catalog model can be a way for young women to learn how to interact with people, project certain images and open the door to potential jobs in the fashion industry or other areas. Like any job, it has its pros and cons but savvy women can maximize opportunities while avoiding danger….as long as they maintain balance and perspective.

Reference:

• www.helenwellsagency.com/