How To Become A Mature Model
Mature modelling is a new world. Have you have always dreamed of becoming a model? Life, family and kids got in the way, it’s not too late! We often get asked here at Glass Studios, if modelling is just for young people. Absolutely not! Mature modelling is a massive industry. Brands are now waking up to the fact that 77% of the UK’s wealth is held by over 50’s.
Today the lifespan of a model can go on well into their 50s – and far beyond. Just look at internationally famous models like Daphne Selfe, 87
Lauren Hutton, 72, and one Britain’s most successful models, 68-year-old Sarah Wiley (you’ll have seen her in John Lewis ads.) They all prove that modelling is no longer a young person games and is a viable career path for someone who has had their family and is ready for a change.
Both older woman and men can have a successful career in modelling and while you need to be healthy, there is not many constraints as there would be for younger models.
To be considered as a mature model you will need to be;
– Aged 40 years or over
- Have good skin, don’t worry about wrinkles or age spots!
- Embrace your grey hair if you have it
- Positive energy which comes across in photos
- Confidence!
How Do I Start?
The first step is to get portfolio pictures taken. This is what casting directors use to give you jobs. The modelling industry is all visual so they need to see your assets. In order to start booking modelling jobs, you’ll need to starting building your portfolio or “book.” If you want to sign to an agency or platform, which we recommend you do, they will usually request that you do a “test,” which is one of the terms used in the modelling business to describe a photo shoot that is not a paid job, but rather a photo shoot done solely to help you build your book and start developing your particular look or image.
Here at Glass Studios we specialise in Mature, Plus Size and kids modelling, and are more than happy to help build your portfolio and create one that is unique and specific for your needs. We understand what agencies will be looking for and, along with fashion images, can help you create naturally beautiful pictures that highlight your body shape and facial features.
The second step is to approach an agency or platform with your portfolios image and get signed by them. Mature modelling is a big industry however there is not a lot of people who believe they can be a model and so the current mature models have a monopoly on the jobs available. With the right portfolio team and studio behind you, this second step I the easiest of them all.
The third step – Enjoy the work!
What Type of Jobs can Mature Models Do?
People think there is only a few categories for modelling – Catwalk, High Street fashion, Glamour etc…but there is so much more. There is a lot more in the modelling-business than the things we see on TV or in magazines. Modelling, and especially Mature modelling is now reflective of the society we live in, and as such brands want to advertise their products for people of a mature age, using mature models. There is no point in a model in her early 20’s advertising an anti-aging moisture, because as a customer you wouldn’t believe that she actually needed it.
Some of the types of modelling mature models can do are;
Editorial/Stock Work – Being mature means you will asked to be a parent, a teacher, a businessman/lady, a director etc and all of those examples are needed for stock photos. Stock photography, are taken by a company such as Shutterstock, Pexel etc and can be used for lots of different marketing and advertising, for promotional work, for personal or commercial creative projects, for publishing, for websites and blogs, and more.
Commercial – This refers to printed ads more-so than ads on tv. For family events such as Christmas, they will always have a large range of models in the ads and of course when the family gather around the table to eat, who’s included? Mum, dad and the grandparents who are all mature models. This is a massive market. It includes NHS ads, vitamin ads on the tube in London, anti-grey shampoos.
Lifestyle – This refers to everything you think models don’t do. Example – brochures in a doctor waiting room – they are models, they don’t actually have those illnesses. Holiday brochures for Disneyland – again they are models, not real families. This is advertising products and services more than clothes. It links closely to Commercial however it is deemed separate.
These are just three of the major ones but there are loads more opportunities for mature models including High street (Nordstrom, Mango, Ann Taylor,) life drawing, artistic and parts modelling.
As you can see above there is so many different types of modelling which begs the question –
What Sort of Images should I have in my portfolio?
The simple answer, the more diverse the images the better!
By this I mean, differently styled outfits, different poses, different makeup and hair and of course different locations. The more you can show, the more opportunities there will be for you. When shooting with Glass Studios, we do 5 different shots, from casual to formal wear changing your hair and makeup with our in-house hair and makeup artists between each shoot.
The first images should be casual. You should be wearing something you’d wear in your house relaxing with a simple but colourful background. You could also wear sports gear.
The second set:
The second set of images should still be casual but something you’d wear on a day out. Something nice but not too flashy. You would also want to use a different location from your first shots. Jeans, a nice skirt etc.
The third set:
The third set of images should be outside and again more dressed up than the shots previous. Being outside allows different lightening to enhance the photo, but also you can add a jacket to your outfit too to add another layer, again showing more styles. For woman, this is where you should start wearing heels or a nice heeled boot but Glass Studios can help you with the choice, with a wide range of shoes and sizes for you to choose from our shoe wall.
The fourth set:
For the fourth set of images, you should be very dressed up. Think one step down from ballgown. These images again will be outside again but will be in completely different locations from the third set of images. When choosing your clothes for this, you need to think of a style or pattern or colour that you have not shown yet in the previous three sets.
For the final set of images, think formal, very dressed up. For these images, you will be back inside but using a lot of lights to create a formal atmosphere, loads of flash and power poses. Ladies – heels 100% Men – a nice suit is always a winner here but the stylist at Glass Studios can help you with this if you don’t have a suit.
At the end of the day, it’s all about versatile! Brands want a model who look great wearing loads of different looks.
Extra tips for your first portfolio photos:
- Turn up the studio with no makeup on your face, so the makeup artist can start straight away and not waste time getting rid of your old makeup.
- Do not use hairstyle, wax, gel or any product in your hair that makes it stiff as it makes it harder the for the hair stylist to change your hair.
- If you have wigs, bring them all! The more the better.
- Keep clothing simple and in good taste
- Don’t overthink your poses and don’t do overtly sexual poses.
- Remember that first impressions are important.