I posted this on my forum (www.AncillaTilia.com/forum) quite a while ago to answer a question a girl posted on there.

I still get this question quite a lot so I figured it'd be better to answer this publically where everyone can read. Ofcourse there are so many things to keep in mind that will apply to every individual who's thinking about modelling, but I will keep it simple and start with the basics...

Do you have pictures? You will need some. They don't need to be great, but you need to be able to show photographers you want to work with what you look like. In the beginning you will not want to get paid for shoots because you are a starting model and you will want to work with good people who you should be honored with to work with without paying them. (generally called "TFCD"- Time For CD, with all your pics on a disc or "TFP"- time for print- and less usefull in this digital era)
This is about building a portfolio.

When do you have a full and finished portfolio? Never! It is always a work in progress, because you are too, always busy improving yourself and working with better people. The trick is to use good pictures to get even better photographers to work with you, and build your way up to a kick ass collection of pictures that represent you, your look, and your interests well.



Let's start with looks!
Ofcourse there is waaaaaay more to modelling then just the way you look, but nonetheless it's your base so make sure there is something there to start with. This is something that not everyone wants to hear, but most of us are not photogenic at all. Don't get me wrong; I know SO many woman who are absolutely stunning in real life, but when you see them in picture it doesn't quite translate. There are also a lot of examples of topmodels who you wouldn't give a second look if they passed you by on the street. Don't measure your selfworth or even your appearence by how you look in pictures. It's hard to say exactly what it is that makes you photogenic, it's just a matter of taking enough photographs of yourself and showing them to others to figure out wether or not you're fit to be a model. Good news is, you cán actually practice it to a certain degree, it's also a matter of doing a lot of photoshoots and figuring out what pose, look, angle, hairdo etc.. looks best on you. Great models don't drop out of the sky, they are formed by experience and ambition. The fact is though, professional modelling is only fit for a tiny amount of people, just like being a chess champion, pro soccer player, or award winning apple pie maker. Don't be sad if it turns out you're not fit to model professionally, you can always do it for fun and you are bound to have some other qualities that are unique in you and give you the potential to be one of the best in your field, whatever that may be.



What kind of model do you want to be?

Fetish modelling is very different from let's say runway/bikini/fashion modelling. This is a very new profession, if you can call it a profession at all, because it really is damn hard to make a living out of it. In fact, don't count on being able to do that at all. Especially in Europe, there is hardly any market in it at all. (which is also why I do a lot of non-fetishy modelling) The people you want to work with don't pay, the ones that are willing to pay are usually "dirty old men" that just want to tie you up, take pictures and jerk off to it when you go home. Depending on what your careerplan is, this is propably not a wise thing to get yourself into, let alone pleasant. Talking about careers, putting pictures on the internet is like getting a tattoo. THEY NEVER GO AWAY, no matter how hard you scrub. Count on it that some pictures you're not particularly proud of will come back to haunt you in a few years time. This especially counts when they are fetish or sexually oriented. It might even affect your relationships with people close to you, or companies whom you will want to be hired by in the future. Do you really want the door slammed in your face when you want to work at that lawyers office/bakery/kindergarten? A models career only excist untill her 30's, what is your plan after that? Are you still able to do that after being a fetishmodel? I know it's annoying having to think about that already, but unfortunatly not everyone-actually most people- are not openminded at all and you will have to take your future and people who you will meet in the future into consideration. Even I have been turned down by companies for "doing porn". AArrghh!  

What about future boyfriends who will have to live with the fact that the whole world has seen you in positions that are usually only meant for his eyes?
Think about this before you start... There are a lot of downsides to the business. If you are going to take the plunge you have to be damn sure you are doing this because your heart is in it.

As I said, what kind of model do you want to be? What is YOUR fetish? (not sure? Then don't even think of becoming a fetishmodel!) There are a lot of different types of models, and depending on your look there will be a bigger or smaller market for you. You've got latex models, bondage models, bdsm models, corsetry models, burlesque models, gothic models.... and the list goes on... Fetishmodelling is generally more forgiving if we're talking sizes, shapes, haircolour, etc.. But if you want to be modelling corsets, you will need a great wasteline, hips and a nice bosom like Katexenna. Love walking on high heels &stockings? You will need endless legs like Emily Marilyn Want to get into bondage? Some flexibilty, endurance and a face that looks good helpless is required! Find out what your interest in fetish is and wether it strokes with what mother nature has given you. You can also get a helping hand at the beautician or plastic surgeon ofcourse, but be realistic about what you can and cannot achieve with that and the risks that come with it.

As a fetishmodel you will need to show much more initiative and interest in things then a regular model. View this as a hobby, not a job. You cannot sit by the phone and wait for some agency to call and say they have a gig for you. ALL succesfull fetishmodels that I know are 100% selfmade and do not work through an agency, but by hard work and getting in contact with people themselves. How do you do that? Internet! Put yourself out there, on myspace, modelmayhem, onemodelplace ... etc.. It is also usefull to go to parties and meet other models, organisers, designers and photographers in person, and to get a better understanding of the fetish scene in general.
A decent amount of investing in your fetish wardrobe is required, because people will not just hand you stuff to wear on shoots if you haven't made a name for yourself yet. Then again, if your interest in fetishism is genuine, you have propably collected some nice wardrobe items already.

I have to go now, but if I think of something else I will edit the post a bit. I hope my rambling are usefull to you and I wish you all the best of luck in what you want to do!