Making the Most of the New Year | by All Star OMP Member #10270

New Year's offers a chance for reflection, for re-evaluation, and for resolutions. In other words, it's a good time to promise to do everything you didn't do that you said you were going to do the year before. If this perplexing pattern of procrastination has happened to you in the past, don't be discouraged -- no matter how many times you fall short of following through on your objectives, there's always another "new year" and another chance to seize the day and get what you want out of life.

So now that 2004 is here, it's the perfect opportunity for all those in our industry to pinpoint their progress, gauge their goals, and strive for success. Models and photographers are usually so busy with their day-to-day schedules and bookings that it may be hard for them to see the big picture. But in order to further one's career and take it to the next level, preparation and planning are not only recommended, but necessary.

Take a moment once the ball drops, the bowl games end, and the partying subsides to make a list of what you accomplished in 2003 and what you hope to accomplish in 2004. This should include:

Hopefully these suggestions will help you think of other things you need to keep track of during the next 365 days. And as usual, it doesn't hurt to ask your friends, coworkers, and colleagues what they advise when it comes to planning ahead. Here are a few "game plans" from fellow OMP models who can't wait for the new year to start:

Idaho-based Grace (OMP #8068) relates, "My modeling goals for 2004 are to concentrate on building my portfolio and hopefully get steady work in modeling. I have been putting my portfolio on hold because I am so picky about choosing the photographers I want to work with -- it really helps to feel comfortable with the photographer before you do the actual shoot. Also, my opportunities of getting into modeling are limited, living here in Idaho. There have been a couple of times I was approached by modeling scouts, but they turned out to be bogus. I've learned that the best thing to do when a scout says they are interested in you is always ask up front if they are just interested in your money. It saves a lot of frustration and disappointment if they let you know ahead of time!"

Michigan model Christine (OMP #52610) offers her personal plan to have a successful year. "My hope is that in the next 12 months my modeling career will flourish greatly. I will be graduating from college and following that I will be taking some time off and working on my modeling career. I am relatively new to modeling and I hope to expand my experiences and spread my name within the business. This not only includes shooting with a greater variety of photographers, but also expanding the types of shoots I partake in and learning more about the many aspects of the business. Currently I am working on putting together a portfolio, which I intend on expanding. I also hope to work on more commercial projects and runway modeling. This summer I wish to travel to some larger cities in hopes of working with various photographers across the U.S. and increasing my experiences and opportunities in this field. I am also working with some great photographers from Michigan that will be assisting me in areas such as posing and finding work. I just want to learn all I can, and go as far as this career will take me."

Danielle (OMP #39194) is from the state of Iowa, and is determined to make the most of 2004. "In the next 12 months, I plan on traveling more to Chicago and getting a comp card made so that I can send it to some agencies and hopefully get signed! I plan on getting more involved in acting, and I also plan on doing what I've been doing in 2003, posting my pictures on OMP! I think next year will be great because I feel I have my key, but now I just need to find the door!"

Florida native Nina (OMP #15990) feels that her hard work is also beginning to pay off. "I have been working very hard to obtain quality pictures for my portfolio and feel that I have achieved my goal and hope to use these pictures to further my career in 2004. I plan to be much more aggressive by contacting agencies, photographers, talent promoters, and whoever will take the time to get to know me. I also plan to learn more about photography, my true passion, so that I can understand how to better present myself in front of the camera (what looks good with certain lighting, better poses, etc.) This will not only help me achieve better pictures, but also help me to understand how the photographer feels and how I can help make the shoot more productive and fun. I am constantly looking for new photographers in my area. Since I live in Florida, there are plenty of opportunities. I do wish to travel many different places to take pictures and see new and different things! I hope that in the future I have the chance to work with photographers from different states and countries."

Traveling Texan Faith (OMP #62236) has set three main objectives for the year 2004. "My goals are to concentrate on my 'package' as a model, my contacts, and my marketability. All these things have helped me achieve my goal of paid modeling jobs and will hopefully 'snowball' through the year 2004. Being a model is just like an athlete, you can't perform well if you are sitting around on the couch. To keep my modeling fresh, I constantly shoot with photographers. I study all my work, critiquing shots, wardrobe, poses, and looking for flaws I can improve on my next shoot. I try to shoot with all different types of photographers so I am versatile and will be ready for any job thrown at me. I also keep my body and face flawless. I work out six days a week, alternating aerobics, weight lifting, and Pilates so I can have a toned and flexible body that is able to hold awkward positions for the camera. I keep my skin soft with a little tan and my teeth and hair impeccable. Make-up artists and stylists can't create miracles!

"This spring I will be traveling to three major cities -- New York, Los Angeles and Miami -- in order to market myself as a model. Every time I have shot with a new photographer, I get at least one contact for a job possibility, especially if a photographer and I have established a great connection. He helps me out by using me for his projects and shoots, and I help him by spreading the word to other models about what a great photographer he is. The three cities I have chosen have different styles and tones. New York is very high fashion and artistic, while L.A. and Miami are known for lingerie, swim wear and glamour. This helps me build my portfolio further, which is one of the most important things for a model! I use OneModelPlace's Travel Tracker to let photographers know I am coming to their town. This is a quick and easy way to make a lot of contacts and get a lot of job offers.

"Finally, I am constantly marketing myself. I exhaust the Internet's resources that are designed to help models. OMP is of course the best out there. I am always updating my portfolio, searching for photographers and casting agents, replying to casting calls, and contacting those members I desire to work with. As models, we are our own products that we are trying to sell. That's why a model must be fine-tuned, research the field, and market herself to the fullest extent he or she can."

NEXT TIME: What's In Store for OMP 2004

© 2003 by Elias "All Star" Stimac

NOTE: If you are an OneModelPlace.com model and wish to have your opinions included in "Modeling in Focus," email All Star through his OMP page Member #10270 and write in the subject line "Model Profile".