A Model's Primer

by M.J. Wilson

There is no easy road to becoming a successful model. The
not-so-secret formula is still dedication, hard work and a little common
sense. But there are some shortcuts, some common mistakes to avoid and some
things to watch out for in an industry rife with scam artists and
get-famous-quick schemes. In this book, photographer MJ Wilson, and SAG
sub-agent Apryl Edwards combine their years of experience and expertise in the
modeling industry to provide nine concise steps that you need to take in order
to get started in the business. This easy-to-follow format answers any
questions you might have about the modeling industry and how to get your foot
in the door. Subjects covered include initial submissions to agencies, what to
look for in professional photos and how to put together an eye-catching
composite card. This must-read book cuts through the hype and even lets you in
on the "dirty secrets" of the business that could end up costing you money and
wasting your time. The first step of any career is research and A Model's
Primer is a great place to start.

About the Authors:

MJ Wilson holds a Bachelors degree in Photography from California State
University. She has worked as a freelance photographer for over 17 years, and
her clients include both large and small corporations, magazines and major
newspapers. In her time as a professional photographer, she has photographed
models, actors, bands, corporate clients, and children for magazines,
calendars, catalogs, brochures, and newsletters. She also acts as liaison
between clients and modeling agencies in that she is in charge of hiring and
photographing the models that appear in print ads, product brochures and
catalogs. Publications where her work has appeared include: Manhattan
Magazine, Mother Jones, Victoria Magazine, New World Journal, Entrepreneur,
New Age Retailer, Organica Quarterly, The Los Angeles Times, The Tampa Tribune
and The St. Petersburg Times. MJ is also co-owner and editor of Player's
Choice, a sports and entertainment magazine which features her photographs. In
1993, MJ decided to pursue a part-time modeling career of her own and having
experienced the modeling industry from both sides of the camera led to the
collaboration of this book. MJ has also given the advice in this book to
dozens of models she has worked with as a photographer, and with as many
clients in her consulting service. Repeating the same things over and over to
potential models all hoping for a foot in the door, became yet another
motivation to include this information in an easy-to-follow text format.

Apryl Edwards holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Tampa,
Florida. She has been a Screen Actor's Guild sub-agent in the Florida market
representing models and child actors with an agency that has been in business
for close to a decade. She has booked models for hundreds of clients such as
Vogue, Women's Wear Daily, Big Beautiful Women (full-figure magazine), Lands'
End Catalog, Arena Swimwear Catalog and Popular Mechanics. She has also hired
talent for television series such as Second Noah, Sea Quest DSV, Nickelodeon's
All That and The Reppies and for commercials for Dunkin Donuts, Nickelodeon,
Disney, Sea World, and Busch Gardens. Before becoming an agent, Apryl worked
with an advertising agency as an account executive and copy writer. In
addition, she also spent some time on stage, in industrial film, commercials,
and live television as an actress and model. Much like MJ, Apryl grew
frustrated with meeting models and parents of kids who had spent money going
in the wrong direction and others who misunderstood her role in the industry
and thought it was her job to educate them on the business. She hopes, that by
combining her expertise and experience together with those of a photographer
who has worked in the industry, people can avoid the many pitfalls that exist
in this business. Apryl currently writes monthly columns and works with a
management company as a consultant for models and children.

68 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2000