This article by no means covers the field of modeling/acting completely, there is information you should know that would fill a book, and there are a number of books published on the subject.

Modeling can lead to many fabulous opportunities including film and television. It is possible to have a successful modeling/acting career regardless if you are tall, thin, heavy young or old.

You are an actor/model doing a photography shoot for a medical advertisement and you are the friendly pharmacist. Or you are in performing in a fashion show presenting the latest in Alien Halloween costumes. The genre of modeling has many facets and in order to make a living or a second income from this field you should pursue your the career in the same manner as applying for a "regular" job.

Your materials:

Pictures -Most Important - Hard copies and electronic version needed.
Photos are the most important. Since this is a visual field, you need to have photos. Photos are a component of a complete resume.

If you can find a good reputable photographer and have the money, then by all means get your photos done by a professional. The better your photos, the more impressive your package when submitting for auditions. Click here to see various digital cameras on the market.

But before you begin a photo session, consider practicing to save time and or money by knowing in advance what works.

Sit down and plan your photos and coordinate with the type of modeling you are seeking. When you are ready, take photos with your camera or a friends camera to help you prepare for a real shoot.

Shoot various poses, changes of clothing and even introduce a prop or two.

Props:

If you cannot afford a professional photographer just yet, we suggest you use a good 35mm or digital camera and just take lots of photos. Cut down on busy backgrounds, and shoot some headshots against solid backgrounds. You can also bring your photos into a graphic program to crop, work with lighting and enhance so you can use them for email and internet display. You can also take your camera information to a developer and have them print out your hard copies and create your cd 's.

Experience - Compile or plan to get experience and read books on the subject
Resume -Prepare your experience -talents, abilities and stats
Advertising - Plan a marketing campaign to attract projects.

Experience:
Most of the time you will get paid to model/act, but in the beginning you may need to build your talents. Pay will be low, deterred or none. But in the beginning you need to build and expand your talents, WHat better way, than to select projects that offer "real experience"and copy's of your work to add to your reel, resume and most importantly experience?

If you really look at television, ad layouts and fashion shows and movies please take that the types of people you see are everyday people that you would see on the street. There are those lucky super models and stars but if you really look you may notice that clothing, products and entertainment are promoted by models/actors who are the real people playing the real people.

Take a generic ad layout for dog food commercial or ad layout in a magazine. in the case of a dog food commercial, you see housewives or just everyday pet owner types happy to feed the best to their beloved companions. As a result, there are modeling opportunities for people and animals of all shapes and sizes and looks.

Resume:

To become a Model/Actor you need to start building a resume. If you do not have experience, do not display, everyone needs to start somewhere. You can begin with small things to create a resume and get experience as well as work with other people involved in the arts. Try getting extra work in local film projects or get with the film commission to see what comes into your area. Get involved in the local/regional television commercial through local independent and student producers. Signup for plays in school or out in your community. To pursue and succeed in professional modeling, fashion modeling, teen modeling, model searches you need to look to department stores, advertising agencies and photographers.

Below is a category of modeling for all ages. Models/Actors are needed to advertise a wide variety of products and services – from cars to medicine, shampoo to jewelry. All types of models are need to promote goods and services including:

High fashion runway modeling - High fashion
Runway modeling - Clothing
Glamour modeling - Makeup, hair and clothing
Petite modeling - Models of average or below standard high fashion modeling standards
Plus size modeling - Models of average or above standard high fashion modeling standards
Teen modeling - Modeling for clothing, photography modeling and television commercials
Mature modeling - For the older crowd which we will begin at 50 for this article
Body part modeling (hand, fingers, ears, hair modeling and so forth.)
Male modeling - Fashion type
Male modeling - Character types
Child or young model
Glamour model
Character or "real people" modeling of all ages
Animal modeling - Reserved mainly for real animals of all types
Swimsuit model-bikini model male and female
Catalog modeling - this is is for all ages types and looks
Showroom modeling - primarily reserved for the model or entertainer
Fit modeling - sort of like a live clothing dummy
Promotional (trade show) modeling - primarily reserved for the model or entertainer
Television- All ages and types for television commercials, films, sitcoms and now the popular reality show.
Videos - Models and actors of all ages are used in presentation videos of all types.
Editorial (magazine and newspaper) modeling
Print advertisements - this covers all ages for print is fashion and a numerable array of products and services.

If being a model/actor sounds like the career of your dreams or would make a terrific second income, there are a number of ways to get started.

1-Read books. There are many books published on the subject of modeling and acting. Read all you can about how to get started, how to promote yourself and how to spot scams.

2.- Models always look the best they can. Make sure your hair, eyebrows, skin makeup and body are the best they can be.

3-Develop your fashion sense-perhaps you can take a modeling course that covers the basics of looking your best and provides some training on how to move and act (facial expressions) in front of a camera.

4-Once your look is all it should be and you are comfortable in the presence of cameras or people Get your materials together by submitting photos and resume to casting personnel seeking talent for their projects.

5-Begin your photo session by planning what types you are (see list above) then take photos(to begin with a home camera can help you get ready for a professional shoot by knowing ahead what looks are going to go for. Shoot in different poses, clothing changes and even introduce a prop or two. (Example: if your are going for a business type, you might want to get use a laptop, briefcase, pen and pad, glasses, cell phone and so forth. Think of your prop as the product you are selling.

6-Advertise yourself, go to talent agencies, online talent listing services, contact local department stores and wedding bridal shops. contact the local advertising agencies and film production companies with your photos and resume.

Contact the coal film commission to see what film projects are coming in.

Visit the universities and schools or public access stations and see if there are any projects you can submit for. Even if some do not pay to begin with, you are gaining valuable information and experience to build your resume.

There are numerous books published in the subject of modeling.
7 personality traits you can develop to give you an advantage over other models
Tips for choosing a modeling school
Plus why you do not need to take any classes to get hired as a model
Information about the different categories of modeling so you can decide which type of modeling is right for you
How to get discovered through
Modeling conventions
Model searches
Beauty pageants
Modeling contests
Your portfolio
How to get free or low cost photos of you taken by professional photographers
Photographers to stay away from Posing tips
How many and what types of shots to include in your portfolio

How to Get Modeling Jobs
What you need to know about modeling agents
What agents can do for you
Finding legitimate agents
Which type of model agency is best for you?
Model agency contracts (exclusive versus non-exclusive) and fees
How to contact model agencies
Contacting a model agency by mail (includes a sample letter)
Attending an "open call"
Submitting your photo by email
How to do well in a model agency interview
tips on what to wear and do
questions you may be asked
questions you should ask
Model management companies that can help you get international modeling assignments
How to find freelance modeling opportunities in your hometown
What to put on your modeling resume (includes a sample)
How to prepare for "go-sees" (meetings with clients that are looking to hire a model)
What happens when you get your first paid job (also known as a "booking"), and how to make a great impression so you can get future jobs
Plus you will find even more resources and advice, including:
How to spot modeling scams that could cost you thousands of dollars
Information about legal matters such as model release forms and copyright
Tips for overcoming rejection and achieving success
Advice on creating a web site to promote yourself
How to keep track of your money (and get tax deductions for clothing, cosmetics, meals and modeling books)
A brief overview of 7 related careers you can get into after modeling – from modeling agent to fashion stylist
You can have all this and more for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds of dollars to take modeling courses. The FabJob Guide to Become a Model contains some of the best career advice you could get from other sources, plus much more.