A few weekends ago my mom told me about this modeling call that was happening in Atlanta and we both decided it would be a good idea to hit it up. I have never been to an actual modeling call before so I will admit to being a bit nervous. I have practiced my model walk for the longest time and watched enough episodes of America’s Next Top Model to know how to smize. What is a smize you ask? Well my friends, it’s when you use your eyes to brighten up your face the way smiles do, the only trick is that you can’t use your mouth to smile. It took a lot of funny faces in front of the bathroom mirror before I could actually get it. The reason my mom took me to the modeling call was that I could gain some experience and learn how the modeling industry works.

The model call was for a fashion show for a non-profit organization and was held at a small boutique in Atlanta. My mom and I made sure to get there an hour early so we could look around the store and do any last-minute practicing that was necessary. We ended up waiting there for nearly two hours because the people who were in charge of the modeling calls were about an hour late. I thought that was quite unprofessional, especially without a heads up. When she finally came in she handed some papers to my mom to sign since I’m still a minor.  There were only two other girls at the modeling call and they were also starting out their modeling career. The woman had me walk first and I made sure to put on the most confident look I could give and I never forgot to smize. As I walked I kept thinking “right, left, right, left. Stop! Pose, pose! you go girl! Smize and flaunt it!” I needed a bit of a confidence booster as I was doing it so it would make the walk easier on myself. The other girls went and did their walks, but they didn’t know what to do. One of them forgot to stop at the end and do a little pose and the other over did her pose. I’m sure mine wasn’t the best out there either because I am just starting out. What I did learn was that practicing and research goes a long ways. While I was there the woman also took some of my measurements to make sure I can fit into the clothes I would have to be modeling. I wasn’t too convinced with the modeling job over all because the people in charge of the model call didn’t seem to have their act together. At the end of the day, even though I am looking to enter the field I am not willing to do it with people who are not professional. I told them I would think about it but after discussing it further with my mom we decided that we would pass. The right opportunity will come, this one was just not it. Anyway, I figured you would still want to see some of the pictures from my very first model call.

Now if you are also a teenage girl who is looking to land a modeling gig, then I am here to give you a few tips I have learned through my experience and the research I did.

When going to meet people, always have a smile on your face. You want to show them you are human and not some robot without emotions

Make sure that when you walk in you are fully groomed (nails are clean, hair is washed and styled well, personal hygiene is good, and the clothes chosen are nice).

Best thing to wear to a modeling casting call is a tank top to show your bone structure, skinny jeans to show off them legs, and heels to add some height and make your legs look nice as well.

If you decide to do makeup, keep it natural. Don’t go crazy with odd eye shadows and bold lipsticks. Highlight facial features and add definition to your face.

Comp cards are necessary to some modeling agencies or modeling calls so make sure to always have those in hand . These do cost money and can be expensive so before spending money make sure that modeling is really what you want.

Say you’re doing practice shoots or they are observing your walk and you make a mistake. Don’t point out the mistake and stop because they already saw it, it’s pointless to tell them something they already know. If you make a mistake just laugh it off and keep going. Laughing it off will also show the people who are hiring that you are more human and that you understand that you can make mistakes.