Modelling career : Paths, Opportunities & Earnings

Modelling as a career choice has been prevalent since the 1940s and is one of the most popular career choices of the youth today. In the early times during the 90s era, models were only hired to showcase and advertise products to the general public. However, with the rise in technology and social media, modelling has begun to offer a wide range of career opportunities in recent times for those candidates who wish to pursue this career. 

The key advantage of making a career in modelling is that the candidates become a youth icon and gain popularity among the masses. Additionally, modelling is also considered to be a gateway for those who wish to work in the TV and Film industry. With that, the career trajectory of modelling as a career choice for the future will be quite positive. 

R.K Films and Media Academy, Balaji ICE Institute, Asian Academy of Film & Television etc. are considered as the top colleges which the aspiring candidates who wish to make a career in modelling aim for. 

Some of the top recruiters in this field of modelling are Frankfinn Institute of Modelling and Acting, Talent Next, Anima Creative Management, Runway Agency Talent and Model Management etc. Average Salary for a model in India is INR 50,000 - 1 Lakh per project. 

Candidates who wish to know more about this field of modelling can continue reading further.

Modelling Jobs: Quick Facts

• As per reports published by BLS, the employment of fashion models is expected to grow by 9 percent from 2021 to 2031. This is one of the fastest growth recorded with any of the other occupations.
• Another report suggests that out of a total around 500 openings are expected for models each year in the current decade. The reason for this is the advent of the retail and fashion industry.
• At present, fashion Models in America are found to make an average salary of $167,104 per year or $80 per hour. Out of this, the top 10% make over $525,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent are under $53,000 per year.
• As per demographics shared, in a survey of 100 models it was found that around 77.7% of them were women, whereas the rest 22.3% were men.
• The most common degree for fashion models is a bachelor's degree. Whereas, a meagre percentage of models hold a Senior Secondary or Junior college degrees.

Top Careers in Modelling

Modelling is one of the most versatile career fields that one can get to work with. There are multiple industries that hire models from time to time. Additionally, modelling is just not limited to ramp walk but there are several other different types of sub-domain that come under the modelling, some of which are mentioned in the table below:

Average Salary of a Model in India

India is known for its Bollywood and fashion industry. The reason for this is the plethora of top-rated brands and fashion studios that offer jobs to prospective models. The industry always wants people who are professional and have a gist of the basic skills that are helpful in thriving in this industry. 

Also, the models are often employed by multiple agencies. From fashion to commercial to editorial models, one gets to work in a lot of fields. Hence, if you are going to make a career in modelling, the following table is going to provide insightful information regarding the average salary package based on the job position.

How to become a Model

Modelling is one of the most promising careers for those having a good physique and looks and are determined enough to work hard to make their dreams come true. However, the ones who are new to this field often find difficulty in finding the correct prospect. Hence, the correct way to start working as a model should always be creating a portfolio first. Once the portfolio is completed one can do the following things to get employed as a model:

• Get enrolled with any modelling agency - This is one of the easiest things one can do for getting modelling projects. Search for the top rated agencies in your cities and then approach them for work.
• Social Media and Networking - Approach modelling pioneers and casting directors via Instagram or Linkedin. These people always post brand requirements on their social media pages. One can connect with them on social media platforms to get work.
• Be Active on Social Media: These days casting directors also consider models who have a massive fan following on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. One can always go for content creation as it helps in highlighting your work in the eyes of the pioneer.

Skills Required to be a Model

A model's life is hectic, which includes routines like daily meetings, frequent photoshoots, strict diets and exercise regimens. This profession is not always as glamorous as it seems from afar. All types of models have different routines according to their work.

Here are some basic necessary skills (for both males and females) to become a model and survive in this industry:

• Charisma
• Good Communication 
• Physique
• Attractive Looks
• Confidence
• Time Management
• Ability to work in a Team 
• Posing
• Acting
• Patience
• Handle Criticism
• Desire to Learn
• Open to New Challenges

Emerging Trends in Modelling

Majority of the youth today have their interests driven towards modelling, which makes this field one of the rising industries in the upcoming times. The ones who are successful in making their careers as a model have multiple sources of income from various advertisements and sponsors which leads to a luxurious lifestyle. This inspires the youth to start pursuing modelling and get a chance to uplift their financial conditions.

Here are some recently emerging trends in this field of modelling:

Social Media - One Of the best ways in recent times to kickstart your modelling career is to be an influencer. Even kids under 18 today are utilizing platforms like youtube and instagram to earn money and fame. 

Web Series - Modelling isn’t just limited to giving poses in front of the camera only, you need to learn the basics of acting too so that producers can offer you roles in their movies and films which can help you boost your career.

Music Videos - Many labels and directors today require fashion models to feature in their music videos so that they can give a visual touch to their song’s audio.

Reality Shows: Many TV shows have started to invite models as judges and guests to their shows in different seasons to grab the target audience and build a connection with them, for which the models are heavily paid. 

Modelling Career Scope in India

Modelling has been one of the oldest and the most promising careers in the country. Basically, companies use models to market their promotional campaigns for a particular brand. Hence, this is one such career that is never going out of fashion anytime soon. However, the only thing that is tough in this industry is tough competition. Hence, one has to always keep their skill set versatile in a way that they do not miss out on any professional projects. 

Talking about the career scope of modelling is also positive. The advertising and fashion industry is booming citing a lot of new entries over the years. Also, these companies are always on the hunt for fresh faces to endorse their new products and launches. The models not only get work for promotional campaigns but also for TV commercials, TV series, and Bollywood too. The internet is flooded with a plethora of stories about models who have made successful careers in the TV and film industry after their successful modelling career. However, the basic skill set is always a good and active physique and attractive physical and communication skills.

• Advertising Industry – This is the largest industry that requires models for the marketing campaigns and TV commercials related to different products.
• Fashion Industry – This industry requires fashion models to showcase their new launches and collections via fashion weeks.
• Fitness Industry – This industry hires models to display the multiple fitness programmes and products thus promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Benefits of a Career as a Model

Here are some key benefits to consider for pursuing a career in modelling:

• High Demand: There has been a huge demand in the requirement of professional models who possess the desired physique and skills to maintain their relevance.
• Diverse Career Opportunities: Work as Fashion Models, Commercial Models, Fitness Models, Promotional Models etc.
• Luxurious Life: Models have various sources of income from advertisements, sponsors etc. which leads to high earning and rich lifestyle.
• Brand value: Popularity among the masses and getting to work with films, TV serials and music videos create a strong presence.
• Respected Profession: Very few people actually get a chance to achieve their dreams which makes this field an aspiring dream for the candidates.

Modelling Top Recruiters in India

Models are usually recruited by agencies who make these models work for the different industries and assignments. These agencies consider skills such as photogenic appearance, acting skills, confidence skills, and clear dialect. 

Getting a job with the top players in the modelling and fashion industry is a dream for most of the models. However, citing the cut-throat competition the industry has, one has to do a lot of hard work. With that, here is our list of top recruiters in modelling sector:

Top Modelling Colleges for Placement

A lot of colleges in India offer diploma and certification courses to candidates who wish to pursue modelling careers. The courses offered by them are usually of short duration and provide the basic insight related to modelling. Some of the colleges also offer placement after completion of the courses. Know the placement packages offered by modelling colleges in India.

Also Read:

• Your Career in Modelling
• Career as Model
• Modelling Courses : Fees, List, Admission