When you think of the word "model", images of men and women

with perfect complexions, incredible bodies and wonderful

wardrobes are probably the first things to come to mind. But

modeling is much more than that and the need for

"non-traditional" models is probably more prevalent than you

imagine. If you consider advertising, media and books that use

photos of real people and places, you can see that you don't

have to be a perfectly-proportioned person with a flawless look

to find modeling opportunities. That gives rise to the question,

"Do you have what it takes to be a model?"

If you're interested in modeling but you need experience, you

should likely begin your search locally. Every city that has an

advertising company probably needs models. In the larger cities

where magazines and other media are produced and printed,

you'll also find a need for people willing to model. Almost

every catalog, flyer and circular that arrives in your mailbox

includes photos of at least a few people who were willing to

model for that publication. The opportunities are out there but

you have to be willing to go after them.

Consider the local advertising agency. Especially if you're

talking about an agency in a smaller city with limited

financial resources, the search for quality models is

continuous. They need people willing to model with and be

spokesperson for area businesses that are intent on producing

commercials with local faces.

Magazines are also a good source of modeling opportunities. For

example, a magazine accepts a story from a freelance writer

about mothers to be printed in the Mother's Day edition.

Stories are always more appealing if there is art to catch the

reader's eye and the magazine begins its search for appropriate

models for this story. They don't need a cover girl - they need

a mother (or at least a woman who can look like one).

Think you don't have the figure for modeling? Catalogs are

another good source of modeling opportunities. Apparel

companies don't just sell clothing for the men and women with

perfect bodies. The fact that not every woman is a "perfect

size six" means that not all clothing offered will be a size

six. What better way to entice the smaller than normal woman

(or those larger than normal) to choose a particular product

than by showing how it looks on other small or large women?

This creates an excellent opportunity for those who will never

fit into a size six dress to give modeling a try.

If you are fortunate enough to have the perfect body,

complexion and look for traditional modeling, you still might

need to start with the less-traditional modeling jobs. No

matter what kind of modeling you want to do, remember that it

boils down to hard work in sometimes less-than-ideal

conditions. Catalogs, magazines and advertisers will do photo

shoots well ahead of the season. That means that you could find

yourself modeling swimsuits on the beach while it's still too

cold to be on the beach, or wrapped up in ski gear in front of

a crackling fire in mid-summer. But if modeling truly appeals

to you, you might just find that you do have what it takes to

become a model.