Booking Out
To book out or not book out, that is the question....
WHAT IS A BOOK OUT?
Booking out is to inform your agent when you are not available for modeling jobs or castings. For example, you might have an upcoming doctor’s appointment or vacation or starting a new school semester.
Your agent automatically assumes that you are available during business hours unless you book out. It saves them from having to call you whenever a client inquires about your schedule. Otherwise, your agent will spend more time chasing up on your availability, rather than procuring you more bookings.
WHEN TO BOOK OUT:
To minimize any frustrations or conflicts for you, your agent, and the clients; get into the habit of notifying your agent the moment you add a commitment to your schedule. If it is something that you can't change, or you are not prepared to change- you must book it out.
Helpful hint: Make sure you relay the exact times and dates you will be unavailable, and also mention if you will be local, out of town, or out of the country. This way your agent will know if they can work around your book outs for last minute projects.
CANCEL ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES:
Keep in mind that once you have agreed to and confirmed a casting, option, or booking, never cancel for any reason other than a family or medical emergency. Your commitment to your word is the heartbeat of your integrity, and you will earn a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy.
Cellphone Etiquette
Nobody leaves home without one, so we thought we might highlight some cell phone etiquette for you to consider the next time you reach for your iPhone or Android during appointments and bookings.
WHEN IT'S OK TO USE YOUR PHONE:
WHILE ON A JOB - Limit cell phone use to lunch or coffee breaks, and switch your phone to silent mode for the duration of the booking. Although plugging yourself into your device is generally accepted during any downtime - which may be a lot, it is important to remain attentive to your surroundings and make conversation with your colleagues. This way, you will not come across as an introvert or disconnected, and you will also be aware of when the client needs you on set.
AT CASTINGS AND APPOINTMENTS - Phone calls should be made before and after castings, fittings, go-sees and other business related appointments, and silence all notifications and ringtones. If you are not distracted by your phone, you won't miss any important instructions or cues.
EXCEPTIONS:
SAFETY - If a serious issue arises during a modeling appointment or job, such as; you feel that you are in danger, or being exploited, call your agency immediately to notify your agent. You should also report any criminal incident to law enforcement.
WORK OR EMERGENCY RELATED CALLS - Although we suggest not using your phone during bookings and appointments, you may find yourself waiting for hours at a casting or on the sidelines of a photo shoot, in which case it is acceptable to make and receive business or personal emergency phone calls.
Cara Delevingne by Ellen von Unwerth for the Sunday Times Style Spring 2016 Cover
PHONE FAUX PAS:
SELFIES IN THE ARTIST'S CHAIR - Most stylists and artists don't mind the selfies or Snapchat filtered videos while you're sitting in the hair and makeup chair or trying on an outfit. Occasionally, they like to join in the fun and record their creative masterpieces. However, don't let it get in the way of what they are trying to do - their job. They too are hired by the client and on a strict schedule. Even scrolling through your phone can be just as frustrating for an artist, because they need you to follow their instructions while they apply makeup, style, and groom you. Resist the urge to bring out the camera phone until the artist says it's OK, and there's spare time to Snapchat away.
NOISY NOTIFICATIONS AND PHONE CALLS- Loud phone conversations and constant pinging of texts and messages are very off putting for everyone around you. Go to a discreet place to make your calls, when it's appropriate, and keep your phone on silent.
INDISCREET CHATTER - Be careful with your conversations. Avoid speaking negatively when you are around a client or their team, even when you think they are out of earshot. A casual phone conversation with a friend about an uncomfortable outfit or a long day could potentially offend the client. Additionally, profane or aggressive conversations are inappropriate in any professional environment.
Instagrams Fashion Model Influencers
Six Instagram accounts of fashion models that are worth following.
Social media plays an important role in the fashion industry. Not only for the brands, but for the models too. Through Instagram, most models promote their job. But, there are some who use their social platforms as a way to express their beliefs and concerns about global, social, economic, and environmental issues. Adding more interest, increasing their followers, and creating awareness – having an influence. Furthermore, they share their everyday lives and hobbies like the rest of us, which makes them more approachable.
@ashleygraham, 6.8m followers.
Ashley Graham is one of the most famous plus-size models in the US. She has appeared on multiple fashion magazine covers such as VOGUE, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Glamour. Being a body positive activist, she celebrates her cellulite, and she’s not afraid to share unedited photos on Instagram. Women love her because she has shaken up the beauty standards and empowered women to love their body with all their “flaws”.
@chrissyteigen, 17.5m followers.
Even if her Twitter relationship with the US President didn’t have a happy ending, Chrissy Teigen is one of the funniest fashion models, celebrities, cookbook authors and moms on Instagram. She loves to share almost everything about her day-to-day life, especially photos and videos of her 2-year-old daughter, Luna. Recently, Teigen welcomed a baby boy, Miles, and now posts photos of her second time around motherhood with unique and funny twists. Even while pregnant, she is not ashamed of showing her naked body. Although, Teigen has confessed that she had previously struggled with body insecurity.
A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on
A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on
@adwoaaboah, 629k followers.
Adwoa Aboah isn’t just a pretty British face. Back in 2015, she and her best friend Holly Gore founded Gurls Talk, an online community where young women can discuss sensitive topics such as mental health, sex, and social media. In her Instagram account, she shares her involvement with charities and women’s organizations. She also uploads interviews and videos that are definitely worth watching. In case you want to participate in the conversation with Gurls Talk you can add the hashtag #letsgetgurlstalking.
A post shared by Adwoa Aboah (@adwoaaboah) on
A post shared by Adwoa Aboah (@adwoaaboah) on
A post shared by Adwoa Aboah (@adwoaaboah) on
@bellahadid, 18.1m followers & @gigihadid, 40.5m followers.
#tommyxgigi #tommyhilfigerwatches 🏎 by @mikaeljansson @movado @tommyhilfiger #ad
A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on
@jackgreystone, 282k followers.
Taylor David, aka Jack Greystone or “the man-bun”, introduces himself on his Instagram account as a “humor artist. traveler not tourist. based on a true story .” The Canada-born model has created a strong social brand, mainly by collaborating with Canadian fashion companies. But, he also loves to share photos from his trips around the globe. Giving us an insight to places and adventures that we only dream about. Photography and acting are two of his greatest passions.
The Season For Strawberries
Strawberries are the fruit of Summer! So, we decided to fill your day with delicious and very creative recipes that highlight the sweet summer fruit, that will cover you from breakfast through till dinner time. For an added bonus, why not grab your friends and family for a strawberry picking excursion?
BREAKFAST: PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY CHIA PUDDING
Peanut Butter and Jelly Chia Pudding | Healthy, Vegan,Gluten Free
This amazing Peanut Butter and Jelly Chia Pudding was created with the Peanut Bureau. It's healthy, vegan and gluten free and will quickly become your go-to nutritious snack, breakfast or dessert. Y'all know I love my peanut butter and banana combination recipes, but I'm equally obsessed with peanut butter and jelly.
SNACK: STRAWBERRY MUFFINS
Easy Paleo Healthy Strawberry Muffins - Fearless Dining
Are you looking for a light and fluffy paleo strawberry muffin recipe? I have finally worked out a flour combination to make the best healthy strawberry muffins! Grab some cassava flour and tigernut flour, you won't believe how easy this muffin recipe is to make!
LUNCH: STRAWBERRY & GOAT CHEESE SALAD
Green Salad with Strawberries & Goat Cheese Recipe
This lively salad captures the essence of early summer with ripe strawberries, chives and baby spinach. To make it a meal, top it with grilled chicken breast.
DINNER: GRILLED CHICKEN WITH STRAWBERRY SALSA
Grilled Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry Salsa
We also love to drizzle Tangy Strawberry Barbecue Sauce over the chicken.
DESSERT: STRAWBERRY FROZEN YOGURT
5-Minute Healthy Strawberry Frozen Yogurt | Just a Taste
5-Minute Healthy Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Satisfy your sweet tooth sans the guilt with easy, creamy 5-Minute Healthy Strawberry Frozen Yogurt! Four ingredients and five minutes. Add a homemade waffle cone to the equation and you should go ahead and alert your local ice cream shop that there's a new dairy queen in town.
Patrycja Gardygajlo by Rene Habermacher for Vogue Japan
Strawberry Dress by Moschino Summer '12 (Photo: Vogue Italia)
Protect Your Skin With These Five Sunscreens
Constance Jablonski Vogue Japan by Hans Feurer
Summer is in full swing with high temperatures and strong rays of sunshine, so don't forget to apply and reapply sunscreen. Here are five of our favorites.
Warm weather means fun in the sun, vacations, sandy beaches, swimming pools, and outdoor adventures. It also means location shoots. While it is ok to have a little summer glow; getting sunburnt or having major tan lines is a big no-no. Keep in mind that projects shooting within the next three months will most likely be for fall and winter. Even if you are shooting bathing suits, and other skin revealing clothes, tan lines are a huge stress for retouchers around the world. While they can be covered digitally; the variation of skin tones will stand out to any client who is casting, fitting, or taking digitals of you, as well as during runway shows and other live events.
Apply sunscreen every day, on your body as well as your face. It is essential to protect yourself against damaging UV rays. Also, keep a hat and cover-up with you, especially if you have long shoot days outside. Caring for your skin is not only vital to your career but also your health. Excessive sun can increase age spots, wrinkles, and more importantly, skin cancer.
Hawaii is the first state to ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate due to the damage they cause to the marine life, coral reefs, and potentially humans. Albeit, this law will not take effect until 2021, but why not support their initiative now. Check out these five sunscreens that are natural, organic, and great for sensitive skin too!
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30 Sensitive 8.75 fl oz $27.12 (www.walmart.com) Dermatologist-recommended, and without potentially irritating chemicals. It has effective UV protection, but it's also gentle on sensitive skin. Our favorite feature is that the sunscreen turns blue when exposed to harmful UV rays. The color will intensify, the stronger the UV's are.
Epicuren Active Sport Treat UVA + UVB Sunscreen 30+ 2.5 fl oz $35.50 (www.epicuren.com) A great one for those who are active, or are water babies. This Epicuren broad-spectrum sunscreen is water resistant (80 minutes). It includes moisturizers and antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Green Tea Extract, and Hawaiian Kukui Nut Oil. Although it has a thick consistency and will show up white on the skin, it will become transparent over time.
Hawaiian Sol Guard SPF 50 6 fl oz $14 (www.hawaiiansol.net) Hawaiian Sol, being Hawaii based, is focused on the protection of the ocean, as well as people. This product is marine and reef friendly, and biodegradable. The natural ingredients include Zinc Oxide and Cucumber extracts. Organic Aloe leaf and Kukui oil assist the skin’s ability to hydrate and cool itself. No Nano-technology is used to make this product.
Kabana Organic Skincare Green Screen Tinted Bronze SPF 31 4 fl oz $17.99 (www.kabanaskincare.com) This formula has all the benefits of a great SPF, but it is also tinted to blend with skin tones and is excellent for facial use. So you don't need to worry about looking too pale on your first day out of winter! Note that the Bronze color has a deeper tan skin tone which works for people who have a darker more yellow skin color. Additionally, it is soy-free, gluten-free, corn-free and vegan, fragrance-free & non-comedogenic. It is also eco-system approved!
Raw Elements Tinted Face Stick SPF 30 .6 oz $16.99 (www.rawelementsusa.com) An on-the-go solution for serious sun protection. It's water resistant and has great UV protection. But, it is also tinted and very easy to apply. It's biodegradable and reef safe, with biologically active antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and extracts. It never runs or stings eyes, so it's perfect for the face during long outdoor adventures. Just watch for the tint color, to make sure it will match your skin tone.
Disclaimer: Note that these are our own opinions, along with using the companies' research online. We do not claim to have a medical or scientific background.
The Great Influence Of Kate Spade
Three things that made Kate Spade an all-time classic designer.
Kate Spade (Photo: CNBC/Andrew Toth/ Getty Images)
The sudden death of Kate Spade (aged 55) on the 5th of June was a great shock to the fashion world. Since the inception of her brand, the famous accessories designer greatly impacted the fashion industry by offering fashion lovers unique, and affordable pieces. It was 1993 when Spade founded her label with the vision of creating the perfect handbag, along with signature characteristics that made her brand very special.
Kate Spade created accessories that were about affordability and accessibility. One of the brand’s best sellers is the all-time classic Sam handbag which is priced no more than 200 dollars.
Spade’s designs came in bright colors and interesting prints. No matter if you were wearing them or just looking at them, they’d always brighten your mood. Spade’s brand was also the first to use nylon and establish “Nylon Chic.”
Every woman wants a black classic handbag and Kate Spade designed the first timeless and reasonably priced handbag that can match almost every outfit, from a pair of jeans to a cocktail dress.
Kate Spade will be missed for her cheerful and positive attitude. The legacy she has left behind is priceless, and hopefully, the breath of fresh air her accessories offered will not be lost or forgotten.
EDITORIAL: The New Faces Of L.A.
The Model Mani
Unless a client asks you to get a manicure with bright red nail polish, or any other color, you should maintain clean buffed nails at all times. You will appear well groomed, and have the "clean canvas" look that enables clients to visualize you in their projects. However, for informals and trunks show bookings, female models are required to wear a nude or clear polish.
If you want to skip the nail salon, here’s how you can do a thorough manicure yourself:
Give your nails a clean and wipe off any polish with nail polish remover
File your nails either in a round or almond shape. Keep the length between short and medium.
Rub in a few drops of cuticle remover cream/oil into each cuticle.
Soak nails in warm soapy water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles.
Gently push the cuticles back with a cuticle pusher tool. If you do not have one, Q-Tips are a great substitute.
Buff and smooth nail edges. We recommend purchasing a 4 way buffer and shiner – it has file, buffer shiner and polish all in one.
If you want to add nail polish, we suggest clear, nudes, or pale pinks. Add a clear base and top coat for nude and pale pinks.
Complete your manicure with some hand moisturizer (make sure the polish is dry first).
If you are doing your nails around bedtime, rub some fresh lavender or lavender oil on your hands for a relaxing scent!
The Importance Of Reading Your Business Emails
In today’s world, we communicate more via text and email than talk on the phone. It makes life easy, especially when receiving large amounts of information. We don’t need to write it all down, nor does it interrupt with whatever we are doing. However, many of us have a bad habit of scanning over our emails and texts, instead of actually reading them.
When it comes to business, or in any aspect of life, glancing over important emails can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings. When your agent emails casting or booking details, they often include specific instructions. It takes time to put this information together and relay it to you. By reading the whole email and following directions, it will save a lot of stress and hassle for you, your agent, and the client.
To avoid any complications, awkward situations, or miscommunication; always read business-related emails very carefully. Also, try to get to them as soon as you can. If you feel that some of the information could be missing, like grooming prep, contact person, or brings, you will have time to check with your agent. Keep in mind that he or she may be having a super busy day, or waiting to hear from the client for further instructions.
