Welcome to the world of internet modeling! Your profile is your introduction and resume, so it's important that it be detailed and complete.

Here are a few things a lot of newbies leave out that are really helpful to have:

• What are your REAL stats? You are not 100 years old or 10 pounds, and your height isn't measured in your heels. Put in real and accurate stats. Some models will put in their age as 100 years because they don't want to show up in searches. If this is you, ask yourself why you're signing up at a profile site in the first place. If you are not here to be seen and network maybe this is not the place for you & you’d prefer something like MySpace or Facebook which allows restricted profiles.
  
  
• What is your schedule? What are your abilities?
  
  
• Are you willing/able to travel? If so, how far?
  
  
• What are your modeling goals?
  
  
• What types and genres of modeling are you interested in pursuing?
  
  
• Do you have any piercings or body modifications? If so, what and where are they, and can they be removed or covered? If you have tattoos, are you comfortable with the photographer asking that they be covered? Would you reject the suggestion that they be removed in post production?
  
  
• What is your current hair color and style? If you show more than one hair color in your portfolio we need to know which you have now, as well as how it's cut. Consider including an image marked as "latest" to show your current look.

Some things to leave out:

• Info about your boyfriend/girlfirend/spouse/husband/children/family. It's not relevant and looks very unprofessional.
  
  
• What you're doing in school/for your career, unless it is directly tied in with your modeling. Noting you're in school or have a job as it relates to your schedule is a good idea but that's all you need to say, especially if you're studying in a field completely unrelated to your modeling.
  
  
• Non-modeling related accomplishments. If you've done gymnastics or dance it's relevant because it affects posing. If you won the county bake-off it doesn't belong in your profile.
  
  
• Your non-modeling goals. If you want to be president, that's great. It isn't relevant here.
  
  
• Your drive and ambition. Yes, everyone wants to be the next big thing, and we're sure you've got what it takes to get to the top and nobody's going to stop you. There's no need to stroke your own ego in your profile.
  
  
• Your political or religious affiliations. Yes, they’re an important part of who you are, but they’re not important to your ability to model. Moreover, listing them may cost you jobs.
  
  
• "I AM NOT HERE TO DATE!!!" or any variation thereof. The pros here won't ask; ignore the people who do.

Some things not to do:

• Don't have a profile full of "no's." Having limits is good, but making your profile all about a listing of them is not.
  
  
• This is not MySpace. Don't load your profile up with tons of blinky photos and images. If an image is in your portfolio it should not be in your profile. Four pictures is about the max you should have in your profile area, and they should be small images. They should be there with a purpose - for example, the "here is my current hair style" suggestion, above. More than four images or a lot of large images will make your profile to hard to read.
  
  
• Length! If your profile is as long as this list it's too long! Short and to the point is better.
  
  
• Watch your wording, especially on the topics of nudity and escorts:
  
  
• People will ask you to pose nude. It doesn't matter how old you are or how big you put the letters, they will ask. It is also insulting to people that pose nude or shoot nudes to add in lines like, "I have morals," "I have class," "That's only for my boyfriend," "I have respect for myself," and so on. If you don’t want to pose nude simply say "I will not pose nude" and leave it at that. That said, all major portfolio sites have a field to indicate if you shoot nudes. Use that feature to indicate if you will or won’t, and don't feel the need to shout, "I don't shoot nudes, so don't ask!" Professionals will respect that, and non-professionals will ask anyway, even if you demand that they don't. When people ask anyway politely decline if they're polite, or ignore them if they're rude.
  
  
• Glamour and Nude shooting is the major driver of the Internet market - that's just a fact. Don't lie about nudity. If you're saying "no nudity" but you do it as a "screening process" and you actually do shoot nudes, it will make you look dishonest and get you more grief. Simply put "I am selective about nudes" and leave it at that. If you used to do nudes and still display them people will assume you're lying about notdoing them. Try "I am no longer doing nudes but have left my past work up because I am proud of it" and follow the polite response/ignore formula with those who ask anyway.
  
  
• Escorts: some photographers allow them, some don't. Making a big issue about them if you want one, like the nudes thing, only makes you look like a problem. If you will not work without an escort put in the simple one liner, "I only work with an escort." Nothing else, no justifications, no reasons. If an escort is negotiable (for instance if you don't require one for a studio shoot with an MUA) put in, "I may ask for an escort to be present." That's it.
  
  Whether or not you use escorts, be sure to do your due diligence and check out these screening tips:
  
  Due Diligence
  Safety in Internet Modeling
  
  
• Be honest about escorts. If you want one work with photographers who allow it. Don't use them as a "screening process" by asking for them in your profile to see if photographers are "ok" with them. That not only won't help you stay safe or assure you're working with pros, it will also make you look dishonest. Don't "forget" to mention them and then show up with one.
  
  
• Do not put your e-mail/AIM/Yahoo/phone on your profile! Putting them in your profile will open you up to a whole world of scammers, fakes, phonies, and stalkers. Scam offers coming in over regular email cannot be acted-upon by site moderation, either, giving the scammers a free pass to continue to contact you.

Overal, remember the KISS rule: keep it simple, stupid, and make sure the important info is in there and leave out the rest. You may also benefit from reading Rachel Jay's blog entry on profile writing.

Safety In Internet Modeling

By James Glendinning/ SilverLight Esoterica Photography

Hey folks, how about some REAL, VALID safety tips for models? (these are for Internet modeling, not agency work)

If you're under 18 and not an agency model (they operate differently) always take a parent or legal guardian with you. A boyfriend or girlfriend or sibling is NOT ok. First off, your parents should know about and support what you're doing or you shouldn't be doing it. Second, the photographer probably will want or need papers signed that require a parent or legal guardian, and there are specific legal requirements someone has to meet to fill that role. If you can't tell your parents what you're doing...you shouldn't be doing this. You have bigger problems.

If you are under 18 and the photographer says "Come alone" that is the exception to automatically assuming there's something creepy going on. If you're under 18 and they say that, there probably is something wrong. Why chance it?

The other time I personally have no issue with an escort is if the model is physically disabled and needs special assistance. One of the models in my portfolio is entirely paralyzed on her left side and needs help with things as simple as changing her shoes. She's a great lady though, and obviously needs someone there who's qualified to assist her. Ditto for another model who's posted before who's a quadriplegic. And the other day, someone pointed out something I hadn't considered: if you're working with a model who needs a translator that person should be welcome. In the case of both a translator and an assistant for someone handicapped they are there as a part of the shoot, unlike an escort.

So, assuming you're an adult, what then?

First, check the photographer out! References, references, references! Does he or she have other models you can ask about work experiences? Do so! While you're at it, ask how they were about flaking, returning images promptly, not bouncing checks, and honoring agreements. Relying on escorts instead of reference checks can land you with all sorts of problems other than safety. This is also a great way for you to network with others in your local community! If you hear one bad thing about someone and 15 good things, use your judgment to make a decision. This month's feature on due diligence is a great place to start!

Second, verify the photographer's info. Is there a business license in that name? Does he or she own a web domain with verifiable info? Is there a verifiable phone number that's not a throwaway cell? How about a business mailing address? Don't just swap PMs here on the site or IMs via AIM or Yahoo, get some e-mails. Keep records of all this stuff written down and on your computer. Fakes are not going to stand up to this scrutiny and won't want to leave a lot of traceable info. Note, though, that some of these things will not be something everyone has. Many reputable hobbyists don't have business licenses, and some pro places don't have their own web domains. Some of these things not being available to you is no big deal. None of them being there is.

Third, if possible and practical, meet the photographer first in a public place like Starbuck's or Border's to see each other face to face, be sure of who you're talking to, and see if you're comfortable with one another. There should be no issue with you bringing someone along for this! Many photographers (often myself included) do not work with models one-on-one most of the time, in this case the photographer might bring an assistant to meet you as well. If the photographer can't do this, it's not a bad thing, per se. He or she might be very busy, or distance might be a factor. If I'm blowing in to California for a couple of days and doing a bunch of shoots (which happens about twice a year) I do not have time to meet everyone first. At the meet don't be afraid to ask to see the photographer's ID to verify who he says he is.

During steps 2 & 3, communicate with the photographer. Get all the details straight over what they want, what they expect, what the release (if any) will say, what your allowed usage of the images should be, what to expect on the shoot, etc. If the photographer doesn't allow escorts, ask why and then make a judgment as to whether you feel safe. If you don't feel safe with the photographer, do not work with that person. The most foolish thing I've heard is "I don't feel safe, I'll just take an escort!"

Fourth, on the day of the shoot make sure someone reliable knows where you're going to be, and with whom, and at what times, and you can make sure the photographer knows this. When you show up, call your friend on your cell (and if you don't have a cell take $25.99 to 7-11 and get a pay as you go phone...again, if you can't/won't take this kind of step maybe you should reconsider this) and tell them "Hey, I'm here with so and so, like I told you, we should be shooting here at _________ until about (time), I'll call you when I've left. I might check in if we take a break." Then check in!

Some models have commented they need a driver. Reasonable photographers shouldn't have a problem with someone bringing you, coming in briefly to say hello, then leaving until you're done. Of course your check-in calls would be to that person. My only issue with this is that I feel the model should have her own transportation nearby in case the photographer's a jerk & she needs to be able to leave. But in general a driver scenario should be no issue. If the photographer is giving you a ride, there should similarly be no issue in taking a minute to say hello to your bf/room mate/dad (if over 18 & living with parents) before you go.

Does saying "no escorts" mean the photographer wants you alone? Not necessarily :)

Find out if there will be other models at the shoot, talk to them, check out who they are. Maybe carpool, or make sure you all get there at the same time. Another good thing to discuss here is the possibility of a makeup artist (MUA). Can you both mutually agree on one? (if it's a TF* shot be prepared to pay for it or split the cost!) Don't try to pass off your friend from the MAC counter as an MUA as an excuse for an escort, either. The same goes for a hairstylist & wardrobe person. Ditto for asking about an "assistant" for you. You should ask the photographer if he's going to have an assistant, and ask for that person's references as well. I will note here I do not believe a photographer should ever say "bring an escort, I'll use them as an assistant," this is highly unprofessional due to several risk factors.

On the off chance there is a problem with the photographer, don't be quiet! Do not be afraid to say no, and if necessary walk out. As noted here, saying "NO!" generally halts BS, and when it doesn't the models can generally just leave. Sure, you won't get photos, but are they worth it at that point? If something criminal happens GO TO THE COPS. If the photographer's just a jerk and treats you badly or violates your agreements, let people know...but be honest. Don't talk trash because you didn't get along or don't like your photos, and work hard to resolve issues over things like CD delivery before going public. Become a reference & part of the community...again, this is networking that can only help you.

Does all this sound like work? You BET! This's a JOB! Even if it's a HOBBY it's a job!

Do you expect the photographer to put time & effort in to making this work & making the photos look good? Well you should, too!

As noted, not only should these tips keep you safe but they should step you up in terms of who you're working with. Of course there are always exceptions, and times when you need to be more stringent. If someone is new and has few or no references, the escorted pre-shoot meet & driver who stays nearby are more important! Again, you will need to use your judgment.

Good luck, and be safe SENSIBLY!