How to Be a Model with a Short Height

You don’t have to be tall, thin, and sculpted to be a model. Men and women with a height of 1m67 and shorter can still sign a contract with a modeling agency as long as they know how to use their limits and strengths. Tall and slim models are dominating the world of haute couture, but there are still plenty of opportunities out there. ^{[1] X Source of Research} If you know how to apply your strengths in the right places, you can be even more successful.

Table of Contents

Step into modeling

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Connect with a photographer. Before becoming a model, it’s a good idea to look up a few photographers in the area. Your best bet is to find a photographer who specializes in portraiture and makeup. You will need light makeup for portrait photography.

Search online for photographers who meet the above requirements.
You may be lucky enough to find a photographer through the modeling agency you contact.

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Pay for portraits. Yes, you will have to pay for a good photographer to take portraits. This is an initial investment and modeling is a profession that requires investment. You want the highest quality photos you can afford. It is best to let the photographer or modeling agency take care of the makeup.

A good photographer will take a series of photos, sometimes up to a hundred. They will then talk to you to choose which one you like.
Portraits can be taken both outdoors and in the studio. Both can produce good photos if the photographer is good.

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Look up model agencies. Talk to friends in the modeling world to see if they know any modeling agencies. If not, you can search online for modeling agencies in your area. It is best to choose a company close to you to save travel time.

If the nearest modeling agency is still an hour away by car, then consider what you really want. If you want to be a model, then accept to go far. Distance cannot stop dreams. ^{[2] X Research Source}
Chances are your photographer will work for a modeling agency. Some agencies even look at portraits taken by photographers when a model is urgently needed.

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Contact the modeling agency. Go to a modeling agency if convenient. It is best to meet face-to-face with the modeling agency. You can go straight to their office with a set of portraits. Be confident, but receptive to the appropriate advice they give. You can send a few emails to companies that you think are likely to hire you on some projects.

Look for modeling agencies that specialize in bodywork or other projects that are open to different body types.
Be professional when dealing with the company. If composing an email, be sure to include your portrait.
Include any relevant information about previous modeling work or related to acting/drama.
You can contact many modeling agencies at the same time.

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Create an online model profile. There are many websites that function as databases for models and businesses looking for models. You can join one of these sites, usually for free. You only need to provide some basic information about your career goals and body measurements. Be honest about your height and body proportions when creating your profile.

You may feel at a disadvantage when you have to provide height information, but modeling agencies will appreciate your honesty. There are many jobs that models with different bodies can do.
Try http://www.modelmanagement.com/ as it has a nice interface and rich resources.

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Moved to live in a big city. It may not sound very convenient, but big cities are model capitals. This is where you seize the “big opportunities,” if any. You don’t have to move to LA or New York, though that’s a good choice. If you live in a small town or country, you can move to a nearby city.

For example, if you live in Carbondale, Illinois, maybe moving to St. Louis or Chicago.

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Get every job on the first day. Even if you’re just starting out, it’s important to get modeling jobs to add to your resume. Unless the work violates your code of ethics, you should take the rest. Having modeling experience helps you demonstrate your skills to future employers.

It would be easier to start with part modeling. This is the job of modeling with only certain body parts like hands.
Another popular form of modeling that welcomes more diverse body models is catalog modeling. Catalog modeling has become increasingly popular because of its ability to present a wide range of body sizes, close to the mass audience as they browse through a catalog.

Build a personal profile

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Determine the model style you like. There are different modeling jobs available for short models. While the haute couture industry is conservative with its tall and skinny image, there are many other options out there. Consider some of the options below based on the profile you want to build:

Magazine model
Commercial model
Model catalog
Oversized model
Sexy photo model
Partial model
TV commercial model
Lifetime photo model (for TV/movie) ^{[3] X Research Source}

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Collection of images. For a beginner model, you should have 5-8 photos in your profile. The key to a successful photo profile is being able to convey the range of modeling you can do. If there are only a few photos taken by one photographer, get in touch and work with other artists. The beauty of that photo is that it doesn’t reveal your height, unless you’re standing next to something else that can infer the size.

Avoid taking pictures with other people if they are much taller than you.
You should show the ability to show different personalities. A good way is to wear a variety of outfits and makeup styles. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
If one of your photos is in black and white, but it’s a good one that stands out from the others, you should include it in your resume.

Increase the likelihood of being noticed by companies

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Health promotion. Focus on a healthy lifestyle and diet. There are plenty of jobs for short models, but there’s no place for a model without a work ethic. In order to maintain a high work ethic, you need to stay healthy. Drink lots of water every day.

Exercise at least 2 times a week.
Limit alcohol and tobacco consumption.
Eat more green vegetables, whole grains, organic foods as much as possible.

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Develop facial expressions. Focus on the eyes, and learn how to convey different emotions without changing faces. Follow other models on social media and see how they express themselves. You also need to spend time practicing in front of the mirror different expressions and poses.

You must be able to express the emotions that the photographer requires for the set. Practice expressing some basic emotions such as sad, happy, frustrated, confused, or surprised.
Develop skills to express each level of emotion in a subtle and exaggerated way to expand the scope of work in the modeling industry.

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Attend a modeling convention. Instead of going to modeling school and spending a ton of money, attend conferences filled with managers and talent hunters. Search online to find a conference near you and prepare for it. Before attending the conference, prepare a variety of resumes and portraits. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

One prestigious conference you can join is ”Faces West”. This is a conference for aspiring modelers without a manager.

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Become a baby model. If you promote yourself properly, you will find jobs that require short and petite models. Some will hire you as a teen model, even if you’re 25 years old, thanks to the right proportions of your height. Some other routes you can choose from are part modeling and portrait modeling.

Evaluate which part of your body looks the best. For example, if you think you have beautiful feet, promote them.
If you are often complimented on your eyes and facial features, promote it as a makeup model, for example. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Think realistically when pursuing work. No matter how hard you work, sometimes height will really get in your way. You need to find more practical work instead of striving for the catwalk. The catwalk is not always open to models under 1m70. However, there are many types of modeling jobs out there such as commercial, catalog, and magazine photography.

Strive for your goals with modeling, but there will be some specific routes you won’t be able to follow, so find the jobs that work for you.

Advice

You will be more successful if you are realistic and promote yourself properly. If you’re 1.60m tall, it won’t be easy to be the opening model of New York Fashion Week in the near future, so don’t rush to aim for such a job.

Steps

Step into modeling

Build a personal profile

Increase the likelihood of being noticed by companies

Advice

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