The modeling industry in Nigeria has proven to be highly lucrative and sustainable. Numerous young individuals, both male and female, have emerged as successful models, achieving fame and building prosperous careers.
In Nigeria, the modeling industry has experienced significant and positive growth over the years. Many young individuals have embraced modeling as either a full-time or part-time profession, earning good money in the process. Aside from being interesting and enjoyable, modeling offers excellent networking opportunities and the potential for fame. Nowadays, numerous young Nigerians aspire to become models due to the attractive pay it offers.
Becoming a model entails meeting various requirements, such as possessing a youthful appearance. Most models are expected to be beautiful/handsome, attractive, tall, curvy, bold, and fit, among other qualities. These attributes captivate the audience's attention, automatically positioning the model as a supermodel or an influential figure in whatever they are promoting.
Many companies and organizations rely on models to advertise and sell their products. This is because attractive models have the ability to create a unique physical appeal for a product. Models are particularly in high demand when it comes to advertising clothing, makeup, and consumer goods.
In Nigeria, there are numerous modeling agencies that play a crucial role in recruiting models for their agencies. These agencies conduct multiple stages of interviews and mini-contests to select potential models. They specifically look for models with different body features that align with their agency's requirements.
Some of the prominent modeling agencies in Nigeria include Beth Modeling Agency, Fowler Models, Wave Modeling Agency, Y-ray Models, and Exquisite Models, among others. These agencies boast prestigious clients and are highly sought after by aspiring models in Nigeria. They select models for various jobs and compensate them accordingly. These jobs can range from beauty shoots, runway shows, video vixen roles, to even ushering jobs.
In this article, we will provide you with an overview of the different types of modeling and the potential earnings you can expect as a model.
Who is a model?
A model is an individual who operates within the fashion and entertainment sector, showcasing various clothing, accessories, or products through different forms of media, such as magazines, runways, television, or online platforms.
Models are selected based on their appearance, physique, and ability to embody a specific image or style that aligns with the brand or designer they represent. They play a crucial role in promoting fashion trends, influencing consumer behavior, and creating visual narratives for advertising campaigns. Models may specialize in different areas, including fashion modeling, commercial modeling, fitness modeling, or glamour modeling, depending on their unique attributes and the industry's requirements.
To become a successful model, it often entails developing a strong portfolio, collaborating with modeling agencies, attending auditions and castings, and consistently networking to secure new opportunities. While modeling can be glamorous and fulfilling, it is a highly competitive and demanding profession that necessitates discipline, resilience, and adaptability to thrive in an ever-changing industry.
Additionally, models may be required to maintain their physical appearance, adhere to strict beauty and fitness routines, and be prepared to travel extensively for assignments, particularly if they aspire to work on an international level.
Duties of a model
Duties and responsibilities can vary for models depending on the type of modeling they engage in and the clients they collaborate with. Nevertheless, some common duties and responsibilities include:
1. Participating in photoshoots and runway shows: Models are frequently hired for photoshoots to showcase clothing, accessories, or products for fashion brands, magazines, or advertising campaigns. They may also take part in runway shows to exhibit the latest designs during fashion events.
2. Mastering posing and expression: Models must possess the skills to pose and express emotions effectively in order to convey different moods and aesthetics as required by the photographer or creative director.
3. Attending castings and auditions: Models regularly attend castings and auditions to secure new modeling opportunities and contracts. They may need to present their portfolio and demonstrate their suitability for specific assignments.
4. Maintaining physical appearance: Models are expected to maintain their physical appearance, including weight, body measurements, and grooming, as their looks play a crucial role in their profession.
5. Demonstrating professionalism and reliability: Models must exhibit punctuality, professionalism, and reliability when attending shoots, shows, or events. They are expected to be well-prepared and open to direction from photographers and clients.
6. Collaborating with stylists and makeup artists: Models often collaborate with stylists and makeup artists to achieve the desired look for a particular project or event.
7. Adhering to contractual obligations: Models need to fulfill the terms of their contracts, which may include exclusivity agreements, travel requirements, or confidentiality clauses.
8. Promoting brands and products: Models frequently act as brand ambassadors, promoting products and services through social media, interviews, or public appearances.
9. Adapting to different genres of modeling: Depending on their specialization, models may need to adapt to various genres of modeling, such as fashion, commercial, fitness, editorial, or promotional work.
Types of Modeling
Modeling is a versatile art form that encompasses various styles and techniques. The modeling industry has expanded significantly due to the existence of different types of modeling, resulting in increased profitability.
The following are the primary categories of modeling:
1. Runway Modeling:
Runway modeling is the most prevalent form of modeling. It is predominantly utilized in live fashion shows, where elegantly dressed models gracefully walk down the runway, showcasing the latest outfits being launched or promoted in the fashion industry. Runway models are typically tall, with a minimum height requirement of 6 feet, and possess a slender physique.
2. Commercial Modeling:
Commercial modeling is another popular genre that offers lucrative opportunities. The role of commercial models is relatively straightforward - they assist companies in advertising their products. For example, when a body cream manufacturer introduces a new product, they require attractive models to represent the beauty of the newly launched item. This type of modeling is known as commercial modeling.
3. Fashion/Editorial Modeling:
Fashion/editorial modeling involves featuring models in magazines, fashion blogs, social media platforms, and even newspapers. The captivating faces of these models are utilized to enhance the appeal and attractiveness of these publications. It is common to find a photograph of a stunning model gracing the cover of almost every magazine. This form of modeling is referred to as fashion/editorial modeling.
4. Fitness Modeling:
Fitness modeling is a relatively niche category. Models in this field must possess a physically fit and athletic body. Their role is to serve as role models for fitness brands. For instance, a reputable gym looking to attract customers may hire a fitness model for advertising purposes, conveying the message that their services can help individuals achieve a similar level of physical fitness.
In the fitness modeling niche, models often have to maintain a rigorous gym routine to ensure they remain in excellent shape.
Models salary in Nigeria: How much do models earn in Nigeria
Models in Nigeria have varying earning potentials depending on the type of modeling they do. As a beginner, you may not earn a significant amount of money initially. However, as you gain experience and start getting more jobs, your popularity will increase, leading to higher earnings.
For runway models, the earnings range from about ₦20,000 to ₦80,000 per gig. If a runway model manages to secure 5 to 10 gigs in a month, their earnings can easily reach six figures.
Commercial models, on the other hand, earn much more than runway models. They can earn anywhere from ₦100,000 to ₦5,000,000 for each job they do. This is because they are hired by large establishments that require commercial modeling services, resulting in bulk payments.
Fashion/editorial models face similar limitations in terms of earnings, comparable to runway models. They typically earn between ₦20,000 to ₦150,000. However, if they manage to land international jobs, their earnings could exceed these figures.
Fitness models also fall into the same earning range as runway and fashion/editorial models. They earn between ₦15,000 to ₦90,000 per gig. Although the individual payments may seem modest, securing multiple jobs each month can accumulate into a substantial income.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a youthful and attractive individual with the appearance of a model, you may want to contemplate embarking on a modeling profession in Nigeria. It is important to note that without the support of a modeling agency, achieving success in the industry would be quite challenging. However, by securing a contract with a reputable agency, you will face fewer obstacles as they possess the necessary connections, influence, and financial resources to propel your modeling career to new heights.