It's no easy feat to break through in the world of modeling especially going up against the thousands of beautiful young women who also believe they have the "it factor". Having someone with the experience guide you through the twists and turns that come with that world can make the journey a tad less difficult. With this in mind, Bahamian model Kamela Forbes returned home to share her knowledge, experience and adventures she's had over the years with young Bahamians with aspirations of breaking into the professional world of modeling.
"I know the errors I made in getting myself out there and what I went through personally to get to the level I am at now in my career," said Forbes. "And I want to help other young people get off to a smoother start because what I went through was great as a learning experience but a lot of it I could have avoided had I just known certain things. So, now that I am at a place where I have experienced a lot and I'm comfortable where I am I wanted to share what I know with up and coming models. There is so much potential here in The Bahamas and many of the young ladies just need little advice to get them on the right track."
The five-foot, 10-inch stunner told the 40-plus young models that showed up at the workshop held at the Yodephy Dance and Modeling Studio of the importance of finding the right agent and getting settled before making the leap to move to fashion capitals like New York.
She said she jumped headfirst into her career which has taken her all over the world, from Africa and Europe to the Caribbean, and it was an exhilarating experience, but she said it was one that came with many pitfalls.
"When I got started I wasted a lot of time making wrong turns not knowing what to do and not to do. I spent a lot of time trying to find an agent and made decisions that were not always in my favor at the end of the day."
Do not waste time
She staged the workshop to speak with the young ladies so that they could get on the ball faster than she did and not waste time. She spoke to the participants about how to go about finding an agent, and going to open calls at agencies or submitting pictures online. And she told them it's a myth that money needs to be spent to get into the industry.
Forbes told the young women that it's as easy as going to agencies and showcasing themselves.
But she said they have to prepare themselves for a long period of rejections. She said many agencies will turn them down and maybe not even bother to see what they're about. She told them to be prepared for agency representatives who won't even take the time to explain to them why they rejected them, unless they are one of the lucky few who get snatched up right away.
She also warned the young women to always do their research of agencies, policies and to carefully review any contracts, even if they find an agent.
And she warned them that although it will be exciting when a door opened, she told them it was important not to say yes without knowing what they are getting themselves into.
Forbes, who has done print work for Tiffany & Co., Target, Macy's, Motorola, and donned the high fashions of designers like J. Mendel and Marc Jacobs, told the young women that no matter what happens, whether things are going well or not so good, that it is necessary to have high self-esteem, thick skin and the ability to move on to another option or keep on improving their portfolio and retrying.
"The modeling game is one that depends on persistence and consistency. And breaking down or giving up after the first few slammed doors is not going to make the journey any easier," she said.
The portfolio and composite card
Putting together a good portfolio and making appropriate composite (comp) photo cards she told them are essential for aspiring models. And she said despite popular belief, a good beginner's portfolio does not need to have lots of photos nor is it required that a lot of money be put into developing one. She said since a model never knows what an agency is looking for, a few simple shots are usually good enough. The portfolio should include a headshot, a full body picture, a bathing suit shot and casual wear at least. And if they have an editorial shot, or pictures from a show or modeling experience, she said it would be a good addition as well.
"You don't want to be spending a lot of money on photos that agencies may not even like. You don't want to bottle yourself or turn their mind to viewing you in only one specific way. Let them imagine you as more and just show that you are fresh and young in the shots you do include in your portfolio. Comp cards are also important to have with you and to give out. These cards are a collage of a few of your photos from your portfolio. They will be what the agents or clients may have as a first and last impression of you. You want to be memorable so you should put a little effort into this," she said.
According to Forbes a good signature walk is another high point young models need to focus on. She said it is essential for models with runway potential and even those who aren't going in that direction. She said a good walk may catch the eye of a client or agent and get them in the door. Forbes demonstrated walking to the girls, and evaluated their walks.
She also spoke to the girls about being open-mined to the different kinds of modeling. She said that too many models only think runway, when they should be open to try their hand at editorial, showroom, informal, parts modeling, full-figured modeling, commercial and commercial print. As long as a job does not go against their belief system she encouraged them to try things.
Forbes also told the young women that maintaining their standards was also just as important. She told them that they do not have to lower their standards just for a job, because they will have to live with their decisions.
"If exposing your body is not something your religious or personal beliefs condone then of course nude modeling or certain runway jobs are not for you. In fact there is a recent story about a [lingerie model] turning down her contract because of her beliefs. So, I would say not to just say yes for the money and then feel bad about what you did."
Maintain your standards
The young ladies were told that even though the field is about going beyond their comfort zone, they should still have standards.
Forbes encouraged them to take care of themselves to remain as youthful and healthy for as long as possible. And that they should eat well, get into a good exercise regimen and make good choices about their social life. Forbes said she does not advocate starving oneself or adjusting one's life so dramatically that it becomes unhealthy, but rather living the life of a model in a healthy way.
"Although it is hard to get into the industry and be successful internationally, the benefits are endless. No two days are the same for me. There is traveling, meeting people and experiencing new cultures everywhere. Once you are in the field and have an agent who will work to get you jobs consistently, after a while you build up clout and a good portfolio so you can say which jobs you would prefer over others."
She reminisced about her early days in the business doing small runway jobs that did not actually pay financially. She said she got clothes instead, which was nice, but did not pay the bills. As an established model, she said she was able to demand jobs that paid -- whether it was a magazine spread, cover or billboard.
"When you get to that level, that's when this field gets even more rewarding," she said.
Forbes told the aspiring models to begin their research in the field, and get themselves prepared to take off as soon as possible. Preparation she said was better than moving to the United States and just hoping for luck without a real plan like she did. She said sometimes it does work out with persistence and hard work but other times it can feel like a wasted effort.
To keep up with Kamela Forbes, follow her on twitter.com/@kamelaforbes or visit her online at facebook.com/kamelaforbes.
About Kamela
Born and raised on New Providence, Kamela Forbes attended Yodephy Modeling and Dance Academy at a young age, where she received her basic training in runway, poise and etiquette. She attended St. Anne's High School. Upon completion of high school, Kamela went on to attend The College of The Bahamas on a full scholarship, where she received her associates degree in accounting, and then continued her studies at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in business administration.
Upon graduation, she was courted by the Ebony Fashion Fair travelling runway show. With her degree under her belt, Kamela headed to Chicago and in 2001 accepted a job to tour with the company. For the next nine months, Kamela participated in 189 runway shows across America, Canada, and The Bahamas. After the tour, Kamela moved to Los Angeles to further her career in modeling. She landed numerous coveted nationwide campaigns and her image has appeared in ads for Motorola, Mitsubishi, Sirius Radio Network, NYX Cosmetics and Wella Hair Care Products. She has also been featured in music videos alongside Grammy-winning recording artists Babyface, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z, and has made television appearances on the hit show "Entourage", "8 Simple Rules" and in the movie "Maid in Manhattan" starring Jennifer Lopez.
Kamela signed contracts with famed designers such as Marc Jacobs, Kaufman Franco, Sue Wong, J. Mendel and Chado Ralph Rucci. She has also been featured in ads for fashion house Lafayette 148 and Wamsutta linens as well as magazines such as Essence, Ebony, Cosmopolitan, and Vanity Fair. She has shot numerous editorial spreads for magazines such as Cosmopolitan, O (Oprah), and Real Simple. She has graced the cover of Africa's Fashion Week magazine and walked the runway for many of South Africa's top designers.
In 2012, Kamela landed the coveted contract as the face of Tiffany & Co., Rubedo Collection and Target.
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