Juggling academics, social life, and sleep already takes a toll on the average college student, but for these student-models however, it’s an entirely different story. What may seem like an effortless feat for student-models is actually a struggle to synchronize two very different lives.
It’s officially hell week. Most students have tests lined up, oral exams already booked, and final projects ready for submission. But in addition to this, imagine being booked for a photo shoot on three separate days this week, summoned by your manager at 5 AM for a fashion show tomorrow night, and forced to block off a day to try on a few outfits for a designer. Welcome to the life of a student-model.
With their unwavering poise and perfectly toned figure, it may seem as if they are never crushed by the weight of schoolwork, but that is most definitely not the case. The life of a model has always been deemed as a glamorous and star-filled occupation, and similarly, student-models are also viewed with the same pre-conception. What most forget however, is that student-models weigh the pros and cons of being a part-time model as well as a part-time student.
Juggling exhibition
Many student-models start out small, be it at a variety show or a sponsored fashion show way back in high school. Neil Dy, a fourth year student-model, began his career in a variety show in the Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA). “From [then on], every year I would audition for my school’s variety show and ICA’s variety show,” he shares.
If they see budding potential in a student, people from within the modeling industry—including the directors for such variety shows—then approach these students to ask if they would be interested to model and do test shoots. In these test shoots, photographers from modeling agencies attempt to do creative shots with the models to see if his or her look fits an image the photographer has in mind.
Student-models are expected to keep up with the body expectations of the modeling industry. And being as young as they are, this pressure takes a toll on the students. They are required to maintain a healthy physique in order to keep up with industry demands. Dy however, takes this in a positive light. “Worth it yung work out ko at the gym,” he says. Clearly seeing their hard work in keeping fit through their modeling portfolios, a collection of their modelling pictures which they use to book photoshoots, is definitely something that makes staying healthy worth it.
The side of student-models that most people see are their stints at fashion shows, selfies, and raw behind-the-scenes shots of their magazine shoots. The side that most don’t see, however, consists of the hectic schedules they need to work around, as they try to balance academic requirements, commitments with organizations, and social obligations with friends and family.
Some photoshoots usually take up the whole day, with a lot of them starting early in the morning and lasting until past midnight. A student-model from boutique talent agency LVX Management Patricia Filart says, “[I’ve had] to cut half of my classes for [a] day or minsan all of [them].” Modeling takes up a lot of their time, sometimes leaving them with little to no time for their own academics or other extracurricular activities.
Close-up
Despite the heavy academic workload in college and the pressure from modeling, student-models are still motivated to work part-time and take every opportunity that arises. Filart says, “I chose to continue [modeling because] I really enjoyed it. I [also got] to meet a lot of people [and] I really get a sense of fulfillment. [I like that feeling] of professionalism.” It is no doubt that although modeling has its downs, it definitely has its own merits. This is dependent on how the student-model views this aspect of their lives; whether as an additional chore or as an exciting opportunity to prioritize.
Opportunities often arise for them to interact with both local and international models, photographers, makeup artists, stylists, and even brand owners. Filart adds, “If you make a good impression on them or do a good job, they really suggest you as a model and help you get [more] jobs.” Through part-time modeling, they are able to establish connections which may be useful for future endeavors.
With work also comes the pay. Student-models receive different earnings from different kinds of labels, depending on the type of modeling they were booked for. They either get to keep the clothes they wore for the photo shoot or the show, earn a salary, or sometimes, even both. According to Dy, he is sometimes obliged to post about the items he is given on social media. On other times, he is given free items and, additionally, paid to post about them as well.
With hard work, dedication, and time allotted for modeling, these student-models know not to put the money they earn to waste. Dy says, “I don’t spend [the money I earn from modeling], I just put it in the bank so I get to save it.” They are able to not only do what they enjoy, but also learn life skills and invest in various business potentials to be able to save up for their future.
That’s a wrap!
Being a student-model, one might already expect academics and organizations to factor in greatly within their array of concerns, but the way their peers treat a student-model because of his or her occupation may change as well. Filart shares, “I find it awkward when people bring [my modeling career] up. I don’t want them to see me differently.”
While people are aware of all the advantages and perks that come with modeling—from the glamorous makeup and wardrobe transformations, to the freebie items and the possibility of meeting famous celebrities—sometimes, one may look past the fact that modeling is also an occupation and that student-models, specifically, also get very worn out.
After weighing the pros and cons however, Dy says, “You should know how to balance school and work [so that you don’t lose sight of your] studies. [Also, you should] maintain a good image [because] that’s one factor [they look into] when they get models.”
Aside from screening applicants to fit the tailored image they have in mind, photographers and modeling companies also pay close attention to a model’s attitude, since the rapport between people who work behind the scenes and the models themselves are valued greatly and may affect the turnout of shoots and shows.
On another note, Filart adds, “[Mag-iiba] talaga perception mo of models kasi ako rin before, I thought na sobrang glamorous lang yung life nila (Your perception of models will really change, because I also used to think that models’ lives were glamorous). Pero I’ve met a lot of [people] who really depend on [modeling] as their livelihood.” Ultimately, being a part-time student and a part-time model comes with a lot of commitments and responsibilities.
The day is over, it’s past midnight, and they’re dead tired from classes and modeling schedules for the day. They trudge their way up to their respective rooms and promptly pass out on their beds, already expecting the annoying sound of their alarm clock to wake them up in a few short hours, signaling the start of a brand new school day. It’s easy to box student-models into the idea that they live such extravagant lives, with the photos they post on their social networking sites about their photoshoots, to the stars they meet, and the free items they get from various brands but there is still a dimension of student-models that most don’t get a backstage pass to witness.
