Petite modeling is a tough industry to break into. Especially since most
modeling agencies won't represent models unless they're 5
feet and 9
inches tall or taller. Have you had people tell you that you're cute? Do you hear all the time that, "you should be a model," but you just don't qualify for the strict standards that most modeling angencies have?
Rest assured there is a career out there for the petite model. There is work in the worlds of fashion, commercial publishing, and many other
industries for the less than 5 feet 9 inch models. There is even work for models as short as 5 feet tall.
Most of the work in the petite modeling industry involoves close up pictures of the face, hands, feet or other body parts instead of the body as a whole. The
fashion modeling industry, however, is very body focused. That is why they have such stringent height requirements for their models.
As a petite or average size model, you would probably not be working much in the
fashion industry, so bodily imperfections and height are not usually factors. Even a fairly average-looking person can be very successful in this industry if they are willing to work hard, get the job done, and show clients they are easy to work with.
So how do you get in to this specialized segment of the modeling market? First, remember the focus in this market is very much on the face rather than the figure. To make it in this market, you need to have nice skin, a good bone structure, good teeth, and be cute. Most of your success will also be based on the look that is "in" at the moment.
To find out if you have any chance of success as a petite model, you need to get an evaluation from an agency or someone who has contact with clients within the industry. This will tell you if you have the look that their clients are hiring at the moment.
If you are told you just don't have the right look at the moment, don't despair. The modeling industry moves at a fast pace, and what's not in now could be the rave in the next 6 months.
The models in this segment of the market are often paid very well because advertisers usually focus more on the look of the models face than her figure. Advertisers usually have more money to spend than many clients in the fashion industry, and a good model could make as much as $125.00 per hour on her first job.
Not cute? Don't think you have that "glamourous" look that could get you high paying jobs as a model? Don't despair, because even a normal person can get high paying jobs in this industry if they are easy to work with and sparkle on camera. A plain model who exhibits spark and vitality is more likely to get the job than a beautiful model who is lifeless.
Photographers and clients would rather work with a model who is vibrant and easy to work with than a beautiful one who is honery, does not take instructions well, and acts "snobby" or conceited on the job. Putting too high a price on yourself in this highly competitive industry many times will cause clients to pass you over for a more pleasant model.
Rest assured there is plenty of work in this industry if you have the looks, talent, and are easy to work with.
One shoe that picks up on the men's fashion trend for travel is the espadrille. A traditional lightweight shoe originating from the Pyrenees, it has a rope or rope-like sole and a canvas top. Very breathable, and effortlessly stylish, these look set to be big news when summer rolls around. 
