By Ettie Holland
Simon Cole is 50-something and had never modelled before coming to We Are Models. In fact, he’d never even thought about modelling –his son actually got in touch with us. Fast-forward a few months and Simon is a fully-fledged classic model, signed with 3 modelling agencies and getting professional paid work. He’s continued to run his other businesses, so modelling is an enjoyable side-venture and an unexpected additional source of income.
It just goes to show – whatever your size, shape, age, colour or look, modelling could be well worth considering!
Introducing… Classic Model Simon Cole
WAM: Hi Simon! Thanks for making the time to have a chat.
S.C: Hi, thanks. No problem at all. I’m more than happy to share my experiences.
WAM: I suppose the obvious place to start is at the beginning! What’s the background? Did you always want to become a classic model?
S.C: It’s funny actually, because it wasn’t me who started it. It was my son. He’d always said that I take a great picture, and he’d obviously had the idea that I could do something with it. He must have sent my pictures off somewhere, because I had this email one day from the We Are Models team inviting me in to chat about my photos.
I’m about as computer literate as a stone, so I asked my son what he’d gone and done… I was pretty sceptical to begin with – I think you always take these things with a pinch of salt – but my son convinced me to go in and see the team.
WAM: So you came in to see our model consultant team?
S.C: Yes. I thought it was amazing actually. We Are Models are brilliant – they were very honest, and very professional. I had no experience in the industry at all so I wasn’t sure what to expect – I was pleasantly surprised.
Classic Model
We Are Models are brilliant – they were very honest, and very professional. I had no experience in the industry at all so I wasn’t sure what to expect – I was pleasantly surprised.
WAM: It was all new to you then!
S.C: Completely. Natalie explained that there are lots of different types of modelling and I had a particular kind of look that was really marketable. I’d never thought of it like that before – as a business.
They went through everything I could expect to come up against if I wanted to become a classic model, showing me how to handle myself and what agencies would expect from me. It was like a crash course in becoming a classic model – they explained everything.
If you haven’t modelled before and don’t know much about the industry, you always kind of think that these people are going to be, I don’t know. A bit unrelatable, perhaps? It’s a world I just didn’t understand; it can be quite intimidating.
The team were all so supportive though; I didn’t feel stupid or out of my depth.
WAM: And you had images taken with our Production team?
S.C: Yes, I did. After I spoke to Natalie about the types of work I’d be suitable for, she explained that professional images would be the best way to present myself in the right light to agencies. She explained how those agencies are making a commercial decision based on the images you show them, so you give yourself the best chances of getting signed if you have images that show what you can do.
Classic Model
We Are Models explained that modelling agencies are making a commercial decision based on the images you show them, so you give yourself the best chances of getting signed if you have images that show what you can do.
I probably wouldn’t have gone for it normally, because you hear these stories about ‘model advice’ services that rip you off and you never hear back from them. I just really trusted Natalie and the team I suppose, because of how professional the service was. I felt like it was worth taking the leap, so I did.
WAM: Did you enjoy the experience?
S.C: 100%! I think the most valuable thing is that you’ve got an experienced team right there, showing you how to work in front of the camera and casting an experienced eye over your images.
It was really interesting, actually. I think everyone has a self-image in their minds eye – you know, how you look best, which ‘side’ is your best. We Are Models really helped me overcome that – because modelling agencies are looking for a certain look, not a person.
They helped me see myself as a product, really. Like, certain things will get you booked; certain things won’t.
WAM: And it’s certainly paid off for you…
S.C: Haha! Yes, it has. Natalie guided me through which agencies to apply for and showed me how to apply and what to expect if I heard back from them. When I was getting replies from agencies I was on the phone to the team almost every other day and they were always more than happy to help. I still talk to the team regularly.
Since then I’ve signed with three agencies and I’m getting recommended for tonnes of work. I’ve been to three castings already, and I had my first paying job really quickly after I saw Natalie and the team.
Classic Model
[Simon Cole on set at a Modelling Job]
I’ve signed with three agencies and I’m getting recommended for tonnes of work. I’ve been to three castings already, and I had my first paying job really quickly after seeing We Are Models
WAM: What was your first job?
S.C: It was for a big private hospital in London, for their marketing catalogue and website. It’s been great, just brilliant. I played everything from a consultant to a surgeon to a patient. It was so surreal.
During the shoot, it’s actually really hard work. You’re not just larking about in front of the camera – and it’s really tiring mentally. I knew what to expect because Natalie and the team had gone through everything and taught me a lot when we were in the studio, but I was definitely tired!
WAM: Modelling can be a pretty steep learning curve!
S.C: Definitely. I look at advertising in a really different way now. Like, before I’d just see an advert and maybe read it or whatever, but now I’m always looking at the model. How they hold themselves, how they’re posing. Thinking about whether I can do that, and what’s gone into the shot to get the perfect image.
Classic Model
[Simon Cole on set at a Modelling Job]
WAM: And where would you like the future to take you?
S.C: I want to be the Mont Blanc guy, haha! No, seriously, anything. I just love it. I’m happy to do anything; I’m enjoying it immensely.
WAM: What do you like most about being a classic model?
Classic Model
It’s not something I ever thought I’d do, especially at my age, so it’s a nice surprise to be making money as a model
S.C: It’s two things, really. First, I just really enjoy it. I’m having so much fun. And second, it’s the extra income. I’ve always had my fingers in various different pies, and it’s really nice to be earning a bit extra. It’s not something I ever thought I’d do, especially at my age, so it’s a nice surprise to be making money as a model.
Without sounding dramatic, I am really grateful to We Are Models because this adventure is all down to them. They’ve just been so genuine, so supportive. I’m not just paying lip-service: I can’t thank the team enough.
WAM: Simon, thank you so much for your time. Best of luck with everything – and hopefully we’ll see your face cropping up more soon!
If you’re interested in exploring your modelling career and would like to become a classic model (or any other sort of model!) get in touch with the We Are Models team today, or check out our membership page here.
