Modelling is a part time occupation for most and can fit around the rest of your life – and we recommend that you assume it will be part-time. It can also be very lucrative to be a part-time model. Although you have to make time for castings and therefore model where you live to an extent, castings can often work around your schedule. We talk to Thaddy Muller about his journey to becoming a part-time model.
Anthropology student Thaddy Muller wanted to become a part-time model because he fancied the extra cash, but he had no idea where to start. His friends and family had always told him he could model, but he didn’t know how. He’d emailed some of the top modelling agencies but never heard back, and he had no idea what to do next.
Enter We Are Models… and a few months later Thaddy is full-time student, part-time successful commercial model. Here’s what he has to say.
Introducing… Part-time model Thaddy Muller.
Thaddy, hi! Thanks for making time to chat, especially as you’ve got exams coming up!
T.M: Hey! No problem. I can always use the break from studying…
WAM: Well I suppose the obvious place to start is with the background. Had you always wanted to become a part-time model?
T.M: Basically, I first started to be interested in modelling because I saw it as an opportunity to earn some money. It was never this big career choice; I just figured I could use the extra cash. This was when I was… I don’t know. Maybe 18. A lot of friends had been saying I could model, and I just thought – why not?
So I just wanted to make some money, but of course I had no idea how to get into modelling. I didn’t know that there were different agencies, different types of modelling.
Part time Model
I just wanted to make some extra money, but I had no idea how to get into modelling. I didn’t know that there were different agencies, different types of modelling…
The first thing I did was apply to loads of different agencies, the big names. Storm, Select, you know. I had no photos, no real idea what I was doing. None of these agencies showed any interest at all, but I had all these people telling me I should model. Not just random friends, but friends who were photographers and so on. People who I thought probably knew what they were talking about. So I thought I probably could become a part-time model, but I didn’t know what I was doing wrong.
WAM: And then you came to We Are Models?
T.M: Yeah. I stumbled upon We Are Models online, and thought it sounded like exactly what I needed. I came in and talked to the team, and they gave me a lot of advice about how to become a part-time model.
They explained that I needed images, and that I had the sort of look that meant I should apply to more Editorial agencies instead of just the big fashion agencies. I had a photoshoot done to create images that would market me in the right way. We talked a lot about all the different types of agencies, and the team gave me a list of agents who’d likely be interested in me.
You know what, though? The main thing We Are Models gave me was a vote of confidence. My story wasn’t like, oh, I was just scouted off the street and turned into a Cara Delevigne, or whoever the male model equivalent is. That’s not how my story goes, and for most people it doesn’t. You need someone to talk you through everything and show you what the right steps are.
Part Time Model
…The main thing We Are Models gave me was a vote of confidence. My story wasn’t the classic Cara Delevigne fairytale, and for most people it isn’t. You need someone to talk you through everything and show you what the right steps are…
WAM: And you’ve signed to an agency now?
T.M: Yeah. First off I signed with Body London, which was more editorial than fashion – a lot of body parts modelling too. I did a few jobs through them which was great, but it wasn’t the amount of work I wanted. It was a really good starting point, you know? I got an idea of how to be in front of the camera, and the potential I could have as a part-time model.
So then, after a while I left Body London and moved to Ginger Snap. They’ve been really great, and because they’re very commercial they’ve got me quite a lot of work. Then since I’ve been with them I’ve signed with another established agency in London, which is really helping me grow. I feel like it’s a big step in the right direction as a part-time model, and I’m starting to diversify the work I can do.
WAM: What sort of modelling jobs have you done now?
T.M: I’ve done some work for Clarks, Fantastic Man. Um, Panasonic too. My first front cover was for A Magazine. Then I’ve worked with Flannels in Southampton, and done some local TV commercials too. It’s great, and there’s a lot of variety.
Money-wise, I’m not making as much as I’d like from being a model yet, but it’s definitely a journey and it’s building up. Of course it’s gradual, but we’re going in the right direction.
WAM: Yeah, that’s something we say to a lot of people. Just like any other career, it mostly doesn’t happen overnight!
T.M: Exactly! I think people think modelling is one of those things that just happen, like BAM, but so often it doesn’t work like that. I don’t think you can just wait around and hope you suddenly become a model. It’s something you have to work for.
Part Time Model
…people think modelling is one of those things that just happen, like BAM, but so often it doesn’t work like that. I don’t think you can just wait around and hope you suddenly become a model. It’s something you have to work for…
WAM: And you’re a full-time student, so you already have a lot on your plate. How do you fit everything in?
T.M: Well, I’ve always wanted to be a part-time model not a full-time model, although if things really took off I’d probably give it a shot. The thing is, it fits around my life perfectly. I probably get one or two jobs a month, so enough to be bringing in some extra money but not so much I can’t study too.
I’ve always wanted to be a part-time model because it fits around my life perfectly. I probably get one or two jobs a month, so enough to be bringing in some extra money but not so much I can’t study…
WAM: So what does the future hold, Thaddy?
T.M: Ha! I don’t know. Not winding up on the street, preferably… Seriously though, I’d love to go into Media. My dream would be to do something really people related – that’s vague, I know!
I want to keep modelling part-time, but I see it as something that will never completely dominate my life. It’s a lifestyle choice – I enjoy it. You’re meeting new people all the time, it’s fun, I love it. But I like that it’s something I do on the side.
WAM: Fair enough! And what advice would you share with others looking to become a model, part-time or otherwise?
T.M: I think it’s really important to recognise that modelling is about building a career, not just about what you look like. It’s a journey. There are loads of things that impact whether or not you’ll be a successful model – not just your looks. For example, I think it’s really important to be charismatic, to talk to the photographer a lot. To ask questions, to be part of the team. It’s about making the job easy, so people want to work with you again.
Part Time Model
There are loads of things that impact whether or not you’ll be a successful model – not just your looks. It’s about making the job easy, so people want to work with you again.
And then it’s also about luck. I say sometimes, it’s like the National Lottery: you can buy as many tickets as you want and you can increase your chances, but at the end of the day, sometimes it’s just out of your control. I mean, you might happen to have exactly the right look, or not. Someone might be sick at the last minute, and you get your shot. There are lots of things; you just have to be ready to seize your chance when you get it.
WAM: So, getting a lucky break might be up to fate, but what you make of it is up to you?
T.M: Exactly that! All you can do is be yourself and be interesting, in my opinion. People need to like you. You need to be able to walk on set and break down barriers of awkwardness, of intimidation. Be someone people like to be around.
That’s the really fun part of modelling. Break through the stereotypes and just be yourself. I think you have to take it seriously – I mean, it’s a job – but don’t take yourself too seriously. Modelling is a relationship industry, as much as anything. I honestly think that who you are is more important that what you look like!
Part Time Model
Modelling is a relationship industry, as much as anything. I honestly think that who you are is more important that what you look like!
A great example is this job I just did, an editorial for G.T Magazine. It was absolutely crazy – 11 pages with a mixture of portraits and group photos, so they had me and all these other guys on set. We didn’t know each other and it could have been super awkward because we were messing around and trying to create this really fun atmosphere, wearing latex and stuff. My first outfit was these really long sports socks and a vest, with the tiniest little shorts you’ve ever seen.
Basically it could have been really awkward, but it was hilarious. That’s a perfect example of how you just have to get along and have fun, and be willing to put yourself out there. No insecurity, no arrogance. We were all just trying to create something cool, to bring a vibe to life for the camera.
WAM: That’s something most new models don’t realise when they first start out – that there’s more to being in front of the camera than just posing!
T.M: Totally. And We Are Models really helped with that. On a practical level, they taught me how to be self-conscious in front of the camera. I mean, to be aware of yourself and how you pose.
For instance, I sometimes lose my chin and jaw definition because of how I hold my head. We Are Models taught me how to be conscious of things like that, so you can get the angle right. It’s all about knowing how to help the photographer get the shot, so the photo is as good as it can be. Things like… opening your mouth a little bit, dropping your jaw, breathing in slightly.
We Are Models taught me all these little tricks to make a photo look better. How to bring emotion to a shot. How to create an atmosphere. It was an amazing introduction to modelling, because they taught me how to work the camera.
Part Time Model
We Are Models taught me all these little tricks to make a photo look better. It was an amazing introduction to modelling, because they taught me how to work the camera.
I don’t think it’s about being confident, so much as being comfortable. It’s about really being able to just relax, be yourself. Knowing how to be spontaneous and comfortable, to work with the photographer and not feel embarrassed or awkward about trying new things. That can be a lot more difficult than anyone thinks, I think!
WAM: Do you have any advice for new models, to help get more comfortable in front of the camera?
T.M: You can learn so much from looking at the modelling world around you. You can learn so much from emulating other people. Look at what works; which angles and expressions look really good and how they create a mood. Modelling is a talent you can’t quite describe; I think the more you can absorb, the better you can work out what works for you.
And go to We Are Models, of course!
Part Time Model
Modelling is not that difficult to get into once you know how, but you need someone to explain it and introduce the industry in a way that makes sense. That’s why We Are Models are so helpful.
We Are Models have been so helpful. It’s a platform to get an idea what the industry is like. The modelling industry can be obscure and deceptive! You need someone to explain it and introduce the industry in a way that makes sense. It’s not that difficult once you’re there, but knowing how to get there is difficult. It’s like not having the code to a coded door… I love that I know I could call anytime as well, like in two years if I needed advice or whatever, I know the team have always got my back!
WAM: Aw, Thaddy, thank you! You’ll make us blush!
If you’d like to become a part-time model but aren’t sure where to start, make like Thaddy Muller and get in touch with We Are Models today. We’ll help you define your look, find a modelling agency, and get booked for more opportunities. Become a Model with We Are Models today.
