Jasmine Birtles
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Make money as a life model
Reading Time: 5 minutesWorking as a life model and performing different life modelling poses is a creative way to make money from your body.
The Register of Artists’ Models (RAM) recommends a rate of £15 per hour for your trouble. Obviously, a big part of the job involves stripping naked, so you’ll have to work out if that’s something you really want to do. If it is, you will get to see yourself recreated in a host of (hopefully) beautiful paintings and sculptures. What’s not to like?
- Life Model Wanted: What does life modelling involve and is it for me?
- Life Model Wanted: Are there many life modelling jobs?
- Life Model Wanted: How much can I make from life modelling?
- Alternatives to life model jobs
Life Model Wanted: What does life modelling involve and is it for me?
The main thrust of the job involves complete strangers staring at you intently – whilst you’re naked of course – for hours on end.
- You can expect life modelling sessions to last around three hours, with a couple of breaks for rest.
- Remember, you don’t have to be beautiful or in top shape – if anything, you’re likely to be in more demand if you have a unique look or an interesting body shape – so don’t let any paranoia about your looks stop you.
- However, you need to be comfortable with both nudity and a certain amount of discomfort and boredom. This is a very important thing to remember when considering life modelling.
- You may also be asked to create your own poses, so practice in front of the mirror and consider taking some lessons as a life model to get a feel for what art directors may want you to do. If you have a partner, ask them for their opinion on your poses.
It is also fairly common to ask two models to pose together – you may be asked to pose with a member of the opposite sex so ask yourself honestly how comfortable you are with the idea. If you have some doubt, then this may not be for you.
Life Model Wanted: Are there many life modelling jobs?
These days life modelling is a professional occupation and most employers regard life models as employees.
You will probably find there isn’t much work going that pays in cash so prepare to have to work on PAYE and supply a National Insurance number.
Your first port of call should be local art colleges and education centres. Here a couple of contacts to get you started.
- The Art Academy, 020 7407 6969
- The London Sketch Club, 020 7352 8209, contact them to offer your services to members
- Also keep an eye out for adverts in shop windows and local papers too.
- Your local Gumtree website may also throw up the odd life modelling job too so check in every now and then.
- It may also be worthwhile posting on Gumtree yourself stating your availability as a life model.
- A good place to check for jobs are general job searching websites such as TotalJobs or Indeed.
- If that doesn’t muster up anything, try social media websites, as sometimes ads are put out in Facebook groups or via Twitter.
Always be careful with any advert you see online, and always make sure you are using a reputable company.
The Register of Artists’ Models (RAM)
There’s also a mega handy website The Art Models Register (RAM) – a sort of unofficial life modelling union – which features jobs all around the country. All the jobs are restricted to RAM members only – but membership only costs £35 per year (£38.50 to join) so it’s probably worthwhile signing up if you’re struggling to find work elsewhere.
Being on the public list of RAM members could make a big difference. Some colleges and private art groups only employ RAM members and Bare Facts model booking service for London also only supports RAM models.
- London applicants must audition at the life drawing workshops in Holloway or Richmond but RAM does state that most applicants are accepted.
- Outside of London there is no need to audition so you join as an Associate Member initially. Then, once you’ve sent two tutor references from jobs you can convert to full membership at any time, for no extra charge.
How much can I make as a Life Model?
Pay varies widely but you can expect, on average, between £12 and £15 per hour depending on where you live in the country.
- In London you should expect to make about £15 an hour (that’s what is recommended by RAM) and it will be around that amount in large cities.
- Outside of the cities and in the regions it’s likely to be a couple of pounds less than that per hour but it does vary from venue to venue.
- Don’t be afraid to have life modelling as a side job. Many people do this as it is an easy way to top-up your main salary.
Alternatives to life model jobs
If you decide being a life model isn’t quite for you, there may be work out there as a hand or foot model.
- Check out websites Body London and Derek’s Hands for more information.
- Or you could try to find work as a regular model. It’s easier to do than you might think, in fact there are companies out there like UK Model who you can submit an application to and wait to find out what they think.
- Alternatively, you may have decided that being a model just isn’t for you. So instead, why not try being a life model director or tutor? You can join RAM as this for £10.
- If you’re not interested in life modelling at all, there is something called wild life drawing, where instead of drawing naked life models, you draw animals instead. If your drawing stands out, you could make money from them.
Have you tried working as a life model? Share your experiences by commenting below – we love to hear about your money-making tips and experiences.
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Himy name is brian and I live in Plymouth. I am a life. Model. Am looking. For some work.
Hi my names james am looking for life modelling work in the Essex area. Would be my first time am looking for a new experience I’m 6ft 1in well built would be grateful to hear back from anyone either for work or tips [email protected]
Thanks
Hi there,
I’m 20, 1m67, mixed race with a full framed body.
I’m currently looking for life modelling work or Art nude photography in the Birmingham area, I have attended many life drawing classes in the past but may need some guidance.
You can contact me at [email protected]
Thanks,
Camilla.
Hi I’m male 48 available for life model work drawing or photography in or around cannock chase area
get in touch [email protected]
Last year, I worked with my friend who is a life model to produce some free guides to nude and life modelling. I have now published these guides online.
There are five guides in total, providing an introduction to
life modelling, frequently asked questions, preconceived ideas, skills required and expectations.
We’ve taken care to write the guides in a sensitive, sensible and mature way to make sure they provide a good overview of the experience, skills and other aspects of life modelling.
Hi I am looking for a male model for a 50th birthday. It will be in my studio which will be closed to the public during the evening. It’s for a date in may this year (2013) and located in Weston super mare. I was thinking of someone nope tween 25 and 35/40 if possible. Someone easy on the eye would be great! None of us are artists, it’s just for fun. There wil be a fee, but I will need some pictures before hand so we know what we are getting. If you are interested please email [email protected] many… Read more »
I am male. Age 38 looking for life model work in the Edinburgh/Fife area. Call me on 0776 528 7328 for nude drawings and hen party work.
I am a mature life model with twelve years experience looking for evening, weekend work within the Bristol/Bath area.
I am currently employed by Bath City College, University Glamorgan, Atrium, Cardiff and Coleg Morganwg, Nantgarw campus, Pontypridd, S Wales. I have worked within various Art Depts from Foundation, Animation, Portraiture, Sculpture, Fine Art, Fashion and Design, Body Sculpting and Photography. With students of all ages. References are available upon request.
I have an art background having studied and received (Hon) Degree in Creative Art at University Glamorgan.
Im a male looking for life model work – prefer small class to begin with, maybe even one to one to start off / gain experience, in the Worcestershire area. i have no experience as a life model & may need some direction. I am 40 yrs of age weighing 15 stone. i am willing to work solo or with a female model. I am avaliable weekends & maybe some evenings. 07905 344135
Hi my names James I don’t have any experience with modelling but am willing to try and experience new things. I live in Colchester I’m 29, 6ft 1in and medium build I can do most evenings and Sundays please contact me if interested on my email [email protected] thanks.