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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Hi, I’m 38 with a slim/athletic build, 5’10, blonde hair. I’m looking for modelling work. Art nude photography or life modelling. I do have experience of modelling for Art Nude Photography so am aware of what is involved on the photography side.
I am in the Bath/Frome area.
Many thanks,
Jess
Hi, I’m 38 with a slim/athletic build, 5’10, blonde hair. I’m looking for modelling work. Art nude photography or life modelling. I do have experience of modelling for Art Nude Photography so am aware of what is involved on the photography side.
I am in the Bath/Frome area.
Many thanks,
Jess
Hello Jess
Happy New Year
I am a Professional Photographer and seek Nude Models to Shoot
I am based near Gatwick Airport but am prepared to travel up to London where we could Shoot
Can you call me 07500645379
Hi my name is Donna, im 35 and live in Ipswich. Im looking to gain experience as a life model, either for groups or individual artists. Please feel free to contact me if you need a model. [email protected].
Hi, my name is Donna, Im 35 and live in Ipswich. Im looking to gain experience as a life model. I can travel and Im happy to do individual or group modeling. Please feel free to contact me if you need a model [email protected]. Thanks.
Hi I’m 23,female and have three years life modelling experience. Happy to work for individuals or a class and very eager to start modelling again soon. I’m currently in Essex but moving to the Bristol/Bath area within weeks. Thanks email [email protected] I love art in any different form, oils, charcoal, photographs. I have previously worked indoors and outdoors as well as with other models.
Hi Heidi, thanks for a great session. What a fantastic model you are, we will do it again!
Jeff.
Hi, I’m a mature naked male life model [age 63] available for artists/photographers preferably within 30 miles of Rugby, after 5.30pm weekdays or any time on weekends, public or private setting. Slim, clean and witty, will also ‘custom’ pose. Best of all, no cost! Photos available. Please contact me at [email protected].
Hello, I am male, 29, slim build, 6’1″ living in Aberdeen looking to earn some extra money as a life model. I don’t have much experience but am willing to learn. [email protected].
hi
My name is Alex live in Formby,I am 60 years old 17 st and would like to try my hand at life modelling .No experience but willing to learn
contact [email protected]
39 year old male looking to pose as a life model in the north west for daytime sessions.
I’m also an amateur photographer so looking for models for artistic nude and body landscape shots.
Paul
[email protected]
Hi, I’m Jeff 52, a genuine artist in Colchester. I’m looking for a female life model for drawing practice. No experience needed, all are welcome. I pay £25 per hour. Please let me know if you are interested or want more information. Email [email protected] Thanks, Jeff.
Regret due to circumstances I am unable to employ models at the moment.
Jeff.
No more replies form male models, please. I get dozens, and I’m sorry but I really can’t help you out.
Jeff
I currently have several new adverts on the Internet for female models if anyone is interested. Just Google “female art models wanted in Colchester”.
Many thanks, Jeff.
I am no longer employing models. Please do not contact me.