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 am in birmingham and wondering if any life model vacancies are going at moment get in touch [email protected]
There’s next to nothing in the Bitmingham area anymore. I used to model pretty much full time, but the colleges started merging and art departments gradully vanished. There’s not a single college art department in Birmingham anymore. You can try the MAC in Edgbaston, but the pays awful. note as well, that there’s one female model in the West Midlands area that seems to think that the whole area is her turf and that she should get everything. What little work remains across the whole area, she seems to have it. She doesn’t like it if somebody else has some… Read more »
Hi my names Holly a life model in the buckinghamshire/london area if anyone is looking for an experience model with references please message me
thanks
Holly
Hi Molly, im in the Buckinghamshire area and looking for a life model. I am willing to pay between £60-£80 per hour for the right look. If your interested please email me at [email protected] i would be more than happy to also email you some examples of my work. Thanks
Seeking Models all the time for Photography
Please confirm levels of PhotoShoot you will do please
Will confirm rates depending on levels of Shoot
Hi
I’m a tall slim and very fit guy in Horsham. Have done some modelling but not much and would like to pick up again. Email me on [email protected] and can send some pics. Thanks.
Can you contact me please on 02076898186 or 07866773309
looking for arts modeling for painting in swansea uk
Experienced male Life Model 51 yrs of age, with a decent body looking for modeling work either for life drawing classes or art nude photography in and around the Warwickshire area. Will travel further afield for interesting projects. Please feel free to phone Martin on 07561 266 317
Experienced male life model 51 yrs of age with a good body, looking for life modeling work for either Life Drawing Classes or Art Nude Photography in and around the Warwickshire area. Willing to travel further afield for interesting projects. Phone: 07561 266 317
Hi husband & wife new to life modelling looking to work together for single or groups . We are both 49 med/large build .
Hi, im chris, 35 year old male living in bridgwater somerset. Experience of life modelling in a college setting. Contact me [email protected]
Hi, I am a 48 year old lady who is a curvy size 18. I have long brown hair and have a few scars, including a large one on my leg. I am from Cheltenham but will travel to most areas. Willing to do life modelling or portraits. my work email is [email protected]
Hi, I am a 48 year old lady who is a curvy size 18. I have long brown hair and have a few scars, including a large one on my leg. I am from Cheltenham but will travel to most areas. Willing to do life modelling or portraits. my work email is [email protected]
Hi, I am a 48 year old lady who is a curvy size 18. I have long brown hair and have a few scars, including a large one on my leg. I am from Cheltenham but will travel to most areas. Willing to do life modelling or portraits. my work email is [email protected]