Commercial vs Editorial modeling

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Commercial vs Editorial modeling

This is the difference between commercial and editorial modeling, in my opinion.

Put simply, I see commercial modeling as pretty. I see editorial modeling as ugly (don’t worry, ugly is a good thing here).

In editorial, you have to stretch your abilities and take risks. When you take a risk, you get a unique photo that may not be very pretty, but it’s gorgeous in a unique, edgy way. It’s that one risk that will get a stellar photo. You have to be ugly and spontaneous, because that's what captures the beauty. If you want to jump, let the photographer know and just jump until you feel like you've got an amazing shot. Always be moving and changing expressions.

Being editorial is also being more comfortable in your own skin. You're not afraid. Not afraid of risk or being ugly.

In commercial, there is no risk involved. You don’t have to put yourself out there and be crazy. Commercial is tame, laid back, and pretty. It has more of a natural feel.

I definitely feel like I lean heavily towards editorial. Maybe it’s just because I want interesting photos. And I'm crazy and I like to see crazy, not plain... And I think my face is an advantage for being editorial. So being crazy, being bored, and having a unique face also help :)

~Briauna Mariah

*(I do not claim credit to the above photo, it's purpose is solely for using as an example)

Will I get copies of every photo?

There is a very simple reasons why models do not get a copy of every photo that is taken at her modeling photo shoot.

It's all about professionalism. Just like fashion models, fashion photographers are very concerned about their reputation, and they do not want bad photos to be circulated out of their control. Indiscriminately handing out bad photos along with the good reflects poorly on the photographer's professionalism. Most model don't want ugly, embarrassing photographs of them circulating. Likewise, most serious photographers don't want any unfinished, rejected photos in circulation.

There are some rare photographers who give the model a copy of every photo. One of my friends in Seattle gives models a disk with raw, un-retouched copies of every single photo. He's very casual about it, and told me that he felt models could learn by seeing the bad photos of them.

But that's an unusual policy. Most photographers are very protective about only showing the finished photos that are of satisfactory quality. They're simply worried about things that can tarnish their reputation.

Just remember this: Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks and Gisele Bündchen do not get copies of every photo taken at their shoots. Don't expect to get something they don't.