So there are lots of beautiful people in the world whom we adorn with the name of that illustrious Greek God/Goddess Modellius/ima, we’ve seen them plastered in the media looking down on us like glossy owls, brooding in their haut couture feathers, but when the lens beckons to them like a glam version of Bill Oddie, how do they manage to look even more beautiful? Is it a gift they were born with or, with a bit of help, can anyone be a model?

The answer, presuming we want to emulate these rare creatures, is in the form of a question: What do you want to look like on camera?

The main idea to grasp in the world of modelling is that the best look is the prepared look; there are so many styles, seasons, themes, genres, moods and environments that you must decide on way in advance of committing anything to film. This even applies to some spontaneous snapping of that stomped on disposable camera. You tend to prepare before hand by at least putting the flash on and pointing it in the right direction! There are umpteen industry secrets, even before you go anywhere near airbrushing, which is why a studio shoot could reveal your inner model and then some…

Don’t get yourself in a fiscal fluster though, you don’t need to go pro’ to produce great pics. Your best tools are your imagination and experimentation but beware, 5000 grams of cosmetics and a tidal wave of gel may compromise your masterpiece! Try to feel as comfortable as you can, even if you’re trying something outrageous – likewise don’t go beyond the limits of photography with your first shoot! By taking more and more pictures you won’t become deflated, instead you can learn what kind of pictures suit you best; different lighting conditions (get a snazzy lamp and work it!), outdoors/indoors – the pose-abilities are endless.

Another angle to the perfect picture of your-stunning-self is trying to fashion something meaningful and hopefully a tad ‘arty’. Embracing your personality and image is one thing, looking like an exhibitionist sheep in the headlights of Peter Stringfellow’s shag-wagon is definitely a shot too far. Computers can help you here – honestly, plus they won’t be as critical as Tyra Banks on her 10th espresso. Photo-editing programs are usually easy to use and sometimes free and with the right one, you’ll soon be a wizz at making you’re photos the shizz (terrible rhyme…)

One thing that models do have on your untrained poser though is that they are highly adaptable; occasionally ending up a little too much like a mannequin, but mostly displaying a bizarre talent - after all, this is why they get paid $O much! What’s more, you have to remember most models can be very visually arresting, easily drawing people towards them. However, this isn’t necessarily a physical attribute but a well developed means of conveying an attitude of superiority and confidence. This probably explains why we rake in the clothes, the Pret A Manger and drool over the myriad of magazines but you don’t need to, we are all dazzling and we can all act like models! Seriously if The Rolling Stones can look the latest vogue, it’s as easy as 1, 2…pout!

Richard Entwistle