Alternative modeling is a side of the modeling industry that features models who do not conform to mainstream or commercial modeling and has different set of ideas of beauty that often includes acting, dressing up in fantasy-style clothing, having outrageous makeup and the like. Alternative models are often niche-specific, with a personal style that represents subcultures like goth, burlesque, latex and fetishism… but this is not a necessity. An alternative model may for example be tattooed, pierced, or have distinctively sub-cultural hair (shaved, dyed a distinctively unnatural color, mohawk, or in dreadlocks). Alternative modeling can be clothed, unclothed or partially clothed.
Alternative modeling was given substantial mainstream media coverage over the last several years, partly through the creation and popularization of community-based alternative modeling sites, like GodsGirls and SuicideGirls. Alternative modeling community sites promoted their models for their personality as well as for their looks and portfolio. An alternative model’s thinking means that she (or he) believes that no matter what size, shape, race or nationality you are – you can always be beautiful. This means that if you happen to have the style of a goth/rockabilly/pirate-fetishist, you’re still incredibly sexy in your own right, because you’re being yourself. An alternative model has to be comfortable in their own skin and should have the confidence to be daring, crazy and completely unique. The wilder/crazier – the better.
I always look for a woman who has a tattoo (or two). I see a woman with a tattoo, and I’m thinking, okay, here’s a gal who’s capable of making a decision she’ll regret in the future.
So what does it take to be an alternative model? Is it really that hard? How do you make it in an industry that’s open to anyone unique and different, when we’re all pretty much our own person? Can you make money from it? Do you have to pose in your birthday suit?
Be Yourself
As obvious and it may seem, but a lot of girls have dreams & hopes and often times try to be something they’re not. Find your own sense of style, something you know you will feel comfortable in. Not all alternative models have bright pink hair and a face/body full of piercings, so if it’s not your style, you don’t have to do it. One thing to always remember, the more comfortable you feel in your own skin, the better you will look in pictures. Have a look around places like Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Perhaps you’re into tattoos and body modifications, into some SM fetishes or maybe you just love dressing up as some gothic Disney princess – the sky is the limit. Be as wild as YOU want to be.
Be Ready To Go All In
Remember that at the end of the day modeling is a market that works mainly on being “different” from the other girls and try not to be like the girl-next-door… you’ll be posing with strange things & places and in strange poses, and you should be 100% comfortable in your skin, because some sort of nudity could certainly be a possibility (full nude or implied nude). Of course, if you don’t want to you don’t have to, but it does help if you want to get noticed by online modeling sites like Suicide Girls. Some models who aren’t keen on getting nude normally start their own modeling websites and do their own marketing, often working freelance for magazines or clothing brands – obviously these that want to get naked can do the same thing, but are able to pose for sites like GodsGirls or Suicide Girls and grow in popularity much faster.
Create Your Identity
One of the things I have noticed, alternative models always try to be creative with their names. You’re probably not going to find a Melissa Jones alternative model on the net, because she probably changed it to Nova Cane or Trixie Blossombee. Some models get inspiration from nicknames they adopted in their youth or search for names on websites that generate random names from weapons with random fruit (like Cherry von Dagger, for example). If you want to get an alias for your modeling persona, by all means, go right ahead… and if your mother happened to give you an amazing name, like Lilith Seaborne, then you’re all too welcome to use your birth name too.
Book Your Photoshoot
There is a huge difference between getting yourself photographed by a professional and getting your someone who has a DSLR and likes to photograph whatever in their spare time to take pictures of you… and this can mean the difference between a great portfolio and a less-than-desirable or something to kill any motivation you had to start this adventure. Yes, professional photographers cost money. In fact, great photographers can really expensive, but like the saying goes ‘you get what you pay for.’ Guaranteed. If you want to get into the magazines or make a wonderful name for yourself, spending some hard earned cash on some good photos for your portfolio is definitely worth it. Alternatively (no pun intended), you can also find photographers on websites such as One Model Place or Model Mayhem where you can start out and maybe find some photographers that you can work out deals to exchange you time for their services, commonly referred to as TF-P(Print) or TF-CD(Image files on CD)… this is usually in the exchange of digital images that the photographer has taken of you and agrees to provide you with whatever amount of images that you both decide on.
Be Social
Get social on every platform possible to get yourself noticed… get on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, MySpace, Pinterest and of course, go out there and make a name for yourself. Go to parties, events, concerts, etc. Make an posts on your blog and social media profiles that you’ll be available for photos and meet-ups when you’re at particular events. Also “like/follow’ other models that inspire you to try and get to know a few well-known models on Instagram/Twitter even to getting yourself introduced at VIP events. It may seem hard getting started, but if you build up your confidence and make yourself known, then it’ll become easy. Once you’ve introduced yourself to one key member, you’ll have your foot in the door and can meet many more amazing people along the way.
Keep Your Private Life Separate From Public Life
Many girls have found ways to get into trouble with this one. You don’t want your parents or grandparents (who probably just use Facebook to keep in touch with family) to see a photograph of you partially or fully naked playing with weapons or dressed in some skimpy latex outfit on, do you? What about that job you are trying to get or that you already have? No? Well then make sure keep your family life (personal photos of you with your family or close friends) separated from your any part of your modeling life. Another big problem with this is that there are a lot of online stalkers and creepers out there that just can’t wait to get alone somewhere and will go out of their way to do it. Be careful what you post and remember to keep your private life, private.
Limit Selfies
“Selfies” and “Wefies” are all good if you’re using it on social media or your blog, but keep your professional photographs to your website or modeling portfolios. Having too many selfies on your website or portfolio makes it seem like you don’t want to spend any time or money on getting “real” photos taken, which in turn makes it look like you’re not serious about modeling. As to every rule, there are exceptions to this rule: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Remember that posting a picture of yourself at a local event will gain you a lot more exposure and you might just meet some of those more popular models you’ve been following.
Have Fun
Modeling is fun and should be enjoyed to the fullest! The best part of modeling is that you get to be who you want to be and the more comfortable and confident you feel in front of the camera, the sexier you are sure look. Don’t be afraid of doing some research online to see the different poses, practice in the mirror, perhaps have a shot or two of alcohol beforehand (always helps relax the nerves) and you’ll be all set to start you adventure to becoming an alternative model.
Introducing the types of mature content themed jobs and salaries that can be found in demand.
Imagine what kind of work you want to do and how much you want to earn, and find a job that suits you.
AV Modeling
AV models are recommended for those who want to become famous and who want to earn a lot in a short period of time.
There are several types (working styles) of AV models. The guarantee depends on the work that appears, the experience and skill of the model.
Single model (exclusive)
We shoot an exclusive contract with the manufacturer and will appear in one title by shooting once a month. Only models who have passed the screening from the manufacturer can appear, so the guarantee is also expensive. There are also many jobs with one million jobs.
Models who want to become famous can also aim to become single models and expand their fields of activity.
500,000 yen to 1.5 million yen
Planning single model
It is a model who contracts with the manufacturer for each one and shoots.
Since it is not a model exclusively for the manufacturer, there are no restrictions, and if the schedule etc. match, you can shoot many shots a month.
Since the guarantee is more expensive than the planned model, it is possible to earn more than the single model, which is said to be the most profitable.
100,000 yen to 250,000 yen
Amateur planning model
It is a free AV actress. A model who can work freely depending on his / her schedule is called a planning model.
30,000 to 150,000 yen
Shogunmaster Photography discharges a lot of single models from completely inexperienced, and is the top class in AV production.
The model’s guarantee makes a big difference depending on the guarantee negotiation between the production and the manufacturer and the model marketing skill. I’ve seen a lot of models who said, “I actually made more money…”.
Shogunmaster Photography is confident that it can be a model who can make the most of it even if it is inexperienced, with the negotiation skills and connections of veteran managers with 30 years of industry experience. You don’t need skills. Leave everything to Shogunmaster Photography.
If you are inexperienced in the industry aiming for a single model, please feel free to contact us for “Shogunmaster Photography”.
→ Click here for application and consultation
Image DVD Modeling
It is a job to have you appear on the image DVD. Since you will be working in a swimsuit, this is a recommended job for those who are reluctant to work nude.
50,000 yen to 150,000 yen
Gravure Modeling
It is a work of gravure of weekly magazine and monthly magazine for adults. It is a relatively soft and comfortable job among sexy jobs. Please feel free to contact us as there are some shooting contents that do not become nude in gravure work.
30,000 yen to 50,000 yen
Photo Session Modeling
It is a photo session by an amateur photographer. It is held at studios in Tokyo. Since it is a “shooting only” work by an amateur photographer, it will not remain in the work and the photos taken will not be published anywhere.
It will be taken nude, but there is no entanglement, so it is a recommended job for beginners of sexy models.
Some models get a salary of 50,000 yen or more just for a one-day photo session. It is one of the most efficient sexy model jobs as a job without entanglement or actions.
40,000 yen to 150,000 yen
TV/CM/Cinema
It is an assistant in a program and an extra job such as a movie or drama. You can expect income by doing your best with treatment like an entertainment talent.
10,000 yen to 100,000 yen
How you want to work and how much you want to earn depends on each person. At Shogunmaster Photography, we will propose and introduce jobs that match your wishes and goals.
First of all, feel free to contact us. Please apply and consult from “application form”.
We look forward to hearing from you ♫
Recent Past Photoshoots
Content Warning
This section contains material that may show partial nudity and may be offensive to some people,
not safe for work or not suitable for persons under the age of 18.
By viewing these pages, you certify that you are at least 18 years of age or older.
Leave or close to Enter
*By certifying that you are at least 18 years old, you release Shogunmaster Photography from all liability for your actions.
