Alt/Fetish modeling: How to start?

[Melia deMure {★}]

We've had a lot of discussion about starting pinup modeling, but we have very little on Alt & Fetish as a model. How would a model branch out from pinup?

I want to start modeling latex, I love the way it photographs. But it's expensive to buy. How would a model go about getting attention in areas outside pinup?

[Vanna Joy]

Thanks for asking this! I have done a few pin up shoots, but I want to do something a little more sexy and fetish. I'm just not sure how push my modeling in that direction. Are there specific people/companies/photographers,etc I should work with? Any info would be great!

[Edson Carlos]

Latex requires extra care to handle, store, and wear, in most cases it's very expensive. I believe the alt world requires a larger wardrobe budget and more prep time for shoots.

As for the modeling, be flexible, and willing to be more bad girl and less good girl. You're taking a step over the innocent line into naughty territory, the ones who rise to the top of the chain are the ones who will get naughtiest, this means nude/semi nude.

[Stephanie Jay]

Not all latex means nude though. I've got a latex shoot next weekend and am staying covered. Maybe try and see if you can pick up a latex dress or something on ebay or if there's a company you can work with to get shots for them.

[Edson Carlos]

You're correct, hopefully I wasn't misleading. Not all latex means nude, but you're now on the other side of the tracks when you're doing alt/fetish, different fan base, different styling, different almost everything. Little bits of inspiration carry over from pinup, but it's a totally different world, one where if you end up wanting to take yet another step, the next step is pretty much nude modeling.

[Melia deMure {★}]

Why does it seem like models can only go in one direction? Why can't a girl do both pinup and alt/fetish work? I think the line can be blurred enough to make it interesting for a model without fully committing to a style or boxing yourself in. It seems like a lot of girls go in steps from pinup to alt & fetish exclusively & don't leave themselves open.

[Cowboy Raygun]

Latex can be REALLY expensive, like Atsuko Kudo.

http://www.atsukokudo.com/index.php

 

Wow, wouldn't I love to shoot some models in Atsuko Kudo outfits?

 

But, there's inexpensive latex as well.

 

Here's a latex mini for under 50 bucks:

http://www.thelatexstore.com/proddetail.php?prod=MB402

 

I'd say, get something like that, and do a shoot. Find a photog with a nice portfolio, do a TF* shoot,  and get some nice latex shots for your portfolio. Post some pics on Model Mayhem, look for paid gigs or gigs that provide wardrobe.

 

Just put "paid assignments only" in your profile, and mention you're willing to do fetish. Lot's of models wont' do fetish of any kind, so fetish models are in demand.  

[Alice Cat]

I agree with comments above, don't box yourself in! I do pin-up, rockabilly, alternative fashion, lingerie, I even recently did an urban shoot! My favourite will always be rockabilly and pin-up but it's nice to try other stuff.

I think the best way is to buy/borrow a latex piece and get it photographed really really well. Then send the photographs to some latex companies asking them if they'd like you to model any of their stuff in the future. Have a browse of Google and of Model Mayhem, latex is very popular these days and there seems to be more latex designers than anything else!

Good luck!

[Rob Neill Imagery]

Branching out from pinup to Alt/Fetish is not that hard.  The two can be mixed with-out going nude. Look at the magazine Marquis they have some of the BEST fetish/alt photo's around that have non-nude/semi-nude shots.  As far as outfits go ...  ebay  or get a hold of young designers on Model Mayhem and see if they have pieces that you can shoot with in return for images for their web page .....  Check out Shannon Brooke's latex shots... very classy stuff !!!