Photographer Nigel Barker Open Call for Models in New York City

World renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker is currently authoring his first book on beauty and is casting women to be shot for the book’s cover and inside pages. What he is looking for is naturally beautiful women from ages 18 to 26 of all shapes, sizes any ethnicity.

Barker is best known for his participation as a judge and photographer on the reality show America's Next Top Model. He is involved in various charities such as Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Design Industries Fighting Aids, Edeyo Foundation, is an official spokesman for The Humane Society of the United States, and many more.

Casting will be by invitation only. Submit photos of yourself to the Nigel Barker team (none of which are to exceed 200K). Your photos should include one full-body shot in natural light, one headshot in natural light (and with out makeup if possible), and one shot of you in your bathing suit. In addition, be sure to include your age, ethnicity and a little bit about yourself.

All submissions should be sent to:

beauty@studionb.com

If selected, Nigel's team and will be in touch with the exact casting location details.

When:

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
11:30am and 3:30pm

Where:

New York, NY

The photo shoot itself is set for Jan. 11th or 12th and will also take place in New York City.

Nigel Barker is an English author, spokesperson, filmmaker, fashion photographer and former model. He is best known for his participation as a judge and photographer on the reality show America's Next Top Model where he is known as 'Nigel Barker, noted fashion photographer'. Born in London, of English and Sri Lankan descent, Nigel Barker grew up in a family with five siblings from a total of three marriages, and lived there until the age of eighteen. Barker attended Bryanston School, a boarding school, where he took his A-levels in biology, chemistry, and physics.

He planned on continuing his studies in medicine, but Barker's mother, a former Miss Sri Lanka, entered him into a televised model search on The Clothes Show. Barker wound up being a finalist on the show, which started his modeling career. He modeled for around 10 years in London, Milan, Paris and New York. Because of his modeling, Barker's love for fashion grew, and in 1996 he decided he wanted to become a photographer. Nigel opened his own photo studio, StudioNB, in the now-fashionable Meat Packing District in Manhattan. Barker's photo credits include GQ, Interview, Lucky, Tatler, Cover, Town & Country, Seventeen, Nicole Miller, Ted Baker, Lands' End, Nine West, Lexus, Leviev, Beefeater, Pamella Roland, Ford and Sony.

Barker was an official judge for the Miss America Pageant in 2007 and also served as executive producer for the photography-based reality contest, The Shot. Barker made a special appearance as a photographer on the third cycle of Canada's Next Top Model, and in Episode 10 of the first cycle of New Zealand's Next Top Model. Barker appeared as guest judge and photographer on the first cycle of Mexico's Next Top Model. He also made a guest appearance on the second cycle of Benelux' Next Top Model.

His directorial debut was a highly acclaimed documentary that he also produced called, A Sealed Fate? - followed by, Generation Free and Haiti: Hunger and Hope, which partner with respective charities: The Humane Society of the United States, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Edeyo Foundation, to highlight some of our world’s most pressing issues. Additionally, Barker is a celebrity ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Do Something Organization, The United Nation Foundation's Girl Up initiative and campaign shooter for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Barker holds spokesperson positions for prominent brands including, Microsoft, Sony, Crest White Strips and Nine West. Nigel appears along side Justin Timberlake and Peyton Manning in Sony's 2010 national ad campaign. In addition, he has lent his personality to television and feature film cameos, event hosting and presenting. Nigel appeared as a celebrity judge for the 2008 Miss America Pageant and had cameo roles on several TV series including, The Young & The Restless, Privileged, Stylista, Style Her Famous and Ugly Betty, as well as a cameo role in the feature film Arthur (2011), with Jennifer Garner, Russell Brand, Nick Nolte and Helen Mirren. And, he has hosted and presented for many events including 2007, 2008 and 2010 Emmys on Fox, the 2008 and 2009 Go Green galas in New York, the Genesis Awards and the 2010 Global Fashion Awards.

Barker published a book on beauty, Nigel Barker's Beauty Equation: Revealing a Better and More Beautiful You, released September 2010, from Abrams Image. The book guides the reader through a series of self-portrait and journaling challenges, which help the reader to discover their inner beauty by building confidence and self-esteem and in turn, enhance their outer beauty.

In January 2009, Barker opened a photography exhibit, Haiti: Hunger and Hope, at the Milk Gallery in New York. His work in Haiti earned him a Do Something with Style Award nomination from the VH1 Do Something Awards. The awards show, produced by Vh1, is dedicated to honoring people who do good and is powered by Do Something, an organization that aims to empower, celebrate, and inspire young people.

How much models get paid

There is no one average pay rate for models. How much a model is paid for any particular job depends on many different factors such as the market the model is working in. A runway show in Miami might pay less than a runway show in Milan, Italy. The level of the model is also a major factor. A model who is "hot right now" or a "supermodel" would command a much higher rate than a more novice, lesser known model. And of course, the type of modeling job makes a big difference in pay scale.

Unlike actors, there is no union such as SAG governing the modeling industry, therefore no wage limits are imposed on employers of models. The pay can be as little as minimum wage to thousands of dollars per shoot and upward.

What They Say vs. What They Mean

Unscrupulous model and talent scouts have their acts down pat. Listen carefully to read between their lines:

"We're scouting for people with your 'look' to model and act."
I need to sign up as many people as possible. My commission depends on it.

* "Your deposit is totally refundable."
Your deposit is refundable only if you meet very strict refund conditions.

* "You must be specially selected for our program. Our talent experts will carefully evaluate your chances at success in the field and will only accept a few people into our program."
We take almost everyone.

* "There's a guaranteed refund if you're not accepted into the program."
Everyone's accepted into the program. Forget the refund.

* "You can't afford our fees? No problem. You can work them off with the high-paying jobs we'll get you."
We demand payment, whether or not you get work.

* "Commissions from our clients are our major source of income."
Our income comes from the fees we charge you.

United States Modeling Legal Requirements for Foreigners

You will need an American Model Agency certified by the United States Department of Labor to sponsor you for an H1, B3 Visa. If your Visa is approved you can work legally in the United States for up to 3 years. Visas can be renewed.

You must be a model of "international acclaim". This means you must have modeled in other countries. Generally the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service will require tear sheets from several magazines you were in. If you have never been in any magazines, it is considerably more difficult but still possible.

Wardrobe for modeling agency interviews

Always dress properly for interviews with agents. Dress sexy, fashionable, and look tall. Clothing that highlights your best assets help greatly.

You need to wear something that allows them to clearly see your bust, hip and waist measurements. The typical model wardrobe is skinny jeans or leggings and a fitted top, with high heels. You could also wear a fitted dress as long as it hugs your figure.

Do not dress like a stripper. Sexy is very different than cheap or vulgar. Hair, skin, nails must be done perfectly. Makeup must be light and natural.

Important Safety Information

NEVER meet someone outside of a professional environment such as a photography studio or modeling agents office. Do NOT meet someone at a restaurant, private residence, etc. You should ALWAYS let someone else know EXACTLY where you are going, WHO you are meeting, and WHEN you are going there.

Let the photographer know that you have informed someone of your whereabouts, and bring a cell phone.

Make sure that you know exactly what the shoot consist of, and never feel pressured to do anything that you do not feel comfortable doing. If nothing else go by your gut feeling.

Remember your body is yours, and if anyone comes within your safety zone, be sure to let them know. I have found that more reputable photographer's will NOT touch you. If you feel uncomfortable as stated before, tell them so. That is your right.

On a professional fashion shoot there is usually a stylist there who will keep your wardrobe neat during the shoot, but make sure anything they do is not inappropriate.

And a parent or guardian must ALWAYS accompany minors. A parent or guardian should NEVER be out of eyesight of the minor, whether it be at go-sees or on a photo shoot.

Modeling Information