Jasmine Birtles
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Make money as a life model
Chiara Cavaglieri
23rd Jul 2020
Working as a life model and performing different life modelling poses is a creative way to make money from your body.
The Register of Artists’ Models (RAM) recommends a rate of £15 per hour for your trouble. Obviously, a big part of the job involves stripping naked, so you’ll have to work out if that’s something you really want to do. If it is, you will get to see yourself recreated in a host of (hopefully) beautiful paintings and sculptures. What’s not to like?
- Life Model Wanted: What does life modelling involve and is it for me?
- Life Model Wanted: Are there many life modelling jobs?
- Life Model Wanted: How much can I make from life modelling?
- Alternatives to life model jobs
Life Model Wanted: What does life modelling involve and is it for me?
The main thrust of the job involves complete strangers staring at you intently – whilst you’re naked of course – for hours on end.
- You can expect life modelling sessions to last around three hours, with a couple of breaks for rest.
- Remember, you don’t have to be beautiful or in top shape – if anything, you’re likely to be in more demand if you have a unique look or an interesting body shape – so don’t let any paranoia about your looks stop you.
- However, you need to be comfortable with both nudity and a certain amount of discomfort and boredom. This is a very important thing to remember when considering life modelling.
- You may also be asked to create your own poses, so practice in front of the mirror and consider taking some lessons as a life model to get a feel for what art directors may want you to do. If you have a partner, ask them for their opinion on your poses.
It is also fairly common to ask two models to pose together – you may be asked to pose with a member of the opposite sex so ask yourself honestly how comfortable you are with the idea. If you have some doubt, then this may not be for you.
Life Model Wanted: Are there many life modelling jobs?
These days life modelling is a professional occupation and most employers regard life models as employees.
You will probably find there isn’t much work going that pays in cash so prepare to have to work on PAYE and supply a National Insurance number.
Your first port of call should be local art colleges and education centres. Here a couple of contacts to get you started.
- The Art Academy, 020 7407 6969
- The London Sketch Club, 020 7352 8209, contact them to offer your services to members
- Also keep an eye out for adverts in shop windows and local papers too.
- Your local Gumtree website may also throw up the odd life modelling job too so check in every now and then.
- It may also be worthwhile posting on Gumtree yourself stating your availability as a life model.
- A good place to check for jobs are general job searching websites such as TotalJobs or Indeed.
- If that doesn’t muster up anything, try social media websites, as sometimes ads are put out in Facebook groups or via Twitter.
Always be careful with any advert you see online, and always make sure you are using a reputable company.
The Register of Artists’ Models (RAM)
There’s also a mega handy website The Art Models Register (RAM) – a sort of unofficial life modelling union – which features jobs all around the country. All the jobs are restricted to RAM members only – but membership only costs £35 per year (£38.50 to join) so it’s probably worthwhile signing up if you’re struggling to find work elsewhere.
Being on the public list of RAM members could make a big difference. Some colleges and private art groups only employ RAM members and Bare Facts model booking service for London also only supports RAM models.
- London applicants must audition at the life drawing workshops in Holloway or Richmond but RAM does state that most applicants are accepted.
- Outside of London there is no need to audition so you join as an Associate Member initially. Then, once you’ve sent two tutor references from jobs you can convert to full membership at any time, for no extra charge.
How much can I make as a Life Model?
Pay varies widely but you can expect, on average, between £12 and £15 per hour depending on where you live in the country.
- In London you should expect to make about £15 an hour (that’s what is recommended by RAM) and it will be around that amount in large cities.
- Outside of the cities and in the regions it’s likely to be a couple of pounds less than that per hour but it does vary from venue to venue.
- Don’t be afraid to have life modelling as a side job. Many people do this as it is an easy way to top-up your main salary.
Alternatives to life model jobs
If you decide being a life model isn’t quite for you, there may be work out there as a hand or foot model.
- Check out websites Body London and Derek’s Hands for more information.
- Or you could try to find work as a regular model. It’s easier to do than you might think, in fact there are companies out there like UK Model who you can submit an application to and wait to find out what they think.
- Alternatively, you may have decided that being a model just isn’t for you. So instead, why not try being a life model director or tutor? You can join RAM as this for £10.
- If you’re not interested in life modelling at all, there is something called wild life drawing, where instead of drawing naked life models, you draw animals instead. If your drawing stands out, you could make money from them.
Have you tried working as a life model? Share your experiences by commenting below – we love to hear about your money-making tips and experiences.
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Hi there all!
I’m a female looking to life model around the Manchester area, but I have no experience.
Contact if interested!
[email protected]
Thanks 🙂
I want to try life modelling and could get to Manchester – did you find anything?
I’m a 34 year old female looking for work as a life model in the Birmingham area, have no previous experience but would really like an opportunity
Hi, do you have a contact number or email?
Hi are you still interested in modelling.
Ir you are i am an amateur photographer looking for a model. willing to pay. can negotiate. call 0776664487
07766664487. Steve Brookes
Hi
I am looking for work as a male life model anywhere in the Hampshire area..
I hope you can help??
Thanks!!
Where in Hampshire are you?
Hi Im looking to do life modeling in london, Im 29, 193cm tall, 88kgs.
Hello im a meditarrenean female life model
for ethical artists with integrity on a one to one setting rather than group.
Rennaisence, classical based looks with unique complex characteristics and richness/ depth offering interesting painting/ drawing material. Fee on the higher end. Thank you.
contact Sam on 07849 846200
Hi Im Steve. I am looking to do some life modeling in the Swansea area. I haven’t tried it before but i really would like to start. Here’s hoping somebody reads this. Please contact me on 07920794668
Hi Steve
looking for a male still life model for 1 hour on Saturday Sept 10th 2011 for a hen party in a house in Sketty, Swansea. Would you be interested – £100 per hour -many thanks
Hi Alison
Although I live in Worcestershire, I would certtaily be interested in travelling for that fee. regards Thomas
Hi Alison!
Im so sorry i didnt see your reply been out of touch
for a while please let me know of anything else i would love to
Do it for you. As long as you dont want a gor
geous hunk Im your man slim body 6ft 3in Thats me
Hi Steve, did you get any work as a life model in Swansea? I have never modeled before but would love to do some, any tips? (I am a 23 yr old female)
Hi
I’m experienced and people say I’m very good at doing life-modelling. Yet, it’s extremely hard to get any job. Some of the people asked don’t even bother to reply like the University of Gloucesterhire. I’ve worked for Rowry in Cheltenham. He said I was good an all that, yet he has never bothered to reply to me asking for further work. What do have to do to get noticed here?
would like more details about life modeling in or around bedfordshire or london i will be contacting the numbers above but any further help will be great manythanks steve
Am Ram Model 1651 but am now much more experienced as I have been working most weeks at FE colleges and clubs. I work mainly in the Bristol and Somerset area at present but am willing to travel further afield. I do life modelling and portraiture and would like to model for body casting and sculpture
work. I am very reliable and professional in all respects.
I moved away from London where I used to work part time as a nude life model for various life drawing classes. I now live in Westbury Wiltshire and I am thinking about doing some more life model work but I am not sure if there are any life drawing classes in this area. If anyone knows of any please do get in touch. Many thanks.
Hi Mark,
We run life-drawing classes in Bath and are looking for experienced male models. Please email if you are still interested.
Many thanks,
Kate
I am RAM model 1651 and now mainly work in the Somerset and Bristol Area. I am much more experienced having worked at several FE Colleges and Universities and I have posed for body painters and on Portraiture Courses. I enjoy the work and very reliable and professional. I am actually in Bath tomorrow posing at Bath Spa University site/ Falmouth Avenue.
Would be interested in extending my work and experience.
Many Thanks.
If you need an experienced male life model in Bath/Bristol, feel free to contact me at any time on 07814 710571.
Regards
David
Hi KB,
I’m Bath based and an experienced male Life Model, having worked for Bath College of FE and Bath Artist Studios. Available Evenings/Weekends. 07816 039077
Cheers,
Rob.
Hi there,I am Nicol,male,Black and was wondering if u are still looking for male life models because i am very interested.