Expert: Kitty Kavey - 4/8/2009

Question
What is Commercil Printing?

Answer
Commercial print modeling uses what are also called 'real people' or character models in photographic (printed) advertisements for products or services, usually other than fashion or beauty.

Fashion models generally are used for clothing and beauty products, including both print and live modeling (runway or catwalk.)  Because of the industry's use of sample sizes by designers to show their clothing, fashion models have requirements of age, size/measurements and "looks" that they should have.

Commercial print models generally do not, so agencies who have a commercial print division can represent all ages, sizes and types.  

Examples of the different types of models can be found in most magazines, in advertisements, online, and there are many books written for each specific type of model that you can use for additional reference.

Another thing you can do, is look at one of the stock photography websites - they have images of models of all types that are sold to illustrate articles both online and in printed materials worldwide.

If you visit a site like www.istockphoto.com or www.shutterstock.com, do a site search for the word 'model' many examples are available for you to browse.

There are also modeling agency directories (primarily for the US, but also some worldwide) that may include contact information for commercial print agencies.  If you need more information about commercial print opportunities for a specific area/location, you can contact the nearest agency to find out what types of modeling work is available in that area, and often something about the clients who use the models in that area, or at least what criteria the closest agency or agencies to you has for the models they represent.

~Kitty