I bet you didn’t know that hobbies get you booked in the modeling industry. Every agent, before they sign you, will ask you what you do outside of modeling. In casting rooms and on self-tapes, casting directors will ask you what you do for fun, or they will ask your experience with the specific role you are casting for (ex “real basketball players”).
In this article I will be sharing the the 6 best types of hobbies models can have, as well as why having hobbies is so critical as a commercial model.
1. Physical/Sport Hobbies
Physical/sport hobbies including running, basketball, soccer, yoga, and weight lifting, and more. These are some of the best hobbies to have as a model. They give you body awareness, stamina on set (shooting days can be long!) and gives you a niche that you can tap into and build a personal brand for, as a petite model.
One of my main hobbies that I always talk about in casting rooms and agency meetings is Muay Thai. I’ve been training consistently for over 3 years now, and it’s one of my biggest passions. I love sharing why I love training so much, and that energy shows when I talk about it.
The more sports or physical hobbies you are proficient at, the better chance you have at booking jobs where clients are looking for “real runners,” “real basketball players,” or “real [insert athletic activity].”
Often when clients ask for “real” people, they need to see that you have the proper form for whatever they’re looking for. This clearly shows up in people who have been practicing the activity for some amount of time, or have general athletic abilities.
2. Dance
Dance is a physical hobby, but I know of so many successful dancers-turned-models that I believe it deserves its own category. Many dancers make phenomenal models because they have body awareness, understand visual details, and are great at making interesting shapes with their bodies. What turns an image from good to excellent are the minute details, subtle facial expressions, and incorporation of natural movement.
By nature of their craft, elite dancers are almost always in a position that is photogenic. In fact, some commercial agencies are more likely to sign dancers as models, because of the way they carry themselves, and how well their movements translate to the camera. Dancers also often can cover shoot niches that include yoga, pilates, and general athletics, simply based on their physical abilities.
3. Acting
Acting is a great hobby to have as a commercial model. Some self tape requests ask models to improvise a scene they specify in the casting spec. The ability to execute self tapes with the proper timing and micro facial expressions that often only trained actors can nail, will set you leagues apart from other self tapes.
Acting also makes castings less intimidating. You’ll be more comfortable taking direction on set, improvising, and being expressive in front of a crew you just met. That confidence shows in the images you create as a model.
4. Content Creation
The ability to exude charisma in front of the camera is so important as a commercial model! Over half of my castings are self-tapes, and casting directors are looking for models who can show energy and on-camera confidence in their casting tapes. If you are already well-versed in content creation and speaking on camera, this translates beautifully to your casting tape.
Many clients are often looking for models who have a some following on social media. If you have invested in your social media accounts, this will serve you when clients review your profile.
Basic video editing is also an important skill as well. The best self tapes have all clips requested edited together concisely, with excellent audio and framing. If you know how to cut out the unnecessary pauses in an audition tape, and ensure the audio is solid, this will give your audition an edge.
5. Fashion Related Hobbies
Having an eye for personal style is extremely useful as a model. Thrifting, sewing, and styling are all great hobbies to cultivate. Not only are these modes through which to show your personality, great styling is a practical skill for test shoots.
When it comes to test shoots (of which you will do many in your career), elevated styling is a huge part of a successful shoot. If you have strong styling opinions, or an eye for what looks good on you on camera, you will be able to elevate your shoots effortlessly.
Fashion is an area I started taking an interest in after I started modeling, and learning different styling elements really helped me upgrade my shoots significantly.
6. Anything Niche
This is quite open ended, but hear me out. If you have any niche hobby, and can show your passion on social media, this makes you an interesting person to casting directors and clients.
Making model airplanes, birdwatching, learning languages, playing musical instruments, any “random” hobby that you naturally are passionate about and can document and post on social media shows that you have a life outside of modeling. Whatever you partake in, post some action shots–or videos on social media, as it gives you more depth.
Occasionally, there are castings for people with niche hobbies–real guitar players, real scrapbookers, and when these come along, you might fit the specifications perfectly.
The Importance of Hobbies as a Model
Most commercial clients specifically ask for “real tennis players” or “real golfers.” And they will verify your skill level through your self-tape. The wider your interests are, the more chance you have at booking jobs that ask for these types of models.
It’s much more compelling to be “the model who trains martial arts” as compared to “the model with black hair.”
Hobbies Make You Interesting to Clients
Clients these days are looking for models who have a personality, and show their personality on their social media profiles. When looking for a face of a brand, they want someone who has a strong sense of self.
In my experience, my personality has been shaped by dedicating a solid portion of my life to getting better at something I enjoy. The discipline and confidence this builds translates to castings when I stand in front of the self-tape camera, or in front of panels of the clients and casting teams.
Even if you don’t explicitly talk about the hobby you partake in, dedicating hours to building a skill translates into a subtle yet noticeable confidence in castings.
I have often been asked “what do you do outside of modeling?” in a casting room or agency interview. In response, I talk about making YouTube videos on consumerism and financial literacy as well as being an ex NCAA Division 1 pole vaulter turned Muay Thai fighter.
Hobbies give you something interesting to talk about during castings, which make you more memorable to clients and casting directors as they consider who they want to hire for their campaigns. It’s much more compelling to be “the model who trains martial arts” as compared to “the model with black hair.”
Niche Hobbies Help You Book Jobs
Some castings ask for models who have niche interests–from skateboarding, to rug tufting, horseback riding, and more. If you happen to have a hobby that fits these castings, you can develop a reputation as the model clients book for campaigns that include these niche hobbies.
Hobbies Give You an Identity Outside of Modeling
The modeling industry comes with a lot of rejection. I never make modeling my main focus because the rejection is constant. When my agent sends me a casting, I complete it, and move on with my life. If I book the job, they will reach out to me, but otherwise, I continue business as usual.
When I don’t have a casting request or a job lined up, I trust my agent is doing their job, and I trust that the opportunities will come at the right time for me. In the meantime, I’m working on my other businesses, or partaking in my hobbies. With so much rejection, it’s helpful to have something else to put your mind to outside of modeling.
Key Takeaways
When you walk into an agency interview or a casting room, come with a hobby you are ready to talk about. Some hobbies, like sports or dance, translate easily into being a successful model, but all hobbies make you more interesting to the casting team.
If you are deciding what to invest in as a hobby, choose first and foremost what you are naturally drawn to. This improves your chances of sticking with it long term, and building a good story around it.
Don’t forget to post your hobbies on social media! It’s a great way to share your interests and growth, and help people get a sense of who you are.
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