Model reveals struggles and advice in fashion business

The modeling business is not just runways and billboards; it«s also competition, battling fears, and trying to hold onto a dream. Maxim Klochai from Moscow worked at a tech company when he was given a gift certificate for an online photoshoot for his birthday. He tried it out of curiosity, then started going to photographers himself—that»s how his path in the modeling business began.

He has now quit his job and fully immersed himself in the modeling industry. Maxim told MSK1.RU how he tried his luck in South Korea, what is the most difficult part of his work, and gave advice to those who also want to get on covers.

«Awesome, let«s do it!»: how to decide to change everything

I went to live photoshoots, then a friend suggested participating in a shoot for a brand, and I was like, «Oh, awesome, let»s do it!« I didn»t plan to become a professional model; it was a hobby that occasionally brought in a small income. But most importantly, I enjoyed it, it was an outlet. And I starred in a music video, had creative and commercial shoots, but not many, I combined it with work. Then I decided to quit and go into this field seriously.

I quit, flew to South Korea, because I considered myself a super top model, walked around agencies there for a month and a half, but nothing worked out, and I returned to Russia. I had a financial cushion and a desire to try myself abroad, I just took a risk. But it turned out that in Korea, agencies don«t like freelancers; I should have chosen China.

I wrote down the addresses and phone numbers of agencies and from the second day went to them, knocked on doors, but they told me I didn«t have a work visa. No one agreed to work with me, they said to return to Russia, sign a contract with an agency there and try through it. Two months after returning, I started getting called for castings for major ads, but I was already in Russia.

I didn«t take off abroad, so I started moving here. In the first months, it was a bit tough, not many shoots, and I was looking for a regular job in parallel, but didn»t have to get hired again. I had no confidence in success, just moved where my soul was drawn. And now I have confidence and desire, and enjoyment. I«m passionate about this field, I love it.

«You walk, and on the TV tower—it«s you»: is it really possible to earn millions

It«s very realistic to support yourself in the modeling business. Yes, the field is unstable, lulls can last several months, but it all depends on each person. If I understand that I can»t find a shoot through agencies, I write to brands directly. Sometimes I even go into a store and ask for contacts. I can«t yet consider myself a famous model in Russia, but those whose level I aspire to earn millions of rubles per month (at current rates).

I«ve had up to four shoots a week, but then I felt confident that I was ready to raise my rate. The number of shoots decreased, but their quality increased: I got what I wanted.

Most often, my projects are photo and video shoots for brands. This year, I«m trying to shoot more actively in ads. One of the major ones is »Baltika Vainot,« I»m very proud of it, my first major ad, just wild delight! The second project this year is «585 Zolotoy.» I think the video should still be running on Arbat and on the Ostankino TV tower. You walk, walk, and there you are—well, isn«t it awesome?

«If there«s an idea—I become a producer»: how days without shoots go

It happens that there are no shoots for a week, a month, a month and a half. Then I rest, read, walk, work out, meet with friends and relatives. If there«s an idea, I become the producer of the shoot myself—I look for photographers, put together an image.

Now I«m coming to the point of consulting a stylist. The team is getting bigger, sometimes a videographer is needed. In such shoots, I have to see who is free when, what about the studio. Sometimes it drags on for a long time because we»re forming ideas, sometimes it works out in a couple of hours.

If I go just as a model or actor, then organizational issues are on the client. Then I have to arrive on time, tuned in, prepared, and give my all in that shoot, to both enjoy it and achieve the result.

«You need to knock on brands« doors»: what to do for beginners

I have a wild desire to work, but I don«t build expectations. I»m aware that if needed, I«ll calmly change my field of activity. The business is very competitive, there are many great models in Russia now. We work either on an exclusive basis with agencies, or as freelancers when we can take any shoots. I myself don»t want to sign an exclusive because the field is very unstable.

You still have to get into an agency, but it«s realistic. If they see potential or an interesting type, they might even take you without a portfolio. It has happened that a person was found accidentally just on the street, but most often through social media. However, such luck is a big rarity, and I don»t recommend relying on chance.

You need to connect, go to castings, practice skills, work with confidence, with acceptance of rejections, create a portfolio. In Russia, there are great top agencies, and they send abroad, where our models are in demand. You need to knock on brands« doors yourself, offer cooperation and creative ideas. Brands have come to me even without an agent.

When I wanted to make a portfolio, I looked for photographers who needed models for free. I responded to castings, practiced poses—watched others and practiced in front of a mirror, then tried them on shoots. Advice for those who haven«t dipped into this field at all—go to any photoshoot. Come with the mood to try and understand: is it for you or not. If yes, then look for an agency or agent, practice poses yourself, go to master classes or take a course.

However, I studied everything myself: observed more experienced ones, previewed poses in advance. But one thing is practice, another thing is demonstration and working with the client. It«s important to hear the client to realize their idea.

«It«s hard to smile sometimes»: what people don»t understand about the modeling business

Sometimes I think people forget that models are people, that they have worries, anxieties, fears, difficulties. Most often I meet adequate clients, but sometimes models are perceived as insensitive mannequins… They don«t think that when we laugh and shoot, sometimes there can be such horror inside! But models still work because a professional must give their all. And shoots can be long, a shift can last 14 hours—it»s exhausting.

It«s hard to smile sometimes. I had a shoot where I had to laugh for about seven hours, and even the next day I just couldn»t express emotions. This work requires physical and emotional preparation, it«s exhausting—that»s what often hides behind the result.

Because people usually see billboards or ads between movies, they see the result. How much effort was applied, how the team tried, what emotions were experienced—remains behind the scenes. I think often people just don«t think about it, and it»s perceived as just a beautiful picture.

Earlier, our colleagues at 164.RU spoke with model Polina Sokolova from Saratov, who at 21 had already worked in Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries for well-known brands. She spoke in detail about herself and the backside of the modeling business.