Feature -- by Mark Sproxton

Standing outside a downtown shopping centre in November modelling shorts for a local clothing company draws a few strange looks. Then it comes time to switch outfits and the model runs to an old van in the parking lot currently being used as a changing room. Glamorous work? Not today.

Then there's a job where she stands for one-hour, holding cold french fries, but all the while tries to look excited and interested in taking a bite of the delicious fried potatoes. "You have to be able to do something silly," explained Carsen S., a local model. "If you get embarrassed easily, it might not be the job for you. And Calgary isn't a big fashion centre. A lot of the work is advertising for clothing stores. You're not going to be doing something like you see in Vogue."

With two-and-a-half years experience modelling, Carsen S. (models use their first name and last initial) has no pretension about continuing this kind of work forever. "I've never looked at this as a career," the University of Calgary fine arts graduate explained. "I think I'm going to do it as long as it doesn't interfere with my life."

Planning a return to university in the near future, Carsen said she'll continue to take modelling jobs as long as her studies aren't affected. "This is a way to supplement my income. I've been able to get my degree and not take out any loans. I worked two other jobs as well, but it (modelling) pays well."

Never one to enjoy having her picture taken, the turn to modelling came almost out of the blue. While a bit uncertain about the industry, Carsen had full confidence in Tammy, now her agent, with Details Model & Talent Management. Tammy and Carsen's parents share mutual friends so Carsen knew Tammy was a person she could trust. "I wasn't picked out of a mall," Carsen said. "I knew a lot about her and knew I was in good hands.

"I was kind of sceptical at first because you hear of paying thousands of dollars and getting pictures done and then hearing you don't have the right look. Tammy made it clear that her agency isn't like that. She doesn't make any money unless the (models) work. She doesn't have any deals with photographers or offer classes." Not all agencies work this way, Carsen said, adding that there's no educational or training requirements for modelling.

Comfortable that any modelling jobs coming her way would be on the up-and-up, Carsen now knows the routine for work in Calgary. Typically advertising agencies will hold auditions for potential models, she said. These auditions could include an interview, having your measurements taken, trying on a few items of clothing and then having a Polaroid picture taken, and handing over your "comp card." A comp card is one sheet of photos showing a model with several different looks.

If the model is selected to participate in a photo shoot, the work can range from doing two consecutive days of shooting, to working for one hour, or working for an afternoon. Carsen said her agent handles all the logistical details and she is told where and when to show up, and who she'll be working with. Once arriving at the location of the shoot, the model will be fitted for the clothes, then go through a team of trained make-up artists and hairstylists before hitting the set with the photographer. It takes about an average of one-hour to complete a shoot for one outfit, she added.

Nervous her first time before the cameras, Carsen admits the butterflies still come back. "It's a little nerve-wracking. It's a lot of standing around and then intense activity." The hurry-up and wait situation also holds true for landing modelling work. "You never know when you'll get another job, or if the job you have will be cancelled. In Calgary, this is not something you could make a career of."

For Carsen, other people who work in the fashion industry are the best and worst part of modelling. "There are some really terrific people in the industry and getting to work with them is great. Unfortunately there are some who are not so great." While she admits she's had a positive experience modelling, Carsen said the horror stories we hear about anorexia and young girls being taken advantage of are true.

"There is a lot of negativity," she said. "Someone with a weak self-esteem to begin with could get in trouble because there is rejection and that's part of the job." Anyone considering modelling should also be prepared to do some investigating before signing with an agent, Carsen said.

"The biggest mistake is a lot of people are sucked in by the glitz of the industry and kind of get in over their heads or in with the wrong agent. What makes the job is the agent who represents you. Do some research and see what's out there. And be realistic with your expectations, it's likely not something that will become a career."