I originally wrote this article for TheRight.Fit - some friendly advice to new models, or models looking to improve! Modelling is all about being a canvas.  Transforming yourself and embodying a character for the day to become the face of a company is half the fun of the job.  Every day becomes a unique challenge to best represent your client's vision, and push yourself to adapt and expand your portfolio of work.

Prepping for a shoot is what will enable you to create longevity in your career (trust me, I've been doing this for 18 years now!).  Sure, you can turn up on the day on barely a few hours sleep, with tired skin, greasy hair and in need of a morning coffee, but if you invest a little time putting care into your face, hair, skin and body, you'll have a lot better base to  work with, and a lot more energy to get through the long days.

Here's a super simple, quick little guide to preparing to present your best self to the clients on the day of the shoot, making the job easier for the photographer, hair stylist and makeup artist.

Nutrition:

• Drink at least 2 litres of water, more the night before a shoot.
• Avoid salty food as much as possible.
• Each fresh fruit and veggies in a variety of colours & some lean proteins.  If you're training especially, have the carbs, they won't kill you.
• Eat often - small portions, but several times a day.

Exercise:

• Sweat, every day if possible.  Get out of the house/office and sweat it up.  Do a zumba class, a weight circuit, go for a run - as long as you get your heart rate up, and sweat for at least 30 minutes, you're onto a good thing.
• Take at least 5 minutes before, and 10 minutes after your workout to stretch so that you don't feel sore the next day.
• Turn off all of your electronics and chill for 10 minutes a day, every day.  Stay quiet and enjoy a little time to think, zone out or meditate.

2 days before:

• Cover yourself from head to toe in coconut oil.  Let it sink in for about 30 minutes, then have a shower or bath where you exfoliate your face and entire body.  Do any hair removal while doing a hair and face mask.
• My girlfriends and I have agreed that makeup generally seems to bond best to 2 day old fake tan.  So if you need a faux bronze boost, apply it and sleep in it now.

1 day before:

• 1 day old hair is best for hair stylists to work with so that it has a little grip.  Wash your hair the day/night before a shoot and let it dry naturally.  If you must blow dry it, try to use a light hair protector and not much other product.
• Have lots of water and eat an enormous plate of grilled veggies for dinner with quinoa or rice.
• Moisturize your whole body before you go to bed.
• Make sure your nails are neat and have a natural shade of polish.
• Pack a bag with any shoes and nude underwear you may need to bring, extra deodorant and baby wipes.  They always come in handy.
• Check your call times and know how to get to your shoot location!!
• Try to get a good night's sleep.

Turn up to your shoot having had a light breakfast, with a sunny attitude and be ready to impress your clients so they book you again and again.   Making the effort is as much a part of the job as going to castings, and turning up to shoot days.