Post job

What does a professional model do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
On this page

Professional model responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real professional model resumes:

  • Manage pre-event preparations; POS merchandising and engages potential customers at events.
  • View projects on IMDb page http: //www.imdb.com/name/nm4986338/? ref_=fn_al_nm_1
  • Gain invaluable experience working with world renown photographers on editorials, catalogs and campaigns.
  • View projects on IMDb page http: //www.imdb.com/name/nm4986338/? ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Professional model skills and personality traits

We calculated that 45% of Professional Models are proficient in Photo Shoots, Television Commercials, and Music Videos. They’re also known for soft skills such as Discipline, Listening skills, and Style.

We break down the percentage of Professional Models that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Photo Shoots, 45%

    Promote and sell merchandise during appearances, photo shoots, and film.

  • Television Commercials, 26%

    Promote products and services in television commercials.

  • Music Videos, 16%

    Selected for minor roles in film for a variety of projects including Hollywood, Independent films, and Music Videos.

  • Trade Shows, 8%

    Coordinated and participated in promotional activities and trade shows.

  • Coats, 6%

    Modeled garments such as coats, pants, shirts, and accessories.

Common skills that a professional model uses to do their job include "photo shoots," "television commercials," and "music videos." You can find details on the most important professional model responsibilities below.

Discipline. The most essential soft skill for a professional model to carry out their responsibilities is discipline. This skill is important for the role because "a model’s career depends on the person’s maintaining his or her physical characteristics." Additionally, a professional model resume shows how their duties depend on discipline: "developed self- discipline participated in photo shoots"

Listening skills. Many professional model duties rely on listening skills. "models must take direction from photographers and clients during photo shoots and commercials.," so a professional model will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways professional model responsibilities rely on listening skills: "use expert skills in public speaking, as well as good listening skills. "

Style. This is an important skill for professional models to perform their duties. For an example of how professional model responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "models must have a basic knowledge of hair styling, makeup, and clothing." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a professional model: "model in fitness and lifestyle print ads. ".

See the full list of professional model skills

The three companies that hire the most professional models are:

Compare different professional models

Professional model vs. Modeler

The duties of a modeler depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a modeler's responsibilities revolve around designing and developing databases to organize high-volume data, devise strategies to improve existing data systems, build organizational business models, and assist in optimizing networks. There are instances where they must liaise with clients to identify their needs and preferences, coordinate with other staff, monitor the progress of different procedures, and handle issues or concerns promptly and efficiently.

The annual salary of modelers is $168,719 lower than the average salary of professional models.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a professional model are more likely to require skills like "photo shoots," "television commercials," "music videos," and "nyc." On the other hand, a job as a modeler requires skills like "python," "revit," "bim," and "sas." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

The education levels that modelers earn slightly differ from professional models. In particular, modelers are 6.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a professional model. Additionally, they're 2.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Professional model vs. Fine arts model

An art model's main goal is to provide the necessary inspiration and creative idea for an artist. Models often have amicable personalities that are conducive to artistic ideas. The art model conforms to the artist's pre-agreed requests and provides the necessary poses for a spark of creativity to land on the artist's mind. In some cases, an art model is requested to pose with and without clothes. This depends on the artist's and art students' creative need, exposing the human form in all its glory to immortalize it into an artwork that will live forever.

Fine arts model positions earn lower pay than professional model roles. They earn a $162,327 lower salary than professional models per year.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real professional model resumes. While professional model responsibilities can utilize skills like "photo shoots," "television commercials," "music videos," and "nyc," fine arts models use skills like "fine arts," "cinema," "community organizations," and "powerpoint."

Fine arts models earn similar levels of education than professional models in general. They're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Professional model vs. Art model

On average, art models earn lower salaries than professional models, with a $146,220 difference per year.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a professional model is likely to be skilled in "photo shoots," "television commercials," "music videos," and "nyc," while a typical art model is skilled in "fine arts," "studio classes," "human form," and "animation."

Art models typically earn lower educational levels compared to professional models. Specifically, they're 7.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Professional model vs. Photographer's model

Photographer's models average a lower salary than the annual salary of professional models. The difference is about $153,867 per year.According to resumes from professional models and photographer's models, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "photo shoots," "runway shows," and "fashion shows. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A professional model uses "television commercials," "music videos," "nyc," and "trade shows." Photographer's models are more likely to have duties that require skills in "adobe photoshop," "pitch ideas," "documentary photography," and "instagram. "photographer's models reach similar levels of education compared to professional models, in general. The difference is that they're 3.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of professional model

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

What a professional model does FAQs

Search for professional model jobs