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I have a potential long term modeling gig lined up that could pay off in a big way, the problem is they want me to cut my hair! Many LH models have recently taken the plunge, and I am affraid I might be next.
I have been growing my hair now for over four years and have had some success *WITH* my long hair. I am seriously considering getting it cut. Any suggestions??
You do what's right for you. If you think you'll regret cutting it, then don't get it cut.
Well,
If that is you in the pic, I think you would look good with long hair, short hair or no hair...
BUT!
If you cut it, you will be just another face. Your hair is too gorgeous. Take advantage of it.
My suggestion would be DON'T CUT IT! However, only you can make that decision. As the saying goes, "To thine ownself be true". I checked out the pics on your website and all that can be said is AWESOME! What great inspiration for those of us "growing it out".
Best of luck in whatever you decide.
Who are you underneath that image of yourself that you sell?
Did you grow your hair to make money as a model or did you grow your hair because that is who you are?
One definition of a "gig" is " An arrangement of hooks drawn through a school of fish when they will not bite." Sounds as if the money is the gig and you are the fish.
Take some time to think this through, follow your heart. You can only cut once.
You have the freedom to be your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.
There will always be other gigs however you choose to wear your hair.
I had a chance to view your website. Great pictures. No matter whether you keep the long look or cut your hair, you've got a great presence. As I viewed the photos, the one that struck me most was the one of you in the leather jacket and your hair pulled back. I generally think long hair on men promotes a rugged appearance and think that it looks good on most men. And yes your long hair does look good. However, and I know that I'm going to face resistance and negative comments on this one, that shot with your hair pulled away from your face says more than the long locks. You're not hiding behind the hair there. We get to see you. If you have to ask us what to do, you've already made up your mind. Go with your gut reaction. Good luck!
I dont think I would cut it If I were you you must realy like it long or you would not have grow it in the first place....maybe there will be a long hair job coming soon....you look great with your long hair you are very lucky to have great hair I would keep it.........
Ordinarily, I disagree with a man being asked to cut his hair for his work, but since your profession is directly tied-in with your physical appearance, I would encourage you to be as flexible as possible in regard to changing your looks - cutting your hair, coloring it - just doing *whatever* it takes to increase your earning capacity and professional marketability.
So many female supermodels have cut their hair quite short and changed their haircolor (Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Helena Christiansen just to name a few) with great professional success. Most of them have chosen to grow their hair long again, it seems - and that's the great thing about hair - it *does* grow back. Best of luck to you.
Unlike with most people who primarily sell their labor or their minds at work, you are primarily selling your body image. So you do have to give a lot of weight to what other people think, because that will heavily affect the economics involved.
The foremost law of economics is that of supply and demand. The demand for you as a longhair will depend upon how gorgeous you can make your hair compared to other longhairs in your field, how many other longhairs in your field there are, and how many parts there are for longhairs. If you remove your hair, your success will depend on how great your face and body are compared to the thousands of short haired men in your field. Put another way, is your hair a strong asset? Is it the best thing going for you? Or are your other attributes?
Once you get a plus or minus dollar figure from your economic analysis, you have to weigh against that the value of your hair in your heart. Remember, when you leave your job at night, you will be a shorthaired man 24/7. In the timeframe of surviving from one job to the next, the change will be permanent. Besides, as a model, would you want to go through the hassles of the awkward phase?
Your hair from what you say is obviously a part of your identity now, and identity things are tough to change. Your surname, "Mane", one you've probably taken, speaks to that. If you cut your hair, would you be changing your name? There's always some "loss of identity" trauma associated with that. If you change it, some contacts of economic value may lose track of you, but if you don't, the name will always remind people that you are the guy "who used to be a longhair", and abandoned identities never add to people perceiving a newer identity as cool.
Finally, consider that when people buy your body image, they want as part of that image a man who is happy with himself. If you are unhappy without your hair this will show, and you may end up getting less gigs than you think.
Now, Bill has a very good point about how people - ie., potential
customers or clients - perceive a changed identity, ie., *after* you
cut your hair. Give it great thought, Todd.
OM
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My advise is compromise, you really cant decide what you would like
to do and they want you to become THEIR ideal image than go somewhere in between.If you take your hand and cover up the bottom 1/2 of
that black and white photo you can see that by cutting off 6 to 8
inches and keeping some of it should please both groups.
You will still have length that shows your look and personal style
and keeps that cool wavy curl for you.And it could easily be slicked back or pushed behind ears to give that short hair appearance for them so you can kind of maintain the best of both worlds. And it could
easily be grown out whenever or whatever you decide. And If that isnt good enough for them than simply explain Im compromising as best as I feel possible for you please understand my feelings and wishes too
they should understand
Hi Todd, I ran across your comment on the hyperboard and felt compelled to put in my two cents. I am a talent agent in New York for models & actors and we have a number of men on our roster with long hair, most of whom state on their resumes that they're willing to cut it for the right job. Perhaps this is just exclusive to our agency, but my feeling is that you tend to be typecast as surfers, pizza delivery guys, bikers, rockers & hippies for the most part if you insist upon keeping it. (Sad but true.) We rarely see casting calls or requests for models specifically with long hair.
Modeling is only a little more flexible. It is possible to create a demand for yourself as you currently appear, but this is a great risk to take & you have to have a good agent pushing you (hopefully you do anyway). You could wind up being the next Fabio (that's good or bad depending upon your perspective) but for the most part, simply put, models who are more flexible, work more...period.
If cutting your hair is truly as serious an issue as it appears to be and if you are not already signed to an exclusive contract, my advice is to talk to as many agents as you can & get their take on how you might do with them if you don't cut the hair. Hopefully you have enough time to do this.
Good luck to you
My question would be, "Do you frequently get casting calls or requests for models specifically with short hair?" Or do a significant percentage simply not specify hair length.
When hair length is not specified, do you submit both long and short haired clients as prospects? When race is not specified, do you submit both black and white prospects? Or do you just assume your customers want white shorthaired boys and shut your minority clients out?
Not accusing, but until we hear, just wondering....
Legitimate questions to be sure Bill and I did not take your comments as accusatory at all. Your answers follow (forgive its' long windedness):
With about 90% of the calls received, specific types/ethnicities are requested ie, corporate african-americans, etc. and desired physical characteristics are almost always in vivid detail. If mixed races are desired, a clause is added to the listing: "We encourage you to submit all ethnicities." If no specifics are given, we call and get them to save ourselves, the client and our talent time and effort, and in the long run...money.
Often, people have different perceptions of what an actor in a certain role should look like. If we feel strongly that an actor who does not fit the description can nail the role, we call ahead and request permission to submit him or her.
In cases where specifics aren't available, these usually become "cattle calls," not a pleasant experience for anyone involved. We try to avoid these whenver possible. They also can indicate a client can't make up his mind about what he/she wants and is not likely to, ever.
For example, today we received a call for mixed urban NY types, all ethnicities & ages for which we submitted accordingly, including 2 long haired models. I assure you our agency discriminates against NO ONE. I can let you know if they get hired if you like.
There were in fact, 2 rare calls for an actors with very long hair last week, unfortunately, none of our long hairs were long enough in these cases. They were type-cast roles (a goth rocker and a pizza delivery guy).
I'm not encouraging Todd to cut his hair by any means, I think his look is fabulous, as does my associate who is interested to see how this whole thing turns out, but such chances don't come along every day &they are usually quite specific about a model's look. He simply has a lot of factors to consider. Trends come and go - long hair could come into fashion tomorrow or next year, or God forbid, never. It appears he has chosen a career as a fashion model and if long hair on men were in fashion in the mainstream, where he is seeking his career, then there would be no need for this website, would there?
Your candor and thoughtful, honest comments are most appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to respond in such an even-handed manner...
---An Appreciative Longhair
Todd, you are a very handsome man *with* your long hair. Find out for
sure how much money is involved for *certain*; get it in writing. If
it's big enough to be a substantial boost to your mutual fund(s), and
it will matter significantly for your financial well-being - say at
least 6 figures - go for the cut. But the money *must* outweigh the
loss of your hair substantially. Personally, I prefer you *with* your
long hair. When you have the monetary foundation for your future
security, start re-growing your hair again. The money shouldn't matter
that much anymore. Remember, though, you're giving up a part of your
glory to which I think you're entitled, for something - ie., money -
which or may not be more important for you.
OM
P.S. -- or you could keep on looking for the big-money jobs *with*
long hair!! - OM
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Todd, whatever your choice, keep your hair long or cut it, you are a very nice guy.
If your choice is keeping your hair long,let us know, but if your choice is to get it short, please have a video of your haircutting or at least a lot of pics, there is a lot of hairfetisher interested to buy them.
Clipper
A lot of really good points have been brought up, Todd. You've definitely got to be flexible. BUT if you cut your hair and this gig falls through-how are you going to feel? You may think cutting your hair was a total waste. You may wind up getting lots more jobs. Who knows?
Remember-it'll take a couple of years to grow back. On the other hand, it'll only take a couple of years to grow back!LOL In other words-only you can decide!
You'll look great with short hair!!! Go for it. I just cut mine, and I love it.
Sorry, the suspense is killing me! Todd, if you're out there, please let us know how it's going! Did any of this dialogue help?
A