Inspect the back of your hand. If you’re a woman, it needs to be narrow. Though women are more often hand models than men, men can be hand models too. Just make sure you don’t have hairy knuckles. Don’t get discouraged, though. There are a number of different types of hand modeling looks such as beauty, mommy, product, and older hands. [2] X Research source
Shooting TV commercials or ads for your hands can take several hours. A 30 second spot can take upwards of 12 hours to shoot and you have to be ready at all times and prepared to do take after take of small actions.
Patience and the ability to always hit your mark can be the most important thing. Once the camera and lights are set, you have to be able to set the product down in the exact same place over and over.
Learn common hand poses. Study magazine ads and commercials to see how hands pose and move. Mimic those poses and movements for your portfolio. Include at least one photo showing your face so that if they need a shot that includes someone’s face, they’ll consider you (and also so they can recognize you when they meet you). [5] X Research source Include a straight on shot of the back of your hands and the palms of your hands.
Look good for the meeting with the agent. Even though you’re modeling your hands, you still want to give off a professional impression, and that means looking neat and nice. They might send you out on calls (more interviews) eventually, and they’ll want you to represent them well. If all goes well, they’ll send you to do test shots with a local photographer to see if you’ve got what it takes. Once you’ve met with the agent and have gotten a positive vibe from them, as well as proof of the agent’s legitimacy (names and samples of the work of other clients, for example), then carefully study the contract you are given and sign it when you’re ready.
Once you’ve found some work, you’ll be able to add it to your resume. And the more experience you have, the more luck you’ll have in future go-sees. Be persistent. You may have to go to a number of go-sees before you find work. But if your agent thinks you’ve got the look, then you should be able to find work eventually.
Visit a manicurist to make your hands look their best. [7] X Expert Source Traci HalvorsonModeling Agent Expert Interview. 28 May 2021. If you become really prominent in your field, you’ll be getting regular manicures for free before your shoots. And you’ll be able to expense any manicures you get on your own. Sound good? Have a proper diet and drink enough water so your skin is healthy. Also, some vitamin imbalances can show up as undesirable white spots on your nails. Moisturize your hands on a regular basis. [8] X Expert Source Traci HalvorsonModeling Agent Expert Interview. 28 May 2021. Some hand models even sleep with gloves on at night. [5] X Research source You can apply lotion and then wear latex gloves to make your hands extra soft. Keep your nails trimmed and clean. Ideally, you should always file them and never clip them. [5] X Research source Avoid scratching, burning, or creating any marks on your hands.
Kimbra Hickey, the hand model for the world-famous Twilight cover, has become famous in her own right. She tours with Twilight conventions, re-creates her cover pose for fans, and signs thousands of autographs. Though this type of fame is hard to come by, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in this position, live it up!
