Moving to Chicago in pursuit of modeling

Howdy there! Next week I am moving to Chicago to continue pursuing modeling. (Currently live in Wichita Kansas).

I’ve done research on the agencies there. I am going to take fresh digitals upon arrival and begin submitting again. I see there are regular open calls for agencies which I will be attending. I’ll be attending the Chicago does the met a few days after I arrive which I understand to be a great networking event. And I have a test shoot lined up for when I move.

I plan to sign up to some of the online resources like casting network and backstage. I’m comfortable spending some more time developing my look and portfolio. However, I am absolutely in pursuit of getting signed and building revenue from my modeling. I know the city offers a lot more opportunities for these kinds of things. I will be networking irl and via social media to make connections with photographers/stylists as I’m already doing. Hoping to build a strong enough portfolio that I start getting reached out to for work even aside from being signed. I plan to continue looking for work from the networks, insta, facebook ect that can lead to revenue. All in all I ask- what should I be focusing my attention towards upon arrival? I figure attending casting calls, networking, submitting are really good starts. I have been modeling now for four months while working my full time job in Wichita. In Chicago I’ll be taking a large pay raise and not gang to work forty hours a week which will surely allow some more time to full with these pursuits. I’ve begun to understand myself a lot more as a model recently and refine my skills. I also understand the industry tends to let you know what you do and do not have. I am making this move with purpose but at the same time I feel there’s only so much one can glean from research and other models from social media. I practice, I have been doing test shoots here (quality photographers wi yr vision are hard to come by). I’ve been developing my own pitch decks and want to purchase a camera so I can begin to bring those to life on my own. All in all- yeah. I want this, I’m working for it and I want to amp it up in order to match the opportunity the city has to offer. ANY advice, notes, pointers ect are welcomed.

I aim towards a career as an androgynous model. I’d love to work commercially but I really strive to work in editorial. My biggest dream is to model androgynous/ womens wear on the runway. My instagram is tjmccloudjr.

By the time I’ve moved I’ve had shot multiple editorials with reputable photographers, auditioned for a runway show in Kansas City and worked on a large set for a designer in STL. It’s been a crazy four months but BY GOD I want to take it up a notch!

Attached is just a reference photo of myself in a gown in a dressing room, just for specs on my ability to model women’s/androgynous clothes as far as body and image are concerned. I have breast tissue and I love it. I plan to scale back the arm/shoulder exercise and bump up the booty a bit. I have a 28 in waist and my hips and chest are both 38 in. I’m 5’11. I’ll also attach some other photos for good measure. Some of it was already a couple months ago so somewhat dated.