If you have aspirations of modeling, one way to get noticed is submitting your photos to a magazine. Many photographers will sell you on them submitting your photos to magazines and that’s great however the reality is anyone can submit photos. Each magazine works differently and not every magazine runs user submitted images. Many magazines have staff photographers and more of then not, they are the ones who will do the bulk of the shoots because they are on a salary.

If you want to be published in a specific magazine, you should shoot with photographers who get published. Your chances of being in a magazine increase when you shoot with a photographer who is published in that particular magazine. This also means published recently. The staff changes often at the magazines and it’s the photo editors, creative directors, editors and art directors who have input on who is photographed. If a photographer promises you a cover, that should be a HUGE red flag, unless they run the magazine. They may shoot a “cover try” however unless they have an assignment to shoot the cover, be wary. Even then you’re not guaranteed a cover. Covers can and do change minutes before going to press.

You will see photographers who are selling their services on work that was published in the 90s. Just because a photographer was published 20 years ago doesn’t mean they are still published. Ask to see what they’ve had published in the last year. A cover in 1994 doesn’t mean they still shoot covers in 2012. Look at the magazines you like and see whose name is next to the photo. That’s the easiest way too identify the photographer. If the magazine is legit they will credit the photography.

You can send your photos to magazines yourself. It’s a direct way to get on the radar of a magazine. It doesn’t mean you will get published or that they will even respond back to you but your chances increase if you follow the input below. The biggest mistake you can make is sending in overly photoshopped photos of yourself. Looking plastic in photos may be a good look for Barbie but it’s not for aspiring models.

We caught up with a photo editor and asked what would be the best photos to send to him/her for consideration. The photo editor’s name is printed in the front of the magazine (or it should be) and typically will have their email listed. If it’s not, you may have to do some hunting for their contact info.

Want to be in a fitness magazine? Here’s the type of photos you should submit to increase your chances of getting called back.

• Digital snaps, in focus taken with proper lighting (these don’t have to be professional).
• Contest and non-contest shots
• Full length, front and back double bi
• Abs shot
• Head shot, smiling
• Files no larger than 1 MB each

Note this is for a fitness magazine and what they look for in the women they use for fitness features. They are looking for abs, arms, shoulders and of course a good face. If you follow this input you will increase your chances of getting a call back.