Do you have beautiful feet? Handsome toes? Attractive ankles? If your tootsies are your standout feature and you’re keen to share them with the world, a career in foot modelling could be your calling.
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This sort of modelling falls under body parts modelling and, as with hand modelling, is a niche but potentially lucrative corner of the industry. As a foot model, you’re unlikely to attract the sort of following you might as a fashion model – unless, of course, you’re doing both. The most famous models in this category are fashion models whose feet are regularly used in shoots – like Australian model Elle Macpherson and British-Swiss model Mia Kang. For many, anonymity will be part of the appeal.
As a foot model, your feet will naturally be the focus of any shoot, but a photographer may look to capture your ankles, legs, torso, or even your whole body if the brief requires it. You should be made aware of what will be expected on the day, but if in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask.
According to body parts modelling agency BMA Hands, the main things agencies, photographers, or creative directors will look for are “even toes that retain symmetry” as well as feet that are “well-manicured and well moisturised with attractive ankles”.
Beyond these physical hallmarks, success as a foot model, or indeed any type of model, is down to:
- Knowing how to pose (with your feet!)
- Confidence in front of a camera
- Self-promoting your work and your skills
- Persistence
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Foot models are typically booked by skincare brands (promoting products like creams and nail treatments), shoe brands (from designer heels to trainers), and jewellery companies (anklets and toe rings). Their work appears in the pages of magazines, in TV commercials, on company websites, in print materials for brands, and in the public domain, such as on billboards at train stations or on the sides of buses.
The downside of not putting your face, or even your name, to your work is that your feet might not spring to mind when a job requires them. Expect some hustling and self-promotion of your assets to get booked, and to supplement your foot modelling with other types of work — be it further forms of modelling or something entirely different.
As for how much you’ll get paid per gig, how long is a piece of string? If you stick to shoots for magazines (or similar), you could earn a similar fee to non-famous fashion models — often around AU $180 per shoot.
A 2024 LinkedIn article suggests the average part-time foot model in Australia earns between AU $20 and AU $500 per week, with top sellers making AU $2,000 or more. If supplying images directly to clients, it advises: “Building a loyal customer base, providing high-quality content, and maintaining a regular posting schedule so buyers always have new photos and videos to purchase.
“Tailor your prices based on factors such as your follower count and the uniqueness of your content…Additionally, consider offering bundle deals for multiple pictures to encourage larger purchases.”
While you don’t necessarily need an agent to secure work as a foot model, securing representation is advisable. A reputable agent handles payments, assesses the validity of any business looking to book you, and takes control of marketing you to potential clients. It works in their interest, after all: a modelling agent takes a cut of 10% to 20% of what their clients earn.
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1. Look after your feet
If ever you needed justification to treat yourself to a pedicure, priming your tootsies for a foot modelling career would be it. If you’d rather save the money, a DIY job can do the job too: scrape away hard skin, moisturise at least once a day, and keep your toenails neatly filed.
2. Create a portfolio
All models need a portfolio of photos. Casting directors and photographers look through models’ portfolios to decide whose image is most suitable for a shoot. As a foot model, your portfolio should focus on the assets you’re looking to market. Unlike headshots, where the expectation is for your pictures to be taken by a professional, your foot modelling portfolio can be captured by yourself or a friend on a digital camera or high-quality phone camera. Your photos should be diverse and include pictures:
- taken with different angles, lighting, and backdrops
- in different types of footwear as well as barefoot
- wearing ankle and toe jewellery
West London-based photographer Ivan Weiss also recommends having some video footage of your feet available to accompany your portfolio stills, should a casting director or photographer want to see how you move.
4. Learn the industry
Pay attention to foot modelling shoots. What are they typically advertising? What angles are they shot from and in what lighting? What does the photographer typically focus on? And what else is in the frame? Make a note of the photographers who shot the images too. If they specialise in foot modelling, be sure to follow them on social media and, if they encourage contact from freelance models, get in touch with your portfolio.
5. Secure representation
Signing with an agent could help your feet modelling career really take off. If you are already involved with other areas of modelling (such as fashion or commercial) and are signed with an agent, it could save you time and effort seeing whether they’d represent you in this line of work too. Otherwise, find out which modelling agencies are in your city and represent body parts models.
6. Self-promote on social media
As with all types of modelling, you’ll want to use your social media channels – in particular, photo-led Instagram – to promote yourself as a foot model. Post your best pictures of your feet and repost pictures from any shoots you do professionally, crediting the photographer and any other creatives involved. Follow other foot models for inspiration as well as photographers and agents who specialise in your field. If they follow you back or encourage models to get in touch, go ahead and approach them with a link to your social profile and/or portfolio.
7. Take care of your safety
If your social profiles attract attention and you are approached for further images, be cautious: never share personal information such as your full name or address with anyone looking to purchase your images and never agree to meet in person. If you are approached by someone claiming to be a photographer or an agent, check they have a company address and website, and find reviews online to ensure it’s not a scam.
