Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Professional Model

The life of a professional model appears glamorous from the outside—walking runways, appearing in glossy magazines, and attending exclusive events. But what does a typical day actually look like for those in the industry? We followed Zara, one of Elite Models Dubai's top talents, through her day to give you an authentic behind-the-scenes look at the modeling profession.

5:30 AM: Early Start

Zara's alarm goes off before sunrise. "Early mornings are part of the job," she explains as she begins her day with a large glass of water and a gentle skincare routine. "Hydration and skin prep are non-negotiable. My face is my tool for work, so I need to take care of it."

After a quick 15-minute workout to energize her body, Zara makes a light breakfast of avocado toast and green tea. "I need sustained energy that won't make me feel heavy during the day. I'll have more substantial meals between jobs when I can."

7:00 AM: Transportation and Preparation

Zara's agency driver picks her up to take her to her first appointment. During the ride, she reviews her schedule for the day on her phone, confirming details with her booker about each commitment.

"Today is relatively typical," she notes. "I have a casting in the morning, followed by a commercial photoshoot, a fitting for tomorrow's fashion show, and an evening event for a brand I represent."

She uses the travel time to mentally prepare for the day ahead, reviewing the brands she'll be working with and what they might be looking for. "It's important to understand each client's aesthetic and vision before I walk in the door."

8:00 AM: First Casting

Zara arrives at her first casting of the day for a luxury jewelry brand. She carries a compact portfolio and arrives with clean hair, minimal makeup, and wearing simple, form-fitting clothes that show her figure without distracting from her look.

"Castings are essentially job interviews," she explains. "I'll likely see several other models who match the brief. The client is looking for someone who not only has the right look but also the right energy and professionalism for their brand."

The casting itself takes less than 15 minutes. Zara introduces herself, presents her portfolio, has her measurements checked, and takes a few test photos. She's asked to try on a sample piece of jewelry and pose for several more shots.

"Now the waiting game begins," she says as she leaves. "My agency will hear back if they want to book me. For every job I book, I might attend 10-15 castings."

10:30 AM: Commercial Photoshoot

Zara's next stop is a full-day commercial shoot for a skincare brand. Upon arrival, she checks in with the production assistant and is directed to hair and makeup, where she'll spend the next hour being transformed according to the creative brief.

"This is where I get to know the team," she says as the makeup artist works. "Building rapport with photographers, stylists, and creative directors is essential. The better we communicate, the better the final images will be."

Once she's camera-ready, Zara moves to set where the photographer and creative director explain the concept. Today, she'll be shooting both stills and video content for the brand's new campaign.

"Commercial work requires versatility," she explains between shots. "One minute I'm doing playful and energetic expressions, the next I need to convey sophisticated confidence. It's about embodying the brand's persona while still looking natural."

The shoot includes several outfit changes and set adjustments. During brief breaks, Zara reviews the shots with the team, makes quick touch-ups to her makeup, and stays hydrated.

"People often think we just stand there looking pretty, but modeling is physically demanding. Holding poses, constantly changing expressions, and maintaining energy throughout a long shoot requires stamina and focus."

2:30 PM: Lunch Break and Travel

With the morning shoot wrapped, Zara has a quick lunch provided by the production team. "I focus on protein and vegetables to maintain energy without causing bloating," she says. "Shoots often involve tight or revealing clothing, so I'm conscious of what I eat during work days."

During her meal, she checks her phone for any schedule updates and responds to emails. Her agency has confirmed two new castings for tomorrow, which she adds to her calendar.

After lunch, she has a 30-minute car ride to her next appointment. "I use travel time to reset mentally. Sometimes I'll meditate or simply rest my eyes. Modeling requires being 'on' whenever you're in front of clients, so these moments of downtime are precious."

3:30 PM: Fitting for Fashion Show

Zara arrives at a designer's studio for a fitting session ahead of tomorrow's runway show. "Fittings are crucial for both the designer and models," she explains. "They ensure the garments fit perfectly and allow me to practice walking in the actual pieces I'll be wearing on the runway."

The fitting includes three outfits with corresponding shoes and accessories. The designer and styling team make adjustments, pin sections for alteration, and discuss the desired walking style and pace for each look.

"Runway work is technical and varies by designer," Zara notes. "Some want a fast, powerful walk, others prefer something more languid and fluid. During fittings, I'm not just trying on clothes but rehearsing my performance."

The fitting also includes a brief rehearsal with the show producer, who walks Zara through the runway configuration and timing. She takes mental notes about the music cues and specific directions for each outfit.

5:30 PM: Quick Turnaround

After the fitting, Zara returns home for a quick refresh before her evening event. "This is the reality of modeling—you're constantly transforming from one look to another," she says while removing her makeup.

She takes a 20-minute power nap, then showers and begins preparing for the evening. "Self-styling for events is part of the job. I need to represent the brand appropriately while also maintaining my own image."

She prepares her own hair and makeup for this event, choosing a look that complements the fashion brand she'll be representing. "As a model, you pick up a lot of techniques from professional makeup artists and hairstylists. Those skills become invaluable when you need to get ready independently."

7:00 PM: Brand Event

Zara arrives at a luxury hotel for the launch event of a fashion brand's new collection. As a brand ambassador, her role goes beyond just attendance—she's there to embody the brand's image and help create an atmosphere.

"Events require a different skill set than photoshoots or runway," she explains while gracefully navigating the room. "It's about engaging with guests, being photographed in a more spontaneous setting, and representing the brand through your behavior and conversation."

Throughout the evening, she poses for social media content, speaks with journalists about her relationship with the brand, and mingles with key industry figures. "Networking is a crucial aspect of a model's career. Events are where you build connections that lead to future opportunities."

10:00 PM: Wind Down and Preparation

After the event concludes, Zara returns home tired but still focused on tomorrow's responsibilities. "The day isn't really over until I've prepared for the next one," she says while removing her makeup with a thorough double-cleanse.

She reviews her schedule for tomorrow, lays out options for what to wear to her castings, and packs her model bag with essentials—portfolio, heels, makeup for touch-ups, and water.

Before bed, she does a brief stretching routine. "Physical maintenance is essential in this career. I need my body to be in optimal condition, not just for aesthetics but for endurance and health."

"People see the glamour, but modeling is ultimately a job that requires discipline, perseverance, and professionalism. The most successful models are those who treat it like the business it is, while still bringing creativity and personality to their work."

- Zara, Elite Models Dubai

The Reality Behind the Images

As Zara's day demonstrates, professional modeling involves far more than simply being photographed. It's a career that demands physical stamina, emotional intelligence, business acumen, and adaptability.

Behind every stunning campaign or runway show are countless hours of preparation, travel, fittings, and hard work. Models function as both the product and the professional, requiring them to constantly maintain and market themselves while delivering consistent results for clients.

At Elite Models Dubai, we prepare our talent for all aspects of the profession, ensuring they have the skills and support needed to navigate the demands of the industry while building sustainable, successful careers.

For those considering a modeling career or clients interested in working with our professional models, understanding this behind-the-scenes reality is essential to appreciating the expertise and dedication that goes into creating the beautiful images we see in media every day.