Posing in the comfort zone is rather natural and expected for models. Comfort zone is the set of behavioral patterns that people exhibit without becoming anxious. A model’s comfort zone is more expansive because of the exhibitive nature of her work. She has to develop a personality that allows her to be comfortable exposing her body to a variety of people. Posing in scantily clad lingerie is not something the average Sue can handle.



Models remain in their comfort zones for the same reason the rest of us do. We don’t get anxious when we are with the familiar, the comfortable. We feel secure in repetitive behavior and, unless challenged, most of us have neither reason nor desire to step outside the comfort zone. Most models create comfort zones in clothing, facial expressions, body language and appealing look (however they might define that). Like the rest of us in our comfort zones, they remain there because anxiety about the new and different is too difficult to face. They convince themselves internally that they ‘cannot handle’ doing something unusual.

Comfort zones also become personal prisons because we’re concerned about acceptance from others. If a model does something new and different for a photo shoot, what are her friends and colleagues going to think about her? We are all conditioned to believe we cannot live without approval from others. Most models stay within their defined comfort zones so they do not have to risk losing their friends’ approval.

A model’s comfort zone tends to create complacency. She feels secure within her imaginary boundaries and generally speaking, never looks at the opportunity to step outside those lines. She’s comfortable there; why should she go some place where she is uncomfortable. In the extreme, she can become apathetic and the resulting photos show her inertia.

How can a model take a look at her comfort zone and decide to step out? She needs to know that highly successful people step out of their comfort zones with regularity. They identify a goal they want to achieve and they need to adapt new and different behavior patterns to reach the goal. A question she might ask herself in confronting her initial rise in anxiety is, What is the worst case scenario? Talking over possible answers to that question with her friends could prove helpful. She might more easily manage the risk if she knows what could potentially result from the change she is considering. She might also discover the beliefs supporting her current comfort zone are unfounded.

The second question she might ask herself is, What is the best case scenario? That is more fun to consider, and again, her friends might be helpful with possible responses. The enticement of something good or even really great could be just the impetus needed to make the change.

And if you decide to try a step outside your comfort zone, take it easy on yourself and do just one or two steps at a time. A gigantic leap is probably not necessary. Just try one or two new and different behaviors. Check out how they feel and see if your comfort zone can begin to be redefined to include something you never considered possible in your life.