Getting into Goth 2018: Goth Books

If you are new to Goth in 2018 or within recent years you may have preconceived misconceptions about Goth. What is it? Where did it come from? How did it become a thing? How come it's lasted so long? Or if one of your loved ones has started dressing in black and listening to The Cure, dying their hair, and adding body modifications and identifying as either Goth or Alternative. You may be concerned or wondering exactly what the hell that is. And when you come to that thought you have two choices,

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1) Be complacent in your ignorance, make ignorant comments, jokes, not take them seriously, tell them it's a phase it will go away. Don't look into it from actual Goths in the scene, listen to the music, read up about it or anything, and eventually get used to it and come to accept them or part ways.

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2) Read Goth books, magazines, go to youtube and watch goth youtubers, follow popular Goth's on Instagram, get a shallow surface area of it based on the fashion and the music. And if it really interest you keep digging, continue to educate yourself, and go down the rabbit hole of all things considered, Goth and Alternative and form your own opinions about it.

If you are a person who's new to Goth, you will gravitate towards all of the information, magazines, books, music videos, music, biographies and interviews by musicians to see their inspirations and influences on the scene. The history, fashion, literature, art, architecture, the lives of the authors, musicians, etc themselves, and more. And just all around anything dark, spooky,  and supernatural. I have personally stayed away from the heavy conversations of all things regarding what is Goth? Because I don't want to come across as an authority or an elitist know it all. I have always been a firm believer that you know real Goth's when you take time to get to know them after you've spent time with enough fake people, you'll recognize who's real and who's just in it for the wrong reasons, or is completely ignorant about the subject entirely.

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If Goth is something you are truly drawn to then whatever it is you like, whatever outlet you have will drive you into your own spiral into learning everything you possibly can about it and seeing if it's right for you so you can develop your own style, your own taste in music, your own hobbies you enjoy rather that contributes to the scene or not. If you are fortunate enough to have any kind of local scene or travel to one near you then all of those things will just come naturally to you.

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There is one thing I will say about the mysteries of all things Goth, there are do's and don't's about it. It's really just about respect for the scene and the people in it who have a genuine interest. If you find yourself drawn to the scene in this current day and age of social media where people can be internet famous; i.e Instagram models, and popular Youtubers who receive free items for having a high following from fast fashion companies who appropriate Goth elements into their fashions to sell you a Goth look. And Instagram and Youtube show the Goth lifestyle as being for the rich, skinny, and the mostly white. You may have misconceptions about what it really means to be Goth. And why "Elder Goths" are annoyed by this new trend.

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Goth is not something you can buy in the store, there are goth brands but it's not something you put on and take off at the end of the day. It's not something you can stop being apart of because you don't look the part.

It's not a few popular post punk bands in the 80's, but it's good to get you started in to right direction to learn more underground bands and deeper music.

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It's not a costume
Not a cosplay
A character, there are Goth characters but Goth in and of itself is not a character

Occult symbols you don't know the meaning of but look edgy and cool, Occult symbols are great when you know the meaning of them and want to embrace the positive aspects of them. But when you don't it's disrespectful to others religions.

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It's not an act of rebellion against your parents or society, unless it's in a way that you are embracing your true self as a act of rebellion to pretending to be something you are not to make others happy as if your own happiness doesn't matter

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It's not  a shock factor
A performance, but there are Goth performers
It's not just to scare people, but if that's your thing enjoy
It's not a passing trend, But it comes and goes every couple of years and it has it's pro's and con's
It's not a phase for most people who got into it for the right reasons, but some do grow out of it and it doesn't mean they are any less legit than that Goth's who are still apart of the scene

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It's not a hair style, but there are certain hairstyles that Goth and Alternative people naturally gravitate too
It's not body modifications, but many Goth's can choose to get modifications if they wish, but not required
It's not just makeup and fashion, but there are various styles that fit into Goth


It's not exclusive to white people, skinny people, or the able bodied
People of color, various religions, cultures, sizes and shapes can be apart of it and disabled people are welcome too.

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It's not a religion, but there are many Goth's who are religious, pagan, atheist, agnostic, etc.
It's not a cult, but there are some Goth's in cults
It's not an evil thing but there are evil people the scene

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If you are looking for more intellectual stimulation and you want to get a deeper understanding of the big question of what is Goth? I highly recommend reading books of Goth from Goth's in the 80's, photographers, sociologist, psychologist, Goth enthusiast, etc. so you can get a well rounded view of the scene. And you wanna form your own sense of fashion, makeup, decorate your living space then the internet is great for ideas. But you'll have a deeper connection from actual books and have a more unique perspective on it and have something that's more catered to your needs as your own person.
 

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(Yes I know Mansion isn't Goth, and can be problematic AF! But it's a very interesting book which I enjoyed when I was in high school that tells the story about his life starting in childhood. And gives a bit of insight into his personality and lifestyle) 

Goth is about being unique
It's creative expressions through many art forms
It's being observant of things that are over looked
It's all about embracing your true self and living life to the fullest
It's about supporting others in the scene who are positive content creators, musicians, artist, fashion designers, etc.

Disclaimer: Some of these books I've read over the years, and some I haven't so I can't really tell you that much about them. The purpose of this blog post was not meant to be a review of Goth books, but the show the various ones that exist and can give you better insight and visuals into the scene. And it's still a better view than what you would get online. These are all relatively non-fiction books but I do recommend some fiction books with Goth or spooky characters for fun and more in depth looks. Enjoy and leave comments below for feedback.

Being Alt in the Work Force

So you want to be a Dark/Alternative/Gothic Model...

Steve Ledell: Photographer

1. Think about why you want to model. Is it because you want pretty pictures for your social media sites? Is it because you want to be seem as "haute stuff"?

Faith Betinis: Photographer

Modeling isn't about just taking pretty pictures just to post online and get lots of likes and shares. It's an art form just like any other. It's about freedom of self expression and inspiring others to dress how they like, get the piercings and tattoos they want, and to not care about what others think. Gothic/Alternative models typically have goals of being published in magazines both online and print, building up fans and support, working with talented designers, makeup artist, body painters, photographers. And artist all across the board to collaborate with to make art. Does this sound like something you'd like to do?

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2. What do you do when you discover that you want to be a Dark/Alternative/Gothic model?
Well you find photographers in the area that are good and willing to collaborate with you to build up your portfolio so that you can have something to show to potential clients as well as others you wish to work with. Portfolio's are like resumes. Those with the most impressive ones usually get more work and creativity done. So do your research to get familiar with what good photography looks like. Cell pictures, webcam photos, and candids are good for showing the behind the scenes work but not good for your actual portfolio.

Coma Pill Photography

3. Shoot with photographers for magazine submissions. Get familiar with the guidelines by visiting their websites and reading them thoroughly and make sure that you and everyone else involved understands them. Do not submit to magazines without the photographers permission. Most publications will ask for credits, links, some even releases signed by both of you. Do not edit the photographers work without their permission.

4. Make sure you have the wardrobe to suit the sort of style you wish to portray. You don't have to mimic other models to be and Alternative model. And don't listen   to any elitist who will tell you otherwise. Keep in mind you are also free to do other projects. If you do fashion, commercial, print modeling and you're signed with an agency yet still do alternative modeling that is totally fine. Don't listen to elitist who will tell you that you have to do only alt modeling to be considered an Alternative/Dark/Gothic model. This is an art that is all about freedom of SELF-expression and creativity. To each their own.

5. You may want to become social media savy and get a facebook fan page, twitter, youtube, pinterest, deviant art, etc. To make it easier for people to find you in a search and to get more work.

6. If you are looking to become a model because you believe that you are automatically going to be rich and famous after a few shoots then you are barking up the wrong tree. When you first start modeling you either work tf (time for prints/time for CD/time for photos) to build up your port or you hire photographers, rent wardrobe from designers, hire makeup artist/hair stylist, or you find friends that are talented enough to do all of that with you. Especially with Alternative modeling, in the US. There aren't many Alternative Agencies. Those that do exist most have gone out of business because there isn't a huge demand for it.

Fluukk Photography

7. Don't take advice from people. Yes that's right people. People who are not apart of the fashion industry at all. If you want advice about modeling, ask a model. There are lots of blogs, websites dedicated to this as well as various books. I was very disappointed to read this in the Gothic Charm School website.It's very bad advice. It's good to think about why you want to be a model, but most of her suggestions are based on assumptions that people make who really don't know anything about modeling.

Tidy Photography

8. Be aware that you are going to attract attention no matter who you are or what you do in life. That attention could be either negative or positive. If you are considering becoming an Alternative/Dark/Gothic model then I would assume that you are already apart of the Alternative Community in some way, shape or form. If you'd like to be a model, I would assume that you are already dressing in alternative fashions. Which means that you are used to the attention. It's an issue of mind over matter. Those that mind don't matter. By putting yourself out there you are more vulnerable to attention either way it comes. But modeling isn't about attention and you shouldn't let the fear of negative attention stop you from being yourself and doing what you love. The Lady Of Matters made it seem like this is all modeling is about, like it's really a horrible thing and actually quite judgmental. Something I wouldn't expect from someone who wrote a book on Gothic Etiguette. Sure she may KNOW models, photographers, etc. But she isn't either one.