Model Resources - August 2010

Model Portfolio Tips: Your modelling portfolio serves as your resume and showcases your body of work as a model. It is one of the most important tools in your possession when looking to attract potential clients and find paying work.

Your portfolio should consist of between 16 to 20 of your best images and have a good variety of images or "looks". (If all your images are suimwear and lingerie then that is all you will get hired for). As a bare minimum to a good portfolio, you need a natural looking headshot (close-up of your face) with and without a smile, one full-length body shot, and a half-length body shot. As you grow your portfolio you will want to include images that have commercial, fashion, casual, and editorial content.

Images should always be kept recent and show a variety of different looks. You might be thinking that could get expensive, but enough over time as you get more paid assignments you can add more current photos to your portfolio to keep your portfolio fresh, current and up to date with latest fashion styles and looks. To get started though and find paying work, you need a proper and professional portfolio.

Lastly, models should be realistic about the type of modelling they want to do. For example if you are tall and skinny, runway and fashion modelling may be the right general direction whereas if you are shorter and curvy you may want to consider suim suit, lingerie or other types of commercial work. Part of building a good portfolio is displaying diversity in your looks and experience, but it should also reflect the type of modelling you are suited for and that will get you work.

Choosing a Photographer: In this day and age, anyone can claim to being a photographer (just as anyone can claim to be a model) which is something to be careful about when looking for a photographer. As a general rule of thumb, always work with a photographer who is experienced shooting the types of images you want for your portfolio.

When creating or expanding your modelling portfolio you should look for a photographer who is experienced shooting fashion or model photography. A fashion or model photographer above any other type of photographer will be able to guide models or assist them with poses and know how to achieve specific styles or looks making use of clothing, fabrics, makeup, and different types of lighting setups. Above all, fashion or model photographers have experience working with makeup artists and stylists to maximize the shoot and correct all problems before shots are taken - a good photographger will pay close attention to details and look out for any issues with hair, makeup, or wardrobe

There are many FREE photographers these days looking to gain experience. I guarantee they will offer to shoot outdoors because they do not have access to expensive studio-style lighting equipment and think they will be able to create the kind of images you see in magazines (which might not look light lighting was used but it always is) without any studio type of lighting. Never be afraid to ask a photographer two things: 1.) do they have an indoor studio location 2.) do they use professional studio lighting indoors or outdoor to create their images.

There are some photographers who believe all the magic of photography is done in photoshop after the pictures are taken - WRONG! Make no mistake here, there is nothing software or a very skilled retouching artist can do with a photo that did not start off with good lighting to begin with. Beware of the "photoshop photographer" and always ask a photographer to show you raw or unedited/untouched images when asking to see their portfolio! This will show you everything true about their skills and quality of work.