Many people love the idea of becoming models. It is nice to think of making money just posing for photos, and the money from modeling can be quite a lot, if you are one of the chosen few.
Although different types of models, including commercial, high fashion, and glamour models might want to include a slightly different mix of pictures, there are some things that are pretty much standard when it comes to the requirements.
Whether you are male or female, an adult, teen, or preteen, keep these things in mind when deciding “What do I need in a model portfolio?”
Types of Photos
First of all, regardless of the agency you are applying to, be it Ford, Elite, or IMG, pretty much everyone is going to want to see at least one close up shot created outdoors with little or no make up and no flash, one full body shot wearing a swimsuit or other form fitting outfit that shows off your body, and at least one head shot. It is a good idea to have one head shot with you facing forward and one profile shot.
You also might want to include at least one artistic (artsy) shot for dramatic effect. These are the standard poses, but it is a good idea to include a wide variety of different poses to showcase your abilities.
Image Quality – Only Include Your Best
The most important thing when it comes to choosing the photos for your portfolio is the quality of the photos. You should go to a good professional photographer who is familiar with modeling. You don’t want to use snapshots or photos from your phone as these are not of good quality, even if you think you look great in that particular shot.
Do your poses for photographers who know what they are doing so they can make you look your best and give you high quality images to use. You only want to use the best shots that are taken of you.
How Many Pictures?
When deciding “what do I need in a model portfolio?”, you also want to keep in mind that quality is much more important than quantity. Including too many pictures can be just as bad as including too few, so you will want to keep the numbers somewhere between about eight and twenty different photos, each of them showcasing something different to make it clear the range of work you have undertaken (or could take on).
Composite Cards
These are usually 6″ by 9″ and include a good headshot on the front and several poses on the back along with your stats. Referred to as comp cards, these are really good to have because agents can keep them on hand for future reference.
Practice Before You Shoot
Look through fashion magazines or online modeling sites to find pose ideas and then practice in the mirror everyday until you have a good arsenal of looks before going to a photo shoot. The more you practice, the more natural you will appear in front of the camera.
Professional photographer Bob Pardue gives free advice for beginner models at http://www.bobpardue.com/model/school/
