Modelling porfolios

A few hints and tips

The Perfect Model Portfolio
If you are serious about becoming a model you need a portfolio that will create a lasting impression on everyone who sees it.  Model agencies see hundreds of portfolios everyday therefore you need to think about ways to make your portfolio get noticed.

1. Really think about the marketing you most want to work in - look at the type of modelling you want to do.  Do you want to be a fashion model, catalogue model, cover girl or be involved in advertising to name a few - choose photographs of yourself which reflect the area you want to work in. Look through fashion magazines and catalogues and find poses your like - practice in front of a mirror. 
   
   
2. Be realistic - Do you see yourself striding down the catwalk at London Fashion Week with cameras flashing all around you ?  Fashion models are generally tall and slender.  Or would you like to do commercial shoots promoting travel, or health perhaps.  Magazine and catalogue models may be shorter - focus on something which  reflects your style and research the area you are interested in.
   
   
3. Be creative - a standard portfolio is the best way of showing your best work; carry a small photo book with smaller photos so you always have your portfolio with you;   create your own website; and/or save images to disc.
   
   
4. Choose 5 - 15 recent photos that you are really happy with - choose only the stunning, the daring and the wonderfully different images - demand high quality from yourself and everyone who helps you put your portfolio together.
   
   
5. Include full length photos, portrait shots and different poses - your photographs should have different hairstyles, clothing and background.  You don't need to use the same photographer  - different people have different ideas and this could enhance the flexibility of your portfolio.
   
   

ABOVE ALL - don't give up

Before your photo shoot

1. Keep your hair, skin and nails in good condition in the run up to the shoot. If you need a hair cut, get one and unless you want to advertise nail varnish keep your nails natural or clear varnish only.
   
   
2. Once you have decided what clothes to wear, make sure they are clean and put to one side for the shoot well in advance. Ideally, you should have decided upon your outfits and have them ready at least 5 days before the shoot.  Decided whether you need a make-up artist to achieve the look you want - can the photographer arrange this for you and how much will it cost?
   
   
3. The day before the shoot, make sure you get a good night's sleep and stay away from alcohol.
   
   
4. Aim to arrive 10 minutes before you are due (and make sure that time has accounted for applying make-up!).
5. 
    
6. You should discuss what sort of looks you want to go for with the photographer at the time of booking - but always run over this before the shoot so you are comfortable.
   
   
7. Enjoy your photoshoot! Listen carefully to what the photographer wants. Try not to be nervous but do acknowledge that feeling as normal...even models who have been working for years upon years get nervous.

More tips

When you are getting dressed, make sure all your clothes are on properly - as in no twisted straps, no buttons done up through the wrong holes...

Remember - your portfolio is not a photo album! If a photo doesn't "sell" you, it doesn't work as a portfolio.
Ideally, you should aim to have photos no older than a year in your portfolio. This may mean having to get your portfolio re-shot again, so be prepared!

It's a good idea to keep spare copies of the photos in your portfolio in a safe place. You'll avoid major panics if you should lose your portfolio if you do this.

Unless you are amazingly good at applying your own make-up, hire a make-up artist for the shoot. It is an additional expense but you don't want to shell out on expensive photos only to have them ruined by poor make-up.

Be aware of tan lines  before the shoot as these can look unattractive in the photographs.

Be aware that some photographers and makeup artists will have cancellation policies. As a rule of thumb, if you cancel within 48 hours of the starting time of the shoot, you will have to pay at least some, usually all, of the fee.