Printed Portfolios

A printed portfolio always looks great but in these modern times of internet, they have made way for emails and online casting websites. In most situations as a model, by the time you actually meet an agent face to face, they will have already looked at your images and have no need to see a printed version. Another drawback is the continued expense of keeping it updated with new prints as your modelling career and model portfolio develops.

Even so it is always a good idea to have images selected ready to print should the need arise (e.g. Agency open days or open castings). Select your top 10 to 20 images and ensure that you have files that are print ready. These days with the help of a USB key and 1 hour photo printing, you can always have them with you just in case the need should arise.

How to get the most out of your photo shoot

Have a plan:
• What style of images do you want or need?
• Do you have any special requirements?
• Are you shooting for your portfolio or is it more a wardrobe test?

Work with your photographer:
• Make sure you have spoken to your photographer so they have a clear understanding of your ideas and requirements.

Prepare:
• Make sure your clothes are laundered and ready for the day
• Don't forget about shoes
• Be rested and try to get a good nights sleep the evening before

Breath:
• Give yourself time on the day of the shoot. Don't be rushing to your appointment or having to rush away if you can help it. Clock watching spoils photo shoots.

When starting out, what style of photos do I need for my portfolio?

The answer is simple. You need to shoot the style of images that will encourage an agent to want to meet you.

If you are serious about a paying career in modelling, you need to have a portfolio with the style of images that will get you into a modelling or promotions agency and get you work.

When you shoot a portfolio for getting work you are trying to achieve a number of things:

• Impress an agent and show them that you have potential as a model (and can make you and them money).

• Have a woking portfolio of images so you can hit the ground running. This can really make a difference if you are looking to get into promotional or event modelling as most promotional agencies expect you to supply your own images (and keep them updated).

• Even though some model agencies will organise for you to do photo shoots after joining, most agencies can start promoting you straight away using your own supplied modelling images (providing that they have been shot prefessionaly and meet the agencies requirements).

Getting experience in front of the camera is always a good thing but ultimatly you need to have images that work for you, not against you. No industry professional is interested in seeing you photos taken with your web cam.

Does a model need swimwear, underwear or lingerie shots?

Do you need to have shots of yourself in swimwear. underwear or lingerie in your portfolio. No you don't. So why do some agencies (including some of the most prestigious agencies in the country) sometimes request to see images of you in swimwear or underwear.

The most common reasons a legitimate agency would want to see these style of shots are:

• to see your real body type

• to show you have confidence in yourself and are not body conscious

• the agency specifically targets swimwear, underwear or lingerie model assignments

Should you decide you wish to include swimwear, underwear or lingerie shots in your portfolio, it's a wise idea to discuss this with your photographer prior to your shoot and make sure that you are both agreed on the style of shots you will be shooting at your photo session.

If you are curious and just want to see how you photograph in a bikini, lingerie etc then consider shooting a wardrobe test.

Remember that at the end of the day the decision is yours.

"But wait theres more!" ( or "I just want to try and shoot one more thing")

A lot of models new to the industry often make the mistake of trying to do too much in one photo session. They have a lot of great ideas, concepts and clothes but fail to consider just how long it can actually take on the day when things such as clothing changes, lighting and prop changes are taken into account.

You have to make a decision when planning your photo shoot. Do you want quality or quantity? There are good reasons to shoot both ways.

Quantity:

Simple lighting and lots of looks! This is what wardrobe tests are all about. This is for when you want to try lots of things such as clothing and poses. This is where you take a truck load of clothes, lingerie and underwear and try them out in front of the lens. Bonus is you will probably take some shots during your wardrobe session that are portfolio worthy.

(Please note: Modelshots, includes wardrobe tests in some selected packages as well as offering, wardrobe tests as a stand alone option.)

Quality:

Complimentary lighting, props and poses. You have picked your clothes, lingerie and underwear (or at least have narrowed it down to a handful) and spend your time concentrating on lighting and looks that suit your selection. Shooting clothes that work well on you with looks that sell you best. This is how to take great shots for your model portfolio.

The bottom line is be realistic about what you can achieve in your session each time you plan your next photo shoot.