Why do you need a modeling portfolio? Every successful working model in the world has a modeling portfolio - and you need to have a modeling portfolio if you want to be taken seriously and work on a regular basis. Look closely at the models at the photo above. Every single one of them has a modeling portfolio and a comp card. Now imagine how you would feel if you were the only model on that casting that didn't have them.
Never forget: This is a first impression business, you only get one chance to make a good first impression and there is no business in the world where this is more true than modeling. Why? Because with every agency and client that you meet – the photos that comprise your comp card and modeling portfolio will always be seen before you will be seen. And if they are not sufficiently impressed by your comp card and modeling portfolio photographs you will not be called in.
Set your standards high right from the beginning. Have a critical eye when selecting any images to put on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio or, better yet, have an experienced professional help you choose them to make sure that every single picture on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio will WOW agencies and potential clients.
There are four types of modeling photos: Good, bad, GREAT and WOW! Your modeling portfolio should consist of ONLY professionally optimized and retouched GREAT photos and WOW! photos because you are only as good as your worst photo as casting directors, agencies, casting directors, photographers and art directors, etc. will make decisions based on the worst photo in your modeling portfolio, not the best one.
What size should modeling portfolio photos be? Remember when fashion print models used to carry around big books full of 11x14 photos? Then there was the mini-book phase. Well, those days are gone and now you can't go wrong with 8.5x11 photos in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami Beach, Atlanta, London, Paris, etc. Magazine rear sheets are also likely to be around 8.5×11 so you will need a book that is large enough to accommodate them
Never forget: This is a first impression business, you only get one chance to make a good first impression and there is no business in the world where this is more true than modeling. Why? Because with every agency and client that you meet – the photos that comprise your comp card and modeling portfolio will always be seen before you will be seen. And if they are not sufficiently impressed by your comp card and modeling portfolio photographs you will not be called in.
Set your standards high right from the beginning. Have a critical eye when selecting any images to put on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio or, better yet, have an experienced professional help you choose them to make sure that every single picture on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio will WOW agencies and potential clients.
There are four types of modeling photos: Good, bad, GREAT and WOW! Your modeling portfolio should consist of ONLY professionally optimized and retouched GREAT photos and WOW! photos because you are only as good as your worst photo as casting directors, agencies, casting directors, photographers and art directors, etc. will make decisions based on the worst photo in your modeling portfolio, not the best one.
What size should modeling portfolio photos be? Remember when fashion print models used to carry around big books full of 11x14 photos? Then there was the mini-book phase. Well, those days are gone and now you can't go wrong with 8.5x11 photos in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami Beach, Atlanta, London, Paris, etc. Magazine rear sheets are also likely to be around 8.5×11 so you will need a book that is large enough to accommodate them
How many photos need to be in your modeling portfolio? Quality is far more important than quantity. You will not impress anyone with quantity – but you will make a lasting impression with quality. Start with a headshot and a full length shot then mix it up from there as the purpose of a modeling portfolio is not just to show that you are attractive – it is to show your ability to portray different moods, age range and personality. As a new model, 6 – 10 pictures will be enough to present yourself to a new agency and/or go on castings with. – but ONLY if they are 6 to 10 'WOW!' pictures. 'Good' pictures just won't cut it.
Only Work With Great Photographers Great photos will open doors for you and amateur looking photos will do you more harm than good - so choose the photographer(s) you will be working with very carefully. Sometimes agency referred photographers can be great and sometimes not - it all depends on how reputable the agency is. Does the cost of the shoot seem high and the quality of the work seem low? Then you are probably with an agency that is charging you big money for modeling portfolio photo shoots, comp cards, etc. then splitting fees with the photographer which is not only highly unethical, it is also big time illegal.
Do I need to shoot with more than one photographer in order to develop a modeling portfolio? No, not necessarily. If you have a lot of money to spend you could shoot with several different photographers to help you develop your modeling portfolio but there is no reason to go to such expense as you will NOT get more work just because you have shot with multiple photographers. You WILL get work with a selection of pictures that show you at your best while displaying a range of emotions. Most beginner models carry modeling portfolios with photos of just one photographer in them and, as long as all of the photos on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio book are well thought out and well executed you will be fine.
Only Work With Great Photographers Great photos will open doors for you and amateur looking photos will do you more harm than good - so choose the photographer(s) you will be working with very carefully. Sometimes agency referred photographers can be great and sometimes not - it all depends on how reputable the agency is. Does the cost of the shoot seem high and the quality of the work seem low? Then you are probably with an agency that is charging you big money for modeling portfolio photo shoots, comp cards, etc. then splitting fees with the photographer which is not only highly unethical, it is also big time illegal.
Do I need to shoot with more than one photographer in order to develop a modeling portfolio? No, not necessarily. If you have a lot of money to spend you could shoot with several different photographers to help you develop your modeling portfolio but there is no reason to go to such expense as you will NOT get more work just because you have shot with multiple photographers. You WILL get work with a selection of pictures that show you at your best while displaying a range of emotions. Most beginner models carry modeling portfolios with photos of just one photographer in them and, as long as all of the photos on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio book are well thought out and well executed you will be fine.
Should modeling portfolio and comp card photos be in color or black and white? Color photos are great because they show eye color and hair color, etc. while black and white photos convey emotion - so mix it up by combing color photos with black and white photos on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio book. You will be better off with mostly color shots in the beginning though.
Professional retouching? According to the Model Talent Bible that was published over thirty years ago: "Flawless photographs are worth their weight in gold" and professional retouching is even more important today than ever because agents, clients, casting directors, etc. are so used to looking at perfectly retouched photos that photos that have not had professional retouching stand out in a very negative way. Beware of photographers that use 'one-click' retouching software that produces overly sharpened eyes and Barbie Doll looking skin, however, as that look is not only a huge turn off to agents, casting directors, etc. - it is also a career killing mistake.
Do I need to do have photos in a swimsuit or lingerie on my comp card or in my modeling portfolio? No, not necessarily. If you're looking to do "real people" or commercial print modeling you probably won't need them. If you're looking to do fitness modeling, swimsuit modeling or 'Victoria's Secret' style lingerie modeling, then yes, be sure to include swimsuit and lingerie photos on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio book as the more 'looks' you have on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio, the better your chances of working will be.
For FREE ASSISTANCE with finding expert comp card and modeling portfolio photographers with decades of experience that also excel at photo retouching, design and printing click HERE
Professional retouching? According to the Model Talent Bible that was published over thirty years ago: "Flawless photographs are worth their weight in gold" and professional retouching is even more important today than ever because agents, clients, casting directors, etc. are so used to looking at perfectly retouched photos that photos that have not had professional retouching stand out in a very negative way. Beware of photographers that use 'one-click' retouching software that produces overly sharpened eyes and Barbie Doll looking skin, however, as that look is not only a huge turn off to agents, casting directors, etc. - it is also a career killing mistake.
Do I need to do have photos in a swimsuit or lingerie on my comp card or in my modeling portfolio? No, not necessarily. If you're looking to do "real people" or commercial print modeling you probably won't need them. If you're looking to do fitness modeling, swimsuit modeling or 'Victoria's Secret' style lingerie modeling, then yes, be sure to include swimsuit and lingerie photos on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio book as the more 'looks' you have on your comp card and in your modeling portfolio, the better your chances of working will be.
For FREE ASSISTANCE with finding expert comp card and modeling portfolio photographers with decades of experience that also excel at photo retouching, design and printing click HERE
Zed Pro Comp Cards . Best in model comp card photography, modeling portfolio photography, headshot photography, retouching and comp card printing serving all major markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orange County, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, Miami, Miami Beach, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and all points in between. Modeling portfolio and comp card photographs on this web site courtesy of Moda Bambini Kids Photography and Moda Product