What is a portfolio?
What does a portfolio involve? Do you you really need one at all? How do models get started without one?
Are there any modelling scams to avoid?
What are they? How can I spot one if I don't know what they are?
What about things like my body shape? What changes to I need to make if I am to have any hope getting regular work?
A portfolio is simply a book containing a collection of a model's best images. What is in the portfolio will change over time as your career develops. It commonly contains a mixture of photographs produced specifically for your portfolio and tear sheets (copies of published work).
Before you spend money on a portfolio with me or anyone else, find out whether you need one at all as modelling agencies don't necessarily need you to have one.
If you do decide to have a model portfolio, remember that it is your advert to the world and is potentially the first impression you make. Depending on your budget you might want to go for an online portfolio or a CD before investing in a print portfolio.
Comp cards (or Zed cards) are still in use as a marketing tool.
Whichever route you take you want your portfolio to be impressive and stand out. It is after all your visual CV.
If you want to become a freelance or independent model offering your services online through your own website or one of the online modelling sites such as OMP, Purestorm or Model Mayhem, then a portfolio or small collection of images will help you to get started.
Many modelling websites will sell you the promise of making you a successful model. Some call themselves agencies but only exist to sell you model portfolios, without finding you any work. Here's the top three tips!
"No reputable agency will ever ask for money
up front or a portfolio fee" (quote - Elite, London).
Consider carefully why you would pay money
up front to facilitators, or anyone that forces you to have a model
portfolio.
Don't ever feel you can't take a friend or
chaperone with you on a shoot - we actively encourage it - always check
out anyone you are seeing and let someone else know where you are.
Modelling is more about persistence and hard work than fame, wealth and glamour. Your naturally good looks alone will not be enough unless you are fit and healthy in both mind and body. It's also about luck. So good luck!
Legal disclaimer - the views put forward here are personal and general in their scope. They do not reflect the practices of or refer to a particular agency or person living or dead.
Some work requires a certain body shape (some fashion work looks for minimum height of 5' 9") but other work such as catalogue, lifestyle or headshots do not. Think creatively and widely about different sources of work, not just that a model = catwalk. Think like an actor who looks for castings for lots of different parts, not just the Hollywood blockbusters.
Some work requires a certain body shape (some fashion work looks for minimum height of 5' 9") but other work such as catalogue, lifestyle or headshots do not. Think creatively and widely about different sources of work, not just that a model = catwalk. Think like an actor who looks for castings for lots of different parts, not just the Hollywood blockbusters.
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