How to Create a Perfect Model Portfolio

A modeling portfolio consists of professional and creative portfolios. Professional – these are snaps and model tests, which usually everyone is interested in. Creativity is about works that go into the background when choosing a model. As a rule, models make them for different creative projects. Often, future models post good shots on social networks and thus make advertising. That’s why we recommend reading the article about the best photo editing apps for Instagram on the blog of the Skylum developer.

A model portfolio is a comprehensive presentation of a person for recruitment into model agencies and other thematic organizations or projects. In essence, it is like a resume, but in the form of photographs. Today there are three basic types of modeling and acting portfolios: male, female, and child. Each of them can consist of 2 types: snapshots, and tests (including an emotional map), as well as artistic – which is shooting in the style of beauty and fashion.

How to create a proper model portfolio?

There are specific types of photos that agencies need above all. Employers prefer to see photos that demonstrate a model’s versatility and ability to express herself. Agencies prefer to see how well a model can portray a feeling or emotion in their photos.

The main task of the photographer during the shoot is to show the personality and type as they are. Technically, a model portfolio consists of 8-20 photos, divided into three categories:

• Snapshots and tests.
• Modeling tests, beauty, and fashion shots.
• Frames from shows, commercials, magazine publications, plays, and movies.

Some experts believe that the fewer photos in an album, the better. In no case should you fill the presentation with unsuccessful shots and angles. The value of the model book is determined by the most unfortunate shot in the entire set.

You should avoid the temptation to add the maximum number of shots to your portfolio. You can not reveal all the potential in them, but there is a risk of simply overloading them with annoyance. 20 frames maximum. And this is only for already established models, who during their careers were able to gather a collection of interesting images.

How to start creating a model book?

If you want to get into this business seriously, you have to start with snapshots. Snapshots are rather boring photos for the viewer. It is a shot without gorgeous hair and makeup, which is taken against a plain, neutral background-white, gray or black. Most often in a bathing suit, to show all the advantages and disadvantages of the body. However, for certain destinations, it is allowed to shoot in clothing. In most cases, the rules require:

• Black lingerie or a separate swimsuit, preferably without decorative elements. Categorically inadmissible pushups, we must avoid lace and ruffles.
• A female modeling portfolio should contain shots in shoes or sandals with a heel of 7-10 cm, so the posture is best shown. A man in a full-length photo can be without shoes at all.
• Absence of puffy hairstyles. A producer should see the natural state of hair – long-short, straight-curly.
• No makeup is allowed, better to avoid even foundation and lipstick.
• No traces of clothes. Therefore, it is better to come to the studio in advance to let the body get ready.
• You should not wear jewelry. Hairpins, bracelets, earrings, and even piercings should be removed.

Profound post-processing of such photos in graphic editors is categorically not allowed. But there are some nuances. If before the shooting redness appeared on the body, do not get too upset. Some advice to models, in this case, recommends postponing a visit to the studio.

However, excessive formalism also harms the case. As practice shows, professional processing of the frame can correct the situation with temporary flaws on the skin. A retoucher can delicately even out the tone of the picture. And by the time the meeting with the producer, this small defect will have already gone away with itself. If you need a good photo editor with an intuitive interface, we recommend trying Luminar Neo. It can be easily used both by beginners and more advanced users.

Is it possible to shoot snapshots for a modeling portfolio by yourself?

Several sites tell you that you can make a modeling portfolio without the help of a professional photographer. This is indeed true. No one can stop you from hanging a sheet in your room and hanging a couple of lamps. And ask your best friend to take some shots on her phone. The result may get a lot of likes on Instagram.

But we must remember that the target audience of this work is the producer. He regularly sees a huge number of model books, for him the model portfolio is an example of an attitude. Amateur work is visible to the naked eye. If a model is not willing to spend her time and money to enter the profession, there is no guarantee that she will be taken seriously. You should not rely on your exceptional looks either. The competition in this market is off the charts.

All other things being equal, the choice will fall on those who have already proven their readiness to put in the effort. Therefore, the cost of the model portfolio often recedes into the background. Sometimes the very fact of cooperation with a well-known photographer gives newcomers a big head start.

Conclusion

As we can see, making a good portfolio for a model is not as difficult as it may seem at first. It is enough to follow only the basic rules. If you are a beginner model, it is important to trust a professional photographer. If you plan to use good shots from photo shoots for your social networking portfolio, make sure you read the article about the best photo editing apps for Instagram on Skylum’s blog.