The first thing that should be explained, is a VERY important rule:YOUR PORTFOLIO IS ONLY AS STRONG AS THE WEAKEST PICTURE!
So be careful not to include weak shots that would bring down the strong ones. Often it's difficult for a new model to even know which shots are weak or strong, but that's a skill you MUST master to keep your book up to date, and as powerful as you need it to be. Many times, what you may think is "cute" or a "pretty" picture, is a really bad modeling shot. One example of this might be a portrait, senior picture, or "Glamour Shot". While the photo itself may be great, it's not intended to be in a models portfolio. The agencies know this, and will spot the weak shots immediately. As much as you may hate to take those out of your book, you must.Your first book should be completely composed of professionally done modeling shots. Not portraits. A good modeling shot has lots of angles, shows life and action, and sells the model and/or the outfits he or she is wearing. You really don't need to worry so much about whether or not the first shots are right for your book - IF - you are working with a photographer that makes his or her living shooting portfolios. For the most part you can trust their judgement, but you can always get referrals and recommendations from others you may know. Note: As part of our service, we can screen your photos for you, at no charge. Simply have them scanned and reduced to a manageable email size, and mail to - be sure to let us know that you are submitting photos for our opinion. Please don't be offended by any comments, suggestions, or constructive criticisms made about your photos. We will be very honest and direct, because we really do want you to succeed.
As a general guide to your first portfolio, let me offer some simple tips:
First shoot 5 or 6 totally different "looks". Not outfits. Looks are things like, "casual", "formal", "fitness", etc. For women, (especially younger women with a nice figure) try to be sure to include at least two looks that show your figure. For most, one of those is always a swimsuit. The other can be lingerie, or even an exercise outfit or leotards. Whatever highlights your shape. Try to include at least 10, but preferably not more than 24 shots to complete your book. If you have less than 10, the agent looking at your book might not take you seriously as you really are, and if you have too many, you could conceivably bore them before they get to the end. Either is not good.
Make sure the shots are a range of closeups, waist-ups, and full length shots, and be careful not to duplicate poses if possible. Then assemble the book this way:
- Put your best head shot first (or an actor's glossy) - this is a good introduction to you
- Sort the remaining shots from weakest to strongest - you want the viewer more and more impressed with each turn of the page, and wanting for more when they've passed the last shot!
- Try to make each shot "face the center of the book" - poses that look to the right should be on the left side page, and vice versa.
Once you have completed the book the way you think it should be, try it out on your photographer, an agent or even a friend to get their impressions. It's a good sign if they get to the last photo, and still look to see if there is more! If you aren't sure you've got it right, ask any professional agent or photographer to help you, or contact one of our Models-1 associate photographers to help you.
When you start getting paying jobs, always try to get a "tear sheet". If the photo is to be used in a magazine ad, or for a page in a catalog for example, the tear sheet is simply the ad or catalog page before it is glued into the book. You want to start replacing your standard portfolio photos with tear sheets as you go. These demonstrate that you have worked professionally, and agencies will see that you have made money for clients before. As we said - it is your resume. The same basic rules apply, weakest first, and strongest last, but once your entire book is made up of tear sheets, that will be less important.
I hope this has been helpful to you.
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