| But that doesn't mean that you have to pay a fortune for your portfolio. There can be several ways to reduce your costs, and quite possibly have your book done with little or no out-of-pocket expense on your part. The key is to get real value for what you are buying. If you got your entire portfolio printed up for $150, yet didn't learn anything, and didn't know where to go from there, was it worth it? Probably not. You could have a friend take pictures for you, and blow them up at WalMart very inexpensively, but the chances are that no reputable agency would consider you or even take you seriously with amateur photos, and an amateurishly assembled portfolio.
You want quality MODELING photos, done by a photographer who specializes in shooting portfolios for models, or does quite a bit of fashion and glamour work. While there are many portrait and wedding photographers whose work is quite good, they aren't MODEL photographers, and portraits are NOT what you want in your book.
When you find the photographer you want to shoot your book for you, now you can discuss costs, and options. Basically there is usually 4 options most reputable photographers will offer you:
- Schedule your complete portfolio shoot.
You will pay for the photographers time, processing and all prints made for your book. This is normally how most photographers work, and is of course the most expensive option. Every photographer has his or her own price list.
- Shoot on Convenience for Experience.
Many photographers will be happy to shoot you if they don't have other work scheduled. In this case you would only actually pay for prints you want for your book. There are limitations to this however. First you must be the type of model that the photographer can use. By giving away his time and efforts, he is expecting to be able to market the photos in some way in the future - even if only for his own portfolio. Second, you will almost always be required to sign a release for the photos (normal - but use caution), giving them the permission they need to use the photos as they see fit. Third of course, is both of you must be able to agree on a time. They may only have mornings available to shoot like this, and you may only have evenings! While this option can be quite cost effective, it could take you quite a while to complete all the shoots necessary for your portfolio.
- Trade Time For Prints.
Many photographers will actually give you the prints you need in exchange for you modeling for them. This is how most photographers experiment with lighting or practice using new equipment, etc. Again, this could take quite a while to complete your book, and because you are shooting what the photographer wants - the photos may not be right for your book anyway!WARNING: Don't offer to do TFP with a beginner or amateur photographer! If you're going to give away your time (and most likely you rights to the photos) make sure it's with a well known and reputable photographer with many years experience working with models! Check references, and see if their work has been published before offering to do a TFP shoot. Also, NEVER agree to do a TFP NUDE shoot! This is the worst possible scenario and would almost guarantee that your photos will end up where you don't want them!
- Trade A Portfolio for other Modeling.
Many times, you can trade a day of modeling for the photographer, and in lieu of pay, he'll shoot your book for you. Fine art and glamour nude models quite often trade a day of nude work for their portfolios. (This is only an example, there are other modeling jobs that some photographers would gladly trade for.)
For new models however, the most important consideration in deciding how to build your portfolio is: What experience and training will you get out of it? The photographer says "OK, stand this way, and turn your head a little.... CLICK! Now sit here and look over this way... CLICK!" Your getting great photos, but you don't know what you're doing, and more importantly, you don't know WHY! Learning to pose for modeling takes TRAINING and is a constant and career-long learning experience! But you DON'T need to go to an expensive modeling school to get it! In fact, most schools charge upwards of $1500 and more, and spend very little time actually teaching you how to model for a camera - most of their courses involve teaching runway, and very few models will ever see a runway. You get the best training by working with a real photographer that shoots models for a living. Model photographers don't say "SAY CHEESE!" and snap. There are postures, rules, tricks, etc. that they can teach you. You should also know what he is doing, and what makes a good shot for your book. If you don't, you'll be totally lost when you get to the next photographer, or worse - at a paying job!
Finding a photographer that can really help is easy! We have been training and photographing new models for many years, and we've already assembled for you a group of very skilled professional photographers (listed as contributing photographers) that are here to help you get started!
Contact any of the photographers in our group, and let them know about any special needs you may have, and your goals. They can tailor a fantastic portfolio that will get you noticed!
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