WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR MODEL PORTFOLIO PHOTO SHOOT:

What type of modeling jobs do you plan to seek?

1.      High Fashion

2.      Fashion

3.      Glamour

4.      Artistic

5.      Parts

6.      Children

7.      Commercial

8.      Actor portfolio

9.      Just for fun – making a portfolio for the fun of it yep its perfectly fine!!!

     Each one of these types of modeling will require you to bring and decide certain things during your session.  Think about what you would like to do and what you can be seriously hired for, we are our own best critics.  It is best to focus your time on images that you know that you are right for and can play the part.  In other words if you have great hands for parts modeling but your feet really are the HUUUUGLIES then don’t waste your time getting foot images…. Get it? 

It is best to stick with your age group and your era.  Do not go too far out of the age category that you currently are in, …..you will not be hired for it anyway. 

Remember it is a resume that you are building.  A portfolio of what you are capable of creating and a display of what you have to bring to the table!

Wardrobe

A model is responsible for bringing her/his own attire to a modeling portfolio session.  So when you prepare your bag/laundry basket/suitcase that you are going to bring with you, make sure you have really focused your ideas and concentration on images and concepts that will be a ‘fit’ for your circumstances.

To get some basic ideas about what to bring you can look in catalogs and images in everyday ads that catch your eye.  Look at the CURRENT clothing of the day and look at the concepts that are out there.  For example, teens…look at teen vogue, seventeen, and Abercrombie catalogs to get examples of the type of images that you desire to accomplish or represent yourself as having the skill set. Start collecting ideas and then gather your clothing from there. BRING LOTS

If there is any question… BRING IT… we can work with it and make your own image come to life.  Or we can decide if it’s not right but we have no option if you do not bring it to your session.

Some models plan to do an “all purpose” type of modeling shoot where they like to hit on several different concepts.  This is perfectly fine and acceptable if you do not really want to focus and feel that your ‘image’ fits a number of different modeling categories.  But you will have a larger bag to bring and a lot more ground to cover during your shoot.

For some imagery I recommend solid color clothing, with no polka dots, no wild prints, and no distracting stripes mainly to get images that show “you” better.

For other imagery, I recommend just the opposite.  We as photographers want to see what you have to bring to the table.  What did YOU offer the photographer as an artistic source?  It is up to you to take control and offer the photographer suggestions and then the photographer can take them or not.  But, the better the photographer and you work TOGETHER to form imagery the better your portfolio will be in the long run.  We are a team and we can only get the images if both parties work together.  Whether you are on a job or seeking a portfolio the same concept applies.

Props and other Accessories

For the most part, clients are responsible for supplying their own props for a shoot.  If you have a concept that you really would like to capture. For example, an image with a sleek motorcycle can be arraigned if given proper time.

Props and accessories are items that can enhance the ‘mood’ of your photos and provide that potentially give it extra ‘POP.’

Some examples: purse, coat, jewelry, coffee mug, laptop, hat, belts, balls, costumes, blankets, toys, cars, motorcycles, umbrellas etc etc.  If you have any ideas or concepts that you think might be great for imagery, bring them. When in doubt as to whether you think you should bring something or not, please feel free to BRING IT or ask me if it’s a usable concept.

Props can definitely help you stand out from the majority of the portfolios that are out there they will give a personal touch or style to a photograph or image.  So do not take the props lightly. It is part of the models ‘job’ to add to the artistic process where applicable so make yourself work on your skills and think about what would be unique or different that would represent you and ‘your’ work.

Changing up your image or ‘look’

Changing the way you look or the image that you are trying to sell to different photographers/jobs is extremely important.  The more you are able to control your look and design completely different ‘styles’ with your body or image the more apt you are to get hired for a position.  And yes it is completely feasible to do this with parts modeling too!

Contact Your World In Photos & Design LLC