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Your Portfolio what not to do
First a few basic rules
- Most reputable agencies , do not expect you to pay hundreds for a portfolio before they consider your application, if one does then the alarm bells should sound
- When putting together your own portfolio, it is quality not quality that counts
- When considering pictures for inclusion, be ultra critical, everybody else will be
- Try and use more than one photographer, even if they are good they will have their own style, variety is the spice of life.
- Do not include more than one shot from a particular shoot, if you can help it, pick the best from each location/ style/outfit - The more variety the better.
- There are more photographers looking to photograph pretty girls than there are girls willing to pose, look around locally, camera clubs, local photographers etc. and arrange TFP or TFCD shoot with talented amateurs.
- TFP = Time for prints TFCD = Time for CD (digital), you pose for no fee and they supply you with portfolio material in exchange. Usually an agreed quantity.
- In a TFP/CD situation look carefully at any release form you sign, you are not getting paid. If one of the photos should end up on the cover of Vogue it may help your career but not your bank balance. Neither do you want your face looking down from every billboard in the country without recompense.
- Be ultra critical - yes I know it has been stated, but it is so easy to be impressed by something you may like and ignore its flaws. People who look at portfolios and comp cards see possibly hundreds a week. a bad photo will kill your chances as they pass yours over and look at the next one.
- Do not be afraid to tweak electronic images , if it does not significantly alter the subject (you!) there are many art packages available and learning the basics is not difficult. Once this was the domain of very skillful artists now thanks to computers it is in everyone's capability. I am not expert but I still try. Remember to work on a copy of the original, that way you can have many attempts and still be able to start again.
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| Original |
Phase 1 |
This is a simple example using the gorgeous
Olamide
and took me 4 minutes 38 seconds (I timed it). using Adobe Photoshop Elements . I could have done better but demonstrating the ease of simple tweaking was the idea. |
The girl is still the same but the picture is brighter the home background has gone, she no longer has the classic pole sticking out of her head and the photo is tighter cropped. |
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| Phase 2 |
Phase 3
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Another 5 minutes playing improved it some more, or perhaps it didn't, it is very subjective. It is very easy to carry on too much the hard part is knowing when it is finished. |
I think I made phase 2 too soft, but I still have the various stages saved so I went back and did it again without the softening. |
Be warned this can become addictive
- Do not exaggerate on your resumé, If you claim to have experience, any client worth a light , be it agent or photographer will know this within 2 minutes of working with you . Be honest, everyone has to start somewhere and if they know what to expect they are likely to be more patient.
- Be ultra critical .. I think I may have mentioned that.
What makes a great modeling portfolio?
A modeling portfolio is a key element to a great modeling career. There are several steps that you can take to improve your portfolio and in turn your chances and getting represented and booked.
1. When you are submitting your portfolio for review the highest priority is to wow the client. This means that your first picture must be your WOW image. Put your best, most interesting, exciting photo first - but be sure to stay in your own realm and reflect the overall appearance of your book.
2. Put your best photos on the right hand side and put your good photos on the left hand side. When the client turns the pages to your portfolio, they will see your best images first.
3. Keep your photos grouped by theme. Don't put more than 2 of the same outfit in your portfolio. In fact, if you can, try not to use more than one photo from a shoot. (unless of course they are completely different outfits, backgrounds hair etc.) Don't start off with a stunning black and white editorial style shot, and then follow up with immediately with an outdoor commercial style shot filled with color and smiles. The contrast is too great and can be confusing.
4. Your book is only as good as the worst photo. Do not put good images in your book. Put amazing and great images. Store the good and throw away the bad.
5. Do not overfill your portfolio. 20 images is plenty. You are not going to impress a client by having 50 images in a book. Put only your best 20 images in your portfolio.
6. Try an include at least 1 or 2 black and white images in your portfolio. Black and white images are an artistic medium that can convey a specific mood. This can ad diversity and emotion to your book. I have seen some portfolios that are 50% black and white.
7. If you plan on, or would like to, be booked for swim wear and lingerie shoots, be sure to include at least 2 shots swim wear or lingerie shots. This is not a necessity for every model, but the more that you are willing to do, the more opportunity is available.
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