As stated in how to begin modelling section of this information section, it is not essential to start your modelling career with a portfolio but it is advisable to have some prints of portfolio quality to help sell yourself i.e. to show potential modelling agencies (agency models) or for posting placing on websites, model forums or model cards (independent models).

In one session with a professional photographer you can achieve usually achieve about 3 or 4 looks through chances of clothes, make-up, hair style, backdrops etc. and from this session you can buy prints to start your portfolio and help you kick-off your modelling career.

Most professional photographers now shoot sessions using digital technology, which makes it very easy to get web ready images of any shots taken. These are very useful to have for both future agency and independent models, as it will allow excellent quality images of you to be uploaded onto the internet whether it to be for an agency or your own personal site.

There is another advantage of having a photographic session with a professional photographer at the start of your modelling career – modelling experience. Some people think it’s just a matter of standing and looking at a camera, but after a photographic session you will realize what hard work modelling is and it could provide you with vital modelling experience if you don’t already have any.

Here are a few points regarding a modelling portfolio session:

+ Always use a professional photographer both to ensure quality and safety

+ Discuss with the photographer prior to the session what you want to achieve

+ Try to create at least three looks from your session

+ Photographers rarely provide clothes so you will need to take a section of outfits along to the shoot

+ Arrange to have a make-up artist at the shoot, as professionals they are experts at applying make-up for the lighting used by a professional photographer

+ Have some shots with a natural look i.e. very little make-up as many clients ask for this

+ Ensure the shots are based around the type of modelling you are interested in

Before you attend your portfolio shoot it’s worth remembering the following things:

+ Hair removal should be done at least 48 prior to the shoot to allow for any redness to fade

+ Don’t wear tight fitting clothes or jewellery before the session as they will mark your body and any marks could appear in the images

+ Take high heels as even if your feet are not seen in the pictures taken the shoes will improve your posture for poses

Time for prints (TFP)

Time for prints (TFP) as previously mentioned, is when a model works with a photographer, neither of them charge for the time they are committing but the photographers provides the model with copies of shots taken. This can be a useful and cheap way to gain images for your portfolio if you find a photographer who is wiling to work on this basis. It has to be noted that not all photographers are willing to work on this basis, and the ones that are, are often only prepared to do so on specific types of photography which may not suit your needs.

It can take a model years to build up their book, and indeed a portfolio should contain the work of several photographers so don’t think you need a full portfolio to start your career and you should also know that many models portfolios contain images of paid modelling work they have carried out so when you start modelling don’t be afraid to ask for copies of any images taken of you for inclusion in your portfolio.