Building A Portfolio

A model is not sold by their headshot alone. Sure, the headshot gets them interested in you, but your portfolio is what sells you. However, far too many models simply don't realize that they have boring portfolios.

A working portfolio has to show you at your best. You need to show a potential client what you are capable of and what you can do. You need a wide variety of shots, with the wider the variety the better. At the same time, you need to limit the number of shots, as the thicker the portfolio the more likely a client is going to look at it, look at whoever is helping him make a decision on who to hire, and roll his eyes as it disappears forever, unseen. The ideal number of shots is usually no more than twelve to sixteen shots over two sheets. That should give anyone a good taste of who you are while at the same not being to onerous to look at.

The poses you chose should show a good variety. Remember shots from past work; it shows you know what feels like to be in front of a camera, and that's a good thing. You should favor action shots over still shots, at around two action shots to one still shot. The still shots should emphasis your ability to convey emotion; don't rely on smiles, but have a number of different emotions going on. Smiles are good, it's just that too many models forget that there a number of different kinds of smiles; there are smirks, come-hithers, and look-what-I've-dones as well. Also, not all ads need smiles; sometimes a knit brow, a grim look, or puppy-dog eyes are so much more effective.

When it comes to action shots, make sure that they are action shots; a lot of dance move pictures are actually still shots. With action shots you want to be having fun, but you also want to show that you can still wear clothes well. Also, don't be afraid to show your body; you've put some serious work into how you look, so why not show it off a little? Full-frontal nudes are off-limits, but otherwise anything goes.

Does not, however, always assume that this means you should be seen at your prettiest. Consider the coolness factor inherent in the shot of a mechanic, body covered in oil and sweat, grimly tightening a bolt with sparks in the background; if that mechanic is clean, is the picture more interesting or less? The same applies to sport shots, shots involving kids, and fun shots; you do not always need to be pretty and sometimes it can actually be a distraction. If you're getting ready for a shower and your skin is dry and clean, then why are taking a shower? Because someone off-camera is forcing you to so? Then why the smile? Sometimes we supply context when we see something; that can cause your portfolio to disappear very quickly.

Your portfolio is your best, only chance at getting a gig. Make it as good as it can be.