Supermodel Resource

If you are looking to make a career in modeling, you may have many times heard about a portfolio. But, do all of you beginners know to create an effective portfolio? Many lose a good assignment just because of a bad portfolio.

The first thing you must keep in mind while creating a portfolio is the main intention behind creating it. Remember where it is to be used, what kind of work you are intending to do and what the positive aspects you have through which you can influence others.

Not all models aim for fashion modeling. Some of them may wish to become glamour models while others may aim for Internet modeling and few others for commercial print modeling. Different types of modeling requires different portfolios.

If you are aspiring to become a fashion model, you need to make your portfolios as good as possible to give the clients an impression of how well you can make a niche in the glamorous world. If you just take a series of photographs by a photographer and just send them, it will definitely not do anything for you. The clients see a lot of portfolios with number of photos and there’s no reason why they may prefer you to others.

• WEAR MINIMUM JEWELRY – Too much jewelry draws attention away from the main face. Also, the same necklace or earrings should not be repeated in different shots.

• WEAR SOLID COLORS – Try and wear single colored clothes instead of printed ones. Prints look fussy and take attention away from the model.
• WEAR WELL-FITTED CLOTHES – The clothes you wear for a shoot should fit you perfectly – not too loose and not too tight. For example, swimsuits should have a snug fit, with no gaps showing when you move.
• VARY THE HAIR STYLE – Sport different hairstyles in different shots. Try wigs for short haired look. You can also try hats but not broad rimmed ones that hide your face.

• MAKE UP – Vary your makeup with the different outfits and hairstyles. This will lend a different look to each photo.

There are various magazines like Seventeen, Elle, Teen Magazine, Teen Vogue and Cosmo Girl that can provide you with good ideas regarding photos as well as headshots and body shots. You can even contact some senior models you know and ask them to have a look at your portfolio. Then you can ask for suggestions for improvement.

The model portfolio you’ve created for the first time may win you an assignment or lose it. If you fail to win, that shouldn’t disappoint you. Failures are often steps to success. You can look into what went wrong with your model portfolio and accordingly work to improve it. Not all create a good model portfolio at the very first go. After a few attempts you are sure to create an impressive portfolio and win an exciting modeling projects.

The main thing which attracts the clients and makes them feel you are the right person for their modeling assignment is the model tearsheet. The more the number of tearsheets, the more chances you have of being selected. Top professional models usually have only fashion tearsheets in their model portfolio. They form a vital part of the model portfolio.

No client would ever want to take risk when he pays a huge amount for the job. All that they need is an assurance that you can give your best to the job in a real modeling assignment. And that’s possible only through model tearsheets. Only your model tearsheets can show them that you are proficient with real time modeling.

For experienced models, placing their model tearsheets from magazines is not difficult. But when you are new and just taking your first steps in the modeling world, it’s difficult to have model tearsheets. This is the reason why many people serious about their modeling career, begin working with modeling assignments for very little or no pay at all. This gives a lot of exposure to the field. More than the exposure, it’s the model tearsheet which can fetch you the top modeling assignments.

You can even place the pictures taken with other models in your portfolio. But be careful that you place the pictures taken with models of opposite sex. Else there are chances that the client may like the other model and choose that model over you. It’s just like working hard to get someone else a good assignment.

Creating a good model portfolio is not an overnight job. You cannot just create it the day before you need to submit it. You need to plan a lot to show the clients that you are seriously aspiring for a career in modeling.

Well, the planning includes many things. You need to decide the kind of photos you wish to place in your portfolio. You need to make plans and work to get great model headshots and body shots if you don’t yet have them. Your shots need to be strong enough. A good model portfolio is the one which the client gives a second glance to. Hence you must make it attractive enough to be viewed again and again.

If you find the client turning pages back and forth to look at the pictures then your portfolio has worked for you. If he doesn’t give a second look at any of the pages then your portfolio isn’t good enough.

Choose the best photos first. If you have any photos damaged or bent then better leave them. When it comes to the photos in your model portfolio, image and quality of the picture, your pose and overall look, all count. You can either choose to have black and white prints or color prints. That doesn’t matter. But color prints are now cheaper and hence can save you money. 

While selecting the photographs, there are certain poses you need to consider.  You should have modeling headshots, full length photos, a photo with smiling pose, some action shots, photos with different hairstyles, different types of outfits etc. This will make your portfolio completely professional and give an impression that you are good in all the different styles.

Select the three best pictures to place in front of the model portfolio. This captures the interest of the client and the client gets more excited to see what’s on the next page. Always place the first three pictures on the right side of the portfolio. It’s better to leave the left side blank. That avoids the destruction to the best three photos on the first page.

From the next page onwards, you can place the photos on both sides of your portfolio. But remember to place the good ones on the right as everyone tends to look at the right side first.  Similarly, conclude the portfolio with one of the best images on the right side and no images on the left side. Conclusion is as important as the introduction.

If you are a newbie and don’t know anything about creating a portfolio, there’s nothing to worry. Read on to now a few tips on creating a good modeling portfolio or a so called model book.

Choose 12 to 16 of your best photographs. A single bad photo may hinder your career. Hence be sure not to choose any picture that may show your weak point. You’ll need a sheet protector to place the photos. This makes it easy for the client to have a look at.

In case you have pictures which are to be viewed horizontally, you can change them accordingly to fit vertically in the portfolio book. If pictures in the portfolio case keep floating, they possibly irritate the client. Hence be sure to use cellophane double-sided tape to fix them so as to avoid floating.

There are lot of things you need to consider while choosing a portfolio case and placing the photographs too. Firstly you need to get a good model portfolio case. Loose photos of different sizes are sure to create a bad impression on the client. To show professionalism, you’ll need to choose a real model portfolio case and not a photo album. All these little things, if ignored, may reduce your chances of being selected.

The best one would be to use a portfolio case designed for 8”x10” photos. Since magazine tearsheets are also of this size, this portfolio case would make the best presentations. If you have any fashion magazine tearsheets from published works, it is always preferable to use them in your portfolio. They add a touch of professionalism to your portfolio.