Every model needs a portfolio. Without a good portfolio, it is very difficult for a model to get paying jobs. A portfolio consists of pictures of you in different settings and locations. This showcases the variety of work for which you are available.

A great portfolio can take some time. Nothing happens overnight. You will need to build your portfolio by selecting your best photos from shoots with several different photographers. Your portfolio needs to consist of a wide variety of photos. A good portfolio should contain anywhere form 10 to 30 photos. You will need a head shot with no make-up. This will showcase the natural you, and is something the client can look at as a blank canvas. Also you will need an incredible body shot in a swimsuit, lingerie or form fitting clothing to showcase your body. These two photos are probably the most important in your portfolio because every client needs to view these types of photos before coming to a decision.

The images in your portfolio also need to showcase a variety of styles. You may want to show versatility by taking some outside photos with a bright, commercial, cute look. Then take a picture inside with a black background with darker make-up giving the more mysterious kind of image. Also having different make-up and wardrobe in every picture shows the different looks you can create. Creating the variety is the key to an incredible portfolio.

Stephanie Seymour’s Model Portfolio

To find the right photographers, research on the web and ask around. Once you find one that seems suitable ask about the kind of work he specializes in because you may just want to use one photographer for glamour photography and another for a more commercial look. In deciding upon using the photographer don’t forget to ask basic questions about wardrobe, hair and make-up. Also ask if he/she edits the photos, as this may play a big role in the final outcome of the picture. Always ask to see several samples of their work.

The pricing in a photographer should be reasonable. The photographer shouldn’t be ridiculously priced, neither should he be cheap. The more money you spend on a photographer usually reassures you that you will get what you pay for, but make sure to ask if you will be able to re-shoot without charge if you are unhappy with the final images.

Once you have obtained all your photos, you should put them in a model portfolio book. Yes, a print portfolio is still very important for models, even in this day of web portfolios. Make sure to choose a quality, professional-looking portfolio book, in at least an 8x10 size. It is often advisable to create two print portfolios, as often a booker will keep your portfolio for several days and you don’t want to be without one if you get a call from another potential employer. Also, if you do both glamour and commercial work, consider keeping those print portfolios separate, as a potential commercial booker may be put off by suggestive glamour images.

Female Model is a post from: MandarichModels.com that specialize in Boudoir Photography, Glamour Photography, and Fitness Photography

Related posts:

1. Female Models & ZED Cards
2. Female Model Height
3. Model Photo Release

Does a professional photographer really need a model photo release  form?  How does it protect the model?  Are there times when releases aren’t necessary?  How do you know?

Professional Photographers today are finding both legal protection as well as clarity with use of model photo release forms.  Such forms state the purpose for which a model’s images will be used and where they will be placed.  Her signature gives the requisite permission to the photographer.  Neither party can misunderstand what is explicitly stated.  The release becomes a guideline for how the photographer will handle the pictures.

A lot of images are uploaded daily to internet web sites, and the release becomes especially important.  Surprises are great at Christmas and birthdays; they are not great when a model clicks on a web site and sees pictures of herself that she didn’t know would appear.  A generic statement in the release that includes all possible media and venues eliminates the surprise element.  The model photo release form makes clear the photographer is in charge of where the images will be placed.

Models pose for commercial shots daily.  Their images will appear in printed advertisements, brochures and posters advertising a product or service, any product that will be ultimately sold to the public, and any eCommerce sites (such as photography), to name a few.  We are not aware of litigation surrounding permission or lack thereof for use of photos.  However, we believe obtaining written permission from models to use photographs of them is good insurance.  Potential legal hassles can be avoided fairly easily if a model release form is standard operating procedure.

Non-commercial uses of pictures of models poses another set of questions.  If we look at photo journalism for example, we see photos being used in articles that are sold for a photographer’s profit.  If photos become a story that is sold to a magazine or newspaper or ezine, is a release necessary, especially if one or more photos feature a person?  The owner of the story is making a profit from the sale of the article/pictures.  Does the person featured have a proprietary interest in the pictures?

We believe a case can be made for being respectful and having consideration for others, especially when their images are being used for the benefit of another.  This probably isn’t a legal matter as much as it is just treating people with respect, whether it’s a professional model or a passerby on the street that you catch at just the right time for a spectacular photo.

Securing permission is wise even when you photograph strangers.  Most professional photographers keep digital files of their work for use in the unknown future.  Such use may include commercial projects that weren’t defined at the time the shot was taken.  File shots that may be perfect for commercial use later will need release forms; otherwise, their commercial value is nil.  Obtaining that permission at the time the photo is taken allows for limitless possibilities in the future.

Model Photo Release is a post from: MandarichModels.com that specialize in Boudoir Photography, Glamour Photography, and Fitness Photography

Related posts:

1. Female Model
2. Female Model Height
3. Boudoir Photography & GWC

Just like every model needs his or her print portfolio, every model needs a composite card. They are essential in acquiring jobs and clients.

Composite cards are also referred to as zed cards. Models, and often actors, who want to market themselves use these cards. These cards come in different shapes and sizes, so a model or actor is able to customize his or her card using their own creativity. A standard card ranges from postcard-sized up to full 8x10. Consider keeping your comp card between postcard and 5x7 size; anything smaller or larger may be discarded by an agent simply because it doesn’t fit well into their pile!

Zed Card is also known as a Comp Card

There are several ways a model can go about designing their comp card. If you have an agent, they will almost certainly have a pre-made template design for your comp card that they will help you put together. There are also software programs available for creating composite cards, and if you’re not a do-it-yourself kind of person, you can work together with a photographer to put together your composite card. There are also professional design services available online, where all you need to do is upload your images and they will take care of the design and printing.

Your composite card in a way can serve as your business card or portfolio as well. You want to design your composite card like your portfolio; you want the best pictures you have to be on your composite card. Design your comp card in a way that will reflect what you do best, but also showcase a variety of different pictures, implying that you can adapt to any kind of work. A typical card has a large head shot on the front and a variety of smaller images on the back. Also on the front of the composite card are listed basic statistics like height, weight and measurements. These stats are very important so make sure you put them on your card.

When visiting your agent, or any other agency, it’s important to look the part of a serious professional model. Having an updated, complete, professional comp card is an important aspect of ‘looking the part’. Make sure not to overlook any of these small aspects of being a pro; it could make the difference in getting the job!

Female Models & ZED Cards is a post from: MandarichModels.com that specialize in Boudoir Photography, Glamour Photography, and Fitness Photography

Related posts:

1. Female Model
2. Female Model Height
3. Tips For Female Models

The comfort zone for models is no different from any other profession. Comfort zone is the imaginary boundary that people create for themselves within which they believe they have to function. It’s a defense mechanism that keeps us from becoming anxious. A model’s comfort zone is probably more expansive because of the exhibitive nature of her work. Being comfortable exposing her body to a variety of people has to lie within her comfort zone. The average woman does not pose in scantily clad lingerie and get paid for it. That’s outside her comfort zone.

Models remain in their comfort zones for the same reason the rest of us do. We manage our anxiety by staying with the familiar and comfortable. We feel secure doing the same thing over and over. Unless we are challenged, we don’t have any reason to change. Most models create comfort zones in clothing, facial expressions, body language and appealing look (however they might define that). Anxiety about the new and different is too difficult to face, so they behave in the same ways consistently to avoid having to feel anxious. They convince themselves internally that they ‘cannot handle’ doing something unusual or different.

Female Model Jessie

We also avoid changing behavior because we’re concerned about what someone else will think. Comfort zones become personal prisons because we’re concerned about acceptance from others. Models must be concerned about response from those viewing their pictures; it’s their livelihood. If a model does something new and different for a photo shoot, what is going to be the response? We are all conditioned to believe we cannot live without approval from others. If a model has been doing something for months or years that works for her, why should she change? Most models stay within their defined comfort zones so they do not have to risk losing approval and potentially their livelihood.

Complacency is the real risk for a model dealing with her comfort zone. She feels secure within her imaginary boundaries. She can become lazy without knowing it. She’s comfortable there; why should she go some place where she is uncomfortable? In the extreme, she can become apathetic and the resulting photos show her inertia.

How can a model take a look at her comfort zone and decide to step out? Highly successful people step out of their comfort zones with regularity. They identify a goal they want to achieve and that path requires new and different behavior patterns to reach the goal. A question she might ask herself in confronting her initial rise in anxiety is, What is the worst thing that can happen? Talking over possible answers to that question with her friends could prove helpful. She might more easily manage the risk if she knows what could potentially result from the change she is considering. She might also discover the beliefs supporting her current comfort zone are unfounded. For example, she might discover her livelihood is not really threatened.

The more entertaining question to consider is, What is the best case scenario? This issue is easier to consider, and again, her friends might be helpful with possible responses. The enticement of something good or even really great could be just the impetus needed to make the change.

Although the comfort zone is an imaginary set of boundaries, the accompanying anxiety trying to step outside the box is very real. Don’t take huge leaps in your attempts to redirect your career; one or two steps at a time is a better plan. Check out how new behaviors feel, and then ask yourself if your comfort zone can begin to be redefined to include something you never considered possible in your life.

Female Models Comfort Zones is a post from: MandarichModels.com that specialize in Boudoir Photography, Glamour Photography, and Fitness Photography

Related posts:

1. Female Models & ZED Cards
2. Tips For Female Models
3. Female Model

The fashion branch of modeling is brutal. Fashion requires being toothpick-thin and Michael Jordan tall. In many cases, that creates a lot of pressure on a model, which leads to problems like depression and eating disorders. If you’re not six feet tall and don’t want to be consumed by the problems of the fashion industry, there are still many other options available if you want to be a model.

Another venue for someone interested in the ‘beauty’ angle of modeling is the Glamour industry. Glamour Modeling is geared toward the ‘pin-up girl’ type of model. It mostly consists of some topless, implied nudity, or lingerie. These types of photo shoots are not always marketed by agencies. One may need to attempt to find a good Glamour Photographer and job on their own by researching for jobs on the World Wide Web or by networking with models already established in the industry.

Tall Female Model Tyra Banks

There is also the world of commercial photography, which has a wide variety of options available for models. There are jobs you can audition for, like commercials on TV that pay a handsome amount of money. Then there are billboard and magazine ads that can be for a variety of products, ranging from hair shampoo ads to travel ads to department store ads. Commercial models requirements are not nearly as demanding as of those of fashion. You need to look the part of the role you portray in your photo shoot. A commercial model also needs a composite card. A composite card is a card that has a range of photos that look simplistic and natural. Work in this field will usually be consistently available, considering the fact that the seasons are always changing and that new products are always emerging.

Another type of modeling to be taken into consideration is fitness modeling. Fitness modeling consists of having a buff body along with a pretty face. This branch of modeling is a great opportunity for male models. The pay is darn good too! The type of jobs that this industry has to offer can range anywhere from energy drink ads and protein bar ads to covers of magazines. Just like in any other branch of the modeling industry, you need a good agent that will help you to find jobs that pay well and are in your area of expertise. You can most likely find a good agent at a fitness convention. These conventions offer a lot to help you boost your fitness-modeling career.

Modeling isn’t all about the face and figure, either. There are opportunities to showcase your best assets. Maybe you have incredible hands or stunning legs. A lot of magazines need hand models, so taking a few pictures of your best asset and sending them to an agency or someone looking for what you have to offer may result in high paying modeling jobs.

To be a successful model you don’t have to be six feet tall and as thin as a toothpick. There are many branches of the modeling industry that allow you to model by showcasing your unique talents.

Female Model Height is a post from: MandarichModels.com that specialize in Boudoir Photography, Glamour Photography, and Fitness Photography

Related posts:

1. Female Models & ZED Cards
2. Female Model
3. How To Become A Male Model

A large part of our business is shooting glamour models, and our experiences have run the gamut from amazing to awful. Over the years, we’ve compiled a list of tips for glamour models to help create both an amazing experience and incredible images. Here they are:

• Arrive on time. Showing up late can throw off the photographer’s entire day, which will definitely put them in a bad mood. An angry photographer will simply not be able to create the best possible image. No excuses… Be On Time!

• Wear loose clothing to the shoot. Remember that bras, underwear, jeans, and other tight-fitting items will leave lines and marks on your body that the photographer will have to hide or fix in post-production.

• Have a fresh manicure and pedicure. Those finishing touches can mean the difference between an image that the sells for years and one that’s tossed into the trash as unusable.

• Know if the photographer is using a professional makeup artist and/or hair stylist. If they are, ask if you should arrive without makeup and product in your hair. If they aren’t, ask if the photographer wants you to arrive with hair and makeup already done or if they provide time and space to do it at their studio. In short, be prepared so you’re not wasting anybody’s time.

• Bring heels! We’re amazed at how often a glamour model will show up with several great outfits, and no shoes to wear. Remember that high heels will help in creating good posture and are a finishing touch to a great image.

• Be well-rested. The model who walks in with bags under her eyes, yawning and apologizing because she was ‘out partying’ all night will never get hired again!

As a professional glamour model, remember to keep the emphasis on acting in a professional manner, and you’ll always be in demand.

Modeling Tips is a post from: MandarichModels.com that specialize in Boudoir Photography, Glamour Photography, and Fitness Photography

Related posts:

1. Tips For Female Models
2. Promotional Modeling
3. How to Prepare for a Boudoir Photo Shoot