Gemini Model & Talent Agency

How to Compile a Portfolio

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Your portfolio is a collection of your modeling pictures and the amount of pictures you require will vary ….dependant on how many aspects of yourself you want to portray. You should only keep/include your strong pictures (the Whow! Pictures). Remember, you are only as good as your worst picture! Models should aim for quality, and not quantity! Avoid using 2 pictures of the same shoot (same look) Black and White is the favorite of the industry. A4 is the standard size for prints included in your portfolio.

A basic but versatile portfolio would have:

·         A casual head shot

·         Styled head shot

·         Body shot (conservative swimsuit or lingerie)

·         A fashion shot (sexy)

·         Action shot

·         An editorial shot

·         A catalogue shot

As you gain experience replace the older pictures with newer ones. Keep your best picture at the end to leave a lasting impression! Do not wear jewellery for these prints, it takes the attention away from you. The wrong choice of undergarments may show panty line or bra straps and will distract the viewer (on the job, or in interviews it can mean the difference between looking professional or not). Tailor your portfolio for your strengths and the type of modeling you are doing.
Portfolio is a set of professional pictures that helps you in getting the best assignments..

Portfolio Tips

The tools of your trade are your portfolio photographs and your resume. Portfolio is a model's basic promotional tool consisting of an album showing the best photos from tests and bookings.

At the beginning of your fashion modeling career, your portfolio should include: At least two head shots with two different expressions (one smiling and one serious, or one in the studio and one outdoors). At least two fashion shots (one casual and one a little more formal). If you move well, you might like to include an action shot. At least one full-length shot showing the proportion of your body (feet to knees, knees to thighs, thighs to waist, waist to shoulders, shoulders to the top of your head). You could wear a leotard or a body suit, depending on what makes you comfortable and flatters your figure. A full portfolio consists of about twenty-four A4 photos and tears ( from magazines). Remember: it is better to have fewer photos, but ones that are really strong, than a full portfolio with photos that are mediocre. Every portfolio needs a mix of commercial and editorial shots, location and studio. You will also need at least one great body shot (professional and tasteful - editorial style is best) and one beautiful B&W head shot with minimal makeup.

Get trained in the various techniques required to be learned before going for a photo shoot, and then go to an Expert, trained and an experienced Fashion Photographer who could advise you about your best looks, and specifically could give you more time as you are a learner, so you require more time to be comfortable with the camera and the shoot (never give shot unless you are comfortable).

A strong portfolio opens doors, a weak portfolio closes them. Your portfolio is often the only thing a person sees before deciding whether or not to contact you, and in many cases you may not be present to explain it (particularly on-line portfolios). There are fundamental qualities that all outstanding portfolios share, and a variety of principals and techniques that can help take your portfolio from average to excellent. If at all possible, your portfolio should be appropriate to the situation and reviewer, and all portfolios should show creativity, skills, range, thought, and ambition. It is the overall combination of these, plus that "special something," that makes one model stand above the others.

Gemini Models Portfolios Prizes