High Quality Model Porfolio ~ Jacque Russell Imagery ~ Wyoming Model Photographer

Making a high quality modeling portfolio requires a little more work than one might think. You can’t just throw a few pictures that your local photographer took into a folder and send it out. This is a mistake many people make and then they wonder why they never receive any call backs from the agencies.
First of all, for a professional looking portfolio, you need professional looking photos. You will want anywhere from 10-20 photos, usually 9×12 but 8×10 will work as well. The photos should also range in variety and setting.

Wear different outfits, different accessories, and different styles of makeup in each photo. Have the photos taken in the kind of settings where you hope to get jobs shooting. In other words, have some taken outside, at the beach, indoors, in a studio and in any other setting that will fit the type of jobs you are looking for.
Choose the photos you put in your actual portfolio wisely. Pick the best ones and, in this case, less is definitely more. A few high quality pictures always fare better than a lot of poor quality pictures. Also, try to pick only your best picture from each different setting and each different outfit. This shows versatility and looks more professional than including the same outfit or location twice.

Among your pictures, you will need at least one strong headshot. For this you should wear either minimal makeup, or none at all if you can pull it off. Your hair, or anything else, should not be blocking your face in any way, and you should look directly at the camera.

Next, you will need a full length body shot, usually in a tight fitting dress/outfit or swimwear. Your remaining shots can showcase your different angles and profiles. Try to stay away from anything trashy or too risqué, and use taste when posing and when selecting your final pictures. Show off your personality in these photos.
Now, before you start taking any pictures, you need to decide what type of model you want to be. Think long and hard, and talk to professionals, because this is what you need to make your portfolio represent. You can have several portfolios if you want to pursue several different avenues of modeling, but each portfolio should only showcase one type.

Do you want to be a lingerie model, a Goth model, a girl-next-door model or a mother-figure model? Choose your area, and then make the pictures in your portfolio showcase this so you will be much more likely to get the jobs that you want. The easier you make it for the modeling agency to define your niche, the more likely you will land the jobs that you want.

When hiring the photographer to take these pictures, choose wisely. Do some research and find a photographer in your state/area that is a professional and specializes in taking model portfolio photographs. Make sure you can visit the website and see evidence that this photographer is successful in taking photos specifically in your genre.

Have the photographer show you examples of other portfolios they worked on and find one with a price that you can afford. For a good professional photographer, this usually ranges from $300-$600. Don’t skimp here; it might hurt your pocketbook right now, but it will pay off in the long run.

Once you have finished preparing your portfolio, it’s time to submit it and send it out to the proper agencies. This is a simple process. Search online for modeling agency addresses and find the ones that address your niche, and then send your portfolio to them.

Next, search for online modeling agencies that allow you to send your portfolio by email or create a profile on their site, such as modelmayhem.com and send your portfolio off to them as well. This will require having an electronic version of your portfolio, which only means that you have to scan your pictures into the computer and type up your resume/skills.

Contact us if you want to build your portfolio. 307.286.1908 or info@jrussellimagery.com You can visit our web site to see some of our work at jrussellimagery.com