A model's portfolio is the greatest asset because it's obvious proof of your capabilities in this profession. However, getting published and having that included in a portfolio skyrockets a model's cred exponentially.
It is important that any published work a model has appeared in gets added to his/her portfolio. Since technology has changed the way the industry operates these days, below are typical situations where a model may find themselves published, as well as tips for how to get copies.
Magazine Publication (Print, Not Digital)
Once you've been notified that your image is going to appear in an actual magazine (not its online version), it's simply a matter of waiting for that particular edition to appear on store shelves. Usually when a model is notified about being published, that's also when they'll find out the exact month/date/edition information as well.
How to get your tearsheets: If you're lucky, you may get a free copy in the mail from the company or the photographer but this isn't always the case. When you know the publication date and edition of the magazine, simply go to the store(s) that carry the magazine and buy as many copies as you want. Or you can opt for ordering the magazines online and having them mailed to you if you can't find any copies locally.
Digital Publication (Internet)
Thanks to the Internet, many modeling assignments are for gigs that appear on company websites, online lookbooks, photographer portfolios, website banners, etc. When getting published on the Internet, that means adding digital tearsheets to your modeling portfolio.
How to get your tearsheets: Already know what website the image is going to appear on? Simply go to it and do a "screen capture" of where your photo appears on the site. Paste the image into a blank document in a program like Photoshop and crop the excess space after you've resized the photo. Save it as 300 DPI Jpeg file and print onto photo paper that is semi-gloss or matte and you can then add it to your physical portfolio book. Or save the picture as a jpeg file and you can then upload it onto your own website, social networking profiles, etc. for online display.
Brochure (Print)
Companies regularly use brochures to advertise their services and products, as well as provide additional information to potential customers. Models often get booked for shoots where their images are included in the brochure. These range from local businesses to larger companies we recognize by name alone.
How to get your tearsheets: This varies on who the company is. Sending an email or calling your "contact person" for the project is usually the most direct way to find out how to obtain copies of the brochure. Sometimes the company itself will mail you copies or they may allow you to come into the office location to get the brochures yourself.
Fliers & Other Miscellaneous Advertising Material
Even if your image appears on a typical flier, guess what? It still means you're published and it should be included in your portfolio. Countless companies use modeling images for their fliers, ads, business cards and other related materials.
How to get your tearsheets: It is best to contact the company directly in these situations, unless you have the contact info for the photographer who can act as the middleman in getting this information for you.
Store Window Display & Billboard Advertisement
Having your image published in a large format, such as a photo poster hanging in the window of a retail store or on a large billboard that can be seen from the freeway is a huge accomplishment in any model's career.
How to get your tearsheets: Obviously, you're not going to get an exact copy in that huge size, lol (even if you could, it's definitely not going to fit in your portfolio book!). Models that find themselves in this situation should first off include that assignment on their actual resume so that it is documented. Second, have fun with this opportunity and take a simple snapshot of the billboard you appear on or take a photo of yourself in front of the window display next to your picture.
These pictures shouldn't be in your professional portfolio but should be uploaded online via social networking profiles, official modeling website, etc. so that people can see proof of your work. It's okay to not have this type of tearsheet in your actual portfolio...like I mentioned above, adding it to your written/printed resume is enough--not to mention that if a client wants proof, all they have to do is go to the store and/or drive by the billboard.
Comments
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!