Modeling & Acting 101 - A Model/Actor's Diary

*This post will be especially beneficial for freelance models. The modeling portfolio is what helps clients determine whether a model has what it takes to sell their product/brand/idea/concept. Even the most basic project casting could result in a client reviewing dozens of portfolios. One of the best ways to stand out is to make sure your images are relevant. By "relevant," I mean the photos in your portfolio should showcase the types of modeling work that matches what clients are casting for.  Do you want to be a swimwear catalog model? Then your portfolio should have several pictures of you not just in swimwear but posing in the style that a catalog model would, both in studio and on location. Is bridal modeling your dream? Then your portfolio better have you in a wedding dress at some point. See where I'm going with this? The very first line of this blog post mentions freelance models and I stated that for a reason. Models with agency representation already have suppo...

(This post will be mainly beneficial for freelance female and male models.) You know what's really cool? This is my 1,000th post!!!!!!! Thanks to all my readers and subscribers for their support, questions, compliments and love...here's to another 1,000 posts in the future!!! Okay, now let's get down to business. :-) Now that you've read my post before this one, titled "The Importance of Watermarking Modeling Photos," it's time to get to the info about how to use this tool properly. As I stated in the other post, freelance models can find a lot of comfort in using watermarks on their photos because it discourages people from ripping off the images and/or abusing them. Below are some tips and things to keep in mind when it comes to using watermarks for the purpose of protecting modeling images: Use Watermarks When Submitting to Modeling Gigs You don't have to use watermarks on every single photo you've ever taken. The most important ...

(This post will be mainly beneficial to freelance female and male models.) Have you ever looked at photos and noticed an annoying, kinda faded image or text on it? That's what's known as a "watermark." Trust me, it's not there for the purpose of annoying you--it's to protect the ownership and intellectual property of the photo's creator. I'm sure you all know that folks do crazy things like steal other people's images from the Internet to pass off  as their own or (even worse) manipulate the pictures. Because of such bad intentions, the use of watermarks has become very commonplace in the modeling industry, especially on the photographer side of things. So how does this subject apply to models? Well, for one thing, freelance models in particular should care that they are taking the proper steps to make sure their photos are safe and difficult for someone else to rip off or misuse. Unlike represented models, there is no agency acting as the...

Getting hired for a modeling job: awesome. Getting paid for your services: sweet. Getting published: epic! 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/editio...

With so many people taking/uploading/editing their own photos, most are up to date on the lingo that comes with digital photography. Terms like DPI are often thrown around and while I would like to assume that everyone knows what that is, I know that's not true, which is the point of this post. :-) Even if you're not a model that retouches or prints his/her own photos, it's still important to know what DPI is...after all, a good model knows his/her craft and that includes more than just the modeling aspect of things. So here is a basic post that'll give you a crash course into what DPI is and how it is relevant for modeling. Below is a great definition for DPI, according to the site WiseGeek.com : DPI ( dots per inch ) is a measurement of printer resolution, though it is commonly applied, somewhat inappropriately, to monitors, scanners and even digital cameras. The higher the DPI, the more refined the text or image will appear. Based on this definition, it...

(This post will be beneficial for both freelance and agency represented models.) Part I of this two-part blog post dealt with the ways to prepare images for an online modeling portfolio. Because technology and the Internet has become so commonplace in our lives, including the modeling industry, I wanted to get that post out of the way first. Even though the Internet now fits together with the industry like peas and carrots, that doesn't mean the traditional hard copy modeling portfolio is no longer relevant or necessary--quite the contrary! Fashion, petite, plus size, parts, print, lifestyle...no matter the type ALL models must have a hard copy portfolio to bring with them to castings...no exceptions! ***Notice I didn't say "agencies" for that last part? That's because new/aspiring models don't need to have a portfolio put together when seeking representation. This only applies to models that have already been working with professional images to showca...

(This post will be especially beneficial to freelance models.) In the past, hard copy photos was all a model needed. In this day and age of the Internet, however, it's all about those digitals! While traditional hard copy modeling portfolios are a collection of a model's best pictures all contained in a special display case/book, online modeling portfolios are basically a collection of images that are displayed on the Internet, such as a model's official website, social networking site or other photo sharing site where you can create albums with links to your work. When a photographer, agency or client asks to see your online portfolio, you'll typically give them links to where they can view your stuff. In other instances, this could involve simply emailing them a few of your best images as individual file attachments. So there are a few ways that having an online portfolio works. Before you can create an online portfolio, you have to do shoots so first thing...

(This post will be mainly beneficial to freelance models. Models signed to agencies have a bit of an advantage over freelance models because your agent will have a hand in giving you direction as to what types of images you should have to create your portfolio. Newbies aiming for agency representation, you're in good hands so there isn't much I really need to advise you on for this because your agent will be your go-to-person for initiating this process.) All models need a portfolio to get their foot in the door. This means getting in touch with professional photographers and setting up test shoots. However, for those that are new to the game, there are some important things to keep in mind before diving right in and contacting photographers. The tips below will serve as a guide for how to approach this situation in a way that will get you the most effective results: Know What You Want/Need Contacting a photographer and saying, "I need photos to make a port...

(This blog post will be mainly useful for freelance models but is also ideal for agency represented models that submit themselves to freelance opportunities as well.) While it isn't necessary for models to be super savvy about photography editing techniques, having basic knowledge about certain things in this category definitely comes in handy, especially since it allows you to be independent and not have to rely on someone else to handle your images. I am very well versed in Photoshop and regularly retouch my pictures and also know how to use this software to create my own business cards, comp/zed cards and other related projects. However, one of the most basic and useful photo editing techniques all models of any experience level should at least familiarize themselves with is resizing their photos. The good thing about learning this skill is that it doesn't require you to take any tutorials or classes. For those of you that are comfortable with software and playing ar...

It's unfortunate that there are many agencies out there that would rather make profit for themselves than book legitimate work for their models. I've talked rather extensively about how legit and reputable modeling agencies operate and what signs people should be on the lookout for to tell the difference between a real opportunity and one that is a scam. However, I've yet to talk about portfolio mills and the "agencies" that run them. Also known as "photo mills," portfolio mills are businesses run by people passing themselves off as a legitimate modeling agency. BUT what makes these types of "agencies" different from the ones that are the "real deal" is the fact that they use the loopholes in the industry (or downright just break the rules and hope not to get caught) to focus on getting money out of its models for expenses related to photography and portfolio images. They choose this route because it's a faster, easier way to ...

Your portfolio is your most important asset. It represents you and the type of work you do. It may seem as simple as putting together some pictures into a book but there are a few key things to keep in mind. If you're a newbie and haven't done a photo shoot before, you don't have to worry about that hurting your chances if you're looking for an agent to sign with. They love to sign undiscovered talent and will set you up with shoots for your portfolio right away. If you are already modeling, then this post will most likely be more helpful to you but newer models can definitely take note as well! The first thing your portfolio must do is reflect the type of work that you fit. For now, forget my whole thing about defeating stereotypes and requirements. In this particular case, only include images in your professional portfolio that you meet the requirements for. If you have an agent already, this will help them immediately submit you for bookings that are app...

If you already have a portfolio and have a couple of gigs under your belt, that's great. One thing you always want to make sure of is that you are updating your looks in your portfolio. With each gig/booking you get, you need to include key shots from that shoot in your portfolio. Maybe it's been a while since you've gotten work and your photos need some updating. It's as simple as arranging for a TFP/TFCD . The easiest way to make sure you always have current shots in your portfolio is to do at least one photo shoot a month. If you're able to do at least two to three different looks per shoot, you'll have more than enough to update your portfolio. In order to draw clients, you're always going to want to have something new to show. Take this time to do some looks or themes that may be really out there or something you normally don't do. You never know when such shots will come in handy. This can range from wearing wigs and crazy makeup to po...

Take it from me, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to put together a portfolio. But having a good portfolio is the most important thing a model can have--it is his/her resume. So how do you go about putting together a portfolio? It's actually pretty easy. The first thing you'll need is a photographer. There are tons of great photographers out there, both professional to amateur, who are more than willing to work with new models and models who need their photos updated. For you newbies, finding a photographer in your area is simple. If you don't already know someone who does photography, use the Internet. Websites such as www.Modelmayhem.com and www.Onemodelplace.com are excellent for networking with photographers from all over the world. There are features on there that will allow you to be notified when a photographer is shooting in your area. For those aspiring models who are underage, I stress that you have an adult or guardian who is 21+ (...