Answering a Reader Question #341

Anonymous Wrote:

Hi Dania! I live in Indiana and I'm looking to be a model. I'm almost 16, 123lbs and my measurements are almost the standard-im still working on slimming up hehe. I've looked at some website agencies you've posted for another lady who lives in Indiana and I have a few questions. For my headshots, should I smile or have no expression? or smize? and when I build my professional portfolio can some of my friends in college that are studying to be a photographer take my pictures? or should i hire an actual photographer? oh and will the fact that my eyes are different colors-(one is brown, one is blue/green)-work against me? I dont know if the fashion industry would be that picky. Thanks soo much! I'm addicted to your blog so i'm going to keeping reading on! :) xoxox

Hi there, Anonymous! Thanks for being an avid reader of my blog...I appreciate it!!!

For your headshots, you should not smile if you're trying to be considered for fashion modeling. If you're trying to do commercial/print, then a nice, warm smile is ideal.

When it comes to your portfolio, you won't need one prior to submitting to agencies so you won't even get around to that subject until after you've been offered a contract. If the agency decides to cover the costs of your test shoot and putting together the images for your portfolio, then you won't have to do anything on your end as far as contacting photographers.

However, if they leave the process up to you, it's best to ask them for reference images of the quality of pictures they want you to get. Regardless of whether the photographer is a student or pro, as long as they can achieve the same look the agency wants, that's all that matters. You don't have to tell the agency that the photographer is a student, either. That would be something I would keep to myself, especially if they've got the talent to pull off agency caliber modeling portfolio photos.

I've never heard of an agency rejecting a model because of a difference in eye color or anything similar to that. I would actually think it would work in your favor because it's a unique characteristic. Even if a client had an issue with it, Photoshop would take care of it. So I think you're okay in that respect.

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