A model’s portfolio is like a key card to access the building where she works; without one she can’t work. Needless to say, a portfolio is a very important investment in her future and career.
Model portfolios are usually bound folders with the agency’s logo printed on the front cover and a number of clear plastic sheets inside to showcase her best photographs. They are usually referred to as “books” within the industry.
Portfolios are taken to castings and auditions where the client may look through it to determine whether the model is right for the job at hand. A portfolio showcases the versatility of the model and could help the client’s imagination when trying to answer the question of who will best sell their product. However, it is common for clients not to look through a model’s book at all. They often want to see the model face-to-face, take some snapshots and decide from there if she’s right for the job. This doesn’t mean, however, that a model should take a chance and arrive without a portfolio.
Model: Maria Eriksson
What is in a portfolio?
Each agency will advise their models to display portfolio photographs in a particular way. Most agencies like the images to be no more than six months old to reflect the model’s current appearance and showcase up-to-date photography and fashion trends.
Most agencies recommend a mixture of headshots, three-quarter or half-length shots and full-length shots in a model’s book. A headshot is most often used as the first image in a model’s portfolio. After that, half and full-length images follow to clearly display the model’s body.
Model: Maria Eriksson
Avoid having numerous images in the same outfit or location, or even having images all shot by the same photographer. A mix of photo angles, fashion including swimwear and/or lingerie, hairstyles and makeup in images from different photographers will all collate to show the model’s versatility and therefore increase her potential of landing a job.
It is advantageous to know who the client is or what the job is for before attending the casting or audition. With this information a model can add or subtract images from her book, catering to the job for which she is applying. For example, if she is auditioning for a swimwear client, have a slight swimwear or lingerie bias in her book as opposed to ski wear or fashion shots covering her body.
As a model’s career grows, she should replace the images in her portfolio with tear sheets, which are images of the model torn from printed media such as magazine advertisements. These show prospective employers proof of her experience and visibility.
Model: Maria Eriksson
The future of portfolios
While working in Asia my agent asked me to use an iPad as my portfolio. Many agencies now prefer a tablet to display work as opposed to a printed book. Using a tablet rather than a printed portfolio has both advantages and disadvantages.
A tablet device like an iPad means there are no printing costs associated with continually adding images to portfolios—high quality 8×12 prints can be expensive. And, since an iPad is backlit, images “pop” in a way they don’t in a printed portfolio.
Model: Maria Eriksson
However, tablets are not cheap. A printed portfolio with an agent’s logo costs around $50, but of course there is also the continual printing cost of the images on top of that. Images can be updated on a tablet by merely swapping photos in and out of folders, which is easy and cost-free. It is also a great advantage to have several portfolios on a tablet in different folders displaying separate work. Swimwear, lingerie, lifestyle, sports or catalog work can quickly be presented to differing clients.
Model: Maria Eriksson
One thing a printed portfolio is advantageous for, in my opinion, is to display tear sheets and published work. Some think that magazine and catalog images look better than as a digital file and their authenticity cannot be questioned. The demise of printed magazines and rise of online publications mean that tablets could soon become the sole means of displaying a model’s work. However, it is best to consult your agent before investing in a tablet for portfolio use.
To summarize, a model’s portfolio is a key instrument for her career and should illustrate her versatility and experience. Whether it be in print or tablet format, a good portfolio is a wise investment.