Modeling is a very visual profession – a model communicates a lot, but usually only visually. Most modeling assignments project the model in a form the audience wants to be. The only real way for beginning models to say they are capable is by building a portfolio.

What is a portfolio?

Portfolio is more than a collection of pictures of a pretty person in pretty clothes. A good portfolio understands the model’s facial features, body build and personality, and gels it with a right wardrobe, makeup and expressions that give it a specific look.

Shots in a portfolio

You should have these shots in your portfolio:

Your face – side profile and front.

Try these with and without makeup, with simple and made up hair. Do not worry about the less glamorous of shots here – they do not affect your portfolio negatively in anyway. A good photographer sees opportunity in everything – when I see a model with rough skin and short hair, I see a model for rough and tough jeans brand.

Your body shape.

This is a misperception that to be a model, you need to have an hourglass figure. This is partially true for the more glamorous fashion clothing models, but usually only at the highest level. But there is a lot more to glamour industry – you can a hand model if you have elegant hands, or an actor if you have good voice and diction and emote well. It helps to be fit and in great shape – but don’t let that stop you. And do not try to hide your body shape – it’s your body, you have to own it up!

Your expressions. 

Remember, a model makes audience wants to be her – her expressions must show this confidence. In most forms of modeling, it shows as an attitude well flaunted. In selling a product, it’s a nice comforting relaxing smile that works. Practice these expressions. A useful trick to get this expression in a photo shoot to get is to look at some object as if you despise it. I have oversimplified it here; there are many other expressions that go well – dreamy, tired, pensive, surprised, the list is as endless as human emotions are.

Overall attired look with pose.

This is where you put all of the above together, where you and the photographer start to get creative. You choose a look that goes well with you, select a few attires for the look – and off you go wearing the look! If you want to cut down on costs, try picking dresses from your wardrobe or your friends’, or rent them out for a bargain. Ask a friend to help you with the makeup, or get it done at a beauty parlor instead of with a big-shot makeup artist. Poses make or break a photo – they define the photograph’s composition. This is the photographer’s responsibility – to give the right elements of balance, lines, curves and symmetry. Just be sure your body can handle the poses – once you pose a few, you will know them. Experiment with a few of these looks, talk to your photographer, look and reflect.

Getting started