Learn to see with a critical eye.

So many photos just suck! If you would like to see some crappy photos, brows through Model Mayhem. It is full of sexy photos of girls who think they are hot. (most of the time they are right about that) but being hot in a photo is not being a model. That photo of you that shows your sexy cleavage or your tight buttocks might appeal to the boys (or girls) but maybe it does not belong in your portfolio.

When I see a lousy photo of a pretty young girl showing of her T and A, I want to scream "Just because you have a photo that will make a guy think 'I want to meet her in a bar tonight and take her out back for 15 minutes' does not make you a model". Looking sexy does not automatically make you a model. And modeling is NOT about looking sexy. Usually, modeling is about connecting with viewers to get them to buy a product or idea.

Models need to learn to recognize what good photography is and what it is not. There are a couple of ways to do this. Look through photos in fashion magazines, take time to figure out what is going on in the photo. Get an agent to help you weed the crap out of your portfolio. (Yes, you have some crappy photos, we all do) Get a make up artist, or a mom, or someone that won't tell you you look nice just because they like you.

Hire great photographers to work with. The good ones won't give you finished photos that don't make both you and them look good.

Ask other models about your photos. You may not like what you hear, and you don't have to take every thing they say to heart. They may not be any better at seeing a good photo than you are, but if you get lots of feedback that a photo doesn't help you, figure out why.

A model in a forum that I run wrote this today in response to the heated reaction of a model who asked for validation and the results came in poorly for the photo she asked about - "Coming from somebody who has been "modeling" in this industry for 13 years now, what models need to understand is that this industry is GREULLING!! You are going to get torn to shreds sometimes. You will get told your fat, too tall, too short, weird nose, bad skin tone.......its all sh*t that you are going to hear. DEAL WITH IT. Welcome to the industry and open your eyes. Not everyone is going to like your look, or even consider you "model material." If you cannot handle criticism, you shouldn't be in this industry. PERIOD." - Kayla Rae Dalebout


Get started today learning to develop a critical eye. It will make you a better model.

Preparing for a Photoshoot

Your photographer, make-up artist, and others are putting a lot of work into your shoot to make you look good and to get the result that is wanted.

A model should put some thought and preparation into their shoot ahead of time also.

Make sure you have the contact info of the people you are working with, the photographer, the MUA, an agent, art director etc. Get both phone numbers and emails.  You should always be on time, but if something should happen, such as a traffic jam, you should be able to contact the people in your crew and let them know what to expect.

Make sure you know what kind of things you need to bring, what kind of clothes you are going to wear so that you have the appropriate underwear. Do you need to bring accessories? If so, what kind? Ask the photographer or art director what else you might need for a particular assignment.

Make sure you have your own make-up kit stocked with all the things you will need for various shoots. Keep it clean and organized and replenish things before you run out.

If you are shooting swimsuit or lingerie, cut of the tags before the shoot and make sure there are no dangling threads.

Do some research.  Peruse magazines or websites that have photos in the style or theme you are going to shoot. Study the poses from the fingers to the toes to the tilt of the neck, etc.

Make sure you have a great manicure and pedicure if your toes are going to be exposed. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a manicure, but keep your nails clean and fresh looking. Unless asked for color, keep the nail polish clear.

Wax/shave your body hair where the skin will be exposed. Do this a day or two ahead so that there is no razor rash.

Drink water. Being well hydrated is a great way to keep your skin looking great. Avoid caffeine and salt also.

Exfoliate a few days before your shoot also. Don’t be too vigorous and damage your skin. You just want to keep your skin fresh and vibrant.

Be Honest

I responded to a casting call on Model Mayhem that was listed as TF.

Please help me she says... "I need help building my portfolio.  I need a male model to do shoots like those in my list and I need a photographer that can take the pictures.  I need both to be very professional and to do what I need to help further build my port..  If you can help please write me  "

(Shauna is not the model I'm talking about)

I responded and her reply was to inform me of her fee.  Negotiating a fee or trade is totally cool, but advertising TF and replying with different terms is called bait and switch. I won't work with this model ever, and now many of my photographer friends know her deal too. Building a reputation of being honest, showing up, being dependable, is vital to a models career. This girl just spoiled her reputation. Make sure you keep your reputation un-spotted.

Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously

I love it when a model can do more than smile really big, or just give a blank, sober stare. Models who do not take them selves to seriously, who are creative and inventive are a blast to work with and create images that are much more memorable.

Shauna is a beautiful girl, but she let go and was able to create some funny, interesting images. She wasn't just caught up in the "how pretty am I" syndrome. HPAI syndrome ruins many models because it paralyzes them, keeping them from making any photos that are not pretty. Pretty models are a dime a dozen. I can find pretty models all day long by just walking down the street. Interesting models, now those are people I will shoot with again.

What emotion is this?

And here is the pretty girl.

What Should A Model Have in His/Her Portfolio

Models should take a great deal of time perfecting their portfolio. A portfolio is what gets a model hired.

Here are some things that models should consider:

1)      A great head shot.  We want to see your face. Your head shot should connect with the viewer. You want to avoid an overly processed image were  we can’t see your skin or natural look. Yes, use make-up but keep it light. People who would hire you want to see the raw ingredient, aka – you.

2)      A full body shot that shows the body. A bikini shot would be great. You need to show what the form of your body is so that advertisers, photographers, and agents can see how an outfit might fit you. How the fabrics would lay, etc. Also, if you are going to model for swimwear, you need this in your portfolio.

3)      Full length fashion shot in front of seamless paper.  This can help show off your ability to show fashion and poses and is very classic.

4)      Very light or no make-up. You need to show what the real you is like.

5)      At least one photo pairing with another model (not a lesbian, girl/girl) to show that you can pose and work with others. 

6)      Editorial shots

7)      Sexy but tasteful lingerie shots, not a Fredericks look, but upscale are useful if one wants to model lingerie. This is a personal choice.
Never put things in your portfolio that you are not willing to model.