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.
Never put things in your portfolio that you are not willing to model.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteYou asked for feedback, here's my take.
1. I like the fact that this is a tutorial / tips about modeling / photography rather than an actual photoblog. That may not be unique in itself, it's still a good way to keep people coming back because you have something to offer. Just keep your content original, by that I mean, let's not keep talking about same tips and tricks over and over like other websites. It may require some research on your part, but find a topic that people in your field (portrait photography), rarely ever talk about. Give us tips on how take great portraits on a low budget. Tell me ways I can use light without having to buy an expensive ass flash unit, stuff like that would be great for people to know.
2. You've kind of accomplished this in Model Tip #2. You give an example of a gorgeous girl with a nice body shot. But #1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 do not have example photos. Most of those tips, if not all, could use an example photo. Give me a good example of what you think a great head shot is or how much make up is too much? A lot of people just getting into portrait photography may not know and a visual example might help tremendously.
3. Don't forget to use "Alignment" option in WordPress instead of just putting photos up and down. A photo with a Left / Right align to text is more appealing than just up and down routine.
4. Yes, your layout is boring, it needs help.
5. I would highly consider your own domain name instead of using the Blogspot one. While there's nothing wrong with using blogspot for your blog, you could really benefit from your own domain, if this blog is something you are really serious about. To drive this even further, when / if this blog takes off and you need more flexibility by hosting your own site, then you can just change the domain name's DNS and your current readers won't have to worry about looking for your new URL / Website. From the start is the best time to implement this.
6. If there's a way to turn off advertising, please do. Ads require timing and proper layout. I think blogs that run ads before they should put off readers. If money is your eventual goal for blogging, 10 visitors a day won't get you there, so there's no reason to run Ads.
7. No contact form? Again, this could be a limitation by blogspot, but a contact form is essential for any blog. RSS Feeds / Email subs, these are all missing.
Grind this sucker out and good luck! Your readers will come with original content.