If you want to become a model, you’ve got to learn how to make a modeling portfolio and create a comp card. From all my experience being a portrait photographer, I got you covered with all you need to know!
How Modeling Portfolio Books and Comp Cards Work :
A model portfolio book showcases your talent and range as a model by displaying a variety of styles and looks within your genre.
A model composite card—or, as they are usually known, comp card—shows your best, most recent shots, alongside your measurements and modeling info (height, eye color, any special skills, etc.). You will need one full body shot, one from the waist up, and a close up of your face, as well as both profiles with your hair up or held back.
Here’s a quick example
Already signed with a modeling agency ?
Your modeling agency will help you build a model portfolio book before they start sending you out on castings. The costs of the photoshoots and photo printing is usually arranged by the agency and covered with the assumption that you are an investment that will pay off for them. When you start booking real paid modeling jobs, a chunk of your pay goes towards your agency debts. You should never sign with an agency that asks you for money upfront!
Determine What Type of Shoots Suit Your Look
There are many different types of models; what makes a model successful is knowing their strengths and capitalizing on them. You should be realistic about what type of modeling sub-industry you fit into, and focus on building a model portfolio book that resembles jobs you are best suited for.
If you have cheekbones and facial features to die for—but you’re curvier or shorter than the average runway model—you’re probably more likely suited for booking make-up brand campaigns or swimwear/lingerie, as opposed to high-fashion runway shows.
Alternatively, If you’re 5’11”, lean as a gazelle, and can stomp a catwalk with flair, then high-fashion runway shows could be your calling. Other modeling genres include commercial modelling, plus-size modelling, swimsuit/lingerie, fitness, and glamour.
Work
As long as you photograph well and know how to work the camera, you could make it as a model! Now, let’s move on to actually producing those all-important comp cards.
Nail your digitals
Your digitals, or digis, as they are often referred to by models, are the most important part of your model portfolio book, and the building blocks of your composite card. Your comp card will feature a four-photo collage of your digitals, with your height, measurements, and contact info/representation printed at the bottom. These images are meant to showcase the most real, fresh-faced version of yourself—what you’d look like when you walk into a room for a go-see, i.e. a casting session.
Collaborate with photographers.
Now that you have your digitals, you can start using them to link up with photographers to build your model portfolio book. You can always hire a professional photographer, but, if you’re on a budget, try to arrange a TFP shoot. This is where you produce a shoot with a photographer, free of charge; you both get paid in the resulting shots. These are a great way to start filling up your model portfolio book! Here are a few tips:
Find a photographer whose work you like. You can use multiple resources to find photographers: DM them on Instagram, reach out to film/photography students.
Send them your digitals and tell them what you have in mind for a shoot. Ask them what’s on their wish list—a new photographer starting out might be dying to shoot some editorial looks but hadn’t had the perfect subject yet. Try a new style, even if it’s out of your comfort zone! Something as simple as a wig or some glittery eye-makeup may produce a killer shot, or even reveal an aptitude for another genre of modeling.
Get your professional model book ready.
Your modeling portfolio book, commonly referred to as just your book, is what you’ll bring with you to castings—it should have a variety of professionally printed photos of your best work, highlighting your range as a model and how well you photograph.
Here are some tips on how to create your modeling portfolio book: Industry standard is 9x12 inches—anything a bit larger is still acceptable, but not as compact and convenient for your bag.
It must be black with no spiral or rings, with plastic sleeves for your photos. This makes it easy to flip through, and gives it the professional look you’re after. You can always upgrade your book to a fancier leather-bound hardcover down the road.Curate your images carefully. Start your book with your composite card.
Ask a photographer friend—or even just a pal with a good eye and elevated taste level—to vote on their favorite shots, and put the popular votes first in your book. You want casting directors and designers to see your best work first. Often, you can’t guarantee that they’ll flip through 20 pages, so don’t bother trying to save the best for last.
Assemble your Model portfolio website.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when putting together your model portfolio website: Don’t forget to include the necessary details, like your measurements (height, bust, waist, hips, and shoe size).
Link to your social media—in this day and age, social media plays a huge part in leveraging a model’s career. Your Instagram is essentially your third portfolio! Make sure to choose an online portfolio with Instagram integration so your feed is streamed right onto your site! Organize your shoots by type.
Share, share, share! There’s little use in having an online portfolio if you don’t share it and generate traffic. Link it to your Instagram. Network with fellow creatives on Reddit and other social platforms. You can even have little business cards made up; they’re great to give to photographers and other creatives you meet when you’re out and about—you never know what connection you can make.
The catwalk awaits—good luck!