When I spent my Christmas gift money on model compcards

I remember being in college and I would use my Christmas gift money on buying new compcards come the New Year. I remember not spoiling myself with those cute shoes, and buying new compcards instead. Before the cheaper opportunities you can find at places like Compcard.com there was basically one option, going to a printing company office and paying $100- $150 for 100 cards. You started with a place where headshots were also printed.

There wasn't the option to buy only 30 or 50 cards. It was 100, that's it! So you had to make sure you were printing something you wouldn't later regret spending your Christmas money on. At the start of my pursuits I made many compcards, many before I even started working with agencies. I was testing out what card would work, and also understanding my look as a model and how to promote myself and what I did have to offer print modeling. Trial and error was a big part of it. I think you grow from learning from mistakes and trial and error with printing compcards was a big part of knowing how I could fit into this modeling business, while being so darn short.

Usually around this time of year was when I would try to produce something amazing. Something that could be marketed and used until the summer. I would print the cards adn then spend the following weeks mailing and research agencies I could freelance with, and trying to get opportunities. Approaching better -more professional photographers, working on creating better images, so that I could again produce a new compcard and try again. It was a lot of trial and error and growth during those years.

But after I ended up working with a photographer which lead to getting my first tearsheet and after submitting my compcard inventively to photo-editors at magazines and trying to approaching aspiring brands, I got some credit, some proof I COULD model well. That I was a good model, and gave the agencies I would later end up working with the belief that I could, despite my height.

When making a compcard it is a good idea to be selective over the photos you put on your compcard and it is better to show two great images that are marketable, than a handful of just ok ones, to fill up the back of the card with 4 photos. It is better to show less-if it is good quality- than show a bunch of not so good images. You might waste your money.

Also I think it takes a creative mind, an energetic personality, and up beat approach to get ahead as a model. Showing up, being pretty, skinny, whatever, is not enough.

Commercial print modeling photos for short models

Shorter girls, and anyone curious about modeling should consider commercial print modeling. Commercial print modeling does not have an age limit and you will not be thrown out when you get to a certain age (like fashion tends to do with taller models who have expiration dates when the model is not considered "new" or "exciting" anymore.) Commercial print modeling welcomes models of all ages, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities, men and women, children, teens, all ages. If you want to start modeling and fashion is slamming the door in your face, don't worry!
You can still get great modeling work in commercial print modeling. Did you know commercial print modeling is the largest area of modeling? Yup!

Here are examples of photos you should try to create for commercial print. Energy, natural makeup, happy, not so fashion forward clothing, just you being you.




You can still wear a cute pair of jeans and hold a handbag or something, but it has to look like an ad for a happy girl, upbeat, friendly, not moody, with a confident appeal.

I love fashion but I know as a shorter model I had to think about "what does the agency want to see" " what type of products and ads could I realistically be apart of"-if I want to work with agencies, and get opportunities, to build my portfolio I had to caiter my photos towards the direction of commercial print.

I do not suggest sending any photography with heavy makeup,that are high fashion styled, or overly sexy, nor anything with bad lighting to print agencies. I would also observe the photos commercial print agency models on the agency website have. Observe ads of lifestyle products to get inspired, notice lifestyle ads to get the vibe of you are going for already in your mind ahead of time, before shooting, model and photographer should have the understanding of what the model needs to get in the door. Plan it out, have examples ready, be prepared, before you shoot.

I would look at beauty, skincare, ads for cell phones, haircare, technology, furniture, tampons! Everything commercial print targeted. That is how a short girl can start to work with agencies.

Remember make a compcard, and send your compcard in the postal mail to the commercial print agencies. Sending your compcard in the mail is the way to get a modeling agency for a short girl.

Isobella

Short Model Support Compcards and Agencies video

Isobella shares why a compcard is needed, how to mail it, and use it as a model. Short Model Support for Compcards and Agencies, aka: Short chicks guide to mailing modeling agencies your compcard and using compcards at castings when it comes to contact information on cards.