Creating the right photos for print modeling takes work and time

A girl recently sent me a message through my website asking, "I've been a freelance model for the past four years and just moved to NYC a month ago. I'm already taking acting classes (10 weeks of them) and have visited two agencies with my hard cover portfolio. They both told me I need new pictures-that I look prettier in real life than my photos. I have a lot of friends that are fashion photographers that want to help me build my port, but the advice they give while critiquing my port isn't appropriate for the kind of work I can realistically get since I'm only 5'5. Could you please tell me what your advice is when it comes to pictures? Do you only have a modeling agency or a talent agency, or also a casting director, etc."



My reply below might also help your own pursuits as a model.

I've worked with and got work with agencies (while working non-exclusive with them and worked with up to 5 at a time) and I've worked with talent agencies and casting directors as well over the years. There is a booklet in Barnes and Noble and bookstores in the magazine section called The Call Sheet, it is about $12, and it has a list of casting directors and talent agencies. You should grab one of these as well.

I've heard it all myself, "your pics are too sexy" "your pics don't flatter your assets." "you need better pics." And photos are what seperate a model that works with real agencies and brands and jobs from a model that just takes photos, the best way to also start improving your photos for the area of modeling you want to pursue, is to ask questions, ask for examples of the type of shot they are talking about. The "commercial" part in commercial print modeling implies personality, relatable to a mass market of consumers. Here are some examples:

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/08/commercial-print-modeling-photos-for.html

The words model and modeling tend to make a girl change herself, as in her attitude and actually because "herself" is what she needs to focus on for print modeling. Her real smile, laugh, natural expressions, natural makeup, natural outfits and natural, comfortable, realistic pose, is best. If the shot can involve a discreet product such as a handbag, a cell phone, coffee cup, working out at a gym, the more your shot looks like you are "doing something", and the more it involves your personality and the more it involves looking realistic and like an implied ad or editorial in a magazine, the better.

If you want to model within print modeling "smiling shots" are very important. You could be smiling and walking, dancing, acting like you are hanging out at a cool cafe and enjoying your coffee, candy, even dusting, or putting on some makeup, etc. Think of real life situations. Just keep it a shot that relates to a mass market consumer, not just one demographic.

Always keep in mind that working as a model isn't just about you, it is about the product you are modeling for and it is best to remember this when creating photos, sure you want to look great but a client for a cell phone company, a skincare brand, a shoe brand, wants to see that you "know how to model products naturally," and that you have a natural energy about you that their customers can relate to. Study what print modeling is and it will also help you. Any ad with a smile or real-life expression and pose is a print model and a print ad usually.

A model is needed because her look represents what a brand's marketing campaign needs or fits what an ad concept or editorial concept is. A model's purpose is to model for something, so keep that in mind too.

I suggest working with a photographer who understands what print modeling is, and yes you will most likely have to invest some $ and time into getting the shots you need. It's a part of the process.

Another thing, think about the type of modeling jobs you want to get. If you want to be in ads for print modeling then you have to study some print ads, so look at magazines of all types, study commercials and pay attention to the expression, what they are wearing and their makeup and how natural they look.

If I wanted to leg model, yes despite being so petite, I had to create and show on my com pcard shots of my legs that looked like ads for lifestyle products or something you'd see in a Glamour, Allure, Marie Claire or Cosmo. Take it upon yourself to create a comp card that fits your goals and be realistically ambitious about it. Show you can, to get the opportunity.

Remember, print modeling is about relating to an everyday consumer in the ad or commercial so an everyday look in the photos you have for print modeling is best. Of course if you wanted to model for fitness, swimwear, undergarments, that's fine, but keep in mind in print modeing is less about impressing a man and more about selling the item you are wearing to a female consumer. Here is more on print modeling:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/07/print-modeling-has-become-many-things.html

I hope this helps girl, and keep rocking on, here are some agencies in NYC to send your comp card to when you have print modeing photos ready for action! :)

It's a tough pursuit, a tough competitive hustle, but usually those who don't give up, get what they want, I've included links to some other tips are below. There is a lot of marketing that goes into being a self-made model,

~Isobella

These links will also help :)

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/09/do-you-have-model-compcard-you-should.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/03/does-your-photographer-know-what.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/02/think-twice-before-posing-for.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/12/are-your-best-assets-for-modeling-being.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/02/six-differences-of-fashion-model-and.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/01/unrealistic-modeling-goals-and-facing.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/02/five-steps-to-get-ahead-as-short-model.html

Learn, know, grow, get and strive for more. ~isobella jade

Aspiring models: Focusing on marketable photography

Hey Girls,

Aspiring models should focus on creating marketable photography, because photos are what gets you in the door with a print agency wanting to work with you. It starts with your photos and your comp card, you also want your comp card to show marketable photos because for castings your photos represent what you can do as a model.

Some girls ask me if the portfolio means more than the comp card? The comp card, is more important that the start. Your portfolio grows over time, but your comp card is what you will mail to agencies and creating marketable photos that bring out your best assets in a commercial print friendly style for your modeling comp card should be the main photos when you get in front of the camera. You want to know yourself as a model, how to model, and the photos you need, here is insight on the ever-constant question I get on model photography and striving to create photos that are best for print modeling.

Study what print modeling is and what print modeling photos look like.
The more you know the better you will be. The more you know about where you opportunities are as a shorter girl the better. For a girl under 5'8" it is commercial print modeling. And targeting this area of the industry involves having the right photos and a comp card prepared. Study what print modeling is and know where you fit into the modeling business. (Modeling is about modeling for something and print modeling is all about personality and within print modeling all types of models are used for campaigns, commercials and product ads and catalogs. However you can not work as a print model without the right photos.) Understand the photos you NEED for your success and focus on working with photographers who understand what print modeling is, and understand your photo goals.

Investing in yourself and doing your research  is worth it. 
Research professional photographer's who understand what print modeling is, is very important as well. Do invest in yourself. Your photos are what get you opportunities as a model. Professional photography is best. Save money for better photography, don't wing it, make your photography important. Because in modeling your photos are what attract an agency and also book you work as a model. Your photos matter a lot. You want to create a marketable comp card. If you want to be professional you need professional photos, this doesn't mean trying to be something you are not in your photos, print modeling is about being natural, being yourself, so you can skip the massive styling and cakey makeup. Focus on getting the right photos that fit your goals for modeling.

Practice having your photo taken and practice in front of a mirror being natural.
Before you get in front of the camera practice looking at yourself in the mirror and posing naturally, not forced but modeling a product in a natural way, hold a handbag, a cell phone, model with a product. Work on your natural expressions and study your face. You should know your face well enough to know how your face "feels" when you are facing the camera and what it will look like from the camera's perspective. The mirror is like the camera's perspective so study your facial expressions, and watch what happens to your arms, neck, body, face, when you move and angle your body if a different way or hold a product in different ways. It is also a good idea to have a friend take photos of you naturally with their digital camera, not to use for model photos, but as "learning examples" and as practice as you observe and learn from what was good or bad about your pose or the way you are standing or positioning your body or face.  Becomnig a good model, knowing "how to model" involves knowing yourself, and body and face and how to move your body in a way to make it appear proportioned (and for a shorter girl it can involve making yourself naturally appear longer than you actually are sometimes).

Creating modeling goals helps you skip photo mistakes.
You should think about the photos you want to create and need, before you get in front of the camera. Again, your photographer should know what print modeling is and understand the type of photos you need and that a print agency wants to see. You should be planning to create a comp card that is marketable so that when you mail it to the print agency the agency will contact you. Sure, after the photo-shoot for your comp card images you can ask yourself, "does this photo represent my modeling goals and the type of work I want to get and can realistically get?" but really you should have already planned marketable photos, know what you need and not have to wonder if the photo is marketable, you should already know what is and isn't a marketable photo.

Aim high and strive, here are more posts on model marketing and photography:

Some photographers on Backstage.com for headshots, beauty shots and commercial print photos, explain what you are looking for to the photographer, be honest about your goals and needs.

Tips on how to find a photographer:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/09/models-not-finding-photographer-on.html

Photography on a budget tips:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/12/photography-on-budget-for-models-tips.html

I believe in having a goal, knowing what you want and need, researching the answers and making it happen :)
~Isobella

Is there too much fantasy in your photos not enough reality?

Many aspiring models get excited about the idea of a photo-shoot and all these ideas start flowing about styling, makeup, and the awesome funky poses and wild hairstyles.

But too much fantasy in your photos could be the reason a print modeling agency hasn't called you. Or that your modeling agency photo and comp card submissions are not working.

A girl recently submitted to me her photos, and while she has nice skin, pretty eyes and could be a good model her photos do not express this, and instead showed her "stiff, with too much attitude, and not enough expression or natural looks within the shots."

Believe it or not, the simple basic photos are going to get you a modeling agency quicker, than overly festive photos.

Which inspires me to ask the question:

Is there too much fantasy in your photos not enough reality?

A shot that is caked in makeup and has some attitude might be fun to create, but this isn't ideally the best shot to use to get real modeling opportunities. There is a difference between "playing" dress up infront of the camera and creating something that a print modeling agency can use to market you.

The more you target your photos towards what print modeling agencies want to see the better. Here are some tips on how to create photos that a modeling agency wants to see.

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2009/08/commercial-print-modeling-photos-for.html

And tips on getting a modeling agency:
http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2009/09/getting-print-modeling-agency.html

Model Photo: Don't put that Photoshop on my face podcast

Model Photo: Don't put that Photoshop on my face podcast

Model, author Isobella Jade shares how Photoshop can hurt an aspiring models pursuits. She also discusses the importance of having a plan before you get in front of the camera to get better results. Along with sharing her own photography mistakes from her early modeling years, this segment was inspired by her blog post on called "Does your photographer know what agencies look for?”, earlier this week.

You can catch this episode of Model Talk by visiting the show here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade/2010/03/17/model-photo-dont-put-that-photoshop-on-my-face

This episode will be live:
3/17/2010
1:00 PM
15 Minutes

You can always catch the archive anytime here: www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade

P.s: This week I am giving away a pair of heels from Bakers called Rock & Candy by ZiGi, (They are a SIZE 6!! shoe, the standard shoe model size) however they might fit a size 7 foot), and win a copy of my original modeling memoir Almost 5'4", along with an awesome eyeshadow palette from Forever 21. To win this heels,beauty and book giveaway email me at: petitepride@yahoo.com your best natural beauty shot and a shot of you modeling a pair of heels like a shoe ad.
The deadline is Friday the 19th. (Put in in the subject please: Heels, beauty and book) The winner will be posted on my blog this weekend. Goodluck!

Marketing your self as a model: posing is not enough

Every day many girls ask me about the topic of photography in modeling. It is a major concern among aspiring models.

The photos you create make such a difference towards if you get representation or not from an agency. The more you focus on what the word model means the better. A model models something, and modeling means more than just posing. For a shorter girl, print modeling should be your focus.

Here are some hints to know if the photos you have are professional, agency quality and marketable, to show you can model:

1. Before taking the photo study ads for all types of lifestyle products, from cell phone ads, to hair products, to travel ads to ads for accessories.

2. Does the photo you created look like you are modeling for something? A product? Could it be an ad? Does it have an ad appeal? Ask yourself, does the photo just look like you are posing, or like you are really modeling something, it is such an important difference between just taking a photo and actually looking like a model. Does it look like you are "doing something" in the photo, in action, and enjoying it, happy, and showing your personality in a natural way?

3. Are you smiling? A big part of getting opportunities when you are not giraffe tall is using your personality within your photos, so make sure your photos show your personality.

4. Is the lighting good? If there is a shadow covering half your face this is not an acceptable marketable face, so make sure the photo is clear and the lighting is well done in the photo. An agent, casting director, etc, should not have to guess what you look like.

Remember modeling is not an easy pursuit, it is competitive and challengeing and tough. Modeling is a lot of work, involves a lot of hands-on work, and it involves really understanding your self, knowing your assets and how to translate what you DO HAVE and how to make those assets marketable towards modeling products for ads, commercials and editorials for magazines.

Photography concepts for Shorter Models Video

In this video I share how aspiring models can use lifestyle magazine to get inspired for creating their own marketable photos.

It is best to turn down my podcast radio show player on the right side, scroll on right side to do so, or follow this link to my Youtube page:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoCvnR7J6iA

Photography concepts for Shorter Models

New Model Talk Radio Segment: Photography for all sizes: beauty, scars and self promotion

Modeling Photography for all sizes: beauty, scars and self promotion

This weeks segment of Model Talk Radio is called: Modeling Photography for all sizes: beauty, scars and self promotion.

When: 7pm EST Live 2/24/10 or listen anytime to the archive.

Isobella shares tips on creating your model photos and marketing them. And how to bring the best you forward in photos. And even how to put a scar to use as an aspiring model. Isobella advises that what you show in your photos represents what you can do, and showing in your photos you can model is how you get opportunities. Unlike what the media can expose about modeling and models, an aspiring model needs a compcard and professional photos ahead of time, before the agency. Isobella goes into detail on the step by step process of getting quality photography and marketing your photos to get opportunities as a model no matter your height.

Follow this link to listen:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade/2010/02/25/modeling-photography-for-all-sizes-beauty-scars-and-self-promotion

Her modeling memoir called Almost 5'4" is based on being a shorter than average model. The memoir recently hit the UK through The Friday Project, an imprint of HarperCollins. You can also find Almost 5'4" on Amazon and BN.com. Isobella is also the author of her fashion illustrated graphic novel "Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Size Fashion Warrior". Her books can be found on BN.com and Amazon.com and in bookstores.

How female lifestyle magazines can inspire models

If you are under 5'7" lifestyle magazines will become a good friend. To get inspired for the type of photos you need for print modeling it is best to observe ads and editorials that involve the face, the personality, smiles, and energy of the model. Not the pout, attitude, or high fashion latest trends, but instead focus on where models of all types, sizes and ages are used to model products. In the latest issue of Glamour magazine I noticed these ads that show the models personality and also an assortment of products, from coffee, Orajel, Tide, and beauty. Ads where it isn't about the models height. Observe these ads, and use images like this as a guide for the type of photos you should include on your comp card as an aspiring model, especially if you are petite. Also this post from my blog about photography for shorter models can inspire you. - isobella

P.s: My tips on Glamour.com about how shorter models can look longer in photos here.

Think twice before you post for the photographer's portfolio

A girl on Facebook recently told me she was going to shoot with a photographer and she would be “shooting for his portfolio.”

Well, I would think twice before posing for a photographer’s portfolio. Posing for The Photographer's Portfolio doesn't mean you will get anything of benefit for yourself and your own modeling goals. If you know the photos you need to excel as a model you will be better off, and the photos you need to start with are quite simple actually.

Focus on your face shots, your shots that show personality, and modeling products within your photos. Showing you can model something, a handbag, shoes, earrings, a cell phone, a cup of coffee, show your personality, and you will be picked up by a print agency sooner. Sometimes something that "sounds good" or "sounds too good to be true" is. And just shooting to shoot doesn't help your pursuits. Strive for more, aim for professionalism and focus on the photos YOU need. The Internet-age might seem like the easier way, but that route is full scams, so beware of TFP, and of course I would skip the Internet ads, websites, and model-sites, as well and amateurs. Get a comp card, focus on the photos you need, your experience will be better. and more productive.

Before you get in front of the camera here are some tips of what to ask the photographer and things to avoid all together.

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2009/02/finding-photographer-drama.html

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2009/06/ask-photographer-before-photoshoot.html

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2008/12/models-finding-photographers-good-and.html

Short Model Support photo inspiration video

Here I am sharing my Short Model Support photo inspiration video. Aka: Short chicks photo guide. If you want to model you need photos that are marketable. Here are some tips and photo goals to keep in mind for print modeling: