The Most Important Element of a Successful Modelling Portfolio

As a model, your portfolio is you number one marketing tool. The selection of images in your portfolio can make or break your chances of getting signed with a modelling agency or being booked for a job. Today I’m going to share with you the most important element of a successful modelling portfolio, that often gets neglected. Let’s go!

The key to a successful modelling portfolio

First and foremost, your portfolio should showcase your modelling abilities — as opposed to only showing your pretty or handsome face. It’s also not about the amazing talent of a creative team who worked with you (photographer/MUA/hairstylist), but your own talent and skill.

Let’s be real, a selection of pretty photos in the same outfit, location, with the same facial expression will not get you far. In order for your model portfolio to be successful, you need to show a range.

What does range in your portfolio mean?

1. Range of facial expressions and emotions

Make sure you show different sides of your face (I know, we all have a preferred side and most of our images look similar). Same applies to having the same facial expression in all images. As a model you need to be versatile – not only with your poses, but also with your face.
Pay attention to ads you’re seeing – generally models are conveying some sort of emotion (excited, goofy, serious, sad). It’s quite rare to see a model in an ad campaign looking directly into the camera with a simple smile.

2. Range of characters you can portray

When you’re hired for a job it’s not about you, but your ability to be someone else. Similarly to actor portfolio (actor headshots), in order to get work you need to show casting directors what roles/characters you can portray. Essentially, as a model you will be playing a role, so the bigger the range of roles you can show you can portray — the higher will be your chances of getting hired.

3. Age range

Lastly, try showing how young you can look, alongside how old you can look. You can do this with appropriate makeup and clothing. Typically, agencies display an age range instead of model’s actual age, though clients would want to see photographs that prove this.

So the main takeaway here is you modelling portfolio is not about you, but about your ability to help a client by portraying a character they need to sell their service or product. The bigger the range you can show in your portfolio, the greater your chances are to get signed by an agency and book work as a model.

You might also find useful Modelling Portfolio for Beginners: Must-Have Photos

I hope you found this week’s blog useful. If you are looking for a professional photographer in Birmingham to help you create a successful modelling portfolio, feel free to get in touch.