Portfolio Building

Amateur and Professional Models

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Michael of Michael Norman Photography
 

Model portfolio building

  Model portfolio building is the most important piece when perusing agencies and employment.  You only get one chance to make a first impression.  If you don't have a professionally constructed and up to date portfolio you may never get a second look.  We will go over the basics of constructing a portfolio from a photographer, project manager prospective.

 What do I need in my portfolio? 

Is a common question. 

You need in your portfolio what you are good at, and qualified.  Remember this is your employment application! You never list on an employment application in the remarks section that "O by the way I am not very good at this or that or I know I am not qualified for this".  The same applies for portfolio building.   So keep that in mind while building your portfolio.  Look at the Model scale and start your portfolio building there. We will go in depth later but we will start here.

 I always recommend to new models and parents to go through magazines and review other portfolios.  Cut out pages and glue them to sheets and put them in a note book to construct a mock portfolio on what you want in your portfolio.  Practice, practice and practice some more the poses in your mock portfolio.  Get some publications like "Top Local Models" of course! and others that review posing techniques.  Pose for a parent or family member, replicate and practice.

Go photographer shopping!
   I recommend going shopping for a photographer, just like you would anything else.  Call them and talk to them, most model portfolio photographers will share thoughts, ideas. Find one that is compatible with your goals and price range.  I would not necessarily recommend a  "test shoot" or a "TFCD" shoot unless from an experienced photographer.  You want to learn from them as much as possible.  You also want it to be a positive experience to build upon, you will have plenty of time to go to "free shoots"  and pick up shots for your portfolio.

  I recommend a Make up artist and hair stylist, I require a make-up, hair stylist if hired to shoot a portfolio.   This is extremely important and is often over looked or a corner cut.  It can cost you later!  You can usually hire a good make-up and hair stylist from your local beauty salon.  Most licensed beauticians are more than adequate.  Most photographers also have a list of Make up artists in their rolodex.  

   Price always a major concern, as well as return on investment.  You will have between $350.00-$750.00 in building/setting up your portfolio.

I will show you one of my typical cost estimates.  

Professional photographer:  $250.00 for 4 hours  $25.00 for each additional hour.
(Depending on location)

Make-up/Hair Stylist:  $100.00

Comp cards and prints:  $100.00 

Portfolio presentation book: $35.00 to $100.00

These are what I feel competitive but reasonable prices for Ohio.  I know currently money is tighter for many, so I run $50.00 coupons during my off periods. Now these are my Ohio prices.

How expensive are Portfolios? 
A beginning photographer will charge as low as $75-150 for a portfolio because he needs one as bad as you do, and you are just paying his expenses.  More experienced photographers charge $300-1000 for a portfolio session, and the top photographers charge several thousand dollars.  A session with a major New York fashion photographer can cost $1000-1500 for a headshot and up to $15,000 per day. Just remember you get what you pay for.  The more experienced photographers will provide more good shots for the amount of time spent with you and will know what your potential clients are looking for.  Would you want to have your appendix removed by a person who just bought a set of medical tools and wanted to learn on you or would you go to an experienced doctor with a long history of successful appendix surgeries?
I spend hours every week on the fashion spot and others to keep up to date on client or fashion trends.

Ok now its time to prepare for the shoot! 

  Preparation:  Two weeks out organize your clothes for your photo shoot.  I will be posting a checklist for downloading soon.

Megan in a classical boudoir headshot

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