Thursday 8 December 2016

5 Modelling Portfolio Mistakes & How to Avoid Them.

Everyone says you should be a model. You have wondered for for years and now; you are finally going to give modelling a go. You are going to put yourself out there and find out if its true, but before that can happen, it's time for your first model portfolio photoshoot. Time to get some great shots to start your career with and you want to get them right!  So here's some tips on things to do and what to avoid. Scroll Down and Read on!
The headshot - 5 Mistakes to Avoid with your first Modelling Portfolio. Kent Johnson Photography, Sydney, Australia.
  • ONE - No real Headshot! OK you want to have fun with your pictures and that is a great idea but you also need shots that show what your face really looks like. A party shot with your friends or your friends cropped out just won't cut it - that's where the real headshot comes in. Nice and tight. Highlighting your fabulousness. Especially when starting out, your headshot is your business card, the picture that everyone will remember you by, so make that picture a stunning one of unforgettable you!
The model shot VS a portrait - 5 Mistakes to Avoid with your first Modelling Portfolio. Kent Johnson Photography, Sydney, Australia.
  • TWO - Portraits rarely make good portfolio shots! This is a tricky one because essentially your portfolio says who you are but it says YOU in a FASHION way, not a Mum & Dad or me with my family and friends way. Usually the BEST person for this is a Fashion photographer and not a portrait or wedding photographer, although there are of course exceptions. Do your research. You can read my article about Modelling Portfolio Headshots HERE.
Fashion VS Niche theme shoots - 5 Mistakes to Avoid with your first Modelling Portfolio. Kent Johnson Photography, Sydney, Australia.
  • THREE - Avoid heavily themed photoshoots. Of course we all love seeing pictures of people dressed as their favourite Cosplay character or super seductress, however it is not really the look you are after in your modelling portfolio especially at the beginning. Stay with the mainstream looks which are Fashion, Fitness, Health & Beauty.. Don't worry you can still book that themed shoot when it happens, get paid for it and have shots for your portfolio as well. Everything in good time.
  • FOUR - Avoid not looking like who you are.. You are you and there is no-one else like you! This believe it or not is your greatest strength. It might just be worth remembering that before they became famous, famous models were just themselves.. Work on shots that show YOU at your best, work with the best photographers you can; they will be able to help you to find your strengths as a model.
    The comp card - 5 Mistakes to Avoid with your first Modelling Portfolio. Kent Johnson Photography, Sydney, Australia.
  • FIVE - Leave the landscape pictures to the landscape photographers. What does that mean? Make sure the picture is about you and not a beautiful seascape sunset shot that you happen to be a little bit of over there, somewhere... (Not that there's anything wrong with great landscape pictures). Or some crazy spot where you blend in almost completely. Again, do your research BEFORE the shoot, check out the photographers work, you will see right away how they place their subject (the model) in their photographs. If you are shooting on location, you want to find a photographer who understands how to make you the key element in the composition, no matter where the picture is taken.
The location shot - 5 Mistakes to Avoid with your first Modelling Portfolio. Kent Johnson Photography, Sydney, Australia.
Kent Johnson is a Sydney based Fashion and model portfolio photographer. He has been published in numerous Australian Fashion Magazines and has had his photography exhibited in major photographic exhibitions. To see more of Kent's Fashion work click here, to learn more about his Modelling portfolio's click here.

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