Modelling Portfolio

[kasha]

I've recently been asked to take photos for a modelling portfolio. I haven't done this before and though I will do my own research, I wanted to ask anyone who had experience doing this for some advice or direction as to how to go about doing it. Anyone who can point me in the direction of a website or something with more information, or portrait tutorials is greatly appreciated as well. Thank you!

[kasha]

oh also wanted to mention watermarks and how i should go about doing those!

[Murtasma]

What gear do you have? Have you tried searching google or the forum here? There is tons of information out there about taking portraits. Do you have a particular style you are trying to go for? What experience do you have with photography so far?

[WooD]

You should already be pretty good at portraits before shooting pictures of a model for her portfolio.

Other than that, I think 9x12 is the standard size portfolio print, so I'd frame my shots with that in mind.

You can tag the images, but I'd never water mark a portfolio print.

[Sime]

Hey Kasha... have a look at some of the portfolios on Where Professional Models Meet Model Photographers - ModelMayhem could help you get an idea of the diversity some people put into their portfolios

s

[nickbedford]

Generally they will need to buy the unwatermarked prints off you, whether in print or as JPEGs.

They need to pay you for the shoot, the processing, expenses and then the images themselves.

Before they purchase the images, you want to sit down with them (or give them a disc) of watermarked, small images (say 600px on the long side) for them to choose. The trick with watermarking is to not detract from the quality of the shot, whilst protecting the use of that actual proof file.

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by WooD

You should already be pretty good at portraits before shooting pictures of a model for her portfolio.

Other than that, I think 9x12 is the standard size portfolio print, so I'd frame my shots with that in mind.

You can tag the images, but I'd never water mark a portfolio print.

Though, 3:2 is often the ratio of uncropped images. Depends whether they need a different ratio.

[krasik]

Originally Posted by kasha

I've recently been asked to take photos for a modelling portfolio. I haven't done this before and though I will do my own research, I wanted to ask anyone who had experience doing this for some advice or direction as to how to go about doing it. Anyone who can point me in the direction of a website or something with more information, or portrait tutorials is greatly appreciated as well. Thank you!

i actually bought the portrait book that is recomendended here on the site. it helped a lot.
i was asked to do modeling portfolio for 8 year old girl. here is what happened:
Mia @ Kids Fashion Photography Olga Krasavina | Photography/Art/Design

she was just a lovely girl. she was doing it for the first time, so i brought magazines and together we looked for different poses. it was a lot of fun.
i used telephoto and speedlite.
make sure to do headshot, 3/4 and full body pics. outside, inside, and at least 2 different outfits. happy, sad, dreamy..etc.
different agencies prefer different moods, so be sure to cover them all

[sk66]

Originally Posted by nickbedford

They need to pay you for the shoot, the processing, expenses and then the images themselves.
.

I don't know that I agree with this....at this level TFD/TFP would be appropriate.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by krasik

i actually bought the portrait book that is recommended here on the site. it helped a lot.
i was asked to do modeling portfolio for 8 year old girl. here is what happened:
Mia @ Kids Fashion Photography Olga Krasavina | Photography/Art/Design

i don't wanna be raining on your parade ...but the images aren't sharp. That's too bad too because she is a cutie and your composition/poses are fine...