How should I go about starting a modeling portfolio without getting scammed?

Answer 1

First look for a registered modeling agency. Don't go to those one's in the classifieds. And a good model almost never pays for a portfolio if she gets accepted by an agency.

You may have to pay for it. But not if you are already active in an agency. For a portfolio go to a legitimate professional photographer, with a chaperon. Pay for it. It will take a couple of grand but its done right. Before the shoot get a makeover. A complete makeover. Fresh hairdo. Dress to the nines.

For the shoot, have three or four outfits with you, pressed and cleaned. One power suit, one casual, one drop dead party with cleavage and the bikini. And a couple of head shots in color and black and white. Have several done in color. A couple in B&W. Headshots three in colour with different hair, And headshots in Black and White. Even after all these years a director will pick from a B&W face shot.

Second, just get out there. If you are without an agency. Oh hell even with an agency. Go to clothing stores give them a card saying that you are will to model their clothes in any fashion show. And get business cards, use them. And get them.

And for God Sakes don't forget to smile. Learn to smile even when your sleeping. Oh and make sure you have a cell phone and don't chat too much it is a business phone. Work out in the morning before ten. You must have that done before ten because you might have a call and if your career is starting you gotta be ready now. Keep travelling bags packed if you are with an agency with your make up and beauty aids. Two or three days of clothes including a swimsuit and tights.This doesn't go on the carry on luggage though.

Eat a balanced diet within your weight control program.

Another thing is to be seen. Get yourself to every event in the social, sports and fairs calender you can locally even if you are busy with shoots make the time.

Get out on the evening scene, club scene but it is important to be seen. So if you can for free simply get in and stroll around. Never stay too long in that night club, no more than twenty minutes to circulate. There are other clubs. Meetings should be pleasant casual witty memorable and short. Avoid drinking more than a Shirley Temple.

Any social gathering is your friend. You must be recognized. Its where you mix. If its a social affair or reception or night club event just go. And be pleasantly perky. People hate perky but they hire perky. It sells. Remember Joan Rivers ol line, "Asshhhhhh all you need is a pretty face and a trick hip, then you got it made."

That is not only funny but probably close to the truth. Don't be vacuous though and babble. Smile nod and be honest. If you don't know something demurely smile like a Cheshire cat and look into their eyes. They won't care about the answer.

Learn to walk at these gatherings. Walk into a social gathering like you own this place. No arrogance. You can do it with an erect carefree confident walk and a pleasant smile. Your guts may be twisting but like the old saying goes, "Never let 'em see you sweat."

Every time you see someone you recognize pretend your jumping out of your skin even if you simply look or exchange hellos. You don't have to be forward or overwhelming just be glad to meet them again. And try to remember their names, even carry a small note pad in your purse. Remembering names is the absolute best compliment to pay a person at the top or at the bottom of society even if its after a year between sightings.

And if a person doesn't look like they are important, treat them equally as if they are. Sometimes looks can be deceiving.

If you have a problem on a shoot, suppress the urge to bi-tch about it. Simply say it was fantastic. Thank you. I hope we can work with each other again.

Everything you say or even think must be confident and positive. Even if an experience is absolute crap only the positive must come out of your mouth.

Avoid drugs at all costs. Pretend to accept them then flush 'em if you have to. Drugs can be pushed on a girl. But these work against your career.

You will meet the casting couch situation. Don't play. Don't be rude. Say maybe "sometime" with a smile. Always leave yourself with a believable exit strategy. Believe it or not very few casting couches work. Not every girl is Cameron Diaz or Celine Dion or Shania Twain. They are exceptions. If you want a model's model think Jodi Foster, Sheryl Crow or Cindy Crawford.

Its only if the wedding ring comes out and the date set that you play that game. Most of these execs are married and just want nookie. You will never get a contract because you slept with them one or two nights. Never mix business with pleasure. You get any contract because you are the best face for the job.

Now why do I say all this. Well its important you realize that anyone can get a portfolio. But time changes them. You change. But your not changing yourself or being phony, People see through phoniness. But modeling is a public job and there you must go. The best portfolio is always you, yourself.

Answer 2

Send out a regular picture of you - full length and one of you of just face (like a school picture) and send them out to model agencies in the closest big city. They want to know that you are photogenic. If they see that you are they will normally pay for your portfolio (speaking from experience they may for majority of it and deduct your portion of it from your first paycheck).