im 15 and starting a modelling career. How many photos will i need on average for a portfolio?

Answer 1

You will need about 20 photos for your portfolio. Any more than that and you are wasting the client's time. The key is to tightly edit your portfolio, and only show the best images that reflect your look. Be ruthless when you edit your book - nobody cares if you stood in the rain for hours in the cold to achieve a moody photo - all the client cares about is the end result. Does the photo work? Don't get attached to your photos - if it doesn't work, discard it. Only show your best work to clients.

Clients want to see how you come across in the photos and it comes down to 2 basic things - do you have a look that can sell their product or sell their service? This includes everything from runway jobs (fashion clients) to models in commercial shoots.

You should get an evaluation from a reputable agency or established photographer before you even embark on this journey, to see if you have a 'look" that is both photogenic and marketable. Don't rely on the opinions of family or friends as to whether or not you will make a good model - they don't know. It's not their job to know unless they are in the business. Seek professional advice so that you don't waste your time.

Work with the best photographers possible, even if you have to pay to have a portfolio done. If you work with amateur photographers, it will show in the work that you produce. Talent sharpens talent, and you want to work with the best talent available.

Answer 2

For modeling, that is too old to get into runway/editorial/high fashion - most agencies won't accept submissions from models over 21 -- and even then it's rare. Agyness Deyn had to lie and say she was 17 to get into an agency because very single agency she applied to with her real age rejected her. BUT for commercial print, that's perfectly fine. In fact most of the big commercial agencies like Rick Miller Agency do not represent anyone UNDER 20 years old For acting you are never too old. Meryl Streep didn't have her first acting credit, a bit part in a TV movie, until she was 28 years old and look at her career - she's been nominated for an Oscar 16 times and has won twice. What is crucial is that you get the best training you can and start acting right away in community theatre, student films, college plays, etc to get experience as most actors your age have been doing so since high school. But you can catch up with decidation and focus

Answer 3

It's proabably best if you write letters to modeling companys, or even magazines that you're interested in.
If you attach one or 2 photos on to the letter, they will soon contact you asking for a portfolio and they will probably tell you how many pictures they want, they will probably ask for around 50-70.

Most companys think it's very grown up and good to send letters :D

Also, make sure that you have finished all exams before you get into somthing like that.

Good Luck
x

Answer 4

From acting experience, it never hurts to have a good picture portfolio.

This is my experience.

You want about 10-20 pictures (too many looks like your trying too hard and can also lead to inferior photo's being included to simple make numbers) sometimes less is more.

Have the pictures taken by a professional (or talented) photographer, amatuer pictures will not be good enough.

You want basically, 10 close up head shots all portraying different looks/moods.

5 medium shots (eg face and body) and 3 long shots (face, body and legs) and 2 long shots (from a moderate 10m distance).

The amount of these photo's is your discretion, it helps to keep to the ration.

Also it helps to have several simple black and white photo's (preferably in the face close up), these always seem to go down well and if taken good, can look excellent and very flattering.

Good luck.

As someone said earlier, be very careful, the modeling industry is VERY dirty, and i dont just mean pervery photographers.

Be very wary of photographers who seem less than professional

All agencies must be highly scrutinised before signing anything.

The most disturbing factor is that most women who want to be models end up being manipulated into being topless models... and beleive me, it does and has and will still happen to a lot of young girls.

I agree with the other commenter, finish your high schooling before you throw yourself into this.

Answer 5

Go to the websites for Ford, Elite, etc. and look at the info they give you right on their site, for free. They don't tell you to put out a lot of money or to get pro shots right off the bat. All that comes with experience which you obviously don't have until you've worked a few jobs. The sites also give you their physical requirements, open call dates, etc. Just follow the advice on those sites and if it's meant to be, they will choose to work with you and help you make it happen.

If anyone asks you for money before they get you a job, run the other way. Legitimate agents get a percentage of what you make and not one penny before then.

You obviously need to have your parents behind you 100%. If not, you'll have to wait. I hope your grades are great too, because you can't do this kind of work at your age if they're not because you have to be able to keep up without much help.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Hi. I have a photgrapher friend sitting right here with me and he has passed on some good advice. All of the reputable agencies will do your photographs for you when you get signed to them. You should absolutely not be paying for these to be done. If an 'agency' is asking you to do this, they are ripping you off. Send a photo - not a professional one - to a reputable agency - Storm, for example. If they like the look of you, they will ask you in to see them. Don't worry about it being a holiday photo etc - scouts are trained to look past 'professional' pictures and you will be wasting your money. Don't be disheartened if you get rejected - keep trying but only with the reputable agencies - very often agencies have a 'prefered' look and you may be right for one but not what another agency is looking for. Good luck (but also, please finish school first).

Answer 7

I started modelling at 16 and I had about 70 professional photographs taken. I was very lucky though as my hairdresser at the time also had a modelling agency, so I had my hair, make-up and clothes all done for the potfollio, by people who knew what was required. Good luck.

Answer 8

i model now and you can never have too many photos!!

you want to start with atleast 20! and get a comp card. this card will go to your agent and they can send it out as your advertisment. it will have maybe 4 pictures on it. it will give your stats, such as height, weight, dress size, shoe size, eye color, shoe size, etc.

also in your profile have full body shots, front and back, have facial closeups.. also throw in some regular photos of just yourself. i have had many comments from different modeling jobs that they like that, because they get to see you in everyday life.. real photos are setup and your told how to pose, your hair is fixed etc.. everyday photos show your natural talent and how you are naturally photogenic.. as your modeling career takes off, you portfolio will grow!

if you are just starting out it will take alot of time, and definitely a bit of money to get that portfolio started.. professional pics can be quite expensive!! and getting a comp card done can add up, unless they offer that in some sort of package.. remember you will need more that one comp card, so they need to get printed!

also, do alot of research on the agent you go with and see what qualifications they have, and what companies they have worked with in the past.. you want to go with an agent who has atleast 1 or 2 famous or popular companies on their record!

lastly, i didnt mention before, but know what you want to model for and have extra pics of that.. if you want fashion, have many body shots so people can see what you are capable of. also watch your facial expressions..

if you are going for makeup, take pics with different makeup styles..

hair model, different hair styles, etc.. you get my point!!

Answer 9

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Answer 10

more than 55 and 25 of your best ones so like 80 or more.