I’ve scanned hundreds of modeling portfolio profiles and have noticed common photo problems. Simply avoid these and your profile will have a much more professional look. That also means you’ll get more comments, and that translates to a higher popularity rating on the site.
Photo Mistake #1 – Face-on, arm-dangling photos.
The camera isn’t going to suck a beautiful image out of you just standing there. You’re a model, right? Pose. Not sure how? Twist your torso, tilt your head, shift your weight to one leg, bed an arm, and put your hands somewhere. Mimic a pose from a magazine.
Photo Mistake #2 – Dead facial expressions, or worse, snarling.
Avoid glaring into the camera with a pissed off look. Don’t be void of expression. Smile, look into the camera, and engage the viewer. For a sincere smile, actually think of something that makes you happy until a smile naturally comes, don’t just go through the motions; the camera will pick up the difference.
Photo Mistake #3 – Blurry and out of focus shots.
There’s a big difference between an expert’s use of depth of field, which has selective sharpness, and a photo that has no sharpness and is totally out of focus. While it might be possible to tell what you kind of look like, you won’t get a gig based on this. Post sharp, clear images of yourself.
There are too common ways a blurry picture results. One is that you have the camera too close and it can’t focus. Two, and this is the most common, is that you’re holding the camera at arms length and there isn’t enough light in the room — so the shutter stays open longer, you can’t hold perfectly still (no one can), and that results in blur.
To fix this, have someone else take the photo. And if you can’t, simply increase the amount of light, or put the camera in auto-timer mode and prop it up on something.
Photo Mistake #4 – Photo is too small.
Again, being able to see and make out detail is important to someone who’s selecting a model. If your photo is an inch or two in size, it’s too small to be of use. The bigger, the better.
Photo Mistake #5 – Digital Extremes.
If a photo is too light and washed out, too dark and covered in shadow, or too contrasty then it doesn’t have enough detail to be of use. Mind you, it might be a pretty photo, but if you can’t be seen, then there’s not enough information to make a decision about selecting you.
Photo Mistake #6 – Distracting elements in the foreground and background.
If you’re going to take a picture to sell yourself, then make it count. Use a decent background, we don’t want to see a toilet, towel racks, tile, or shampoo bottles behind you; while bathrooms have mirrors, they have other things that say “unprofessional.” If doing an overhead shot, remove the pile of laundry behind you or the clothes you just took off that are crumpled at your feet. Make sure there’s no television on or person walking in the background. Make sure there’s no junk on the table in front of you. Let nothing detract from you.
Photo Mistake #7 – Flat and dull photos.
Pictures taken with an on-camera flash have a habit of being harsh and unflattering. If you’re able to illuminate from the side instead, and not use the flash, your picture will have light and shadow, and that means visual depth. If you must use the flash, put a white index card in front of the flash at a 45 degree angle, and “bounce” the light off the ceiling. You’ll get a much gentler and flattering image.
A good profile that has a high chance of getting a model work consists of professional quality images, represents a variety of styles, and include tear sheets if available.
Don’t know how to work your camera? That’s ok, you don’t have to! Find a photographer online, negotiate a TFP/CD deal (there’s no cost), and post the session to your portfolio. Keep adding to it, doing as many TFP deals as it takes to get noticed.
Note that if a photographer enjoys working with you and produces good product, there’s a much higher chance you’ll be sought again, and referenced to friends, for paying gigs.