Model Tips for Your Photo Shoot

What to wear:

Your photos should showcase you, not your clothes, jewelry, or makeup. Stick to solid colors, avoiding floral prints or patterns. Ensure your clothing fits well for a realistic look and opt for outfits that reflect an “attractive real person” rather than trendy fashion.

Maintain a diverse mix of colors and styles in your portfolio, keeping jewelry minimal. Clean and properly cared-for clothing is a must—wrinkles show up in photos and can be a pain to retouch.

For headshots, follow these guidelines:

• Avoid white and light pastels.
• Opt for warm earthy tones.
• Use shirts with texture (sweaters, knit, or ribbed material).
• Steer clear of v-necks.
• Ensure tops have shoulders, avoiding spaghetti straps or sleeveless shirts.

Do I need to do photos in a swimsuit or lingerie?

There is NO type of modeling or photograph that you HAVE to do to be a model. You do NOT have to model swimwear. You certainly do not have to model lingerie, and you do not have to model anything that is in conflict with your cultural or religious beliefs. Certainly, the more that you are willing and able to do, the more opportunities that you will make available to yourself, and there is no legitimate modeling agency that will ever tell you otherwise.

Stay out of the sun and do not use tanning beds. Tan lines are nearly impossible to cover up with make-up. It’s much easier to get a pale model to look tanned than it is to get a tanned model to look pale. If you feel the need to look tanned, use high-quality self-tanning products which “color” your skin rather than tan it. The key is to apply it evenly (often you need help with this) and you need to stand around nude until the product is completely dry.

Remember, your portfolio should focus on portraying different characters, with outfits serving as costumes, not distractions. If you lack a needed outfit, consider borrowing or using a credit card with a store that has a good return policy.

Swimsuit or lingerie photos are not mandatory for modeling. Choose what aligns with your comfort and beliefs. Avoid excessive sun exposure, and if you desire a tan, use quality self-tanning products.

Makeup and hair:

Less is more—opt for minimal makeup like concealer, mascara, brow maintenance, and natural lipstick and keep eyeshadow subtle a. If you have blemishes, it’s OK! Everyone has them and I retouch the blemishes out anyways, unless you tell me otherwise. For hair I would keep it as natural as possible. If you have straight hair feel free to give it a blowout and if you have curly hair just do what makes your hair look best. Remember, the whole point of this is to show what you look like naturally, just elevated a bit. I would also suggest painting your nails a neutral color, beige is your best friend.

Test shoots:

A test shoot involves a collaboration between a photographer and model to create content. It’s an excellent way to gain modeling experience in a low-pressure environment. Typically, it’s a simple setup with the model, photographer, and occasionally a makeup artist and hairstylist.