You Want to Be a Freelance Model too? -Part 1: Portfolio

So, the hype is on, Freelance Modeling seems to be stealing the limelight nowadays.

C'mon, let us be realistic...
Unless you have real striking features and standing at at least 1.70cm, perhaps then, you should consider making Modeling your main rice bowl.

However, us being Asians, the chance of it happening is slim.

FRET NOT THOUGH

There is Freelance Modeling to try your luck on, and of course to enjoy the experience it has to offer.

You have got the looks and passion,
so how do you get started on it?


Part 1: Portfolio

Look out for aspiring Photographers who are keen to provide you with photography session/s. They are everywhere and could be easily located on the web. Few clicks on the search engine and you are almost there!

But wait, before you jump to it, you have to hear what I have got to share on this!

So you have found yourself a few willing Photographers, what is next?

Check their Credentials
Ask for their portfolios, they would usually be able to provide you with their personal sites which showcase their photography works. Look at their works, specifically under the Portraits section and do a comparison to see if any of their styles suit your taste and requirements.

One thing to keep in mind: not all Photographers are professionals in portrait photography. They could just be a Hobbyist who enjoys shooting girls and have their images in his private collection.

Source

Run a check on the Photographers before committing your time!

You are, afterall, meeting a stranger off the web!
The best way to do is to obtain contacts from the Photographer you are going to work with. It could be contacts of their clients, or even aspiring models of whom they have worked with.

Chat online with Photographer, for this is one good tool in assessing him as a person.

Protect Yourself
There have been many reported cases on the growing number of Self-proclaimed Photographers. They engage models for swimsuit/ lingerie shoots, just for the cheap (free) thrills of it. The risk of falling prey to you being outraged is too much to take. In the first place, I could not see any reason why you would be interested in it; when as a model, you have your portrayed image to adhere to.

I would urge you to come to a decision on the kind of assignments you would like to undertake. Sure, if you would like to go into the line of "Glamour". Think FHM, Playuer, Maxim, Racerqueen; then yes, you could conform yourself in that area. Steer your portfolio towards that, and you would well be on your way there.

(To each his own: I guess it is a personal choice, of which, I shall leave my personal negative opinion of it to myself... for now.)

Basic Knowledge

There are generally, two different sort of collaborations you both can get into:

Time For CD (commonly known as TFCD)
You invest your time and effort in return of your images in soft-copies. These images are usually stored in a CD for your collection.

Time For Prints (commonly known as TFP)
In this instance, you get your images in the form of prints instead.

Do not expect to have all the images of the whole session. The selection of the best images is usually done under the photographer's own discretion. Of course, this could be done flexible, and if time permits, I am sure the photographer would not mind you in for this process.

Copyrights Issue

I would advise you to include this in your discussion with the Photographer. What I usually would do is, to ensure that he informs me whenever my image is used; while on my part, I make sure to quote the photography credits under his name.

What Kind of Images Do You Need?

The standard Beauty Shoot with minimal make up!

In general, you would need at least a set of close-up, ½-body, ¾-body and full-body images.

½-body Image: Studio Shoot with Photographer Ejun Low

You may then explore other theme of images to portray your diversity in your looks and poses. Surf the net, browse through the magazines: these could be the places to get your inspiration from.

Studio Shoot with Photographer Kenneth Choo

Studio Shoot with Photographer Ejun Low

Outdoor Shoot with Photographer Timothy Liong

Costs?
Photographers work in different ways.

Some would be willing to bear all costs for the shoot -say the studio rental as well as roping in of a Make-up Artist.

There would also be cases, where you would need to do your own make-up and have your shoot taken outdoors.

Outdoor Shoot with Photographer Ejun Low

It depends on how you negotiate your way, and how far both you and the Photographer are willing to go for the sake of getting the ideal images together.

Go on, build your Portfolio now!

Stay tuned for: You Want to Be a Freelance Model Too? -Part 2!

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