Professional model portfolios are used by modeling agencies and creative directors to determine which model has the “look” they need for advertising campaigns, runway shows and spokesmodels. Having model headshots created by a professional headshot photographer is necessary to be able to stand out in this competitive environment.
Don’t let anyone tell you that getting signed with an agency is easy and all you have to do is get a decent headshot and you’ll enjoy immediate success. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! It usually requires a lot of hard work getting photo shoot experience any chance you can get to build up the skills necesary to command attention. Even so, having a solid base of professional model marketing materials like model comp cards, model portfolios and model headshots that will help set you apart from all of the aspiring models trying to work for the same agencies and clients..
REMEMBER – Your professional model headshots and portfolio represent you and your professional BRAND. This is not something that you want to trust to the cheapest model headshot photographers and stylists you can find. Since your model portfolio is many times the only thing between you and a magazine cover. Having “bad” model headshots or portfolio images are actually worse than not having them at all. You’re BRAND will be destroyed and you will never have shot.
“Bad”, “Good”, “Great” are subjective terms when it comes to model headshots, model portfolios and model comp cards. In fact, a lot of time Creative Directors and Agencies may prefer one type (e.g. white background, dark background, outside, etc) over others. This is one of the reasons why having a variety of “looks” on modeling comp cards is so important!
By now you’re asking, what helps make a model headshot “good”? Here are a number of things to consider based on in Metro Detroit as model portfolio and model headshot photographers:
- You should appear professional. There can’t be anything amateurish about your model headshot which means don’t skimp on using a hair stylist and makeup artist! It all needs to work together to represent you and your BRAND.
- You should have a mainstream look that would appeal to the masses.
- You should be properly styled and be “fashionable” for today. Appearing “outdated” will only make it appear that you have not be able to find work and are using old, outdate images.
- You should appear natural and not obviously retouched in the images. Creative Directors and Agencies want to know what YOU look like and not what a Photoshopped version of you could look like.
It should be obvious at this point that “good” is not good enough and a generic portrait will not do. A professional model headshot and model portfolio must represent the entire package of YOU. Of course, one of THE most overlooked pieces of a successful headshot is working with a professional hair stylist and/or makeup artist. You want to look your best in wedding photos or at your high school Prom, so why wouldn’t you want to look AMAZING in headshots that you will use to book paid work! So, please don’t think that you can simply walk in to meet with one of the many model photographers for a shoot and do your own. You are creating images for your professional branding that industry professionals will harshly criticize. Having a hair stylist and/or makeup artist (MUA) on location with you during your session provides two key benefits:
- The finished images will have a polished and professional quality to them that is impossible to get on your own.
- You will have multiple hair and styling options giving you a greater number of “Looks” to select from after the session.
You can see how much effort goes into producing high quality, professional headshots for models. That’s why it is so important for models to know who they are and how they want to be portrayed. After giving some deep thought to these two considerations, it is finally time to contact us online or call us at 313-883-9500 for a consultation. If you are not fully able to articulate these quite yet, that is okay. It just means you may have some additional work to do before you’re ready to submit your modeling headshots and portfolio to Agencies and Creative Directors in Metro Detroit or anywhere else.
Paul Manoian Photography does not charge a “Per Look” fee since there is so much that goes into the “look” than just the photography. Rather, our model headshot clients have provided feedback to us that they wanted the flexibility to work with a professional headshot photographer on an hourly basis since, if they know who they are and how they want to be portrayed, it makes sessions for modeling headshots and portfolio more productive.
The investment for modeling headshot sessions with Paul Manoian Photography is only $125 for an hour (on-location or outdoor session) with half and full day rates available This includes:
- Time and talent of the headshot photographer
- Unlimited wardrobe changes as time allows
- An online private proofing gallery
- Digital Proofs of the images you would like to use are only $50 (includes retouching and image release)
Best of all, we closely work with a number of full service salons in Metro Detroit and southeast Michigan for professional hair stylists and makeup artists and can provide package pricing upon request. If you would like to hire your own hair stylist and makeup artist, please have them contact us so we can coordinate the headshot session dates.
We would love the opportunity to work with you for your model headshots in the Metro Detroit area. If you are ready for a consultation, please contact us online or call us at 313-883-9500.
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