Your portfolio is everything. Whether you are a new model or established, your portfolio is the key to unlock the door to opportunity. Without the right pictures, you will be lost. Which is why it pains us to see individuals who send us selfies and regular camera pictures. A lot of models are discouraged by the prices charged by professional photographers, thinking they can do a better job themselves. This is rarely the case. Getting a portfolio shot by a professional photographer makes sense for a variety of reasons.
Here are a few:
At the end of the day, modeling is about looks. Professional photographers coach newbies and veterans alike till they get the perfect look for the photo. How do you highlight your best features? How do you add drama to your photos? As models, you may not have as good an understanding of this as photographers. If you’ve found an experienced photographer, go through his/her portfolio to see the kinds of expressions captured by them and how they’ve helped other models achieve the unique look.
Studio shots are one thing, but shooting outdoors or in a certain environment requires an experienced hand. That’s where pro photographers come in. Based on the kind of look they envision you in, pro photographers can help you scout and shoot in locations that give your portfolio breadth. And the results will definitely go miles towards helping you. Whether it’s in a forest, on a beach, in a museum or on the street. A pro photographer will help you create an intriguing impact.
Any shoot results in hundreds of shots taken. Zeroing down from this huge number to the right pictures takes a practiced eye. A professional photographer brings a wealth of experience to capture the right look. But once the shoot is done, he puts in many more hours in post-production, refining each snap. This is not only editing for blemishes and touch-ups but improving each picture by tuning lighting and exposure to get the perfect look. This ensures that you have a portfolio where each picture stands out and elevates your profile.
For your portfolio shoot, you need more than just a DSLR. For professional photographers though, their list of equipment just starts with cameras. Depending on the kind of look you are aiming for, photographers use a variety of tools to get the best shot. Whether it’s a studio shoot or outdoors, the lenses, equipment, and knowledge that professional photographers possess make up for the cost.
Experienced photographers can be a goldmine of contacts. Modeling and acting still run heavily on references and a professional photographer could help you in this regard. While this is not a guaranteed outcome, this is a great way for you to make a professional acquaintance.
We understand that professional photographers command a premium. For people starting out, this may seem like an unnecessary expense. In our experience, however, those who have invested in professionally taken photos have an edge over others. Not only do they nail the kind of look that accentuates their features, but also come off as more professional.