So you’ve decided - come hell or high water you want to be a model. Forget clawing your way through corporate America or being chained to a cubicle. You’re going to live out your dream and start your modeling career. There’s only one problem - you have no idea where to start.

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No worries. There are two types of modeling - working with an agency or going freelance. Both types will be discussed but no matter which you choose, you have the same starting point. The portfolio. A portfolio is your calling card to agencies and businesses. It normally contains a number of pictures from test shoots, modeling jobs, and magazines as well as your resume and possibly comp cards. More on those later.

Now, you’ll want a variety of work in your portfolio. Headshots, body shots, action, candid, serious - just keep the variety there and you’ll have them hooked. You will want to have professional photos taken, preferably from someone that can coach you a bit on what to do for a real photo shoot.

Develop your image and look - you want to stand out from all those hopeful models standing all around you. Implement a theme into your portfolio based on the type of work that you want to do - add in more spicy pictures to show yourself as someone daring enough to do the work that many shy away from.

Comp cards are pretty much your model business card. Instead of the same old boring information on a normal business card, you have the highest quality pictures. These are an easy way to let agents and businesses see what you are all about in one quick glance: that vaunted first impression. Make sure that all of your pictures on both portfolio and comp card are top notch. Remember, quality over quantity.

You may or may not want to create a portfolio website for yourself. More promotion is better than less, so long as you are careful to make sure that anyone contacting you checks out okay. Keep the same design principles in mind for your website as you did for your portfolio and comp card, and you’ll be okay. This is also a way to give another look at your personality - through the words on the page. There are also online portfolio sites for models although how likely you are to get legitimate work through these is in question.

I would recommend that you work with a modeling agency. This gives you the contacts you need, someone with business know how so you can focus on only the modeling, and a secure place as far as work goes. Agents work on commission - don’t go with any that talk to you about upfront payments.

If you are gong to go freelance, you are in complete control. This could be a good or a bad thing. If you think you can market yourself effectively and you have the networking skills to pull it off, by all means go for it. There is a lot of work involved on top of the modeling work however - work that an agent would normally deal with (such as client payment, job scouting, and other similar services).

No matter which path you choose, follow your dreams. You don’t want to regret not even trying!

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