GETTING STARTED

The first thing you need to do is show prospective clients what you look like. At a minimum, you need a headshot and a full length shot of yourself. This is the start of your portfolio. Most likely you will need to pay a photographer to help you with your portfolio. (Don t try to substitute for professional photos!) If you want to build your portfolio and are short on cash, TFP is a good way to get a portfolio started cheaply. (TFP or Time For Prints is when you pose for a photographer in exchange for free or discounted portfolio prints or images.)

Once you've got some sample images of yourself, assemble a portfolio using a portfolio folder available at most Photography stores. Different agencies require different size portfolios, but 8x10 will be your best bet to start with (and inexpensive.) You will also need to create an online portfolio. A good place to start is with the website www.onemodelplace.com. At this point you need to decide what type(s) of modeling you re interested in, what photography styles you're comfortable with and willing to do, and what your limits are.

One last thing to add here: Get a cell phone, keep it paid up and keep it turned on. This in now your business number, it will go on your business cards, comp cards, website and anywhere else you can think of. Having a cell phone also means you will not have people calling you home phone at odd hours of the day either.