How to build a modelling portfolio that gets bookings

Digitals are the foundation of every portfolio in this industry: natural light, plain wall, no makeup, no filters, fitted clothing. Head and shoulders, three-quarter, full-length front, side and back, plus one relaxed smile.

They are not meant to be flattering. They are meant to be accurate, and clients trust them more than heavily edited images.

Eight to twelve strong images beat forty average ones. Show different looks, lighting and moods — a beauty close-up, a full-length in simple clothing, one commercial and friendly image, one editorial and fashion-led image.

Cut anything blurry, badly lit, heavily filtered, shot in a group, or more than two years old if your look has changed.

Use daylight. Stand facing a window or outside in open shade around mid-morning or late afternoon. Keep the background plain and uncluttered. Shoot at eye level, not from above or below.

Have someone else take the photos so your posture is natural, and take far more frames than you need.

Update your photos whenever your hair, weight or look changes meaningfully, and at least once a year. An out-of-date profile wastes a client's time and yours, and it is the fastest way to lose a repeat booker.