BY DTEFLON

As the manager of some of the top influencers and creative director and photographer who has worked with many celebrity brands and professional models on the net and running AEMT Management and Alliance Entertainment Group with over 30yr experience in the entertainment film, television, and modeling industry…

I have helped and worked with Actors, Models showing them how to navigate thru this very tough and competitive industry to stand out and have worked with some of the best and launched the careers of some of the top models and influencers in the game and at Alliance Entertainment and AEMT, we pride ourselves on being the leading force to represent the best and let them know that we will make sure we take care of all the behind the scenes biz for them to know that they are staying focused on reaching their goals in the industry without the distraction of being taking advantage of and that their brand and name is protected.

Often I get emails from girls asking how I do I get into the modeling or acting business professional and the funny thing is when a girl who has done a shoot here and there states Professional Freelance Model in her bio on her Instagram account who takes yes decent photos but when I ask to see your portfolio ..

They then say I don’t have one…..Well let me explain on how to get started the right way if your thinking of a career as a model professionally and what you need to know before starting on this career path….

A PROFESSIONAL MODEL/ACTRESS /ACTOR HAS 4THINGS …

1. A BRAND MANAGER/PUBLICIST

2. YOU ARE A REGISTERED SAG/AFTRA/ACTRA UNION PERFORMER

3. A BOOKING AGENT

4 . A BUSINESS MANAGER

5. PORTFOLIO /EPK CATEGORIZED ( ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT) OR WEBSITE

THAT INCLUDES FULL RESUME OF THEIR PAST AND CURRENT WORK IMDB.COM ETC

THE USUAL QUESTION I GET AFTER FROM MODELS AND TALENT WHO DON’T HAVE ONE IS

WHY DO I NEED A PORTFOLIO?

A modeling portfolio is a model’s most important marketing tool. The modeling portfolio or EPK will get you signed by a modeling agency or management(s) and hired by clients. Having a strong professional portfolio is the first impression of the business.

Your photographs and reels and resume are always seen by modeling agencies, casting directors, and clients BEFORE you are, so if your management or agency doesn’t have anything to market you with, your agents or managers can’t sell your ability to be an amazing model for the brand or the company –

HOW DO I PUT TOGETHER THE PROPER PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY-STANDARD EPK/ PORTFOLIO AND WHAT IS REQUIRED?

A modeling portfolio is a collection of photographs and videos that were taken to show the model’s range and ability. These photographs/reels are submitted to modeling agencies and clients in the hope of getting signed or getting work. Be realistic when beginning the process of building a portfolio.

I always wanted to be a model but I always thought you have to be tall to be a working model.

If this was the 80s and the 90s I would say yes but the market has changed and of course, if you’re wanting to do runway and If you are 5’3” well yes runway is out of the question.

If you don’t want to get rejected by agencies that are looking for runway models you should not have photographs or submit photos that make you look like a runway fashion model unless you looking to do more only print and brand work and those photos are more focused on your face and body parts or curves bit they are never full-length level unless to market the clothing but do not take pics where you look like your 5 foot 11 and your only 5”3 if you’re submitting for a runway or for a fashion model casting call.

All that would do is make you look foolish when you show up to a casting call so make sure to ask questions and be sure before submitting you have all the information on what type of model they are looking for so you are sure you are the right choice for that casting call or agency.

I NEVER LOOKED AT MYSELF AS A BRAND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A BRAND AND A MODEL?

When first looking to cross over from becoming a model into a full brand model having a realistic approach to your portfolio will help you avoid rejection and failure as you attempt to enter the industry.

A model looks for a job searches for a job hopes for a job and prays for a job and if she gets that job yes she may get it on looks but as a brand, it’s not just about how you look and casting directors or agencies that reach out to work with you are finding you and wanting to work with you strictly of your name and thru word of mouth with other people talking about you and how good your work is either thru online or having a really good PR or management team that has created the hype around you and created a great portfolio for you and your brand and most importantly your name!

Let me tell you what a modeling portfolio is NOT . . . A modeling portfolio is NOT a bunch of pictures that show how pretty or handsome the model is or how sexy he or she is.

A great portfolio does not showcase the talents of photographers, makeup artists, and hairstylists.

A great modeling portfolio is a mixed collection of 6 to 20 photographs** per category along with great production videos and as well you speaking on camera in different faces showcasing either a product or a brand as well that shows your confidence on camera to sell not only yourself to the audience but for the brand or company you want to work with to see your versatility as a model.

What does that mean?

It means that when you appear in an ad, on a billboard, or in a TV commercial, you won’t be appearing as yourself. They won’t be showing YOUR name. You will be acting – portraying a character. You want to show when even on video that it’s more about the brand you rep for than you and you have the ability to make the audience believe they should invest in the product or brand you promoting for and that also means you have to be comfortable working with the opposite sex male and female.

For campaigns you have to look at modeling the same way as acting….You have to create the story for the brand thru your images so you will have to have in your portfolio showcase that you can so for example if the brand is a wedding brand you have to sell the illusion on camera that you really are getting married and its your job and the model your working with to sell that story so if you have issues with being able to take intimate photos to tell a believable story or working with groups of different people on camera then becoming a brand model or dreams of being in major magazine is not for you.

I am new to the industry and don’t have a portfolio & don’t have a lot of content yet what should I do?

A beginner start-up portfolio needs to show what you are capable of. **(6 – 12 photos each category different styles wardrobe looks etc that you have shot in for a new model and no more than 20 for an experienced model)

In short, the modeling portfolio for a beginner is not about YOU it is about what /who you can be.

Your portfolio or EPK “(Electronic Press Kit) when you have a fully professional one that has been approved by your management that you have everything done needs to be categorized into 10 areas so when your agent or manager is submitting to an agency or company in order for them to do the job effective in getting you out to be seeing for the best castings and auditions they must have the following along with a resume of the jobs you have done to date.

A Professional EPK (Electronic Press Kit Portfolio must include the following:

1. Your full measurements

Height, Weight, Age, Hair Color, Shoe Size, Bust Cup Size, etc

3. A listing of all the jobs you have worked with photographers you shot with

4. An Intro Video of you should say the following

Hi, I am_____ and I am ___yrs old and I live in _____ I am ____ tall, and If you are a Model/Actor that has representation …I am represented by____ and If you’re looking for a model for your brand or company I would love to be considered ___and then just a short but brief description on you maybe the jobs you have worked and as well a bit about you and any other credentials that you may have.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE INDUSTRY AND WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET STARTED …..

DO NOT SKIM-READ IN FULL WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE FIRST

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT IN THE EXACT ORDER BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL OF THESE ON THE LIST DONE BEFORE YOU THINK ABOUT CONTACTING AN AGENCY OR SUBMITTING TO A MANAGEMENT COMPANY UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR STUFF TO MOST LIKELY END UP IN THE TRASH CAN OR NOT EVEN LOOKED AT OR TAKEN SERIOUSLY

SHOOT # 1

Professional Industry Standard Headshots

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

SHOOT # 2

High Fashion

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SHOOT # 3

GLAMOUR/CATALOG FASHION

KARINE@AEMTMODELS.COM

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SHOOT # 4.

LINGERIE

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SHOOT # 5

Urban/Street & Fall Fashion

DIANA@AEMTMODELS.COM

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SHOOT #6

Creative Concept & Character Development:

This shoot is for Models and Actors or modeling looking to cross over into film, television

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SHOOT #7

Fitness & Fitness Brand Influencer

LYNN@AEMTMODELS.COM

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SHOOT #8

Lifestyle

KEELYMARIE@AEMTMODELS.COM

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SHOOT #9

Business & Commercial Shoot

DANNA@AEMTMODELS.COM

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SHOOT #10

BIKINI/SWIMWEAR

LYNN@AEMTMODELS.COM

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SHOOT #11

ARTISTIC NUDE/BOUDOIR/IMPLIED

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HIRE A VIDEOGRAPHER & CREATE A SIZZLE REEL OF YOUR WORK

LOOKING TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL VIDEOGRAPHER CLICK HERE

MOST CASTINGS NOW ARE ONLINE MANY COMPANIES ARE NO LONGER DOING IN PERSON

Many auditions as you know since covid is online now so this will help you get thru the red tape faster than just having your photo sitting at the bottom of a desk pile. Video reels are essential for any model or actor to have when it comes to submitting to agencies ..They want to see the real you not just photos that can be photoshopped or edited.

This gives your agents/managers and you a chance to be seen faster by casting directors and agencies

VIDEO REEL OF YOU IN ACTION AND THIS COULD BE BEHIND THE SCENES FROM PAST PHOTOSHOOTS AND JOBS YOU HAVE WORKED