HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY
If you are looking to break into the modeling industry and have begun your research with how to do so, you’ve probably come across the general requirement of needing modeling digitals. These are basic photos of yourself to submit to various modeling agencies so they can consider representing you. But “basic” is relative to some parts of the shot and not others.
The basic part is with your styling and wardrobe. More on this in a second. Typically, you want to create digitals that can appeal to as many agencies as possible. This is because you’re likely going to want to submit to as many agencies as possible. The more you do, the more you increase your chances of getting representation. This is usually important, especially when you are just getting started. You might only get representation from a smaller boutique to start. Then, as you gain experience, you might go after bigger representation.
The not so basic part goes into the best setup to create the best digitals. For this reason, you might want to work with an affordable photographer for your modeling digitals. After all, you want the best outcomes in the photos since they are using them as your main way of considering you. We’ll jump into the details of this for the rest of the post. But first, back to what you might wear.
First, there is no standard or rule. This is mainly because there are so many different modeling agencies wanting different things. So, it is best to do what would be the broadest appeal to most of them.
So, usually, you want to wear form fitting clothes, not baggy ones. So, slim jeans or leggings and a t-shirt or tank top are common. You will also want to consider contrast. In most cases, the background should be as white as possible. So, darker clothes are going to usually be best. But be sure the clothes contrast with your skin.
It is common to wear all black, head to toe. But if you consider yourself to be very pale, this can create a lot of contrast. So, you might consider a dark gray or other color that will tame the contrast. If you consider yourself to be very dark skinned, this can hide contrast with your skin. You want to showcase it. So, you might opt for slightly brighter colors than black – that gray again or similar color (blue jeans and a gray top, for example).
For shoes, it is common for women to wear heels and men to wear sneakers. Overall, for your wardrobe, keep it simple. Avoid clothes that have patterns or large logos. Solid colors are best, so the focus remains on you and not your outfit.
A bright white background is best. This could be a large white wall and white floors, if possible. This is desired because your outfit will usually be on the opposite side of white. This way you can go for the contrast that keeps the focus on you.
A white cyc wall can be used to create the most white background. This seamless white background look is the one that will keep the most focus on you and is usually best done in a photography studio.
Alternatively, you can go for more Polaroid style modeling digitals, as I like to refer to them as. This is where you will be near a white wall, and again, as light a floor as possible. So, a common living room wall might be good or a large white wall outdoors.
The larger the light, the better. But it is not just the larger, the better, you also want a soft quality to it. Direct sun does not create a soft quality. So, you will want to avoid this. In a photography studio it is usually a softbox or umbrella with 5 feet of diameter or more
This helps create the most even lighting on you, head to toe. The more even the light is across your entire body, the more pleasing the photos will appear. You might need to also light the background separately from yourself. If you do not have multiple lights, get closer to the wall but not too close to it that it creates hard shadows. It’s a delicate balance.
Now that you have basic setup ready to go, you can start to focus on what types of shots you need. Probably the two most important are your modeling headshot and your full body shot. First, the headshot.
Take a variety of very closeup shots, typically from around the top of the chest up. You usually want no facial expressions but, while you are at it, take some with you smiling as well. Next, is the profile shot. This is where you turn 90 degrees away from the camera, both to your left and right.
Also, take some shots where you are facing the camera again but turning your head just slightly left and right. If you have long hair, repeat these shots with a ponytail.
It’s the full body shots where your background setup will matter most. If you can only find a dark floor, then the bottom thirds of your body will have little contrast. It is what it is, if you cannot do better with the background.
For your full body shots, take very basic shots straight on where both sides of your body, head to toe, are symmetrical. Do this also turn 90 degrees away from the camera, left and right. You might also want to consider turning fully away from the camera to create a photo of your full body backside. Someone may ask for this. So, why not create it while you have everything setup. Again, you are attempting to create as many shots as possible to cover as many submissions as possible.
After these basic shots, start creating posed photos. Do this for shots where you are facing the camera and at a slight profile. If you are not working with a photographer or someone who can help you pose, there are plenty of model photos on the Internet you can study and try to mimic.
Now that you have full body shots created, you can take some of these and also create three quarter body shots and half body shots. Camera resolution will be important here so you can crop in without starting to create blurry images. But what are these shots exactly?
Three Quarter Body Shot
It’s all about where you crop. Obviously, the top of your head should always fully show. At the bottom, a three quarter crop can be mid-shin or mid-thigh. Avoid cropping at a joint. Subconsciously, it can make a viewer feel like your limb is severed.
Half Body Shot for Digitals
For a half body shot, similar rules apply. Avoid cropping directly at the belt line. Instead, crop slightly above or below it. This might be mid-hop or just below or above the belly button.
As you can see, a lot goes into creating digitals. It can take you half a day or more to get things setup and made. But with a professional photographer, you can create these in 30-45 minutes. You just need to show up ready with your outfit.
A photography studio that regularly does modeling digitals will have a setup ready to go immediately or within a few minutes of your arrival. In addition, working with a photographer that knows how to create digitals will produce better results than what you could have done yourself. In addition, an experienced photographer can help with posing and more. It is worth considering if you can find one to suit a budget you might have for modeling digitals.
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