Working With a Photographer to Get Modeling Digitals in Los Angeles

Name: The Light Committee
Price range: $$

In Los Angeles, The Light Committee offers great modeling digitals from just $120 that capture your unique essence in high quality for standout agency submissions. Rafael, the photographer at the studio, is capable of capturing the essence of your look, with great lighting, so your digitals truly highlight your distinctive features that modeling agencies want to see clearly.

Covering All Angles for Modeling Headshots in Los Angeles

Rafael’s goal is to offer high-quality modeling headshots for agency submissions in Los Angeles. He understands the importance of a good headshot in a highly competitive modeling industry. His comprehensive understanding of the industry’s demands allows him to provide you with headshots from all angles to cover the varying needs of different modeling agencies.

Go Beyond Digitals with a Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Rafael is also well versed with commercial photography photo shoots for brands. He has strong experience working with experienced models on brand photo shoots. Thus, Rafael can help you as a modeling portfolio photographer in Los Angeles so you can get lifestyle shots in your portfolio for a leg up in competing for jobs.

The Option for Modeling Polaroids in Los Angeles

When figuring out to get modeling Polaroids in Los Angeles or elsewhere, or model digitals, they are pretty much one and the same. At The Light Committee, the studio uses the terms a bit differently but for the same goal of creating photos for you to submit to agencies. Rafael refers to modeling Polaroids as shots against a white wall where subtle shadows and the floor may show up. There are some examples on this page. For digitals, the studio uses a white seamless background to hide shadows and the floor, which puts much more attention on you, the subject in the photos. There are examples of this on this page too. Neither is necessarily better. It is just whichever you prefer to move forward with.

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Info About the Booking Process

You can book online from this page and you will get a confirmation email with a receipt. A deposit is required to hold your spot. It is refundable if you meet the cancellation policy. You should also get an email reminder the day before your session.

The studio is in Montrose, CA. There are two lots with three hours of free parking to the north and south of Honolulu Ave. – the street the studio is on. There is metered parking on surrounding streets but, they only accept coins.

Not sure where Montrose is? It is part of Glendale. The city west of Glendale is Burbank. The city east is Pasadena. To give you more of an idea, Sherman Oaks is 18 miles west and Beverly Hills is a 23 mile drive from the southwest.

Get Your Modeling Portfolio Going

We can do in-studio sessions, shoot outdoors. You can bring wardrobes – whatever is needed to build a full modeling portfolio!

Note, such sessions are booked as LIFESTYLE PHOTO SHOOTS and you should book from that page.

Kids & Teens Modeling Photos to Submit to Agencies

The Light Committee also works with parents to get their kid’s photos done and ready to submit for select agencies.

Each Session Includes:

Estimated 100 total shots created
Online gallery provided same day or next business day to download all photos
- Provided as JPEG files, sized ~2,500 DPI long edge
Optional editing for white seamless background is an additional fee

*NOTE: session time includes time necessary for lighting and camera setups.

$ 120

Up to 2 Looks, (1 Outfit Change)
45 Minutes Max Time
In Studio Only

$ 200

Up to 2 Looks, (1 Outfit Change)
90 Minutes Max Time
In Studio Only
Intro Video in 4K Quality

What to Expect in a Typical Modeling Digitals Session

The Light Committee understands finding the best modeling digitals in Los Angeles can be tough. So, hopefully, this helps make it simpler.

First, you need to book a session, which can be done from this page. There are BOOK NOW button at the top and above this section of the page. On the booking page you are given full details on what is included in a session and the rate. Note a deposit is required to hold your spot. It is applied toward the total balance due and is refundable if you meet the cancellation policy guidelines, of which you will be given a chance to review during booking.

After you complete your booking, you will receive confirmations by email and/or text. There are also details like the address, parking instructions, etc.

Arriving for Your Model Photo Shoot Session

Once you arrive at your session, we will go over any specific shots you are after that might be beyond your typical modeling digitals. This is to make sure you are not after a specific requirement of a particular agency, for example.

During this consultation period, we can go over the outfits you have planned to use, limited to two, so we can plan for appropriate background changes, if needed.

The studio has accommodations like a place to hang your clothes, restrooms to change in, some beverages for you to enjoy, and so on.

The Main Modeling Shots

You need good modeling headshots in Los Angeles, and this is probably the primary shot we will collaborate on. This shot is typically close up. Imagine if you were wearing a button up shirt, the shot would from right around your first or second button and cropped tight at the top of your head, meaning little space above.

It is most common for this shot to be against an all-white background, though not necessarily a requirement because not all agencies have the same requirements. It is best for you to check with any specific agencies you plan to submit to if you need to meet any specific requirements they have. Some will list these details right on their website.

We will create several headshots for you, so you have plenty of options to select from in order to do retouching – more on suggested retouching limitations later. Be sure to wear a simple top and color like black or gray. Avoid a white top or pants simply because it is best that the background also be bright. Simple also means avoiding logos, busy patterns, and so on.

The Modeling Full Body Shot

Another important shot to create is the modeling full body shot. This is typically as it sounds, a shot of your entire body. The point is so agents you are submitting to can have a sense of your physique. So, form-fitting clothing is ideal. But here too it is best to avoid busy logos and patterns and instead keep things simple. Solid colors are best. It is common to use black or gray but other solid colors are okay. Avoid white or other very bright colors as it is usually best to do your full body shot against a bright white background.

For this shot too, we will create many as you pose various ways so you can ultimately have plenty of options to choose from.

Other Modeling Shots

Once you have the two important shots of the headshot and full body shot, these meet most agency requirements. However, many agencies may also ask for even more shots. So, it is good to have a couple of extra shots, like half body or three-quarters body shot.

A half-body modeling shot is typically from around the waist up and a three-quarters modeling shot can be from mid-thigh to mid-shin. Again, simple form-fitting clothes are typically best. But you might also use at least one of these shots as an example of the work you are after.

For example, one popular casting is for swimsuits and so having a full-body or three-quarters body shot in a swimsuit might be a good idea. Or if you are going for fitness, then a shot in a fitness outfit, and so on. You might even consider an outdoors lifestyle type of photo shot for other fashion ecommerce or editorial style photos to have in your portfolio.

A Note on Retouching

When retouching modeling Polaroids, The Light Committee recommends very minimal and nothing that alters your true look. So, what does this mean? A no-no would be to remove a scar, mole, all routine acne, or any other such natural characteristic that is your essence. But okay would be obnoxious fly-away hair, minor acne, red eye, or some lint on your shirt. Basically, if that thing might not be there tomorrow or next week, it is likely safe to retouch away. Retouching is not included in the session because some people want no retouching while others end up wanting extra retouches. In most cases, retouching a full body shot focuses more on any annoying background elements, like blending floor and wall for a seamless look or removing studio equipment in the shot, necessary to create it but not for the finished photo.

For the full body shot or three quarter body shot, fixing any background disruptions is included.

Session Options

Getting Your Modeling Digitals

After the session is done, you will receive an online proof gallery, typically within a couple of business days. Here you can download all the photos and if you do not want retouching, you are all set. Most people want some retouching. So, you can opt for it here by paying for them. After you submit your selections for retouching, the gallery will be updated again with the retouched photos. This is typically another two business days after your selections are submitted.

Non-retouched photos are provided as JPEG files sized at around 2,000 DPI, long edge. The retouched photos are print-quality JPEG files sized at around 3,000 DPI, long edge, assuming an 8×10″ crop.

If you have any questions prior to booking a session, contact Rafael at The Light Committee any time. It is obvious there are a lot of photographers in Los Angeles and The Light Committee is grateful to everyone that selects this studio.

How To Get into Modeling in Los Angeles?

There are several ways to get into modeling in a city like Los Angeles. If you have a specific look, you might get approached by a talent manager or agent. Otherwise, there is a common way to get started.

There are countless modeling agencies in Los Angeles and most will want you to submit photos of yourself alongside a resume. Because there are so many agencies, and no standard for what photos to submit, there is what is typical. In this case, it is a closeup headshot, a full body shot and then a couple of other shots. It could be a second headshot or profile headshot. It could be a second full body shot or perhaps a half body shot.

In many cases, you will search for model agencies you want to work with and then submit photos to them, typically online. It is a good idea to research the modeling agencies you are most interested in and see what similarities they have in the photos they prefer, before booking a modeling digitals photographer.

Do You Wear Makeup in Model Digitals

The quick answer is no. However, there are countless modeling agencies and no standard for what they all want to see in photos. That said, the most common request is to go all natural in your digitals.

If you have your modeling digitals ready to go, you might also want to set up a website for your modeling career. Here you can showcase other photos of yourself, including ones with makeup on. You can then point the model agency to this website. It is helpful so they can also envision how you might appear in a paid photoshoot. If you don’t have any portfolio shots, consider working with a photographer to get a few. For example, if you want to model jeans or swimsuits, get some of these shots as they are used in ecommerce images or lifestyle advertisements.

What Do You Wear to Model Digitals?

Typically, you want clothes that are form-fitting so a talent agent or the modeling agency you are submitting to can see your physique. You also want colors that contrast well with your skin and the background. In most cases you want a white background and so darker clothes are best.

Wear solid colors instead of stripes or other patterns. They will be more flattering and also simplify the shots so the focus is on you instead of the busy clothes you wore. If you might consider modeling swimwear, be sure to also get digitals done in a swimsuit.

How Tall Do You Have to Be to Be A Model?

There are models of all sizes because there are consumers of all sizes. But a runway female model is around 5 ‘ 8” or 5’ 9” while men are 6’ or taller. It is believed that being taller will be more helpful if you are looking to break into modeling.

Niches exist in all markets and that includes for shorter people. Do not be discouraged if you feel you are not the maximum height. Consider embracing it as an advantage to get into modeling for a niche that suits your height.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do Modeling Digitals Cost in Los Angeles?
Shop around because they can cost as low as $100-$200 to a bit more. Research headshots in Los Angeles or modeling digitals online and see if they list rates. If they don’t, contact them to ask their rate and find out what is included so there are no surprises.

Are Modeling Digitals or Modeling Polaroids the Same Thing?
For the most part they are the same thing. But digitals can sometimes be against an all-white seamless background for a more “digital” look while Polaroids can be against a studio white wall for a more classic look. Models can use one or the other just the same and the more options they create in terms of the photo types, the better.

Resources:

How to Find the Best Modeling Headshot Photographer

How to Get the Best Model Headshots for Your Career

Capturing Male Modeling Headshots with Dramatic Looks

Serving Greater Los Angeles

Clients come from all over, like North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, and Encino, to get high quality digitals that help launch their career in modeling.