Forums >
General Industry >
What do you look for in a model's profile?
I feel like rewriting my profile, it's had the same thing up for a while, so photographers, what do you look for when you read a model's profile, what are some important things to include? Jan 20 10 08:40 am Link Hey, I'm not a photographer, but I was wondering... is all the personal information necessary? Like your e-mail and a map of where you live? I feel like that's more dangerous than anything. If someone requests your address, you can PM it to him/her. Just an idea. Your profile's pretty long, so I would recommend you trim it down a bit. Jan 20 10 08:48 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: First off I DO look at their port. Jan 20 10 08:50 am Link Lisa Levin wrote: I actually just finished rewriteing my profile. It's not any shorter though... :p Jan 20 10 09:07 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: By the way...I just looked at your updated profile and very much liked what I read. Jan 20 10 09:10 am Link I would change this "I am open to nudes. but I am NOT open to vulgar, raunchy ones. I like my nudes artistic with a hint of sexy, not sexy with a hint of (or no) artistic element. I'm not going to be applying for playboy,so I'm not interested in taking photos that make it appear that I am." I would reword it so no one will see your profile and take offense. Many photographers shoot glamour nudes/playboy nudes and may pass over you even if they do some of the same genres as you. Jan 20 10 09:15 am Link Coming from a newbie photographer not that it will matter to you but....I look for personality, The model needs to "fun" There are a few models I have chatted with and hope to one day shoot that seem pleasant. Any model that is on this site and her port is declaring she is a diva I will hit next and not even look at her images. I like people who are down to earth no matter what they look like or how good they are. Being humble but confident is a must. Models whos pictures portray a lack of experience but request big high dollar amounts I bypass as well. So fun, confident, humble, realistic and sweet and to the point. Their preferences about nude or non nude don't matter to me since I am not even looking to shoot nudes at this point. Also their life and personal relationships I don't need to know about this isn't myspace or facebook. No need to add all that for us. Jan 20 10 09:25 am Link I want to know only certain things from your profile: Name, Age, Height, Weight, Hair Color, Eye Color, And maybe a description of your current look. I don't want to know about your life and that you are working on getting your GED, or Degree in advance tom foolery and bio kinetic sulfur enriched engineering. If you feel you must include all this stuff, include it after the most important information ( which should be at the top ) in your portfolio, I would like to see a good headshot, might be nice to see one without any makeup or photoshop, but a headshot would be good, a 3/4 shot and a full length shot. Jan 20 10 09:28 am Link I didn't read your profile so this is not a critique. What I look for other than a model having the right look for what I'm shooting is fairly simple. -Show your correct stats. Don't say you're 5'10" if you have to wear 5" heels to get there. Don't tell me you weigh 120 lbs when you're really 150 lbs. Show your current hair color, length and style. -Don't come across as a drama queen, a diva or someone who is difficult to work with when planning or shooting. Doing that will instantly separate you from at least half the other models here. -State your limits on travel, nudes, and working with other models. -List any relevant or special talent, skills or training you have such as dance, cheerleading, acting, singing, sewing, martial arts, and belching the alphabet. -Make sure that photographers with photos in your portfolio will give you a good reference. -Not required but helpful... Tell me what you're most interested in shooting. Pinup? Fashion? Bondage? Create a list with examples that inspire you in those areas and update it often. -Make your profile organized easy to read. Flashy things and twirling text may be pretty but it's distracting. Keep images on your profile page to a minimum or at least put them below the text I want to read. Don't make me squint and scroll for 30 minutes to find what I need to know about you. Don't type in all caps and use bold text or lines only to separate important sections. Jan 20 10 10:25 am Link Marc Damon wrote: I forgot this one and it is VERY IMPORTANT Jan 20 10 10:27 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: I look for accurate stats (including body mods), availability, an agency name where applicable, and the kind of work the model is looking for, that's it. Not really interested in past experience, education, dreams and aspirations or anything remotely personal. I never read giant lists of credits, 99% of it means nothing to me anyway. Jan 20 10 10:30 am Link Brief and to the point is what keeps my attention. I appreciate if a model likes to party and hang with friends and go to the beach, but it does nothing for me and my upcoming shoot. If that information could be put at the bottom, and a strong, well worded first paragraph just covering the basics, it will definitely attract more viewers. A grocery list of things you don't do eg (I don't do nudes, I bring an escort, I don't do this and that) .. Jan 20 10 10:40 am Link Needs to be brief and concise. I didn't read yours - it's too long. Leave out anything that isn't important, like how many dogs you have, your favorite color, if you're going to school, what you're studying there, etc... DO mention: your modeling interested, type of shoots you want to do, if you have references, where you're willing to travel to shoots, other shooting conditions, etc. Some people like to write how dependable they are, what their attitude is, who their influences are, why they got itno modeling, etc. Unless it's relevant to you getting a job or what kind of work you're looking for, we don't need to know. It just gets in the way. Jan 20 10 10:47 am Link My life is fact based. I don't care that you aspire to be in playboy. I don't care that you just changed your hair color and aren't happy with it. I don't care that you had a bad experience and that is why you insist on bringing Sluggo. Just the facts please. Stats Availability limitations Other restrictions. example: I insist on bringing Sluggo. I do not shoot nude work, etc. No excuses. No explainations. Just facts Jan 20 10 10:50 am Link In no particular order of importance: Someone who presents herself as serious about what she's doing and what she wants. Any info regarding tats, piercings, hair, etc that might not be obvious (or current) in their port. Someone who can communicate well. Availability, scheduling, etc. Nudes or no? Escort or no? Anything else that's either a plus or minus that someone hiring you should know up front But having said that, short and simple is better than having to read your life story. Jan 20 10 10:56 am Link Since I had a few minutes between work things, I decided to take a crack at what you've written. This is my suggestion of how you could trim it up: I have no tattoos and only ear piercings. I keep my hair short, like to experiment with my hair color when I can, and am very open-minded about most shoots. Due to my current transportation situation, I am only available to shoot with those photographers who are willing to come to me. This was just a quick once-over. Jan 20 10 10:59 am Link What I look for in a model's profile: >>> How far away is she from me? >>> What kind of images does she pose for (I work in nudes, so I want nude models). >>> Her portfolio should show off her range & skill set. I prefer profiles that are short & to the point -- I don't want to read a novel of irrelevant information. I like seeing enthusiasm. I get turned off by profiles that are full of negative things, like "I don't do..." lists. Leave the restrictions for a subsequent conversation. (But, being contrary, I do appreciate a short statement like "I don't do nudes"). Yes, you should spell check (and grammar check) your profile. Jan 20 10 11:04 am Link The profile section is nowhere near as important to me as "current" images. I'm looking for a "look" not whether you have three cats and love ballet. Not saying that is in your port...just an example. I know some models put "I am always on time" or the "I DONT DO XYZ" and that all works as long as it is short and sweet. Otherwise...if it drags out I honestly won't read it. Jan 20 10 11:05 am Link Sleepy Weasel wrote: I like this version. I think the following should be common sense though... Jan 20 10 11:07 am Link I always look for a negative attitude, a list of i don't do and I must have etc, I am not saying that you shouldn't put it in there. I like it that models do so I can't steer clear of them. Jan 20 10 11:09 am Link Steven Starr wrote: I don't like that. It sounds like the model is assuming that every photographer that contacts her is an unprofessional dirty old man. Jan 20 10 11:11 am Link I look at their photos 1st. Profile jibberish is really immaterial to me. Jan 20 10 11:12 am Link JEBKA Photography wrote: +1 I don't want to read all about "you". I want to know if you will shoot what I want from you with no fuss, no drama and a good attitude. Jan 20 10 11:15 am Link What I miss in the portfolio from models living in the US are the posing-categories. Here in Europe it's essential information and very common. Jan 20 10 11:16 am Link JEBKA Photography wrote: +1 Jan 20 10 11:22 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: You are talking about the profile, not port. Jan 20 10 11:32 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: I wrote an article with what I want to see, combined with a lot of what I've seen people say in threads like this: Jan 20 10 11:35 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: I look for age, location, what styles they are interested in / willing to do, and for attitude. Professional and serious is fine, professional and fun is great. Unprofessional, which usually shows up in really bad grammar / spelling or long lists of demands, is a big red flag. Escorts, all alone, is a big red flag. Jan 20 10 11:37 am Link I try to keep my profile short, to the point, honest and clear. I also try to keep my travel dates and locations updated (which reminds me I have to do that today) and if anything changes, I make sure to include that information. Jan 20 10 11:37 am Link Leo Howard wrote: im not a photographer but agreed! Jan 20 10 11:37 am Link I am not open to anyone out of my age range (photographer or not) coming on to me or making me uncomfortable. ! Jan 20 10 11:40 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: Ok, now that i have read your profile. It looks good, perhaps shorten it a little bit? Jan 20 10 11:40 am Link Looknsee Photography wrote: I just reworded what was there, but I agree--it doesn't need to be there at all. Jan 20 10 11:44 am Link 4 or 5 lines would have been more than enough Jan 20 10 11:44 am Link WAAAAYYY too long. It's just not necessary to explain something in paragraph form when it would easily be explained one or two bullet points. Jan 20 10 11:48 am Link Freddie Faith Keller wrote: What must you do in order to get potential creatives to read your profile? You must first gain enough interest to have them click on your profile link. What peaks my interest, hands down, is an outstanding avatar image. For me it is usually a headshot, which makes the most of the small image size. Jan 20 10 11:56 am Link |