Thursday, January 19, 2012

Building Your Male Modeling Portfolio

Are you starting to build your male modeling portfolio, but aren't sure what to do next? If so, 2012 is a good year to break out and make the most of your career, but you need to be very careful about whom you take advice from and the decisions that you make as you move toward building your own brand. To make the new year a great one, it is important to adhere to the following tips.

1. Find the right photographer.

When it comes to male modeling, the quality of your photographs is everything, and that's why you will need a top-tier, experienced photographer to help shed light on your best qualities. When looking for the right photographer, it is important that you do two things. Firstly, get a look at samples of previously done pictures. If possible, talk to their subjects about the shoot experience. Secondly, choose only someone with professionalism, who takes your career as seriously as you do. While there are a lot of talented photographers out there, not all of them are professional in the way they conduct business. In order not to fall into a trap or scam, verify response time, references and the attitude of the photographer - choose ones that you personally connect with.

2. Choosing the very best photos.

Not all photos are created equal, and yes, good photographers can certainly take bad photos. But the good ones know what works and what doesn't, and they will make sure they capture the creativity and ingenuity that shows up in the final shots will draw eyes and appreciation from potential employers.

3. Finding the right agent.

Once you have a good photographer and several of the best photos you can muster, it is time to find solid representation. An agent should be your partner in the building of a career. For this reason, it is important to put as much legwork into the research process as you did for your photographer, if not more. A good agent/agency can harness their connections to get you seen by the right people. They can also tell you what works and what doesn't about your portfolio and arrange for more of what works, while editing out what doesn't. Remember, it's all about putting your best presentation forward.

4. Getting your name (and face) out there via social media.

Last but not least, you've got to create a platform on your social media accounts. Make sure you are using all the most popular outlets and casting as wide of a net for followers as possible. Use your best photos to bring in the likes, the retweets, and whatever other form of notoriety you can find. With large amounts of public support, you make your resume look even better to hiring personnel.