You don’t need one, you don’t need one, you don’t need one!

Aspiring models often ask me whether they need a portfolio to become a model. Search terms used to come to the Models Guide on my site and this blog suggest that many aspiring models are not sure whether and how much they should pay for a model portfolio.

If you want to become a model, the most important message is that you do not need a model portfolio.

• The second most important message is that having a model portfolio does not make you a model.
• You can apply to many of the good agencies through their website. All they require are a few clear, well lit snapshots. Yes, snapshots. They should be reasonably good quality but anyone can do it. If you pay a photographer, don’t pay too much. If the agency of your dreams signs you, they will take care of your portfolio and it won’t cost you a penny.
• If an agency wants you to pay for a model portfolio, it may well be a scam. The only business they do is to sell model portfolios to naïve would-be models. Some do it in more deceitful ways than others.
• Digitally retouched model shots are useless. You may think that you look beautiful but photographers and model bookers do not want to see what you could look like after a digital makeover but what you really do look like.
• If you want to be a freelance model, selling yourself directly to photographers, put either a few good snapshots on one of the better model sites (e.g. modelmayhem, musecube or OMP, etc.) and offer to work for time for a while or get a professionally produced portfolio by a photographer, who knows what he is doing.

To learn about modelling, how to get started and sell yourself, about agencies and modelling scams, visit the Models Guide.

If you still want a model portfolio, but a really useful one, book yourself in with me.

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