A model's portfolio - or book - is a collection of the model's best, professionally produced photographs. Family and holiday snaps don't count.

Depending on where you are in your career, your model portfolio would contain photographs produced specifically for your portfolio, tear sheets (published photographs from past assignments, torn out of magazines) or a mixture of both.

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Before you spend money on a portfolio, find out whether you need one at all.

If you have decided that you do need a portfolio, remember that your model portfolio is your calling card, your showcase and your single-most important investment in your career. Do the work: Research your options thoroughly and choose wisely.

Be prepared to spend some money. The cheapest photographer you can find may well not be your best option. Success is the result of solid investment and hard work, not just luck. It is unrealistic to assume that you can have success and money from investing nothing at all.

A portfolio can consist of prints, it can come on a CD or be online. These options, and how to get a portfolio, are discussed in the other essays in this section, which you can access from the links on the left.

Comp Cards (or Zed Cards), if well designed, are an impressive and relatively low-cost marketing tool that you can use as a door opener and a reminder of who you are.

Whether prints, CD, online or Comp Cards - you want your portfolio to stand out. Avoid giving the impression that you tried to assemble your portfolio on the cheap or that you could not be bothered to make an effort.

To help you get organised, download the free digital photo organiser and editor.

Browse this section from the links on the left.