Resources
The practical basics. No industry fog.
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The Free Model Guide
How the industry works, what you need, what to avoid and where to begin.
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Model Potential Quiz
Find your strongest direction, preparation snapshot and best next move.
Take the quizDigitals checklist
- Plain wall, open shade or window light
- Fitted plain clothing, hair down, no jewellery
- Headshot straight on, neutral
- Headshot smiling
- Both profiles
- Full body front, side and back
- Camera level, chest height, about three metres away
- No filters, no editing, no heavy crops
Portfolio checklist
- 8–12 images, each doing a different job
- One strong full-body image
- At least three distinct expressions
- A clean, recent headshot
- A current set of digitals
- No duplicates of framing or mood
- Nothing blurry, filtered or cropped from a group photo
- Strongest image first
Glossary
Industry terms should not be a barrier. Here is what each one means, and when it matters.
Digitals
Simple, natural photos that show what you actually look like — plain background, minimal styling, no editing.
Agencies use them to see you honestly before any styling. They matter more than polished photos at the beginning.
TFP
Time for print: a shoot where nobody is paid and everyone keeps the images.
It's the normal way to build a first portfolio before anyone is booking you.
Mother agency
The agency that develops you and places you with other agencies, often in other cities.
It's usually your first and most important relationship in the industry.
Commercial modeling
Warm, approachable, expression-led work for everyday brands and products.
It has the widest range of bookable looks and is often the easiest place to start.
Editorial modeling
Story-driven magazine work, usually more stylized than commercial.
It builds reputation and images, though it often pays less than commercial work.
E-commerce modeling
Clean, consistent product photography for online shops.
Reliability and clear posing matter more than drama. It is steady, paid work.
Model card
A single page with a headshot, one or two more images and your measurements.
It's what you attach to an agency submission.
Casting
A short meeting where a client sees you in person or on video before booking.
How you present in the room matters as much as your photos.