How to Create a Modeling Profile That Gets You Work
We all compare our portfolio to other people on Model Mayhem. What we don’t look at enough, however, is whether our profile is selling who we are and our abilities. I am not saying I have the perfect profile. I constantly change mine as I find information more or less relevant to the people I am selling myself to. I have, however, learned some simple guidelines which I would like to share. I am going to keep this focused on model profiles, but much of this can apply to other members of the community.
Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: FSJ Photography
Profile etiquette: Don’t make people regret reading your profile
Sometimes members of this site don’t read profiles because many of them tell nothing about the person, and—on the other extreme—some of them tell every detail including about how happily married they are, and all about their dog Scooter. These members are why I am writing this. If we all learned to just include information important to shooting then profiles become tools instead of novels filled with nonsense.
Profile etiquette: Read their profile before asking questions
Maybe it is because my momma used to repeatedly yell “I do not like to repeat myself.”, but the first line of my profile is: “Please read my profile before contacting me about shooting.” Consider your profile your first message to anyone on this site that you may work with. Do you want to repeat that message over and over again? Probably not. It is one thing to clarify information stated on your profile, and it’s another to be asked something that is already clearly stated.
I’ve had photographers ask what my travel schedule is when it is on my profile. They have asked what they have to do to get me to travel to their area. Well, that’s on my profile as well. I’ve been asked what my rates are. It’s on my profile. You get the point.
Having this included won’t ensure that you won’t have to repeat what is on your profile, but it will be easier to say “If you refer to my profile…”than it will be to restate every detail (that they would have known if they read it before contacting you). One rule, if you do include this, is that you must read every profile before contacting people on this site to keep from being a hypocrite.
Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: FSJ Photography
If you do something special, be sure to keep it simple and orderly
Next is optional, but I’ve found it has gotten me more work. I have a video of me modeling. I feel that it has shown a little bit of my ability beyond the still photos in my portfolio. For models this is especially helpful because it shows you can pose and emote without direction. I recommend showing yourself in action. Just make sure you keep links to a minimum and don’t clutter your page with images and video. If it takes forever to load your page you’ve got too much code on it! Keep it simple!
Here are some helpful articles on how to embed images on your profile and how to format text. But remember; only Premium and VIP members can embed images, videos, and format text on their profiles by using BBCode.
Do you have a webpage, Tumblr, or Flickr account that has even more of your work shown? Post it above your “About Me”. Take advantage of that area by linking to a site that has even more of your portfolio. That lone website linking area above the “About Me” section should be reserved for either your modeling website or a site like Tumblr or Flickr, where all your modeling images can be hosted. It is in an uncluttered place and you can label it as “Extra Images” or “Extended Portfolio”.
Link to your professionally-relevant sites
Think of it this way: You did a few art nude shoots, but your focus is on glamour and your portfolio here displays that. An art photographer likes your look, but doesn’t know if you are good with art nude posing. He goes to take a look at the link provided at the top and sees, from your images on the linked site, that you are capable of posing for the photos he is looking to create, and he hires you. That is more beneficial to you than linking to your Twitter or personal Facebook page in that premiere spot. You can add your Twitter and Facebook to your profile, but don’t make them as prominent on your profile as you would a modeling website or image hosting platform.
Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: FSJ Photography
Thematically order profile information into visually distinct sections
If you travel, then provide a section on your profile just for travel plans. Keep travel days listed and updated. Also if you are willing to travel, but cannot afford to, you may put your requirements for any travel inquires.
For example: I have included that I have a passport. I have also explained two options to get me to travel to work:
- I will travel to model in exchange of flights, hotel and a minimum of 2 hours booked at my normal rate.
- I am willing to travel if my full day rate is paid.
This provides two ways that photographers out of your area can work with you, and it provides a specific, easily located place to refer people to when they leave you tags like “When are you coming to my area?”
Important points to emphasize
Next if you have built your portfolio to a point that you deserve pay for your time and work, list yourself as paid only—BUT we all have those “wish list” people we would love to work with just for images, and we don’t want to drive them away. That is why I include an “I will consider TF*” section, and I recommend you include a similar area in your profile. Mine explains that if you have a great port, a concept that will knock my socks off, and a team that can make it a reality, I will consider TF*. I also explain that, if it is a guaranteed published opportunity, I may consider TF*, if I like the publication. This section saves me from missing out on working with great artists and keeps my portfolio fresh with new images that I’d be proud to have in my portfolio.
Now this next part has been debated in the forums for a long time. To post or not to post your rates? I am on the post them side of the debate. I do recommend keeping it clear that they are negotiable, though—especially if you travel. What you can get in one city is not the rule for another.
I provide my hourly rate, as well as my half day and full day rates (which saves them a bit of money, compared to hiring me hourly). Posting rates can deter some from working with you, but those people were unlikely to pay you anyway. Posting can show those that are serious about your look that, if they hire you, you will be charging pretty much the same of them as you did the last person you shot with.
Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: Fototails Photography
Makeup Artist: Heathyrre Kautz; Hair Stylist: Hair by Berenice
Clearly state your standards and expectations
If you have had a bad experience with things—like holding your schedule open for shoots for which details were not yet finalized, or being flaked on, etc—feel free to put a disclaimer such as the one I added to my profile:
“If I do not have a time and location set within 24 hours of the day of the shoot I will not hold my schedule open. If I get another offer for the day with all the details in place, I will take it. So please provide time, location, and any other info quickly to ensure your shoot.”
Make sure to be professional, to the point, and not sound bitter.
Now you can post things like how long you have been modeling, as well as what markets you’ve modeled in. Post what your limitations are and what sort of modeling you are focused on. If you can’t drive and need someone to drop you off, or need a ride to and from shoots, be up front about it. These details can show what type of model you are, but keep it short and sweet.
Keep your details up to date
Finally, remember to update your credits, as well as relevant information such as hair color and length, and measurements that are accurately up to date. Don’t advertise as something you are not. People search for specific height, skin and hair color when casting for projects, so keep it updated and factual. Also, choose an avatar that shows your current look, as this is the first image that will be seen—it must represent what they will be seeing on set if they cast you for a project.
I believe that covers the basics! Like I said before, my profile is ever changing and is not perfect, but this is what people have positively responded to. Keep information prudent to your cause and use your profile as a tool to get more from this site.
Tristin Huntamer
Tristin Huntamer has been an international freelance model since 2005. Focusing on, but not limited to, glamour and nude modeling. Her images are featured on many websites and in art galleries across Europe and Russia. You can find more of her portfolio at: tristinhuntamer.tumblr.com
Follow Me:
November 25, 2013 at 5:52 pm, Pablo said:
Just leaving a test post here. ^_^
April 24, 2013 at 12:14 pm, Trace ʚϊɞ✩ ಌ said:
thank you !! great article!!
March 23, 2013 at 9:22 am, Asian Pesuasion said:
i think you did beyond an AWESOME job explaining this! im remodeling my MM and i definitely will be using this information THANK YOU 🙂
March 15, 2013 at 3:50 pm, PhotoEditor said:
Let’s be honest here everybody, what percentage of the model profiles on this site are ACTUALLY working models? Internet or other? I’d say far less than 5%. Having said that, this is why you get the gamut of foolishiness, unprofessionalism, etc on the profiles. The information stated in the article is helpful to those people.
I agree with many of the other posters here. I cant tell you how many profiles I have read that focus entirely on what they DON’T do. How’s that for self promotion? That’s like me walking into a restaurant and the waitress says ‘now look, we don’t have beef, we don’t have chicken, we don’t serve vegetables, and don’t even THINK about asking for any bread or I’m walking away and not coming back to your table. And oh, when I am bringing your food, my 300lb beefcake boyfriend will be escorting me. You know, for my own safely.’
lol
Someone should start an online course assisting models with bridging the gap between internet modeling self destruction to a modeling career.
January 09, 2013 at 7:08 pm, Serious Amateur said:
Rates if negotiable should not be posted. Ask them to contact you with their idea and plans. Then you can consider the rate above or below your normal rates. Does your $100/hr still apply if I need you to jump out of an airplane? or stand in a snow bank wearing a bikini? Or jump into a vat of crushed fruits that will stain your skin for a week? If you want to keep the less than serious inquiries at bay, state “my average rate is about $100/hr, but it’ll depend on the shoot and your portfolio whether I’ll charge more or less.
January 05, 2013 at 7:25 am, Risen Phoenix said:
I totally agree with what was said below. So many profiles come off as arrogant and bitchy. A bunch of wanna be models bitching to a bunch of wanna be photographers.
October 24, 2012 at 4:33 am, Max Hodges said:
I think its important that models need to post natural photos of themselves so we can see what they really look like. Model agency comp cards, if you’ve ever seen one, typically feature several neutral photos with minimal make-up and styling. Please show a couple natural portraits and at least one full length shot so we can clearly see your body.
Cheers!
October 23, 2012 at 12:37 am, jim said:
Have a port full of beautiful pictures. But please show me one that is the real you…without makeup, push up bras, digital surgery…show me what is going to walk into my studio.
October 21, 2012 at 7:07 am, Farenell Photo said:
1. I’m going to have to disagree w/ including a video in ones profile.
My main reason is the noise conflict. I don’t want to be listening to an NPR & then have your video be playing some god-awful music blaring because I’ve forgotten to turn down the volume because I was originally listening to a spoken word webcast. Its an turnoff & (except if I’m going to a music specific website like a band’s) & will immediately cause me to leave that website/profile faster than my crappy Red Sox fall apart in September.
2. I’d also reccomend that the bio be concise but not so verbose where I’m still reading after hitting “page down” 2 or 3 times”.
October 19, 2012 at 3:26 am, Tensilverdollars said:
I love this article. I only wished you had emphasized the Details up to date part including the importance of FULLY FILLED OUT STATS. So many times I pass up models without stats because I cannot forward the info to a wardrobe stylist. That costs models money or decent portfolio shots.
October 18, 2012 at 8:23 pm, Kathy Jean said:
Online profiles at directory websites are not resumes. Anyone can pretend to be a model by paying someone to take pictures of
him/her and placing those pictures in a photo album. A model maintains a
work portfolio; this book is his/her resume.
June 27, 2012 at 8:34 am, Brendan said:
“Her images are featured on many websites and in art galleries across Europe and Russia.” Oh really? From this article (and then I googled her), I can see that she’s simply a “one look” model, with overlarge nostrils and sporting a brattitude. I guess this is a great example of the difference between a “professional” model, and an “internet” model. And no, I will not collaborate with her, even for TFP.
June 27, 2012 at 8:45 am, Brendan said:
And yeah, her short chubby arms won’t worth her $100 rate as well, after thinking about the time spent in retouching her arms only, in order to achieve the perfect photograph. Maybe she should update her portfolio. Her weight seems misleading.
October 20, 2012 at 11:33 pm, Your Mom is Disappointed said:
You’re a hateful lil’ man, aren’t you?
December 18, 2021 at 7:03 am, Jamie said:
Brendan sure is quite the little judgmental drama queen. That attitude screams that he’s insecure, jealous & is not a professional model nor an internet model. If you’re gonna talk down about people, get lost because that behavior isn’t tolerated here…I hate little whiners. Grow up or shut up. ✌🏻
December 17, 2012 at 11:12 am, Eckered said:
Everyone has a physically redeeming quality. If you are shooting for Port, take it as a challenge to find it and make it beautiful, grotesque, funny; anything interesting! If you are shooting for a client catalog or specific requirement, yep, you are somewhat screwed. But with TFP one tends to get eager people, trying. And they are not perfect, but then neither am I.
Cheers,
June 10, 2012 at 2:24 am, Vee said:
I appreciate your article I think in the age of 140 characters or less, people have become lazy in reading your actual profile information if it goes beyond the now learned attention span of so many.
May 13, 2012 at 2:45 pm, guest said:
As a photographer, if I see a model saying anything at all — and I mean ANYTHING — that suggests she’s going to have a bad attitude, I’ll pass. Period. That includes, “If I don’t hear from you…” “please read my profile first”, etc. These are warning signs to me that she’s going to be a problem, and in the category of “life’s too short,” forget it.
The less info, the better. I can tell from the photos whether I want to work with her or not. And what’s there needs to be 100% positive.
October 19, 2012 at 5:07 am, Bluntx said:
Yup, “please read my profile” when it’s right there in front of you shows an arrogance that the model feels she is superior…run away.
October 22, 2012 at 5:38 am, rd said:
Really? It sounds like a polite request or at worst, a request from someone who may be insecure.
May 01, 2012 at 2:08 pm, Dani Boyd said:
love this article. very helpful to someone such as myself who is a freelance model just getting started.
May 01, 2012 at 2:14 pm, Dani Boyd said:
although i would also like to say the corresponding comments were helpful also. and any model worth her salt should know to take all advice with a grain of that same salt. Your MM profile as was mentioned below is essentially your RESUME and should be presented as such. Your profle is a direct representation of yourself to people who have never met you before and so it is a very good idea to keep that in mind and imagine yourself as the person viewing when designing your profile.
April 10, 2012 at 11:48 am, Efransophoto said:
“Make sure to be professional, to the point, and not sound bitter.” This is great advice as I’m usually turned off by someone with an ax to grind–and who waves that ax at everyone else who has not done anything wrong.
March 20, 2012 at 12:54 am, Anonymous said:
I tend to agree with Alex. Many profiles are overly-wordy and I usually stop before getting all the way through them. At lot of poorly written profiles could be improved with simple proof-reading and editing. Incorrect spelling, horrid grammar, contextual errors are more the rule than the exception. Of course I know a lot of photographers may not get past the portfolio, so it may be mute, or at least for them. But I read them, and they do make a difference. I am generalizing here, but I wonder why more attention isn’t paid to the write up. It’s not hard, it costs nothing, and usually you can have it read by others for some constructive criticism. My two cents worth
March 15, 2012 at 6:04 am, Doel Cadigal Muring said:
very beautiful models””?
February 25, 2012 at 11:41 am, Anonymous said:
hello
February 25, 2012 at 5:56 am, Sarah said:
This is very good! I really appreciate seeing models who are positive and state their terms without sounding bitter or frustrated. I know it can be frustrating to be a model so when they show that they are professional, it puts me at ease because I feel that they understand the industry and will be great to work with.
February 03, 2012 at 12:49 am, Selina Kyl said:
I break almost every single rule in this article. Still very informative though!
January 28, 2012 at 10:24 pm, LadySin said:
Great tips 🙂 Thanks Tristan 🙂
Great inspiration for me to update my profile 🙂 Looks a lot nicer now 🙂
Yay for BBC coding 🙂
January 28, 2012 at 2:25 pm, Sigh said:
Perhaps you could write an article educating them on copyright issues, model releases and licensing rights. Highlighting the differences between paid work and testing.
That would be even more professional.
January 28, 2012 at 5:44 am, sfischer said:
most of this would get you straight up fired from an agency if you were with one. But maybe posts like this are good as they clearly draw a line between professional modeling and internet modeling.
Making a demand to a client (like “read my profile in full”) would get you release from an agency on the spot. There is no such thing as hourly rates at an agency level, everything is based on usage rates and circulation of the publication, length of run, exclusivity to regions etc. Saying things like “I will consider TF for publication”, well first of all TF isn’t even a term, it’s a MM/internet term that will peg you as a internet model if you use at an agency, and girls that are making 10,000-$50,000K per regional campaign are begging to shoot for free because when you’re shooting for free at an agency level you’re shooting editorial for the likes of Vogue, Bazaar, Elle, Nylon, etc. etc….
Why don’t you just do what you’re supposed to do on a model card and put your measurements and contact info (or agencies contact info)?
February 16, 2012 at 1:53 am, Wil said:
Great advice sfischer. Making a demand right from the start will definitely deter any serious photographer or agency for that matter. It also emphasizes that you’re an amateur “Internet” model as you say.
Anyone with any sense would love to shoot for free if it gets them the exposure and prominence they need.
February 28, 2012 at 7:53 pm, Veronica Love said:
i have a question about internet modeling. I am new to modeling and would like to take this farther than model mayhem and craiglist. But im not sure where to find the info on other type of agencies and things like that. I live in San Francisco and would love to learn as much as possible.
October 18, 2012 at 8:18 pm, Kathy Jean said:
I agree with you.
October 22, 2012 at 5:46 am, rd said:
Since this all has to do with writing an MM profile, the fact that a person is an Internet model (aside from being with an agency) is a given and using TF is not going to hurt. Since TFP or TFCD are both used, TF is more inclusive. I expect that any model would have another presentation to provide agencies.
January 27, 2012 at 1:05 am, Ajscalzitti said:
On a positive not it covers a lot of details but doesn’t stress the importance of having complete data on your profile. Zero in stats or just plain lies are not helpful or professional.
As for listing “paid only” then suggesting really anything else in your profile I feel is a mistake, most of us will never click beyond the results in browse to read any of that if we are working on an unpaid creative.
There is no such thing as paid only in professional modeling – period. No matter whom you are there is always someone on the other side (model/photographer/MUA/Stylist) whom you have always wanted to work with or whom working with will boost your career and to suggest otherwise is ill informed and providing a disservice to aspiring creatives
January 26, 2012 at 7:48 pm, Katlyn Lacoste said:
I don’t think rates should be posted on profiles. It causes the whole. “well if she charges that much! Then so should I!” Jealousy and weirdness. When fresh faces are on model mayhem asking for an amount an experienced model would charge, and they have had 3 shoots under their belt can kill or stall their career until they are humble. Seasoned photographers who would or could potentially want to test with them and the models could hone their skills, are not interested. The new models are then left spinning their wheels thinking about the money, pissed, instead of the collaboration friendships and fruits that could come later.
April 10, 2012 at 12:11 pm, Efransophoto said:
I agree, Katlyn. This, of course, is true of any category of member, but I am immediately turned off by models’ profiles in which someone new or with only three cheap cell-phone pictures is telling me I have to pay him/her. I laugh out loud and never return to that profile.
October 22, 2012 at 5:49 am, rd said:
I understand your point. I do believe though that models who do present their rates and make it clear that they would consider working their rates if needed gives the parties some wiggle room.
January 26, 2012 at 5:16 am, Alex said:
Personally, I think you have (and the article advocates for) way too much info. There’s a reason why agency cards and profiles keep it to just stats and pics.
The main basics are there, and there’s language about being ‘simple’, but it’s not simple enough. Think websites, we have short attention spans, I want the bare minimum and a quick easy way to see it, THEN beyond that if I really want to do more homework on you, the links and other options are nice.
More important are current unedited snaps & current stats.
I also think it’s a huge mistake to try and list some sort of rates… I can’t imagine any model (or photographer) that doesn’t have some sort of sliding scale for rates. If you post rates that are too high, you’ll turn off and scare away people you’d probably die to work with for free. If you post rates that are too low, you’re just losing money since someone was probably happy to pay you a lot more.
Btw, there is absolutely NOTHING worse than a profile that starts out with some sort of bitchy disclaimer about ‘don’t send me friend requests’ ‘i don’t respond to tags’ ‘if you don’t read my profile or put This in the subject of the message i won’t respond’ ‘i always bring escorts with me’ etc etc… Being egotistical, overly personal, make threats about long it should take to receive images… make your chances of working with anyone of any real caliber Zero. No one wants to work with bad attitudes.
March 13, 2012 at 9:26 pm, guest said:
This comment is kind of contradictory. If we have such short attention spans, then why would we be able to read through your lame semi-essay?
March 13, 2012 at 9:30 pm, Alex said:
Probably because this isn’t a website or profile info, it’s dialogue/discussion. And you did read it, seemingly? Thanks for enlightening us, ‘guest’.
January 26, 2012 at 1:35 am, Photographer said:
Measurements and sizes seem to be the most important thing. I cannot count the people who either not list them or lie.
February 28, 2012 at 7:55 pm, Veronica love said:
What if my wieght flexuates between 135 and 140? should i change it each time?
October 23, 2012 at 4:42 pm, Antonio Carrasco said:
YES… nothing is more irritating than having a model show up and not look like her photos or have the stats be exaggerated. NOTHING IS MORE IRRITATING.
i.e., if I post a casting call for models 5’8″ and taller and you are only 5’6″ you have just wasted everyone’s time, because THE CLOTHES WILL NOT FIT.
January 11, 2013 at 4:17 pm, Twila Jean said:
THIS. I was hiring models for my online shop, and could have DIED reading all the emails of girls who didnt even come close to the measurements required. :/
January 26, 2012 at 12:50 am, Gregg said:
I do not believe your pics in your port should be overly touched up either. Otherwsise when booking you, clients will be quite upset when you show up for a shoot and you don’t look anything like the pics in your port.
January 26, 2012 at 12:45 am, Gregg said:
Your Model Mayhem profile is your model resume. It should highlight your talents, your experience, your modeling interests, your best work, your availability for shoots, and references (photographers and others who have worked with you).
January 25, 2012 at 11:58 pm, Kendra from Canada said:
Thank you Tristin, I updated my profile a bit to include some of your tips!!
🙂
January 25, 2012 at 9:41 pm, Ahamed Iqbal said:
Very well written and informative. I’m not even a model but I found this useful.
Thanks!
January 25, 2012 at 9:34 pm, Lizriver said:
I would add that “Legacy” members can also use BBCode.
January 25, 2012 at 8:50 pm, Steven Paul Hlavac said:
The first sentence of this article sort of amazes me. If that’s true, then IMO it’s the single biggest mistake a MM member can make. I rarely compare myself to other photographers on MM, and I spend little time looking at their pages. My two concerns are finding talent to work WITH, and making my page presentable to potential CLIENTS.
Of course, I have an interest in what other shooters are doing, just that with my time at a premium, it’s down on my list of priorities…
January 25, 2012 at 8:40 pm, Just a guy said:
Nice clear and clean article. I would add include a “polaroid” or “snap shot of what you look like that is easily updatable and shows your face and body shape and tone, if appropriate to the modeling that you do. Personally I think every model should have that. If you have the ability for it to be a well lit pro shot, then so much the better. These can be in your portfolio or on your bio page, unless they are nude then they have to be in the portfolio section.