Looking to break into the realm of fashion photography?  You need a portfolio that shows the kind of stellar work that you do.

Building your photographer’s portfolio starts with finding the right models to suit your style of photography.

There are four traditional places to start.

1. Model agencies
2. Casting agencies
3. Acting agencies
4. Dance schools

You’ll need to contact these places in your area and bring whatever portfolio work you have so far.

If you’re new to the game and haven’t worked with any professional agencies at all you may not get very far with these places.  While that may seem unfair consider that it’s part of their job to protect their clients.  Be courteous, friendly, and honest with them.  Express your passion and perhaps you’ll be able to create a working relationship with one of the smaller agencies in your area.

Getting Creative

No luck with the pros?  No problem.  You probably just need to get some more work with quality candidates.  You can find plenty of willing participants outside of the agencies by searching online and contacting directly.

There are several web-based agencies, model/photographer interest sites, and social networking groups that can aid in your quest for the perfect model.  Here are a few:

• Model Mayhem – The #1 portfolio website for professional models and photographers.
• OneModelPlace -An online community for Models, Photographers, Artists, Agents.
• New Faces -New Faces was the very first portfolio service on the Internet.

There are tons of them.  Sign up as a photographer and make contact with the models in your local area that you may want to work with.

You can also check out generic social networks like facebook and MySpace for models in your area.

When working with models who are also new to the scene you’ll often encounter a trade scenario.  This is commonly referred to as TFP (Tests For Prints) in the fashion industry and it’s a good practice for both new photographers and new models.  You get models to build your portfolio and they get new images to use in their portfolios.

Close to Home

Many photographers are not quite comfortable dealing with people in general.  Add a beautiful subject and the responsibility of posing and scene selection and it can get a little ugly if you’ve never really done it before.

If you’re a little apprehensive about working with people then you need a little brushing up on your “art director” skills.

Use your friends and family to work out some of those kinks.  They’ll understand and may be able to provide some tips on your people skills.  Besides, you probably don’t take enough pictures of your friends and family anyway!  This is often a win/win while you work out some kinks and get your portrait skills honed in they’ll get the pleasure of hanging out with you (at least you can offer them some images?).

Choosing the Right Model For You!

You need to shoot as many different types of models as you possibly can when you are starting out.  Models come in all shapes, sizes, and looks.  The things that make each model different also make those models either great or terrible for certain shoots and assignments.

With plenty of practice you’ll learn to find the right model for your style and the assignment.

Remember that a model can make or break your finished photographs.  Learning which ones will give you the right poses and looks is key to your success as a fashion photographer.

Photographs:

Spanish Model 1 by jamie_harrison

Hebe-Kai Kann by J_e_s_t_e_r

charm by _DiChi_

Toni Nielson by Leezon