portfolios – Models Direct https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk Models Direct modelling agency has been bringing models and clients together since 1990. Welcome to the Models Direct business blog. Mon, 21 Jun 2021 13:07:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/cropped-siteIcon512x512-32x32.png portfolios – Models Direct https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk 32 32 You’re one in a million – so why not show us what makes you different? https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/youre-one-in-a-million-so-why-not-show-us-what-makes-you-different/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 13:07:43 +0000 https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/?p=1780 At Models Direct we are firm believers in diversity.

We understand the world is made up of all sorts of beautiful, unique individuals and that is what makes it such a wonderful place to live.

The world of modelling is all about reflecting the world around us and, as such, you are now far more likely to see people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and ethnicities within it.

Flick through your social media at breakfast, look out of the bus window on your way to work and switch on your TV in the evening and you should see a glorious array of individuals.

But those who want to become successful models need to highlight their differences and show us what makes them stand out from the crowd.

They need to contact us and tell us what makes them special, so we in turn can promote them to all our many major clients who are looking for diverse models for their range of assignments.

Here are our top tips for those hoping to break into the business or who are already involved but hope to see greater success:

1. Send us your application and support it with some great photographs

2. Tell us what makes you different, highlight any unique features, tell us about your abilities and really sell yourself to us

3. Once you have uploaded images to your e-portfolio remember to update them regularly

4. The portfolios of children and babies must be updated every two to four months (the younger the child, the more important it is to do this)

5. Always follow our top tips on how to take great photographs

6. Keep abreast of fashion and ensure that whatever you are wearing in your shots is up-to-date or timeless (ie that it doesn’t age you)

7. Be friendly, patient and undemanding – we are highly experienced at our business and we will do our very best for you

For more information spend time browsing on our website and reading what our other models say about working with us.

We stand out from others in the industry – and we love working with models who do too!

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A Guide to Outdoor Photography https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/a-guide-to-outdoor-photography/ Thu, 29 Apr 2021 16:21:11 +0000 https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/?p=1741 Have you noticed the change yet?

No, we’re not talking about meeting people outside for the first time in months instead of logging onto Zoom and pretending to listen to what is being said (come on, you’ve drifted off into Zoom dreamland at least once, right?). No, the change is that – at last – the mornings are becoming brighter earlier and the evenings lighter for longer. This means one thing – spring is here, with summer just around the corner!

This time of the year is perfect for dusting off your camera, ready to snap away at your heart’s content. Alternatively, asking a friend to assume the photographer’s role is just as ideal. Either way, April and its subsequent months usually provide just the right conditions to capture glorious, high-definition images. But can you utilise the improved weather in your quest to achieve brilliant snapshots? Follow our quick guide and you could soon be on the right path to having the finest portfolios for all your modelling pictures.

1. What time is it? Choose the time of day wisely. Avoid taking photos under the midday sun – the sun is often too strong and the subjects tend to squint. Instead, opt for late afternoon or early evening or, even better, the last hour before sunset.  

2. Choose a short telephoto lens (one that is a minimum of 60mm) – and this doesn’t have to be a zoom lens!

3. Use a tripod to steady both your camera and concentration.

4. Using a reflector helps light reflect back into your subject’s face – the most important part of the photo (unless you’re not taking a portrait, of course…)

5. Select a focal point and stick to it!

6. Use shade to your advantage. Trees, buildings, roofs and even clouds can work wonders to eliminate silhouettes – including the dreaded “shadow under the chin” episode!

7. Experiment with flashes. They are not limited to indoor use, and are often overlooked in the great outdoors.

8. If available, take photos in RAW file – a digital negative that is taken directly from your camera’s sensor.

9. Pay particular attention to your eyes, and check which backgrounds suit your facial and body profiles. 

It’s sensible to ask some basic questions at your local camera outlet, and to experiment. Taking photographs should be fun, and outdoor photography is one of life’s pleasures!

It’s always a challenge for models to keep their photographic updates in pristine order. We appreciate that everyone doesn’t have a digital camera, so we by all means accept shots using smartphones.

A quick checklist is:

  • Avoid lots of make-up – you don’t need it, and it won’t show a true representation of your (undoubtedly beautiful) face.
  • The perfect height-width ratio is 5:4.
  • Don’t use Photoshop!
  • Keep it simple, please.
  • Got tattoos, scars, or piercings? Fab – show them all!

Happy snapping!

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What is a client looking for when sourcing models? https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/what-is-a-client-looking-for-when-sourcing-models/ Sun, 11 Apr 2021 15:33:06 +0000 https://www.modelsdirect.org.uk/?p=1726 Have you noticed the change yet?

No, we’re not talking about meeting people outside for the first time in months instead of logging onto Zoom and pretending to listen to what is being said (come on, you’ve drifted off into Zoom dreamland at least once, right?). No, the change is that – at last – the mornings are becoming brighter earlier and the evenings lighter for longer. This means one thing – spring is here, with summer just around the corner!

This time of the year is perfect for dusting off your camera, ready to snap away at your heart’s content. Alternatively, asking a friend to assume the photographer’s role is just as ideal. Either way, April and its subsequent months usually provide just the right conditions to capture glorious, high-definition images. But can you utilise the improved weather in your quest to achieve brilliant snapshots?

Follow Models Direct’s quick guide and you could soon be on the right path to having the finest portfolios for all your modelling pictures.

1. What time is it? Choose the time of day wisely. Avoid taking photos under the midday sun – the sun is often too strong and the subjects tend to squint. Instead, opt for late afternoon or early evening or, even better, the last hour before sunset.  

2. Choose a short telephoto lens (one that is a minimum of 60mm) – and this doesn’t have to be a zoom lens!

3. Use a tripod to steady both your camera and concentration.

4. Using a reflector helps light reflect back into your subject’s face – the most important part of the photo (unless you’re not taking a portrait, of course…)

5. Select a focal point and stick to it!

6. Use shade to your advantage. Trees, buildings, roofs and even clouds can work wonders to eliminate silhouettes – including the dreaded “shadow under the chin” episode!

7. Experiment with flashes. They are not limited to indoor use, and are often overlooked in the great outdoors.

8. If available, take photos in RAW file – a digital negative that is taken directly from your camera’s sensor.

9. Pay particular attention to your eyes, and check which backgrounds suit your facial and body profiles. 

It’s sensible to ask some basic questions at your local camera outlet, and to experiment. Taking photographs should be fun, and outdoor photography is one of life’s pleasures!

It’s always a challenge for models to keep their photographic updates in pristine order. We appreciate that everyone doesn’t have a digital camera, so we by all means accept headshots using smartphones.

A quick checklist is:

  • Avoid lots of make-up – you don’t need it, and it won’t show a true representation of your (undoubtedly beautiful) face.
  • The perfect height-width ratio is 5:4.
  • Don’t use Photoshop!
  • Keep it simple, please.
  • Got tattoos, scars, or piercings? Fab – show them all!
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