At Models Direct we always stress you don’t necessarily need professional photographs.

Most people can take good enough shots at home, with a friend of family member behind the camera.

These days, with the ever-improving photography facilities within a smartphone – this is truer than ever.

So, here are our top tips and modelling advice for taking great portfolio shots with a smartphone:

1. Use a tripod

Investing in a special smartphone tripod is not a huge outlay and will make all the difference when it comes to a steady shot. Set it up, take some practice shots and then conduct your own photo shoot safe in the knowledge your images will be clear and crisp.

2. Try a remote shutter button

If you want control of your photo shoot yourself, you might want to try a remote shutter button. These are available for some smartphones and will allow you to click from your pocket when you are ready. Remember, however, that a friend or family member taking pictures for you can be objective and offer you advice while shooting. This could be invaluable.

3. Avoid the temptation to zoom

You need to be well framed and well positioned within the shot. Our clients want to see you clearly and in focus, they are not interested in your garden or other background. Achieve this by taking a clear shot, where you almost fill the frame. Don’t take a long shot and then zoom in digitally from the smartphone. This process simply involves cropping the original shot and is likely to give you a grainy photo.

4. Experiment with a lens

Some people, however, do have good telephoto lenses for their smartphones. If you have one of these, you are likely to be able to achieve a much crisper image than with the phone’s own digital zoom. But do remember practice makes perfect and don’t send us anything that is not clear. Mostly, the quality of image required can be achieved with a standard smartphone.

5. Frame with a grid

Many smartphones have a grid facility within the camera function. Use this to help you or your photographer friend to ensure you are well framed within the shot.

6. Use natural light

Good lighting is essential in any photography would-be models might supply and where possible use natural daylight. The LED light thrown out by a smartphone’s flash can be harsh, unnatural and unflattering. Yet, without it, photos taken inside might be gloomy and unclear. The best thing is to take your smartphone outside on a nice clear day and to work the natural light to give you the best pictures. Make sure the photographer has his or her back to the sun and that the light is shining on to you rather than the camera.

7. Avoid filters

There are so many wonderful smartphone filters out there to play with, but while they are great fun, these are not the photos we or our clients want to see. Resist the urge to send us your beautiful modelling shots with sepia tints or colour washes across them.

8. Take lots of pictures

The beauty of the smartphone is that you can shoot and keep shooting. Take as many pictures as you like in all sorts of location, positions and outfits. Then be ruthless with the delete button and choose only the very best to submit.

9. Don’t edit your photos

If your smartphones pictures have been taken properly there should be no need to edit them. Be careful when using the editing functions on your phone as we can end up with pictures that look unnatural, grainy and distorted.

10.  Don’t compress your images

When retrieving your images from your phone always try to retain them at their original size. If they are compressed when sent, saved or uploaded into the cloud, they can end up pixelated when resized, uploaded or printed put in the future. Again, this means they won’t be clear.

Do something for YOU

Sometimes we can feel that we are operating for everyone around us. There is always something to do for someone else. Hey, that’s life – full of responsibilities and duties to fulfil. However, taking a step back to do something for ourselves isn’t being selfish – it’s about valuing our own needs to promote effective self-care and self-love (without feeling guilty about it either!). Discovering something new or revisiting an old hobby that we’d forgotten about is one way to start to do something for ourselves. 

Cast your mind back – did you find yourself stepping in to be a hairdresser, barber, beautician, dentist or teacher (or maybe all!) during the three lockdowns we’ve faced? Did you enjoy any of your new, fun roles? If you’re unsure, maybe speak to a friend or family member to bounce some ideas off. Perhaps applying to become a model could be a thought. Campaigns are requesting modelling talent regularly – maybe it’s your time to shine on camera? Get in touch with us to find out more!

Surround yourself with positive people

Moving forward with positive people around you can help this year feel like a better year than the last. It is difficult to always maintain a positive mindset and it isn’t humanly possible to be constantly happy go lucky but if you actively surround yourself with positive people and people who bring out the best in you, stick with them! They will help you journey through a more productive and happy year. 

Spend your time wisely on social media

We live in a digital age where our devices are our go-to tools for many of our daily activities. With this comes social media and as great as it is, it can also be a time-consuming distraction and a bit of a pain really. It’s easy for us to say to limit your time spent in front of a screen, we’re all guilty of this, but if you want to save this year like the superhero you are, start it off by reducing your time on social media so your time doesn’t slip by on trawling through pointless and unrealistic feeds. 

Be grateful for each day 

Being grateful can lead to a more positive outlook. It can reinforce new and improve existing relationships. Taking a step back and looking at what you have within yourself as a person and around you can help you feel more grateful for what you have been blessed with. Keeping a gratitude journal can be a good way to record how you are feeling every day. 

Positive affirmations

If you’ve not come across positive affirmations before, not to worry – we’ll tell you all about it. Affirmations are short but powerful statements that can help you rewire your mind and rid yourself of limiting beliefs about yourself. This could be anything from, “I believe I can achieve whatever I want,” to “I am confident and strong!” Repeat these positive statements till they stick and become second nature to you. Write them down on post-it notes and stick them around your home or in a journal to remind yourself to repeat and believe. 

As you walk away from reading all this, we hope that these suggestions help bring you a brighter and better year.