Get outside 

Making the most of the natural light and multitude of outdoor options makes spring the perfect time of year to get those glorious images in. We’re thinking dreamy flower gardens, fields, and the rays of the sun can make for enchanting images. 

Capture the perfect light

We’ve mentioned the “golden hour” in previous blogs but as a gentle reminder, here it is again, in this blog, where we’re reminding you to perhaps utilise it if you can. The time to capture this is just after sunrise and before sunset, so grab this bonus and make your child model‘s collection of snaps illuminate.

Think angles and perspectives 

Amplify the images you’re creating by changing how you’re taking the shots rather than where and when. Think close-up, eye-level snaps or images with some greenery poking from a corner or two to compliment the season.

• Do I need professional photographs to be a model?
• From Blossoms to Big Smiles – Spring Photography Tips for Child Models
• How do I find modelling work?
• Our Guide to Modelling with Models Direct
• The Ultimate Models Direct Guide to Getting Your Child Into Modelling

Important moments

When your child flashes the biggest grin, or swoops in and runs through a local park, you’ll know that these are the special moments you need to grab. 

Dress the part (but keep it simple!) 

It can be tempting to put on elaborate clothes in a bid to zhuzh up your child model’s portfolio collection but we’d recommend going for pastel or floral prints to go well with the season’s kaleidoscope of colours. 

If you’re ready and happy for your child to register, (aged 2-12) then you’re at the right place. Apply here and see which campaigns our modelling agency is getting ready to showcase your little one for.

This is extremely important in the selection process at Models Direct. All images and reels must be up-to-date and current, which means they’ll be relevant.

The best example we can use is that of a top brand looking for everyday models for their latest campaign. This scenario applies for most of our jobs. When a client comes to us with a job brief, it’s our responsibility to give them a shortlist of suitable models that fits their brief. We do this based on information included in a model’s ePortfolio: images, reels, geographical location, age etc. All information must be accurate, and all pictures must be current. If a model meets the briefs requirements but their ePortfolio hasn’t been updated for a few months, this can only minimise the changes of models being chosen.

Think of relevance / accurate information as a CV. Employers make choices based largely on three criteria: CVs, covering letters, and how candidates conduct themselves at interviews. Not all three need to “click” for the candidate to land the job, but it stands to reason that at least the information submitted by the candidate needs to be updated and accurate.

Your pictures are no different to a CV, in that they are an essential tool in gaining work. It’s a model’s responsibility to make sure they dip into their portfolios, updating personal information if required, and to refresh portfolios with different poses. If a model changes their looks, it must be reflected in their portfolio.

• Do I need professional photographs to be a model?
• From Blossoms to Big Smiles – Spring Photography Tips for Child Models
• How do I find modelling work?
• Our Guide to Modelling with Models Direct
• The Ultimate Models Direct Guide to Getting Your Child Into Modelling

Keep the word “relevant” securely in mind. If a client looks at your portfolio images and decides to pick you, then your portfolio has done its job. However, if that selection has been done based on outdated photos, the client will be disappointed when you arrive on set. And it may hinder your chances of securing other jobs.

We cannot emphasise how important updating your pictures is. Try to update every month or so. Even if you think you look exactly as you did six months ago, ask someone to take fresh pictures of yourself and upload them to your portfolio (we don’t recommend taking “selfies”, as sometimes the angles are inconsistent, and the imagery can be blurred).

Clients need to see what they’re getting. We not suggesting commercial models are commodities; they are human beings with aspirations of achieving great thigs in the industry. But what use is a genuinely enthusiastic model to a client when they haven’t presented themselves in the truest light?

Plan ahead and decide which week you’ll start to add new pictures, and then continue this trend every month. The pictures don’t need to be taken by a professional, and it may only take half an hour every month.

Just show us and our clients that you can follow sensible industry advice. It’ll be your passport to more modelling jobs, so that alone should be all the motivation models need. 

Good luck!