8 min read Building a Stunning Model Portfolio: Insider Tips for Pre-Shoot Preparation

As photographers, we are responsible and in charge of everything that happens in a photo shoot. We plan the shoot, we start preparing for the shoot, and then finally we shoot. After the shoot, we clean up. Then we begin the process of distribution and retouching. There is so much to do and a lot to remember each time you have a photo shoot. When you start doing a big job, there’s always much more to do.

Photographers, especially new photographers are always looking to build and update their portfolios. Oftentimes you can work with models for little or even no cost through TF shoots (“TF” meaning “time for” something, usually digital or print images) as new models are always looking for good images for their portfolios and willing to exchange their time for images.

At the moment, the majority of our work is shooting model portfolio images. A lot of this work now comes from agencies that need portfolio images for their new faces. Sometimes these can be paid or TF shoots. Since we need to choose an avenue of reference and because we will not be going into marketing and how to get a client for a model portfolio, we are going to gear this to the professional photographer who is providing their services in exchange for portfolio images. Anyhow, lots of the tasks are the same regardless of how a model client ends up in the studio – they may just be in another or different order.

For this series, we are going to focus on the things I do before, during, and even after a shoot in three respective segments. These steps can apply to anyone working in a commercial studio or home studio. For this very first segment, we will discuss what we do before a TF model portfolio shoot. Also, keep in mind that this is our general checklist when we are preparing for this type of shoot and that not all of the tasks will apply to each and every situation.

THE PRE-SHOOT:

Generally, we only shoot a model portfolio shoot “TF” approximately once a month to continue updating our existing portfolio. New photographers may do this quite often to build a portfolio. So when we say pre-shoot, for us, this is everything we do up until a week before a final photoshoot. These tasks may take less or even more or less time for your condition and situation. We are very detail-oriented, so for these, we try to plan as far as possible in advance since we are more in control of the details of a TF shoot. Anyhow, when working with paying clients, sometimes we do not have the luxury of all the time in the world as your client needs images yesterday!

• Develop Ideas/Concepts/Themes.
• Create Mood Boards. 
• Select Wardrobe.
• Select Your Creative Team. 
• Choose Location. 
• Set the Photo Shoot Date/Time. 
• Develop a Model Specification List That You Have to Give to an Agency. 
• Get In Touch with the Agency in order to Provide Spec List and Select Model(s).
• Ask the Agency for Their Needs for the Shoot.
• Coordinate Wardrobe/Shoes with the Model(s). 
• Buy and/or Create/Build Props for Sets. 
• Think of Poses That Lend to the Wardrobe and Set.

THE WEEK OF:

Now the week of the shoot is here, and we are going to guide you on what you have to do a week before the shoot. Just keep the following things and minds and success will be yours. 

• Make Sure the Wardrobe is Ironed and Ready. 
• Coordinate Jewelry & Accessories to Wardrobe. 
• Order Catering for Photo Shoots, if Desired. 
• Clean Up Your Working Space. 
• Order or Buy Any Equipment or Supplies Needed. 

THE DAY BEFORE:

Okay so finally the day of the shoot is here. All you have to do is get ready a day before the shoot with all of your equipment and the basic required stuff. Of now you might be thinking about what I need to do else a day before the shoot. Below are the mentioned few things that you have to do a day before the shoot. Let's read that

• Send an Email Out to All Parties for Confirmation. 
• Pull Wardrobe, Accessories, etc. for the Shoot Tomorrow. 
• Do a Second Equipment Check. 
• Pack Any Bags if Required on the Shooting on Location. 

ALWAYS BE PREPARED:

These are all of our steps for working on a TF model’s portfolio photo shoot. You may or may not use all of these steps for so many reasons or may have additional steps in your workflow. If you have any queries or issues, feel free to ask in the comment section below or directly email us at our official site.