Hello! My name is Shaun (Boston photographer) & I help Boston models book gigs, develop portfolios, & sign with agencies.
Comp cards & digitals are the first steps to making money as a model. They're a quick snapshot for industry professionals to see your anatomy, presence, & posing ability.
INTERESTED PARTIES:
Modeling Agencies
Casting Directors
Client Agencies
Photographers
Designers
Stylists
Pro-Tip:A test shoot is a great way to study your on-camera performance.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Present your baseline appearance, meaning your most natural state/signature style. So when clients book you, they’re not surprised by drastic changes. Hair should be styled, pulled back, or freshly cut. Wear all-black, form-fitting garments. I recommend heels or boots to exaggerate height. Wear no makeup or a minimal no-makeup makeup look. (I do natural retouching)
FEMME: | MASC: | |
|---|---|---|
COLORS: | Black | Black |
TOP: | Cropped, Tank, T-Shirt | T-Shirt, Tank |
BOTTOMS: | Skinny, tights | Skinny, Slim-fit |
SHOES: | Heels, Boots | Shoes, Boots |
MAKEUP: | None or No Makeup Look | None or No Makeup Look |
HOW TO PREPARE:
Grooming:
Everyone’s regime is different so, broadly speaking, your skin should be cleansed & moisturized before shooting. Freshly styled hair or cut. Prepare your garments using a steamer and lint roller.
Pro tip:
Exfoliate to eliminate dead skin, gently exfoliate lips with a toothbrush to make them plump. Dab (don’t lather) Vaseline or Aquaphor on lips. Use a water gel skin moisturizer.Practice Posing:
Research comp card poses to find examples you’d like to use. Here’s a Pinterest board I share with my clients. Wear your attire and experiment with different poses in a mirror. You want to avoid running out of poses or relying on the photographer.
Pro tip:
Search for models with a similar body type and look, if their poses work for them they may work for you. Prop a camera and film yourself constantly moving and posing.
I always say “shoulder backs, chest forward, legs shoulders width apart, and one foot in front of the other. Avoid balling your fist or curling your finger.HOW TO SHOOT DIGITALS:
Location: | I shoot all comp cards outdoors on white walls. |
|---|---|
Lighting | I shoot natural sunlight only, specifically two hours before sunset or two hours after sunrise. I do this for a Rembrandt effect, which adds depth & sharpness to the subject's facial features. |
Aperture | I set my aperture between 5-7. In this setting, my focus can accommodate more surface area. This is particularly important for the headshots because I want sharpness in all facial features (eacheyes, nose, lips, and head shape). |
| Headshots | Body |
|---|---|---|
Composition | I shoot narrowly with enough head space to crop in post-production. | I shoot wide then crop in post-production. |
Focal Length | I shoot fixed at 50mm. | I shoot fixed at 35mm. |
Camera Orientation (Position/Tilt) | I position my camera at eye level while maintaining my lens at a 0° angle (no lens tilt), meaning my lens and the subject’s face are exactly parallel. This eliminates lens distortion and the subject’s face is more symmetrical straight on. | I position my camera at the pelvis while tilting my lens upward ~5°. This exaggerates the subject's height by making their lower half 3/4 of the frame and elongating their legs. |
HOW TO CREATE A COMP CARD:
Composition:
Headshot (Top Left)
Profile (Top Right)
3/4 (Bottom Left)
Full body (Bottom Right)
Pro-Tip: Make sure the face is pointing toward the center of the comp card. If necessary flip the image.Measurements:
Femme
Height
Bust
Hips
Dress
Waist
Shoe
Hair Color
Eye Color
Masc
Height
Chest
Waist
Inseam
Suit
Sleeve
Shoe
Hair Color
Eye Color
Side Note: Sometimes, it's unnecessary to include all measurements. If a comp card is requested, usually they'll tell you what to include.IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BOOKING A COMP CARD SESSION, DM ME ON IG @SHAUNTONY OR SUBMIT FORM BELOW WITH:
FIRST NAME: (YOUR FIRST NAME)
LAST NAME: (YOUR LAST NAME)
EMAIL: (YOUR EMAIL)
PURPOSE: COMP CARD
LOCATION: STREET/ON-LOCATION
SPECIAL REQUEST: (INSERT IF NECESSARY)
WILL YOU NEED CREATIVE DIRECTION: NO
WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT...: N/A
RAW IMAGES: CONFIRM
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