How to take proper snapshots / polas to apply for model agencies and castings
If you want to join a model agency or apply for an online casting, you need to send good pictures to be considered.
Model Digitals also known as, Snapshots, Polaroids or Polos are unretouched pictures of a model to show what that talent looks like as if they were standing in front of them in person (at a casting for example).
Even if you are gorgeous you might ruin your chances if you send your Instagram selfies or some questionable "professional photos".
July 2020
Blog post by Antonio Barros
Your best chance to get the job is to send well done homemade snapshots like the ones I'm going to present here.
Mathilde is a French model and was kind enough to share some of her homemade snapshots with me for the blog. Thanks, @mathildelsry!
- Take close-up and half-length pictures with free hair and a ponytail. Avoid using too much make-up and don't use filters on the pictures!
- Unless you are applying for a bikini or lingerie job, send full length pictures in jeans and t-shirt.
- Don't forget to send profile pictures with free hair and a ponytail.
PRO TIPS!
- Photograph in a room with bright natural day light.
- Use a neutral and clean background.
- The camera should be at your chest level when you photograph full lenght pictures.
- Portraits with smartphones can be tricky! If the camera is too close to the face, the lens might distort the nose and the shape of the head.
Quick Recap:
If you have long hair
- 1x full lenght picture with free hair
- 1x full lenght picture with ponytail
- 1x half lenght picture with free hair
- 1x half lenght picture with ponytail
- 1x close-up picture with free hair
- 1x close-up picture with ponytail
- 1x half lenght profile picture from each side with free hair
- 1x half lenght profile picture from each side with ponytail
If you have short hair that doesn't cover your ears
- 1x full lenght picture
- 1x half lenght picture
- 1x close-up picture
- 1x half lenght profile picture from each side