Model Portfolio: Essential Tips for Working with Different Types of Photographers

Building a strong model portfolio isn’t just about having lots of pictures. It’s about having the right pictures-taken by the right people. Too many models think that any photographer with a decent camera will do. That’s a mistake. Different photographers bring different skills, styles, and expectations. Knowing how to work with each type can make or break your portfolio.

Understand the Photographer’s Specialty

Not all photographers are the same. Some specialize in fashion editorials. Others focus on commercial headshots or fitness shots. A photographer who does high-end runway work might not know how to light a natural, everyday look. And vice versa.

Before booking a shoot, look at their portfolio. Not just the quality, but the type of images. If you’re aiming for commercial modeling jobs, you need photos that show you in relatable settings-coffee shops, offices, casual streetwear. If you’re targeting fashion magazines, you need dramatic lighting, bold poses, and editorial styling.

Ask them: "What kind of models do you usually work with?" If they say, "I shoot mostly brides," that’s a red flag. You don’t want someone whose experience is in wedding photography trying to create your next runway look.

Working with Fashion Photographers

Fashion photographers often have strong creative visions. They might want you to pose in ways that feel unnatural. Don’t be afraid to speak up if something feels uncomfortable, but also be open to experimentation.

These shoots usually involve heavy styling-designer clothes, dramatic makeup, unusual hair. You’re not just a model; you’re a canvas. Be ready to move quickly. Sessions can be long, with multiple outfit changes and location shifts.

Key things to remember:

• Follow direction precisely, even if it feels odd. Sometimes the weirdest pose turns out to be the best shot.
• Bring your own simple backup outfits in case the wardrobe team is late or runs out of options.
• Keep your skin hydrated and your hair manageable. Fashion shoots often require multiple looks in one day.

One model I worked with in London had a shoot with a photographer known for avant-garde work. He asked her to lie on her back and twist her neck at a 90-degree angle. She thought it was ridiculous. The resulting image became her most-used portfolio piece. Sometimes the best shots come from trusting the process.

Working with Commercial Photographers

Commercial photographers want you to look approachable, confident, and real. This is the kind of work you’ll see in ads for banks, supermarkets, or phone companies. No fantasy. No runway. Just you, looking like someone you’d trust with your money or your groceries.

These shoots are less about art and more about clarity. The lighting is even. The background is neutral. Your expression should be warm, not overly dramatic. Smiling with your eyes matters more than a perfect grin.

Here’s what works:

• Wear clothes that look like something you’d actually wear. No designer labels unless the brand is part of the shoot.
• Keep makeup natural. Think "I woke up like this," not "I just got done with a photoshoot."
• Practice relaxed eye contact. Look directly into the lens like you’re talking to a friend.

One of my favorite commercial shots came from a 15-minute session at a Bristol café. No studio. No crew. Just me, a photographer, and a latte. The photo was used in a national bank campaign. It worked because it felt real.

Working with Fitness and Wellness Photographers

If you’re aiming for fitness modeling, you need photos that show strength, tone, and energy. These photographers often work with gyms, supplement brands, or activewear lines. They care about muscle definition, posture, and movement.

Unlike fashion shoots, you won’t be wearing flowing gowns. You’ll be in sports bras, leggings, or swimwear. Be prepared to move. These sessions often involve dynamic poses-jumping, stretching, lifting weights, or running on a treadmill.

Important tips:

• Hydrate well the day before. Dehydration makes skin look dull under bright lights.
• Don’t try to "flex" constantly. Natural tension looks better than forced muscle engagement.
• Bring your own workout gear if you have pieces that fit well and show your shape without being too tight or too loose.

One model I know lost a major campaign because she showed up in baggy gym shorts. The photographer had planned for tight leggings to highlight her quad definition. She didn’t realize how much the clothing mattered. Don’t make that mistake.

Working with New or Emerging Photographers

It’s tempting to work with new photographers because they’re cheaper-or even free. But here’s the truth: free shoots often cost more in the long run.

Some new photographers are talented and hungry. Others are still learning how to focus a lens, let alone direct a model. Before agreeing to a trade-for-prints (TFP) shoot, ask to see at least 10 finished images from past clients. Not Instagram highlights. Actual edited photos.

Also, get a simple agreement in writing-even if it’s just a text message. Something like: "I’ll provide 5 edited images for you in exchange for you providing 10 edited images for my portfolio." That protects both sides.

Don’t assume that because someone has a nice Instagram page, they can deliver professional results. One model I worked with did three TFP shoots with photographers who "just started." She ended up with blurry shots, bad lighting, and no usable images. She wasted three months.

What to Bring to Every Shoot

No matter the type of photographer, there are a few essentials you should always carry:

• Simple, neutral underwear and bras (no lace or patterns that show through)
• Basic skincare products (moisturizer, lip balm, blotting papers)
• A small makeup touch-up kit (mascara, lipstick, powder)
• Comfortable shoes for travel between locations
• A copy of your portfolio or digital link on your phone
• A water bottle and a healthy snack

These aren’t luxuries. They’re tools that keep you looking fresh and professional, even when the shoot runs late or the studio is cold.

Communication Is Everything

The best models aren’t the ones who look the prettiest. They’re the ones who communicate clearly.

Before the shoot, ask:

• What’s the goal of this session?
• How many outfits will we do?
• Will there be a stylist or makeup artist?
• When will I get the final images?

During the shoot, if something doesn’t feel right-whether it’s the lighting, the pose, or the vibe-say something. A good photographer will appreciate your input. A bad one will ignore you and deliver poor results.

After the shoot, follow up politely. If you don’t hear back in two weeks, send a gentle reminder. Don’t be pushy, but don’t disappear either. Your portfolio depends on timely delivery.

Don’t Just Collect Photos-Curate Them

Having 50 photos doesn’t make a strong portfolio. Having 12 perfect, varied, professional images does.

After each shoot, review the images with a critical eye. Ask yourself:

• Does this show my best features?
• Is this the kind of image a booking agent would use?
• Does it match the style of the jobs I want?

Remove anything that’s blurry, awkward, or doesn’t represent your brand. If you’re going for commercial work, don’t include a high-fashion shot where you’re wearing a full face of contouring. It confuses agencies.

Update your portfolio every 6 months. Take out old shots. Add new ones. Your look changes. Your goals change. Your portfolio should too.

Final Thought: You’re the Director Too

You might think you’re just the subject. But in reality, you’re a co-creator of your brand. The photographer captures the image, but you decide which ones make the cut. You decide who you work with. You decide what kind of model you want to be.

Don’t let anyone else define your portfolio. Ask questions. Set boundaries. Choose photographers who respect your goals. And never, ever settle for "good enough."