That girl in Devil Wears Prada was me!
When I was at university, I had several jobs in fashion industry in NYC. My very first summer on break from school I worked at a fashion magazine. Yes, I spent a lot of my time in the shoe/accessories closet. From that experience, I learned many things. I realized I didn’t have what it takes to make in print fashion (in future posts I will go into that topic, but not today).
However I did love the creative process of putting together the shoot. This included booking the models, styling and directing the vision. So the next summer I was at a modelling agency in NYC and I really loved it so much. There are so many personalities in fashion and I just love fun people. I think I must have been good at it so they asked for me to continue working but I couldn’t quit school.
In the old days BEFORE Smart Phones
Back when I was working the model’s most important possession was their portfolio. You also had to have a comp card. This a big piece of card paper that had their 5 best photos and all their stats. When models went to castings or go-sees they left these comp cards as a calling card. There were many rules for choosing photos to put on your card. These are photos that are supposed to “sell” you to the client.
Fast forward many years later, and my kids expectantly just sorta stumble on to this weird world. I think some if their success evolves from my previous experience and how photos portray can portray your image.
Instagram is the New Portfolio
My oh my times have changed… I am not sure for the better since almost anyone can be a model (we have to have another conversation about model scouting in the old days, cuz I miss the old days). The advent of Instagram and digital photography have really changed how aspiring models can market themselves. Since most agencies now ask for parents to keep an Instagram for their child as their portfolio, there is a need for social media. However if your child does have Instagram, do the photos on their feed would they be good enough for their portfolio?
There is nothing wrong with having every day snaps, but thinking before you post is a good idea.
