- Consider what type of modeling you want to get into and take the appropriate pictures for that style of modeling. If you want to be a high fashion model, look at fashion magazines to get an idea of what your pictures should look like. If you want to be a commercial model, look at commercial advertisements. If you want to be a bikini model, look at swimwear magazines.
- Have a lot of pictures taken so that you have a lot to choose from. You can take pictures with one photographer or more than one photographer. If you do not have money to pay for a photo shoot, look for photographers that are are looking to build their own portfolios. Photographers looking to build their portfolios will often take pictures of the model for free and provide the model with copies of the pictures in exchange for having pictures to put in their photographer's portfolio.
- Take a variety of types of pictures. Your portfolio should include a head shot as well as a full body shot. You should also have a pictures that show you from the front and pictures that show you from the side. Show different personalities and styles in different pictures. For example, one picture can portray you as alluring, another as happy and casual, and another as serious and elegant.
- Choose 6 to 12 of your best photographs to put in your portfolio. Be extremely picky when you pick your pictures. Your portfolio is your calling card. It is your key to a modeling job. Modeling is highly competitive. If your portfolio is not absolutely great, you will not get modeling jobs. A portfolio filled with perfect pictures will get you noticed.
- Have your portfolio pictures printed in either 8 x 10 size or 8.5 x 11 size. Whichever size you choose, have all of your photos printed in the same size. Put your pictures in a photo album portfolio book. Stick with a black professional-looking portfolio album. Portfolio albums that are colorful or have patterns on them can look unprofessional,
- Put your name and contact information in your portfolio so that modeling agencies and modeling clients know how to contact you. You can put your name and contact information on the cover of your portfolio or on the first page of your portfolio. If possible, have each picture printed with your name and contact information on them.
