Practice is extremely important when you are trying to memorize poses and flawlessly move from one pose to the next in Las Vegas or in general to be honest. Modeling is a skill where the more you practice the better you are and practice after all makes perfect. Your ability to pose or strut down the runway is what differentiates you from a model and a professional model as you start your career in Las Vegas. Try setting up a simple studio in your home—all you need is a tripod and a camera or phone, set the self-timer on, and you can start documenting your poses in front of the camera and be aware of how your body moves.
You could even try different locations too when you go to practice, try going to a park, convenience store or a library even. Have a friend go out with you and help you take the photos, that way you can take and look at all the pictures that have been taken to see what poses are working for you and how you can improve them, with a friend to give unfiltered advice as well. You have to have a certain awareness of your own body as a model and while it can take a moment to develop; the benefits of this awareness can be endless as you begin your modeling career.
Preparation is key before you go to any photoshoot in Las Vegas. Photo shoots can take a long time and that is with even professional models. So it will do you no good to try and figure out at the last minute how you should be posing for the shoot during the studio hours in Las Vegas. Research the types of poses that models use in a particular category on the internet before going into your photo shoot and what those models have in their portfolios. Make sure you have a full-body mirror with you and practice doing a wide variety of poses with your head, hands, arms, legs, and feet. You may also want to try out different facial expressions as well, to add a good arsenal to your poses. Doing this in front of a mirror may seem a little self indulgent but really it is just another way of becoming more aware of how you move and what you would look like in one pose vs the other.
Fashion is a little more forgiving, as you can usually do a wide range of poses with your entire body and with your body covered in places it can take the harshness out of what would otherwise be an awkward pose. This can make being a fashion model somewhat easier to work as when it comes to getting the poses just right. Take note of your favorite poses and get comfortable with new ones, so your confidence can be translated into your images later on in Las Vegas and be a good fit to your modeling portfolio.
Start your modeling portfolio in Las Vegas with a captivating headshot. Don’t be discouraged if you have trouble finding the perfect headshot the first time. Know that headshots are always just the models head and shoulders and depending on the current trend may be from the waist up. Your headshot should show you in your “natural” state. Simple makeup, minimal jewelry, and minimally styled hair. If you have facial hair, it should be well groomed. In other words, leave the winged liner, statement jewelry, and teasing comb at home. Smiling or serious, your headshot should put your best face forward and be the first image in your portfolio in Las Vegas.
Next as you compile this portfolio in Las Vegas, you’ll need a full body shot. Make sure your posture and form are proper so that it can accurately display your body. These are usually very simple, wardrobe-wise. You’ll need a fitted white shirt or tank top and a pair of dark wash skinny jeans or a tailored trouser. Long skirts or jackets or too many layers just cover up what the casting agents are looking for. Ladies, break out those heels and gents, a casual dress shoe will do the trick. Keep it simple and classic—you can get creative in other photos. You might also want to include a swimwear shot. Many people protest at the idea of a swimsuit photo. Just try to remember that some jobs require a uniform and this is one of those jobs. Keep the photo fierce or playful, especially if you want to explore commercial modeling during your career in Las Vegas.
You can form a more well-rounded portfolio by including different types of work that you have done in Las Vegas or other places if you have been modeling for a while before moving to the Las Vegas area. To show your versatility you’ll want to include some editorial work in your portfolio. Find a theme, create a look, and collaborate with a team if you don’t have anything striking enough. This is another scenario where collaborating with peers and others that are in the industry can really help you learn how to stand out and get the best photos out of any shoot you work on.
Commercial modeling is arguably the hardest to get across in your portfolio. Take your photographer to a food truck festival and really enjoy those tacos. Use your purse or backpack as a focal point in the shot. Pore over magazine ads, and try to recreate them. Take inspiration from other models and portfolios to see how they pose with products. Commercial modeling is acting in print and can be incredibly hard to sell. But when you do it right, the photographs are incredibly compelling and sell both the product and your abilities as a model in Las Vegas.
Lastly, you’ll want to include any tearsheets you have. A tearsheet is a page torn out of a publication where you’ve been featured in Las Vegas or any other city you have worked in previously if this isn’t your first rodeo. For your digital portfolio, linking to the publication will suffice. If you are going to include tearsheets in your physical portfolio, be sure that they have cleanly cut edges and are in protective plastic sheets. It will leave a bad impression if your pages look tattered. These are your portfolio must-haves. This will leave you with a small collection of photographs. You can fill it out by adding other shots from these categories. Make sure there is at least one of you smiling, and end on a compelling headshot for your portfolio in Las Vegas.
