The Model’s Prep Guide: What to Bring to Your Session
To get the most out of your portfolio or editorial session, coming prepared is key. Here is a checklist of the essentials I recommend every model have in their kit:
1. The "Digital" Essentials
For your industry digitals, agencies want to see the "blank canvas" version of you.
Clothing: A simple, form-fitting black tank top or bodysuit and skinny jeans or leggings.
Footwear: A clean pair of heels (for height and posture) and a pair of simple white sneakers.
Look: Minimal to no makeup, and hair should be clean and natural (bring a hair tie to pull it back for profile shots).
2. The Portfolio Kit
For the fashion and editorial portion of our shoot, variety is everything.
Undergarments: Bring "seamless" nude undergarments, a strapless bra, and a nude bodysuit. These are essential for preventing visible lines under high-fashion clothing.
Basic Basics: A crisp white button-down, a black leather jacket, and well-fitting denim are timeless pieces that never go out of style in a book.
Accessories: Minimal jewelry. Unless the shoot is specifically for accessories, we want the focus on your face and posing.
3. Your "Emergency" Bag
Small things can make a big difference on camera. I recommend packing:
A hairbrush and basic hairspray.
Clear lip balm or a neutral gloss.
A small towel or oil-blotting papers for shine.
Different shoe options to match various "vibes."
I have a bag that I always carry with a lot of these “emergency” items as well as many other items.
4. Mindset & Posing
Don't worry about memorizing a hundred poses! We will work together on movement and expression. My best advice? Get plenty of rest the night before, stay hydrated, and come ready to collaborate and have fun.
I believe the best images are created when we are both on the same page before I even pick up the camera. That’s why for every fashion and editorial session, we’ll utilize a Mood Board.
A Mood Board is a curated collection of images that serves as our visual roadmap. It allows us to:
Refine Your Styling: We’ll pin ideas for outfits, textures, and color palettes to ensure your wardrobe perfectly complements the setting.
Explore Posing & Movement: Instead of wondering what to do with your hands, we’ll have a clear guide for poses and expressions that fit the specific "vibe" we’re aiming for.
Align the Vision: Whether we are going for "Gritty Street Style," "Soft Romanticism," or "High-End Minimalist," the mood board ensures we are both working toward the same stunning result.
Beyond the Lens: Tearsheets & Submissions
One of the most rewarding parts of an editorial session is seeing the work "in print." A tearsheet is a page from a magazine (digital or physical) that features our collaborative work.
If our session results in a story that fits the aesthetic of a specific publication, I am happy to discuss editorial submissions. Having a published credit next to your name is a massive boost to your credibility and can help you catch the eye of major agencies.
What this means for you:
Publication Opportunities: I regularly submit high-end editorial work to fashion magazines. If our work is accepted, you’ll receive the digital tearsheets to add to your portfolio.
Industry Credibility: A published tearsheet proves to clients that you have the professional experience to handle a high-stakes commercial or fashion set.
A Shared Win: There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your face in a magazine layout. It’s the ultimate way to showcase the "real feeling and genuine meaning" we aim for in every shoot.