Online Modelling Contest Portfolio Tips

The three shots every beginner should have

Headshot: face and shoulders, natural make-up, plain background, eyes sharp. Full-length: head to toe in a simple outfit that shows your shape and posture. Walk: a short video of you walking towards the camera, turning and walking away. These three show judges and agencies what they need to see.

Light and location

Shoot near a large window or outdoors in open shade. Direct midday sun causes squinting and hard shadows; golden hour can be beautiful but changes quickly. A plain wall, a quiet corridor or a clean terrace works better than a busy street or a famous monument that needs permission.

Styling

Choose well-fitting clothes in solid colours. Busy prints, big logos and lots of accessories distract from you. Bring one casual, one formal and one ethnic look if the contest allows multiple images in a portfolio. Keep hair and make-up natural so judges can see your features.

Posing and expression

Good posing starts with posture: shoulders back and relaxed, neck long, weight on one leg. Small changes — a turned shoulder, a shifted hip, hands softly placed — make a big difference. Practise in front of a mirror, then take dozens of test shots and study which angles work for you.

Expression is 25% of the judge score. Practise a range: warm smile, soft smile, neutral editorial, intense. Your eyes should look alive, not blank.

The walk

Walk with a steady pace, shoulders back, and place each foot slightly in front of the other. Pause briefly at the end, hold a pose, turn cleanly and walk away. Film from a steady phone at about waist height so your whole body stays in frame.

Editing honestly

Light colour and exposure correction is fine. Face- or body-altering edits, heavy beauty filters and AI-generated images are not allowed and can lead to an entry being rejected. Judges want to see the real you.

How modelling entries are judged

Judges score Technique (30% — posture, walk, angles, poise), Creativity (25% — styling and concept), Expression (25% — confidence and range) and Overall impact (20%). The audience half adds verified votes, ratings and watch-through. Community guidelines on appropriate content apply to every entry.