Model digitals: how to take them for an agency

What digitals are for

Agencies look at hundreds of applications. A styled photoshoot shows what a photographer can do; digitals show what you bring before any styling. Bookers use them to judge your face structure, skin, proportions and how you move in front of a camera.

Light and background

• Stand facing a window in daylight. Avoid direct midday sun, which creates hard shadows.
• Use a plain wall in white, grey or another neutral colour.
• Turn off overhead lights so the colour of your skin stays natural.

What to wear

• Fitted, simple basics: a plain tank top or T-shirt and slim jeans or leggings.
• Neutral or dark colours, no logos or busy patterns.
• Little or no make-up, hair clean and pulled back for at least one shot so your face and jawline are visible.

The four shots to send

1. Close-up — face and shoulders, looking straight at the camera, neutral expression.
2. Waist-up — shoulders relaxed, arms by your sides.
3. Full length, front — standing straight, feet slightly apart, the whole body in frame.
4. Profile — turn to the side, chin level.

Ask a friend to hold the phone at chest height using the main (rear) camera, not the selfie camera. Shoot in the default photo mode with no portrait blur and no beauty filter.

Common mistakes

• Filters, smoothing or reshaping apps. Bookers notice, and it works against you.
• Heavy make-up or strong poses. Keep it neutral.
• Cropped feet or head in the full-length shot.
• Old photos. Send pictures taken in the last few weeks.

Sending them

Put the photos in a shared folder and paste the link into our application form. Never send ID documents with your photos. Applications to Satin Models are for adults aged 18 and over and are always free.