So, You Want to Be a Model: Part II - Becoming Bookable: Camera Confidence, Test Shoots & Real Portfolios
Camera Confidence, Test Shoots & Building a Portfolio That Actually Works
Looking like a model is not the same thing as being bookable.
This is where many aspiring models get stuck. They have the look, the interest, even the motivation — but they don’t yet understand what clients, photographers and agencies are actually hiring for. The result is frustration, stalled progress, and the feeling of being overlooked.
Bookable models are not accidents. They are built.
This part of the series focuses on the phase where modelling becomes real work: learning how to perform on camera, how to use test shoots properly, and how to build a portfolio that does more than just look nice.
Camera Confidence Is a Skill, Not a Trait
Some people appear “natural” in front of the camera, but that ease is rarely instinctive. What you’re seeing is familiarity — with their own face, their body, and the process of being photographed.
The camera exaggerates everything. Small tensions in the jaw, uncertainty in the eyes, stiffness in the shoulders — all of it shows. This is why confidence is not optional in modelling. It doesn’t need to be loud or performative, but it does need to be grounded.
Confidence on camera comes from:
knowing your angles
understanding how light changes your features
recognising what your body looks like in motion
being comfortable holding still without freezing
Mirror work is not vanity; it’s training. Studying your own expressions, posture and movement allows you to recognise what works and what doesn’t. The more familiar you are with yourself, the less the camera intimidates you.
A model who understands their own body wastes less time on set — and time is money.
Presence Will Always Outperform Perfection
One of the most damaging beliefs beginners carry is that they must look flawless to be successful. In reality, presence is far more valuable than perfection.
Presence is what allows you to:
take direction without panic
adjust quickly when something isn’t working
stay engaged rather than shrinking into yourself
Clients don’t want statues. They want adaptability.
The ability to stay open, relaxed and responsive under scrutiny is what separates usable models from attractive ones.
Understanding What Test Shoots Really Are
Before paid jobs come test shoots — and this stage should not be rushed.
Test shoots, often referred to as TFP (Time for Print or Profile), are collaborative sessions where no one is paid. The photographer, model, stylist and creative team all contribute time and skill in exchange for portfolio images.
These shoots are not freebies. They are exchanges of value.
Photographers test to:
experiment with lighting or equipment
explore new creative directions
strengthen their own portfolio
Models test to:
gain on-set experience
practise posing and expression
learn how direction actually works
build usable images
Testing is where you are allowed to be imperfect. Paid jobs are not the place to learn how to pose.
Why Testing Is Non-Negotiable Early On
Avoiding test shoots doesn’t make you selective — it keeps you inexperienced.
Testing is where:
you learn how long shoots actually take
you understand how energy shifts on set
you practise maintaining focus
you discover your weaknesses
Many models fail on paid jobs not because they lack potential, but because they skipped this stage and arrived unprepared.
Treat testing like training, not exposure.
Choosing Test Shoots Wisely
Not all test shoots are equal.
Early on, your goal isn’t to shoot with everyone — it’s to shoot with people who understand lighting, composition and intention. A small number of well-chosen tests will do more for you than dozens of rushed collaborations.
When assessing a test opportunity, ask yourself:
Does the photographer’s work show consistency?
Do their images look intentional?
Is the concept clear?
Is the usage agreed upfront?
Professionalism during testing builds habits that carry into paid work.
The Difference Between “Nice Photos” and a Portfolio
A portfolio is not a collection of your favourite images.
It is a working document.
Its job is to answer one question clearly: Can this person deliver what I need?
This is why quality matters more than quantity. Five strong images that show range, control and presence will outperform fifty average images every time.
A functional portfolio should include:
clean headshots
clear full-body images
neutral expressions
controlled posture
subtle variation in mood
Clients need to see you, not just styling or atmosphere.
Why Instagram Is Not Your Portfolio
Instagram is not the enemy — but it is not a substitute.
Social media images prioritise mood, trends and engagement. Portfolio images prioritise clarity, usability and consistency. Confusing the two is one of the biggest mistakes new models make.
A strong Instagram can support your image.
A strong portfolio secures work.
If a client can’t immediately see your proportions, expression and presence, they will move on.
Editing, Selection & Restraint
One of the hardest skills for new models to learn is restraint.
Not every image from a shoot belongs in your book. In fact, most don’t. A portfolio should feel intentional, not crowded.
Ask yourself:
Does this image add something new?
Does it show control or repetition?
Would I book myself based on this alone?
Removing images is often more powerful than adding them.
Becoming Reliable, Not Just Visible
Bookable models are remembered for reliability.
They arrive prepared.
They communicate clearly.
They understand the brief.
They deliver consistently.
Talent opens doors. Reliability keeps them open.
This is why becoming bookable is about more than images — it’s about behaviour. How you show up during testing is often how you’ll be remembered later.
Closing: This Is Where Careers Are Built
This stage isn’t glamorous, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But it’s where modelling shifts from fantasy into something tangible.
Camera confidence can be learned.
Experience can be built.
A portfolio can be refined.
What can’t be faked is commitment.
If you want to move forward in modelling, this is the work that earns it.