How To Take Modeling Digitals

What you may not know is that modeling digitals are KEY to getting signed to a modeling agency and/or getting booked for auditions! Below is a step by step guide of what you need to take the best digitals to send to modeling agencies and have on hand for auditions!

Modeling digitals are something no one really talks about yet they’re something a lot of aspiring plus size models NEED to know about, but don’t!!!

By the end of this blog post, you should know exactly what, where, when, how to take your modeling digitals whether you’re at home or on the go!

This post is all about how to take the best modeling digitals!

Modeling Digitals

What are modeling digitals

Modeling digitals are photos you can take with a professional or on a smart phone. They show current images of you with form fitting clothes and a natural face so an agency or brand can see you as a blank canvas.

What is the purpose of digitals

The purpose of digitals are so brands and agencies can see what you look like before all the glamour to see if you’ll fit the look they’re looking for. Digitals are super raw, it’s basically natural lighting, with no make up, photoshop, or retouching.

What to wear for digitals

When it comes to your outfit for digitals, it’s SUPER simple. You want to wear form fitting clothing that is all black whether you’re doing regular digitals or swim digitals. Emphasis on the form fitting!

Black jeans
Black bodysuit or black tank
Black heels (shoes are usually optional when doing swim digitals) BONUS: check out my blog post HERE to figure out which heels are right for you!

Basically think, tank tops, denim, casual heels/boots, and NOT TOO ACCESSORIZED. I would recommend usually no jewelry however if you want to wear jewelry, a small ring or a simple necklace or simple earrings will do.

How to do your make up for digitals

Plot twist, you DON’T do your make up lol. For digitals, you want a natural face or veryyyy minimal make up. I get hormonal acne once a month so if I shoot professional digitals, I try to plan it around my break out because having a natural face is strongly encouraged.

However, you never know when you might need to take last minute digitals so if you need to wear make up, the extent of the make up should be….

brows
light concealer under eyes and/or on problem areas
mascara
chapstick.

In the above picture, the only make up I have on is a little brow gel.

In terms of hair, your hair should be clean and well groomed and/or styled as you naturally wear it.

Where to shoot your digitals

When shooting your digitals, you only need two things. A white wall and natural light! Now don’t worry if you can’t exactly get or have a white wall per-say, having a background with minimal distraction will work.

Natural light is always preferred however if you need to take digitals at night or it’s just over cast outside, having a box light on hand will be your best friend.

These are the box lights I use. They’re affordable, come with two, and come with a travel bag for easy clean up!

What shots you need for your “digital portfolio”

I call it your digital portfolio because there are some standard digitals to always have on you so you don’t need to take new digitals every time you have an audition or want to apply for something.

These are the shots to keep in a folder on you….

headshot
3/4 shot (think knee’s up)
Full length
Profiles (left side, right side)
Hands (front side AND back side)

Professional Modeling Digitals Example

For record, you do not need a professional photographer to take your digitals however it can help! Plus if you’re like me and you live in a studio apartment or somewhere with colorful walls, it’s great to have on hand to increase your chances of getting booked.