When starting out as a model, it's not necessary to have professional photos and a resume. Simple snapshots are all you need to find out if a modeling agency is interested in you.

If an agency is interested but not ready to sign on the dotted line, they may ask you to further develop your portfolio or work on your look. For a new model, this can be confusing if you have no idea what the agency is looking for or what it all means.

Agencies like model photos that showcase the model's versatility and their ability to express themselves. They also want to see how well the model can tell a story or convey a feeling or emotion in their photos.

Below is a list of the key elements you should have in your portfolio and tips on how to use them effectively.

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A Beauty Shot or Clean Headshot
A beauty shot (for fashion/editorial models) or a clean headshot (for commercial models) is the first type of photo you should focus on.

A beauty shot is a color photo of the model's face, generally from the shoulders up. The purpose of a beauty shot is to show the model in their most natural state so the agency or client can see exactly how the model looks without heavy makeup or styling. Makeup, hairstyles, and jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Editorial models typically do not smile in a beauty shot.

A commercial headshot can be somewhat more relaxed than a typical beauty shot. Commercial photos can be in black and white or in color.

A beauty shot or commercial headshot should always be the first photo in a model's portfolio.

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A Full-Length Body Shot
The next photo in a model's portfolio should be a full-length body shot. This shot allows the client to see the model's proportions and body type. Clothing should be form-fitting and simple. Jeans and a T-shirt are completely fine. The model should not wear long dresses, skirts, or too many layers, as these can distract and conceal what the agents and clients are trying to see.

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Swimsuit Shot
If you're over 16 years old and comfortable with a swimsuit shot, then this should be the next photo in your portfolio.

When taking a swimsuit shot, it's important to always think about the message you want to convey. If you're aiming for a look that falls between Lands' End and Vogue Magazine, you'll likely hit the mark.

Remember that female fashion models sell clothes to women, not men, so while female models should be sexy, they should not be overtly sexual. Top modeling agencies do not want to see female models in swimsuits or underwear on the hood of a car or straddling a motorcycle.

Male models can be photographed in swim trunks or boxer shorts.

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Editorial Fashion Shot (Fashion Models)
Now that you have a beauty shot, a full-length body shot, and a swimsuit shot, you can get a bit more creative. The photos in the middle of your book can be somewhat more artistic. Here, you can also include a few model tear sheets if you have them.

Try to show the agents and clients that you can move and express yourself in your photos.

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A Commercial Shot (Commercial Models)
Just like editorial models, commercial models, including catalog models, need to show agents and clients their range and their ability to convey themselves in print. Commercial modeling is essentially acting in print. Take photos that look like magazine ads where you're laughing, crying, or getting excited. These are the emotions agents and clients want to see from a new commercial model.

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A Smiling Shot
If you don't have a smiling photo somewhere in the middle of your book, be sure to add a good smiling headshot. Agents and clients want to see your smile, especially your teeth.

It's okay if you don't have perfect teeth. Commercial models don't need to worry about perfect teeth either. Agents and clients just want to see who they're working with.

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A Strong Closing Shot
Always close with one of your strongest photos. Another great beauty or portrait shot that's a bit different from your opening photo can work perfectly here.

Most people only remember the very first and the very last photo in your book, so make sure these photos are your strongest.

A Model Portfolio Is a Work in Progress
The goal of a good model portfolio is not to simply fill it with a series of photos. A model portfolio should tell a story about who the model is, their brand, and the direction they're moving in their career. It's much better to have three or four great photos than 10 mediocre ones.

Shoot with as many photographers as possible so you can benefit from the various styles of each photographer and gain experience working with different personality types. With each photo shoot, you'll get better and more comfortable in front of the camera, which will also reflect in your photos.