A

Accountant

A very highly paid person whose job it is to sort out personal tax and money matters. Check very carefully if you are on a low income just how much one is going to charge before you employ them!

B

Booking

When a client wishes to book you for a job, he will check your availability with the agency. You should therefore inform your agency where you are at all times so that they can update their diary.

C

Comp cards

(Also known as 'Z' cards) A card containing a small selection of a model’s photo’s plus her details that may be submitted to interested parties for perusal. (Some agencies might choose to send printed copies of pictures from the model’s portfolio.)
 
 
D

Digital

The latest major change in photographic techniques where the images are taken and immediately stored electronically rather than on photographic film.

E

Editorial

Editorial modelling is effectively the catwalk transferred to the pages of a magazine or newspaper.

F

Fashion

dict. def: Prevailing and often short-lived custom or style. (Hence loads of potential work for a fashion model!)

G

Glamour

Area of modelling usually including the modelling of lingerie / undergarments or swimsuits etc.

H

Head-shot

Facial picture taken with either hair up, i.e. a beauty shot or with hair down

I

Invoicing

Your agency will invoice all clients on your behalf. NOTE: The time you finish is the time you leave the set, not the time you leave the studio.

J

Jewellery

A small discrete election of this should be kept with your wardrobe.

K

Kit

Slang for clothing in some circles, but to a professional model this consists of her everyday needs required for her modelling career, i.e. comp cards, portfolio, wardrobe, model bag etc. etc.

L

Lighting

Perhaps the most important part of taking any photograph.

M

Model book

Owned by the agency showing at least one picture from all the models on their register.

M

Model Bag

Contains all the essentials the model might need at a shoot.

M

Make-up artist

Outside professional used to maximise your potential facial look for either test or client shoots.

N

O

P

Portfolio

The model’s chief selling tool. Ideally this should be at the agency to be shown to prospective clients; hence some models will keep a secondary portfolio for their ‘own’ use.

P

Pay

What every model wants! Your agency will take a commission from you on all bookings - look at it as their pay for getting you the work.

R

Runway

A long narrow raised stage, upon which models parade whilst wearing and thus promoting, new fashions.

S

Studio

A location specifically used for ‘in-house’ photography. May consist of anything from one small to several larger rooms.

T

Tax

All models are usually considered self-employed, which means that they are responsible for their own tax and national insurance. It is therefore important that you keep all receipts from everything that is purchased or any service that has been used in relation to your modeling career.

U

V

W

Wardrobe

This is the models responsibility and may consist of as much as several dozen items. Unless bright clothes are specifically requested, these should be plain or lightly patterned clothes in neutral shades.

Z

See comp cards.