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Top Tips For Creating The Best Kids Portfolio | Vikrant Photography

Remember those cute kids from the GAP ad? Or the adorable ones from the Ralph Lauren ad? 

Child modeling can be a great way for a kid to have fun, while being creative and learning life skills. It is a glamorous yet demanding industry that commands knowledge and preparation to make your child successful.

As a former model and now a fashion photographer, I know the fashion industry well enough to understand opportunities from scams. I’ve seen so many families get deceived by the promise of quick success. Or, scam agencies that charged a lot for casting auditions, and the parents never heard back from them. In writing this blog, my main aim is to guide parents in getting a standout child modeling portfolio. I also want to provide helpful advice on the right steps for the long-term success of their child.

I’ve done lots of kids’ portfolios, and many parents are unaware of the #1 step to make their child a successful model. This step is having a professional child modeling portfolio. Usually, they put together photos from their phones, and submit it to agents or casting calls. This reduces the chances of their child getting a call.

This reminds me of a shoot I recently completed. The parents were acquaintances, and wanted to get their younger daughter into modeling. They were trying to get her to model for a well-known kidswear brand, but weren’t successful. They were seeking advice on how to better prepare their child for the casting call. I gave them some tips, and asked to take a look at the child’s portfolio. They showed me her pictures that they took on their phone, which weren’t letting her happy-go-lucky personality shine through.

I explained the importance of a professional portfolio to them, and we decided to do a professional shoot for her. When they saw the photos in the reveal session, the difference was like night and day for them. Her portfolio turned out professional and polished and showed her true potential. What’s more, the kidswear brand hired her soon after!

A modeling portfolio is not just cute pictures of your child, but professional, polished photos that show their potential. Agents and casting directors are busy people who often don’t have time to meet each child. This is where a polished child modeling portfolio becomes your first (and often last) chance at making a lasting impression. It is like a visual resume for your child, to get them noticed and stand out from among other aspiring child models.

Now that you know why a professional portfolio is important, let us talk about the essential elements needed for a standout child modeling portfolio.

Get a Standout Headshot

In the past, I have written about why a professional headshot is great for adults. The same concept applies for a child model as well. A well-crafted headshot is key to getting noticed by casting directors and agents. You’ll be spending time and money on getting the best headshots for your child. So, a lot will depend on your preparation and the photographer you choose. I’ve been doing kids portfolios for over two decades now, so when you book my services, you won’t have to worry. I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way for fantastic images of your child!

Coming back to what kind of headshots you’ll need, I’d say go for natural shots that focus on shoulders and above. This means no makeup, no fancy hairstyle or accessories, or crazy clothing. A simple, no-frills look, with your child looking at the camera with a neutral expression is perfect. This kind of photo captures your child’s vibrant personality, and gives you a great headshot.

Get Full-Length Body Shots

Besides the headshots, parents should also aim to keep 1-2 full-length body shots. These show your child’s personality and physique to casting directors and agents. Full-length body shots can be in a few different looks (both casual and formal) to showcase the child’s range. Tip: Make sure to stick to the agency requirement for the number of photos in a portfolio, which is usually between 15-20.

A few things to keep in mind while getting full body shots—make sure to show your child’s fun, confident side! This is something clients and agencies look for these days in their kids’ campaigns. Another tip I would give here is to wear modern but simple clothes. But that doesn’t mean bland, boring clothes. It means clothes that fit your child well, and do not have big logos, patterns, brand names, etc. on them.

Get Candid Shots

I love doing these shots—they’re so natural, and let your personality shine through—especially with kids! Having a few candid shots gives the casting directors and agents an idea of how easygoing, calm, and confident your child is in front of the camera. Kids enjoy these too, as these shots often include them being their true selves!

Get Themed Shots

Last but not the least, having a few themed shots are great to spotlight your child’s versatility. What this means is that your child is able to show their versatility through photos. This helps clients visualize whether they’re a good fit for their brand or not. 

These are some of the essential elements for a child’s modeling portfolio, giving you an idea of what images to include. Of course, all this is one part of the steps involved. The next step is to organize this mix of images and present it in a way that captures the attention of the casting director. 

When you book Vikrant Photography for your child’s modeling portfolio session, you don’t have to worry about these steps, as we handle it for you. I include winning shots that are sure to impress agents and casting directors. Also, I ensure that your kid’s portfolio has the right amount of images presented in the correct way.

But I wrote this modeling portfolio guide keeping in mind that you can opt for any photographer you like. That’s why I want to make sure that you have all the information you need to succeed in the competitive world of child modeling. 

To gain an edge, you need to have your child’s modeling portfolio in both physical and digital formats. You can create digital portfolios on platforms like Behance, Adobe Portfolio, Zyro, DeviantArt, and Wix. You can also create them in specialized modeling portfolio sites like Model Mayhem and Portfoliobox. These enable you to show your child’s best photos in an organized way, and are easy to share with casting directors and agents any time you want. make sure that your child’s portfolio is easy to view & loads on all types of devices like phones and computers.

While digital portfolios are more in-demand at the moment, it’s handy to have a physical copy of the portfolio. A high-quality printed portfolio is great for in-person meetings and casting calls, as it leaves a more lasting impression. Invest in a nice, leather-bound presentation case with high-quality prints of your child’s photos to look professional.

Having both physical and digital portfolios shows your preparedness and gives your child a winning edge. A digital portfolio is good for a quick, online submission; a physical portfolio is great for in-person meetings and casting calls. Both help you land any opportunities that come your way.

Creating a winning model portfolio for your child requires a lot of time & money investment. Yet, it will be one of the best investments you’re ever going to make towards a successful modeling career for your child. A professional portfolio increases the chances of your child getting that audition, and also opens the door for bigger opportunities.

If you’re ready to give your child that head start in the modeling world, I’m here for you. I have over 20 years of child modeling photography experience, and 99% of my models get agency representation. I would love to work with you to create a standout child modeling portfolio that brings out your child’s true potential. To book your shoot with me, fill out this form and my team will reach out to you for further details on the whole process.

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