How to Find Photographers to Build Your Portfolio: A Guide for Models

Jan 17

I get messages every week from models who want to work together. Some are fresh faces, some are trying to level up their book, and others are just looking for a bit of direction. I can’t work with everyone, and I definitely don’t have time to be everyone's personal mentor, but I can write this.

Finding a good photographer is hard. Finding one who isn’t an absolute cretin, isn’t totally clueless, and won’t actually hinder your career is even harder. It is the Wild West out there, and I don’t blame anyone for feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of "creatives" in their DMs. Let’s try and break down how to filter the noise.

Most of the time, photographers find you through a friend. It’s the standard referral system. You see a shot you like, you see a girl you trust tagged in it, and you assume the vibe is solid. That creates a bit of safety up front, but it doesn't mean that photographer is the right person for your specific career path.

Know Your Genre

If you want to get signed and book actual jobs—not just collect "likes" on Instagram—you need to think about your genre. I shoot swim and editorial-style work on film. If you have that look, I’m a great option. But if you’re chasing high fashion, beauty, or commercial catalogue work, I might be the wrong person to start with.

The biggest mistake I see is models going to a local “photographer” just because they’re nearby or cheap. You walk away with a bunch of amateur photos that actually make things harder. I’ve seen some of the best talent show up with books that had zero life and zero direction. It’s rarely the model's fault—they just didn’t have someone behind the lens who knew how to pull their personality out.

The Agency Litmus Test

The easiest way to vet a photographer is to ask: Do these photos look like they belong on a real agency website? Don’t look at Instagram “modelling” pages. Look at the heavy hitters. Check the development boards at Chic, Chadwick, Viviens, IMG, Scoop, Icon, FiveTwenty, Meraki, or Merci.

That is your benchmark. Does the photographer you’re looking at have work featured on these sites? Have they shot paid campaigns for real brands? Have they been printed in actual fashion publications?

And a side note: if their bio says “Internationally Published,” but they’re just talking about a random PDF or a men’s magazine, walk away. That’s a common trick used by dodgy photographers to sound more established than they are. Look for real titles like Fashion Journal, Russh, 10 Magazine, or Oyster. These carry weight.

The Approach (And the "Free" Myth)

There’s a persistent myth that models should never pay for shoots. While some never do, plenty of professionals—myself included—charge for their time and experience. If a photographer is helping you book high-paying work or getting you signed to a top agency, that is an investment, not a scam.

Regardless of the price, being professional goes a long way. Engage with their work. Don’t just spam DMs. Be easy to work with. If you can’t offer any availability, cancel last minute, or book a month in advance only to ghost the day before, we will move on. I will move on. Busy photographers talk, and being flaky is the fastest way to get blacklisted before you've even started.

Where to Find the "Hungry" Ones

If you’re still stuck, look at the agency development boards. Go to the girls profiles, see which photographers they’re tagging in there photos, they’re the photographers the new faces are working with. Often, these are talented people who are hungry to build their own books and are happy to work with newer models.

Just keep your expectations realistic. If you are brand new, you aren't "helping" a photographer build their book; you are giving them practice. That is still a valuable exchange, but it requires honesty from both sides.

Talk to other models. Get the real story. Did they feel safe? Did they get their photos back? Was the energy on set actually professional? Do your homework. The goal is to find collaborators who support your growth, not people who slow you down.

My process is a little different

If you’re interested in shooting with me, feel free to reach out — I might not get back straight away, but you’re always welcome to message.

Most of my energy right now goes into ONLINE, my film-based magazine where models get half the profit and full say in the final images. It’s not a quick shoot — it takes trust, care, and proper collaboration.

If that sounds like something you’d want to be part of, start here.