Behind the Lens: Why Professional Photos Are Vital for Booking Modeling Jobs In Seoul

In the vibrant modeling and acting scene in Seoul, South Korea, agents often request selfies or snapshots for model submissions. It may seem convenient, but is it truly beneficial for you in ultimately getting the gig?

Keep reading and let's explore the reasons why just sending selfies may not be in your best interest and discover the secret that could blow up your modeling or acting career in South Korea.

The Selfie Agents

While it's true that some agents only require a glimpse of your appearance for initial submissions, these agents are under pressure to present a multitude of potential models to the production, who is their true client. They really don't care if it's you or one of the dozens or hundreds of other submissions who finally get the job. For them it's primarily a numbers game.

To truly stand out to the production and get past the first round of eliminations, relying solely on selfies and low-quality portfolio images won't suffice. Casting directors swiftly sort through submissions, searching for prospects who not only possess a good look but also exude professionalism.

If you find yourself regularly submitting to agents without achieving desired results, it's crucial to consider upgrading your portfolio.

Collaboration Photo Shoots

If you're new to the modeling scene, as many foreigners are in South Korea, you may believe that affording a professional photographer in the beginning is unrealistic. Alternatively, you may opt to gain more experience before investing in a top-notch portfolio. However, this approach could be a critical mistake.

Until your portfolio can convincingly demonstrate your reliability, professionalism, and modeling prowess, your chances of securing lucrative job opportunities remain limited. Contrary to popular belief, modeling extends beyond mere aesthetics. Your appearance alone accounts for only about 2% of the evaluation process when vying for gigs. The remaining 98% revolves around practice, skill development, mental preparation, physical posing, and expressive abilities. These attributes transform you into an effective brand spokesperson—traits that potential clients thoroughly scrutinize when evaluating your portfolio.

If you are already comfortable posing, you can make the most of this situation and get a few good shots. However, it's a collaboration and your goals and the photographer's may not be the same. In this situation, it is best to arrange with the photographer that you divide the shoot into to halves. One for them and one for you. And in your half give the photographer direction as to what you want as far as background, style, angles, posing, etc.

This relies 100% on your ability to direct the process and depending on your experience, this may or may not be effective. But it's better than giving all of the control to someone who may not understand what types of shots you need in your portfolio, which angles make you look better or worse, what poses make you look amatuere, and much more.

New To Modeling

If you're new to modeling, as so many foreigners in South Korea are, then you may believe you can't afford a professional photographer in the beginning or that you want to gain more experience first and then build a top-notch portfolio. Here is why that may be a mistake.

Until your portfolio can demonstrate to the client who will eventually hire you that you are a reliable, professional and skilled model, you may never be hired. Modeling, like so many other professions, is an acquired skill and very few people have the self-awareness to take direction, translate that direction into a pose, act the part and still look comfortable and relaxed while doing so.

It's a huge misnomer that modeling is just about being pretty. It may surprise you to know that "pretty" is worth about 2% +/- when being considered for a gig. The other 98% is all the practice, skill, mental work, physical posing and expressiveness that make you an effective brand spokesperson because that is the level of consideration being put into evaluating your portfolio for a modeling job.

Getting The Skills

Here lies the crux of why shooting with a professional photographer is essential for your modeling success. The underlying skills mentioned earlier can only be honed through effort and experience. While a lucky few may be successful by only gaining experience on the job, the majority of aspiring models require deliberate practice.

Across the globe, modeling schools cater to this need offering training in exchange for high tuition fees. While some schools prove effective, finding one in Seoul might be more challenging for foreign models. However, fret not, as attending a modeling school isn't necessarily a prerequisite for success.

A cost effective way to gain experience and elevate your skills involves test shoots or portfolio shoots with professional photographers experienced in producing job-winning images. These shoots yield higher-quality, well-posed images. Yet, the true value of a professional photo shoot lies in the invaluable education you receive from the photographer's guidance.

During professional modeling shoots, there is typically a director, often the photographer themselves. It's not a matter of showing up and randomly transitioning between poses when faced with a camera. Instead, a specific look and atmosphere must be achieved, requiring you to follow directions and seamlessly contribute to the overall vision.

A test or portfolio shoot offers a low-pressure environment where the best photographers act as coaches, guiding you to achieve desired looks. In essence, a professional portfolio shoot resembles a mini 1:1 modeling camp, providing invaluable learning opportunities that extend beyond the resulting images.

Cost Effective Training

When comparing the costs of hiring a photographer a few times per year versus attending a modeling school, shooting with a professional photographer emerges as the more affordable option. In Seoul, professional portfolio shoots start at just a few hundred dollars, while tuition fees at top modeling schools reach into the thousands and don't cover necessary expenses, such as hiring photographers.

Supermodel Haley Kalil, featured in Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions, disclosed in a recent YouTube video that after signing with her first New York modeling agency, they first sent her on numerous test shoots, at her expense, and accumulating thousands of dollars in debt before even considering job auditions. Why? Because they recognized the importance of gaining critical experience.

We don't need to be in New York to understand these agencies' lessons. As models, we must embody the practices of top agents and invest in our own development to reach the pinnacle of our craft. By viewing ourselves as our own best agent, we can emulate the strategies that nurture top-level models.

Embrace Your Journey

In conclusion, a successful modeling career extends far beyond a pretty face. It demands dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to showcasing your best self through professional photos and backing them up with the skills to do the job. By grasping the significance of high-quality images and investing in your development, you open doors of opportunity and leave a lasting impression on casting directors and agents.

As you navigate your modeling journey, embrace the role of being your own best agent, determined to do what it takes to become a top-level model. Challenges may arise, but armed with an upgraded portfolio and newfound knowledge, face each hurdle with confidence and grace. In due time, the world will recognize your extraordinary talent, propelling you towards the success you were meant to achieve.