Chapter 0: Welcome to the academy
Modeling vocabulary
You'll hear these words at almost every casting and shoot. Learn them now so you understand what's asked of you and come across as a pro from day one.
- Casting
- Selecting talent for a specific job — in person, or online by sending photos and video.
- Option
- A client pencils you in before confirming the job; tell them if another job comes up for the same day.
- Booking
- Final confirmation of the job, its date and fee — from here on you're committed.
- Portfolio
- A curated set of your best photos and work — the first thing a client sees.
- Digitals
- Simple photos with no heavy make-up or retouching that show you as you are.
- Comp card
- A card that puts your photos, measurements and contact details on one page.
- Fitting
- An appointment before the shoot to try on and adjust the outfits.
- Call time
- The time you must arrive on set — not the time shooting starts.
- Usage rights
- Where your images will be used, in which countries and for how long — the wider the usage, the higher the fee.
- Mother agency
- The agency that discovered you and manages your career; it may work with other agencies on your behalf.
- Lookbook
- Photos that show a full collection, used by brands for sales and marketing.
- Editorial
- Creative shoots for magazines and platforms that tell a story; usually lower paid, but great for your portfolio.