22 IMPACT
Nailing Your Digitals: A Step-by-Step for Models
5th August 2024
/
3 mins.
Mastering Digitals & Polaroids: A Model’s Complete Guide
At 22 IMPACT, we know that clean, authentic digitals and Polaroids are essential tools in today’s modelling world. Whether you’re submitting to agencies or booking clients directly, these simple, un-retouched images offer the most honest snapshot of your look - and here’s how to nail them.
1. What Are Digitals & Polaroids - and Why They Matter
Natural & unedited: Digitals and Polaroids present your genuine appearance, with no filters, makeup, or post-production. Agencies rely on them to see your natural features clearly.
Fresh snapshots: Because your look evolves - hair cuts, tattoos, body changes - they should be updated roughly every three months.
Separate from polished portfolios: These images are to live separately from professional comp cards and studio photography - they’re meant to speak truth, not glamor.
2. Prepare Like a Pro & Keep It Simple
Go natural: You should be makeup-free, with clean, neutral hair - no spray tan, heavy styling, or fake nails.
Fit and basic clothing: Choose plain, form-fitting pieces (e.g. black or neutral tops, fitted pants). Avoid loud colours, prints, or logos; the goal is clarity in your silhouette.
Minimalist environment: Shoot against a plain white or very light wall - no clutter, visible outlets, or distracting props.
Healthy prep: Sleep well, hydrate, avoid alcohol beforehand - and you’ll look and feel your best in the digital shots.
3. Shoot Smart: Angles, Lighting, and Variety
Distance breakdown: Start with a full-body shot, then a ¾-length, a half-length and finally a headshot or chest-up close-up. Take frontal and angled versions too.
Expression & styling mix: Include shots with hair down and pulled back; smiles and neutral expressions. Keep everything natural - avoid over-posing.
Ideal lighting: Soft, even natural light with sunshine is usually best. If indoors, a ring light works as a solid alternative - keep shadows soft and skin tones even. Please make sure to take polaroids during the daytime and not at night.
Background: Please try to keep the background as plain as possible but you can always try different locations and send them all over.
Image quality: Aim for at least 300 dpi - it ensures clarity on agency platforms and larger displays.
Mastering Digitals & Polaroids: A Model’s Complete Guide
At 22 IMPACT, we know that clean, authentic digitals and Polaroids are essential tools in today’s modelling world. Whether you’re submitting to agencies or booking clients directly, these simple, un-retouched images offer the most honest snapshot of your look - and here’s how to nail them.
1. What Are Digitals & Polaroids - and Why They Matter
Natural & unedited: Digitals and Polaroids present your genuine appearance, with no filters, makeup, or post-production. Agencies rely on them to see your natural features clearly.
Fresh snapshots: Because your look evolves - hair cuts, tattoos, body changes - they should be updated roughly every three months.
Separate from polished portfolios: These images are to live separately from professional comp cards and studio photography - they’re meant to speak truth, not glamor.
2. Prepare Like a Pro & Keep It Simple
Go natural: You should be makeup-free, with clean, neutral hair - no spray tan, heavy styling, or fake nails.
Fit and basic clothing: Choose plain, form-fitting pieces (e.g. black or neutral tops, fitted pants). Avoid loud colours, prints, or logos; the goal is clarity in your silhouette.
Minimalist environment: Shoot against a plain white or very light wall - no clutter, visible outlets, or distracting props.
Healthy prep: Sleep well, hydrate, avoid alcohol beforehand - and you’ll look and feel your best in the digital shots.
3. Shoot Smart: Angles, Lighting, and Variety
Distance breakdown: Start with a full-body shot, then a ¾-length, a half-length and finally a headshot or chest-up close-up. Take frontal and angled versions too.
Expression & styling mix: Include shots with hair down and pulled back; smiles and neutral expressions. Keep everything natural - avoid over-posing.
Ideal lighting: Soft, even natural light with sunshine is usually best. If indoors, a ring light works as a solid alternative - keep shadows soft and skin tones even. Please make sure to take polaroids during the daytime and not at night.
Background: Please try to keep the background as plain as possible but you can always try different locations and send them all over.
Image quality: Aim for at least 300 dpi - it ensures clarity on agency platforms and larger displays.
Mastering Digitals & Polaroids: A Model’s Complete Guide
At 22 IMPACT, we know that clean, authentic digitals and Polaroids are essential tools in today’s modelling world. Whether you’re submitting to agencies or booking clients directly, these simple, un-retouched images offer the most honest snapshot of your look - and here’s how to nail them.
1. What Are Digitals & Polaroids - and Why They Matter
Natural & unedited: Digitals and Polaroids present your genuine appearance, with no filters, makeup, or post-production. Agencies rely on them to see your natural features clearly.
Fresh snapshots: Because your look evolves - hair cuts, tattoos, body changes - they should be updated roughly every three months.
Separate from polished portfolios: These images are to live separately from professional comp cards and studio photography - they’re meant to speak truth, not glamor.
2. Prepare Like a Pro & Keep It Simple
Go natural: You should be makeup-free, with clean, neutral hair - no spray tan, heavy styling, or fake nails.
Fit and basic clothing: Choose plain, form-fitting pieces (e.g. black or neutral tops, fitted pants). Avoid loud colours, prints, or logos; the goal is clarity in your silhouette.
Minimalist environment: Shoot against a plain white or very light wall - no clutter, visible outlets, or distracting props.
Healthy prep: Sleep well, hydrate, avoid alcohol beforehand - and you’ll look and feel your best in the digital shots.
3. Shoot Smart: Angles, Lighting, and Variety
Distance breakdown: Start with a full-body shot, then a ¾-length, a half-length and finally a headshot or chest-up close-up. Take frontal and angled versions too.
Expression & styling mix: Include shots with hair down and pulled back; smiles and neutral expressions. Keep everything natural - avoid over-posing.
Ideal lighting: Soft, even natural light with sunshine is usually best. If indoors, a ring light works as a solid alternative - keep shadows soft and skin tones even. Please make sure to take polaroids during the daytime and not at night.
Background: Please try to keep the background as plain as possible but you can always try different locations and send them all over.
Image quality: Aim for at least 300 dpi - it ensures clarity on agency platforms and larger displays.
4. Beyond the Submission: How Agencies Use Them
Casting essentials:
Agencies commonly request digitals/Polaroids before offering representation - they’re the first step in assessing a potential new face.
Online visibility:
These images serve well on social media or agency websites, giving clients and scouts a clear and unfiltered glimpse of the model’s look.
For clients:
Usually clients will request to see recent polaroids of a model to assess their natural look and help inform their decision on wether to book you as a model or not.
5. Add-on Tips: Practice, Brand, and Promote Yourself
Practice posing:
Use a tripod or mirror, phone with timer or clicker. Take 30+ shots and review to refine your best angles and expression variations.
Learn from pros:
Look at agency digitals and observe how subtle poses, lighting, and expressions translate better than exaggerated styling.
✅ 22 IMPACT’s Quick-Reference Checklist
Step | Detail |
|---|---|
Clothing | Tight-fitting neutrals, no logos or prints |
Makeup | Simple - ideally none at all |
Background | Plain white or light wall |
Lighting | Soft daylight or ring light |
Shots | Full body, ¾, headshot; variation in angles & expressions in both clothing & underwear |
Quality | High-res (300 dpi or better) |
Frequency | Update every 3 months |
Submission Use | Separate from polished comp card images |
Purpose | First impression: unfiltered & professional |
4. Beyond the Submission: How Agencies Use Them
Casting essentials:
Agencies commonly request digitals/Polaroids before offering representation - they’re the first step in assessing a potential new face.
Online visibility:
These images serve well on social media or agency websites, giving clients and scouts a clear and unfiltered glimpse of the model’s look.
For clients:
Usually clients will request to see recent polaroids of a model to assess their natural look and help inform their decision on wether to book you as a model or not.
5. Add-on Tips: Practice, Brand, and Promote Yourself
Practice posing:
Use a tripod or mirror, phone with timer or clicker. Take 30+ shots and review to refine your best angles and expression variations.
Learn from pros:
Look at agency digitals and observe how subtle poses, lighting, and expressions translate better than exaggerated styling.
✅ 22 IMPACT’s Quick-Reference Checklist
Step | Detail |
|---|---|
Clothing | Tight-fitting neutrals, no logos or prints |
Makeup | Simple - ideally none at all |
Background | Plain white or light wall |
Lighting | Soft daylight or ring light |
Shots | Full body, ¾, headshot; variation in angles & expressions in both clothing & underwear |
Quality | High-res (300 dpi or better) |
Frequency | Update every 3 months |
Submission Use | Separate from polished comp card images |
Purpose | First impression: unfiltered & professional |
4. Beyond the Submission: How Agencies Use Them
Casting essentials:
Agencies commonly request digitals/Polaroids before offering representation - they’re the first step in assessing a potential new face.
Online visibility:
These images serve well on social media or agency websites, giving clients and scouts a clear and unfiltered glimpse of the model’s look.
For clients:
Usually clients will request to see recent polaroids of a model to assess their natural look and help inform their decision on wether to book you as a model or not.
5. Add-on Tips: Practice, Brand, and Promote Yourself
Practice posing:
Use a tripod or mirror, phone with timer or clicker. Take 30+ shots and review to refine your best angles and expression variations.
Learn from pros:
Look at agency digitals and observe how subtle poses, lighting, and expressions translate better than exaggerated styling.
✅ 22 IMPACT’s Quick-Reference Checklist
Step | Detail |
|---|---|
Clothing | Tight-fitting neutrals, no logos or prints |
Makeup | Simple - ideally none at all |
Background | Plain white or light wall |
Lighting | Soft daylight or ring light |
Shots | Full body, ¾, headshot; variation in angles & expressions in both clothing & underwear |
Quality | High-res (300 dpi or better) |
Frequency | Update every 3 months |
Submission Use | Separate from polished comp card images |
Purpose | First impression: unfiltered & professional |
22 IMPACT
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