MODELING FOR US – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
No Experience Required
At Retail Shots we provide product photos to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, liquidators, and e-commerce online retailers. Our clients depend on us to create photos that will generate interest in their products and most importantly drive sales.
We currently have a backlog of clothing items to be photographed. This is not high fashion, but simply the modeled item photographed on a white background.
While our emphasis is on clothing, we also routinely shoot other items that require models such as shoes, handbags, sunglasses, hats, and jewelry just to name a few.
How to Apply
For a better understanding of what we do and what we’re looking for we encourage you to read through the information on this page.
But if you’re anxious to get started you can jump right to the signup form by clicking the “New Model Signup” button found in several places on this page.
The New Model Signup questionnaire will ask for one face photo and one full body photo. Don’t worry, these don’t need to be professionally taken photographs; selfies will do.
There will also be an option to submit any additional photos (or video) you might like to share, and to share your Instagram account if you wish to do so.
After You Apply
Once you apply we may contact you to make an appointment for an initial test shoot.
Sometimes, if we have an immediate need for someone with your look, we may contact you for a photoshoot without the need for a test shoot first.
Your Test Shoot
Your test shoot gives us the information we need to be able to match you with the ideal clothing items for you to model. It also generates the photos that are used to setup your profile on our talent website which our clients use to request you for work.
The entire session typically takes about an hour. There is no charge for the test shoot session.
In the first part of the session we will take a few simple headshot photos. After these talent portfolio photos, we’ll do a few simple test shoot photos.
The test shoot photos consists of you modeling three “looks”. A look is an outfit that is different from the previous. We’ll select the clothing for these looks from whatever clothing we have in stock and are photographing at the time.
The modeling required for the type of photographs we create is really quite easy. There’s no need to be nervous and we’ll show you step by step exactly what to do.
What to Bring for Your Test Shoot and/or Photoshoot
When you come in for your photoshoot there are a few things you should do to prepare.
Clothing – we have a variety of clothing here for you to wear for your test shoot and photoshoots. The majority of our clothing is size small and medium, so if you wear a different size you may want to bring a couple of outfits with you. Clothing should fit snug and accentuate your body’s natural shape and curves.
Shoes – just like clothing we have lots of shoes here for you to wear during your photoshoots. Most of our shoes are size 5 1/2 to 9 so if you wear a size smaller or larger be sure to bring some shoes with you in a variety of styles, particularly heels.
Makeup – the photos captured during your interview and test shoot are the photos that will be used to create your online talent portfolio profile and are the images our clients will look at in order to request you for work. It is important that you look your best. Key components to looking your best as a product clothing model are good makeup, hair, and nails. By looking your best you will have a better chance of getting regular work as a model.
Remember to bring your makeup with you. You may need to touch up at some point, or even completely change your makeup depending on your outfit. Don’t worry, you’ll have full use of our dressing room with vanity area.
As a rule you will want to apply your makeup heavier and bolder than normal. Cameras often don’t pick up makeup in the same way the human eye does. And makeup can sometimes become muted in the post processing of photos. Applying your makeup bolder and heavier eliminates both of these issues and makes your end result photos look better.
Hair Product – always a good idea to bring, and you just never know when this will come in handy. Dry shampoo and hair spray are always good to have on hand for your shoot, as are curling irons and hair straighteners.
Underwear – bra and panty lines are a faux pas to almost every client and would require a lot of time to remove in post processing. With some types of clothing items these lines are not an issue. However some items we receive are tight fitting or stretchy and with these items your underwear choice becomes very important. Under garments that show bra or panty lines should be avoided at all costs to avoid unnecessary delays so please keep this in mind when choosing undergarments for your shoot.
Music – music is great for setting the mood and making things fun. So point us to your favorite Spotify playlist and we’ll cue up the tunes for your shoot.
And last but not least – a friend. For some people having a friend chaperone their shoot makes them more comfortable. If this is you then we encourage you to bring a friend. Just be sure this is someone you are totally comfortable modeling in front of, since any reservation or self-consciousness will show in your photos.
Also please be aware that with the current pandemic that only one friend will be allowed to accompany you inside during your shoot.
Still have questions? We’re here for you.
Typical Studio Photoshoot
Modeled clothing on white background.
Helpful Makeup Videos
Helpful Posing Videos
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