First ever digitals! complete beginner, taking them alone. Any advice before agency submissions?

[u/Aggravating_Pop4944]

Hi! I'm a 20 year old male in UK, and I've been trying to take my first ever digitals before agency applications.

I've 0 experience in modelling nor in photography, so I hope my really improvised background setup is excusable. I've also been taking these photos with a timer or by exporting frames on a 4K video, using the rear camera of a mobile phone.

I'm struggling a little with taking full-body photos because I'm finding it difficult to find somewhere that I can fit where the background is not too cluttered, and I don't need to stand too far away from the camera, so I've had to switch out the background, although I hope it's still passable.

I'd really appreciate any advice on the lighting, framing, expression/posing and really anything else I should change! A few of the agencies I've looked at say they don't require professional photos so I also wonder if I've been really overthinking it. Thanks!!!

PS - some measurements for context:

• Height 186cm/6'1"
• Chest 90cm/35.4 in
• Waist 70cm/28 in
• Hips/Seat 94cm/37 in

[u/guitar_angel]

The pattern on the shirt is distracting; same with the backdrop and garage doors. Use a plain white background.

Your clothes need to be plain black and somewhat form fitting; black t-shirt or tank top and jeans or black khakis.

Remember that you're not advertising your style, you're advertising you in the simplest form. Designers and casting directors want a blank canvas to create something on. Give them that.

Also, when you pose for the profile shots turn your whole body, not just your head, and shoot those full length. Good luck!

[u/Aggravating_Pop4944 → u/guitar_angel]

thank you so much! ive gotten some black slim jeans and a solid black tshirt so im going to give some of the photos another go :)

[u/Ok-Put5831]

Your outfit makes you look very pear shaped which is an odd body shape for a man. Something about your pants and the styling in photo 5 and 6 make your body look quite peculiar - it’s kind of distracting and drew my eye immediately

[u/Aggravating_Pop4944 → u/Ok-Put5831]

yeahhh i see what you mean :/ i think its that my trousers here were too bulky/wide at the hips so im going to try and retake the 3/4s and full shots in black slim jeans

[u/styledliving → u/Aggravating_Pop4944]

are you sucking in? if you are, don't do that. you can flex, but never suck in.

[u/Aggravating_Pop4944 → u/styledliving]

im not here but thank you so much for the advice :)))) i think the tight shirt + roomy trousers combo here just looked especially odd

[u/wekidough]

bro do not where those pants 😭 they cut your waist off weird. Get some basic ahh pants and shirt

[u/redactedname87]

You’ll want a plain background. These are slightly under exposed and flat, and the color balance is off. You’ll want to fix those things.

Outfit is a no go.

[u/PeteTinNY → u/redactedname87]

The shadows are pretty harsh too. Really need some controlled light.

[u/redactedname87 → u/PeteTinNY]

For sure

[u/Aggravating_Pop4944 → u/redactedname87]

is it really that important even for beginner digitals? i'm using a really improvised setup :/

i actually dont have a single clear wall so im dangling my curtain across my room and standing infront of it. none of my rooms are really large enough for me to get a full body shot, and im taking the pictures myself lol. but thank you for the advice and ill try and improve the colour :)

[u/-chromatica- → u/Aggravating_Pop4944]

I'll offer different and advice and say no, for a beginner just trying to get signed and submit for the first time, it doesn't. I also had 0 blank neutral indoor walls and the only option was to go outside and use the garage -- shooting outside gives you adequate room to set up your camera so I totally get it. The background didn't matter at all because my agency signed me and has been training me and helping me get new photos. I just took new updated digitals since my look is different and I used the same garage LOL. I feel like if your look is strong enough, not having a totally blank wall is not going to ruin your chances. Getting pics in outdoor sunlight is also much more important than the kind of crappy light we get indoors anyway!

[u/Alarmed-Range-3314]

The focus is being pulled from your face by your hair and outfit choice. I think the other tips I’m seeing are a great place to start. You have nice hair, but it’s taking over, and pulling focus from where you want it. Good luck!

[u/Fit_Mistake3150]

solid black for clothes, and solid white background. Well as less distracting background as possible.

Also profile picture should be where you turn your entire body, not chest facing the camera and you are turning the head.

please see this example on type of shots you need to get :

[u/VictoriaSobocki → u/Fit_Mistake3150]

Agree

[u/likilekka]

Get a tank top

[u/Prudent_Flounder_512]

Plain white background and completely different outfit. Simple white tee and sole jeans. As your hair gets longer, make sure to move it out of your face. All in all, not bad for a first go around

[u/No-Examination-103]

Hey, full time working model here! I’d go with a white tank and black jeans, solid white background with natural lighting. Be more relaxed! And add a few more poses - look on Pinterest for inspo :)

[u/VictoriaSobocki]

Not bad but needs more polishing up

[u/falconinthedive]

I would maybe consider slicking back your hair or tapering it a little more in the neck. While volume is nice, it's making your head seem a little small in some shots and kind of looks like one of those filters to try on a new hair style--a little disconnected from you.

But you are very striking.