How to get paid modelling work on PurplePort

Get your portfolio in order

Before looking for work on PurplePort (or any similar website) ensure your portfolio is the best it can possibly be.

This includes not just your images, which should include some mostly-unedited and clear shots of you, but also your portfolio notes and your stats.

Ensure your portfolio notes read well. Ensure they are grammatically correct, no spelling errors or txt spk. Use formatting options such as bold/italic to make section headers and to emphasise important bits. Use bullet points to create lists of things.

If you are new and you don't have strong images then you may be better off trying to collaborate with awesome local photographers first.

Also, check out How to Become a Model - Top Tips & Advice posted on The Purple Blog. It's a must-read for anyone who aspires to become a model and is full of tips and advice that you can use to begin, and boost, your modelling career.

Once you have made sure your portfolio is as good as you can get it feel free to post in the Portfolio Review group to see if there is anything else you can do.

Be active on PurplePort

Being active on PurplePort attracts attention and there are many things you can do to get noticed.

• Post in the groups
• Collect images into an inspiring images collection
• Comment on images
• Give images some love.
• Add people to lists
• SHOUT on the shoutbox!

None of these things will guarantee you'll get any attention or paid work but you will get noticed more and you will increase your chances of success.

Create casting calls

A casting call is a great way of gaining modelling work on PurplePort. It's very quick and easy to do.

Ensure the location is correct and much like your portfolio notes ensure the text has no spelling or grammar mistakes, and no txt spk.

By all means use similar formatting options like you do in your portfolio notes, and if you like you can include images but don't put images that are too big.

When done you have a grace period of 10 minutes before any casting call notifications are sent out. Use this time to review your casting call and ensure it's as good as it can possibly be.

Use the last minute availability feature

This is a super handy way to make yourself available for shoots and anyone searching for a model to work with today, tomorrow or the next day can search and find you. It takes a few seconds each day but could yield some amazing shoots.

Read our brief guide to how to use it and how it works

Studio days

Arranging studio days is a great way to fill a day with paid shoots and also to network with a wide variety of photographers who may want to book you again.

It may seem a little daunting, but most studios often run studio days, so they can help with both organising and promoting your event.

On PurplePort, we have our events system, and we suggest posting your event day there and then sharing a link to it on your social media pages.

Search for local studios and send the owner a message detailing the sort of day you think you would like to do - and once you have it arranged message photographers local to the studio that you think may be interested.

Direct messaging

Most photographers don't mind being directly messaged by models but some do. If someone gets grumpy about you sending a direct message to them be humble and apologetic. Do not argue with them.

When directly messaging a photographer ensure your initial email contains all of the information the photographer would need in order to make a decision about whether to hire you. This should include the location if you are travelling, rates and detail anything special e.g maybe you have just bought some awesome latex or wigs.

Don't be offended or upset if you don't get a reply from everyone. Many people are very busy and simply won't reply if they don't have the time and don't wish to shoot.

And of course "no" means no. It's often difficult dealing with rejection but it's also normal and natural. Just say "Thanks for letting me know" and move on. It really isn't a big deal.

Consider a tour

Touring is an effective way of reaching photographers who would otherwise be too far away to shoot with.

Many photographers make lists of people they would love to shoot with if only they were closer and you may be on that list.

Touring may sound scary but it's really not. As long as you are organised it will be a fabulous experience and you'll get to work with many people you would normally not be able to. Here's our quick guide to touring (UK but probably applies anywhere).