| What are comp cards?In a nutshell, comp cards | | | | you an idea of what your card will include. |
| (short for composite cards) are a form of | | | | You can see examples of composites at . |
| advertisement and promotion for fashion, | | | | Notice how professional these look as |
| glamour and other types of models. They come | | | | compared to just sending a photograph.The |
| in many different shapes, layout styles and | | | | layout is pretty simple for a two-sided |
| sizes giving models the benefit of being | | | | cardFront - The front will generally include |
| creative when choosing how their promotional | | | | a photo covering the front of the card (I |
| piece will look.Benefits of comp cardsYou'll | | | | suggest a good, strong headshot here) along |
| find that there are many advantages of having | | | | with your name in bold letters.Back - On the |
| composite cards made to promote yourself as a | | | | back there is room for about four to six |
| model. Here are just a few | | | | images showing different looks (indoor and |
| ...ProfessionalismThere is an old saying in | | | | outdoor) in a variety of outfits with at |
| the modeling industry; If you want to be | | | | least one good full-body shot (swim wear or |
| treated as a professional model, look like a | | | | tight-fitting clothing). |
| professional model. This stands true for the | | | | |
| images you show also.When you present your | | | | Also, on the back of the composite will be |
| composite cards with beautiful, well-chosen | | | | statistical information such as ... |
| photos to an agency representative or a | | | | |
| potential client, he or she knows that you | | | | Contact information (Who to contact, phone, |
| are serious about your career and will treat | | | | email, web address, etc.)- Height |
| you as such.By no means does this insure that | | | | |
| you will get a job with that client or agent | | | | - Weight |
| but it sure puts you way ahead of many of the | | | | |
| other models who are in competition with | | | | - Bust size / Cup size |
| you.You will not get a second chance to make | | | | |
| a first impression!!!Don't be so anxious to | | | | - Waist size |
| start your modeling career that you skip a | | | | |
| step which could open (or close) a door for | | | | - Hip size |
| you. Your composite cards are that important. | | | | |
| Be a professional and hand them a comp card | | | | - Dress size |
| instead of a snapshot.Most people don't throw | | | | |
| away picturesBy now you may be thinking; | | | | - Shoe size |
| "What if I just have normal business cards | | | | |
| made to leave with agents and clients?". | | | | - Hair color |
| | | | |
| Yes, you could have business cards made for | | | | - Hair length (short, shoulder length, long) |
| less trouble and expense and I encourage you | | | | |
| to do just that. Business cards are another | | | | - Eye color |
| way of presenting yourself as a professional | | | | |
| model.But, agents and clients sometimes throw | | | | - Type(s) of modeling jobs preferred (i.e. |
| out business cards or they put them in their | | | | commercial, fashion shows, runway, glamour, |
| pockets and lose them.Most people hesitate to | | | | artistic, promotional, etc.)How and where to |
| throw away pictures which is what your comp | | | | get composite cardsIt's really a simple |
| cards look like. They are more likely to file | | | | process to have your comp cards designed and |
| your composites along with the other | | | | printed.IMPORTANT: The first step is to have |
| professional models in their files for future | | | | photos made by a professional model |
| reference so you have at least a small chance | | | | photographer who can give you usage and |
| that they will see your photo again. Which, | | | | reprint rights. I can't stress enough the |
| by the way, leads to ...What do you look | | | | importance of starting with great pictures. |
| like?One more thought about business cards. | | | | If you send in a snapshot that your cousin |
| Unless there is a photo on the card you leave | | | | Irma took, you're going to get a snapshot on |
| the client still won't remember your look | | | | a comp card -- A disaster!!With that said, |
| when she is ready to choose models to | | | | there is no need to feel overwhelmed with the |
| represent. Now it becomes your business card | | | | details of getting your comp card ready. |
| against the other 100 composite cards she has | | | | There are many companies online such as who |
| on file. Who will win out? You guessed it!!In | | | | have design styles and templates online which |
| addition to your headshot on the front of the | | | | will help you every step of the way.Remember |
| card, the agent can also see 4-5 pictures on | | | | too that there are many different versions of |
| the back along with your all-important stats. | | | | comp cards so it's all up to you how your |
| This is your contact information and other | | | | finished composite card will look. |
| important aspects of what you have to offer | | | | |
| as a model.Give yourself a chance to | | | | Now you can start your modeling career off |
| modelGive yourself a chance to be seen and | | | | right by having professional composite cards |
| contacted by always leaving your composite | | | | you'll be proud to show. Just do it!!Bob |
| card with all contacts. There is a certain | | | | Pardue is a professional stock and female |
| safety in numbers, the comp cards are not | | | | photographer located in the Southeastern USA. |
| that expensive, so don't be stingy with | | | | Get a freemodeling mini-course by subscribing |
| them.Composite card layout and designBelow is | | | | today... |
| an outline for basic comp card design to give | | | | |