What Are Digitals and Why Do You Need Them as a Model?
If you’re an aspiring model, you’ve probably heard the term digitals (or polaroids) thrown around. But what exactly are they, and why are they so important?
In the modeling industry, digitals are the bare-bones, unedited photos that showcase your natural beauty, body proportions, and overall look without any retouching, fancy lighting, or heavy styling. They serve as your modeling business card, giving agencies, casting directors, and brands a clear and honest representation of what you look like in person.
What Do Model Digitals Look Like?
Model digitals are taken in natural lighting or studio lighting that mimics daylight, with minimal distractions. They should include:
✅ A clean headshot (straight-on and smiling, plus one with a neutral expression)
✅ A ¾ shot (mid-length, showing your proportions)
✅ A full-body shot
✅ A profile (side) shot
Bonus:
✅ Some agencies ask for a few natural posing shots to show your versatility
Why Are Digitals So Important?
1. They Show What You Really Look Like
Digitals allow agencies and brands to see your true features without the influence of makeup, retouching, or styled shoots. Since clients want models who look like their digitals in real life, these raw images are often the first thing they request before offering a booking or agency meeting.
2. Agencies Require Them for Submissions
If you’re submitting to modeling agencies, updated digitals are a must. Most agencies won’t even consider an application without them because they need to assess how you fit their current roster and client needs.
3. They Help You Get Cast for Jobs
Even if you’re already signed, agencies will send your digitals to brands and casting directors looking for fresh talent. Great digitals can mean the difference between landing a job and getting passed over.
4. They Help You Track Your Progress
As a model, your look will evolve—whether it's hair changes, fitness updates, or just refining your presence in front of the camera. Refreshing your digitals every 3-6 months ensures your portfolio stays current and accurately represents you.
What Should You Wear for Your Digitals?
Your outfit should be simple, clean, and form-fitting to show your body shape. Here’s possible options of what to wear:
✔️ A fitted outfit (shop black skinny jeans or a plain tank top)
✔️ A swimsuit (this agency-approved bikini or a classic one-piece)
✔️ Minimal to no makeup (lightweight foundation or hydrating lip balm)
✔️ Hair down and natural (this anti-frizz serum keeps curls defined!)
How to Take High-Quality Digitals at Home
If you're taking your digitals yourself, good lighting and a professional setup are key!
📸 Lighting Matters! Use a ring light or softbox lighting for a professional look.
📸 Tripod for Stability – A tripod with a remote makes self-shooting easy.
📸 Clean Background – A white wall or backdrop keeps your digitals agency-standard.
Pro Tip: Make sure your photos are sharp and high-quality. If your phone camera isn’t great, investing in a beginner-friendly DSLR can make a difference.
How Often Should You Update Your Digitals?
You should update your digitals every 3-6 months or whenever you’ve made a significant change to your look (new haircut, different hair color, weight changes, etc.).
What’s Next? Create Your First Model Comp Card!
Once you have strong digitals, your next step is to create a comp card—a model’s business card that agencies and clients use to book talent.
🖥️ Not sure where to start? I’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to make your first model comp card the right way! This guide includes:
✅ How to choose the best images for your comp card
✅ What information to include (stats, contact details, agency info)
✅ The best layout and format for digital and print versions
💡 Check out my full guide here: Step-by-Step: How to Make Your First Model Comp Card
Why Should You Invest in Professional Digitals?
While you can take digitals yourself, having professional digitals taken by a photographer who understands the industry gives you an edge. A professional ensures:
📸 Proper lighting and angles that flatter your features
📸 A crisp, high-quality look that agencies prefer
📸 Guidance on posing to enhance your natural strengths
At Model Behavior Buffalo, I offer digitals that meet agency standards, helping you look your best while maintaining the raw authenticity agencies love.
