Your Book - Comps and Zeds
A models portfolio is the their most powerful tool in selling their image to potential clients. Portfolios are not scrapbooks or photo albums, either in content or design. Most portfolios start with a few photos, and as you shoot more they grow. Choose only the best photographs to show, it's better to have 4 great shots then 20 mediocre ones - in fact better only 3 great ones then adding a fourth not so good. Usually no more then 24 photos are needed. These are usually housed in a special carrying case that will accomodate at least a 9 x 12 image size. This is because eventually, with luck you start replacing photos with tear sheets (pages from magazines that have published your photos).
Try to get a variety of looks in the portfolio, keep it interesting, rarely would you use 2 shots in the same outfit/setting. Try to mix work from different photographers. Get other opinions on which shots work for you. You can change the content of your portfolio to match the client/job you are seeking.
Add a bit more glamour if it's for that market, or shift the content for whatever market you are presenting to at the time.
Composites and Zeds - The composite or Zed Card is the Models business card, these are usually 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 or 8 1/2 X 11 inches. They should contain at least 3 good photos of you, and usually this would be a close up or headshot, one full length and a third photo of your choice. In the beginning order small quantities, as your photos will improve and you will wish to update them.
Bob Leathers.