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Sandra Omo is happy to change her portfolio, but definitely not every week

The need for me to update my portfolio has been screaming at me since I returned. I have had urges to update my portfolio before but it has never presented itself so strongly. Everywhere I go, it’s the first thing I notice. Even my booker has scolded me, saying that if I do not have new photos done in a week he will dump me – sounds like a joke, but he is serious. My friends are flaunting their new books in my face. As if this is not enough, I flip through my portfolio and I think that none of the images represent or even resemble me, and even my column is in dire need of new photos. This has had me wondering what has changed; is it me, my hairstyle, the photos – certainly not. Perhaps it is status: does this show through in photos? I am dying to know.

“The thought of having a photoshoot weekly – does it not drive some people mad?”

Well, since I know some photographers (which model doesn’t?) I decided to give in to the pressure of having new photos done. So I booked a two hour session with a photographer friend who was doing a three-day photoshooting project for his new studio. I arrived early so I had to wait for my slot. Everyone looks excited – big deal, so am I. It’s just the prospect of having to change my book every few months that angers me. I definitely cannot be the only one feeling like this. I mean there must be others here who are angered by the need to change portfolios more than bi-annually. So I decided to get chatty about it. The first couple of girls I talked with didn’t feel like me at all. In fact they are glad to be having a photoshoot as the last time they had one was ages ago. These are not the kind of people I need to be chatting with right now, I need people in my situation: the less than biannual changing of portfolio syndrome. However, the next person I chatted with was not in my situation, but hers was much more – how should I say it? – interesting. I guess so, since I spent the whole time talking with her. She goes anywhere there is a photoshoot, and has been here all three days of this project. She actually does TFCD (time for CD) shoots every week and she loves it. In fact, she is not the only one, as I met quite a few similar people that day, and have also met more since then.

What does she do with these photos? Well they are for her book and online profile, she tells me, and it’s worth it because she gets to meet more photographers. I ask if she gets modelling jobs as a result. Her reply was a sincere: “No, but it shows that you are experienced in photoshoots and it gets you more TFCD.” No modelling jobs? Then what keeps her going? Is it just the fun of seeing new images of yourself on a weekly basis? She laughed and replied, “Kind of.” Talk about obsession – or perhaps photoshoots have become the new recreational activity for girls.

I know that we have to change our portfolio often, but that is like twice in a year, not monthly, let alone weekly. Moreover, the thought of having a photoshoot weekly – does it not drive some people mad? What becomes of these photos afterwards? I just cannot work this out. Even now, I am still thinking that I can handle changing my book more than bi-annually; in fact, I can even learn to love it. But doing it weekly? Please, I would rather get a new career.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 4:13 pm and is filed under Model City. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.