Digitals guideFree forever
Digitals: the only photos you need to apply
Agencies don’t want a portfolio from you. They want plain, unfiltered photos that show you as you are. You need a phone, daylight, a plain wall and someone to hold the camera.
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01The set
Four shots
Front, neutral
Face the camera, relaxed mouth, hair back. Head and shoulders.
Front, smiling
Same framing, a natural smile.
Profile
Turn 90°, chin level. Ears and jawline visible.
Full length
Head to feet, arms relaxed, fitted plain clothes, barefoot or flat shoes.
02In their words
What agencies ask for
- Kim Dawson asks for four digitals (portrait, full length, smiling, profile). Phone photos are fine in soft natural light, with "no filters, makeup, hats, or sunglasses".[3]
- Heffner wants a headshot, full body, ¾ and side profile: no filters or retouching, a neutral background, natural light, "No makeup, natural hair".[5]
- Ford asks for a "clean face with absolutely no makeup", hair pulled back and a form-fitting outfit.[12]
- The Campbell Agency asks for a smiling headshot, a non-smiling headshot, a ¾ shot and a full body shot, with minimal makeup.[4]
03Don't
What gets digitals rejected
- Filters, beauty mode or retouching of any kind.[3][5]
- Hats, sunglasses, heavy makeup or hair covering your face.[3][12]
- A busy background, harsh overhead light or a selfie at arm's length: close-up selfies distort proportions.[60]
- Paying for a photo package. You never need to.[34]
Questions
Asked, answered.
Can I take digitals with my phone?
Yes. Kim Dawson and Heffner both say phone photos are fine. Use daylight from a window, a plain wall, and have someone else hold the phone at chest height.
Should I wear makeup?
No, or as little as possible. Agencies ask for a clean face so they can see you as you are: Ford asks for "absolutely no makeup".
Do I need to pay a photographer?
No. The FTC lists a required photographer or photo package as a scam warning sign. Digitals are free to take.
Free · 3 minutes · 18+
Your digitals are one part. Check the rest.
Twelve categories, checked against what agencies publish. Free, about 3 minutes, adults 18+.