Industry jargon not your thing? Our glossary will enlighten you!
Model Polaroids - also known as "Polas" - are model pictures in the fashion industry that focus on authenticity and naturalness. No fancy make-up, no post-processing - just standard shots in different poses and different image sections. All without basic retouching. Agencies use the polaroids to get a quick first - and above all unadulterated - impression of the model.
The central element at Polas is: Naturalness. Model polaroids are by no means the moment to shine with extravagance. This applies equally to the background, the clothing, your facial expressions, your hairstyle and your poses.
Background: The ideal background is as neutral as possible, preferably a white wall. Also make sure you have good lighting conditions. Daylight without direct sunlight is perfect.
Clothing: Clothing should be monochrome and close-fitting so that the model's figure is recognizable. Many agencies also require so-called bikini tops.
Facial expressions: Here, too, the focus is on naturalness. Show yourself with a neutral facial expression as well as a nice smile. Over-excited facial expressions are taboo.
Hairstyle: It is important that the face (especially the jaw and cheekbones) is clearly visible. Wear your hair open once and closed once.
Posing: The key word in posing is "relaxed". The arms hang down at the sides of the body, with a maximum of one hand on the hip.
Of course, you can also experiment a little with model polaroids as long as you meet the basic requirements. polaroids are usually divided into head and full-body shots.
There are three important points that need to be fulfilled in both areas.
Head shots
The photos must be taken in portrait format. The upper frame should be just above the head and the face should fill around 2/3 of the photo.
Neutral: The most natural of all head poses. Frontal, without a smile, closed mouth. The look should be as blank as possible, but not expressionless.
Smiling: Present your best smile and show your teeth!
Sideways: It is important to turn not only the head but the whole body, otherwise the neck would be distorted. A 90° angle to the camera works best.
Full body shots
The camera is positioned further away from the model, but using the zoom function is a no-go. The upper frame is again just above the head.
Front: Feet a few centimeters apart, toes pointing towards the camera.
Side: feet at a 90° angle to the camera. By the way, pulling in your stomach creates an unnatural posture in these shots.
Back: The same guidelines apply here as for the photos from the front.
Model polaroids - also or almost better known in the industry as "Polas" - bear this name because the first photos in an agency used to be taken with the classic Polaroid instant cameras. And these were always called "Polaroids". Today, polas are usually no longer photos from instant cameras; digital cameras are usually used in this area too.