How to take model digitals at home

Digitals, sometimes still called polaroids, are the first thing an agency looks at when you apply. They are not glamour shots. They are simple, honest photos that show exactly how you look today. The good news: you can take them at home with a phone, in fifteen minutes, if you know what to do.

What are model digitals?

Digitals are unretouched photos of your face and body taken in natural light against a plain background. Agencies and clients use them to see your real features, skin, hair, proportions and the way you move, without the styling, make-up and editing of a professional shoot. Even established models update their digitals regularly, because a client needs to know what will walk onto set on the day.

That is why the Be a Model application at Emporio Models Marrakech asks for four digitals rather than your best photos from a shoot.

The four photos we ask for

• Front (face): a close-up of your face, looking straight into the camera, with a neutral expression and your hair away from your face.
• Profile (side): the same framing, turned 90 degrees so we see your side profile, jawline and neck.
• Full length: head to toe, standing straight, feet visible, arms relaxed by your sides.
• Smile: a natural smile, facing the camera, showing your teeth.

Files can be JPG, PNG or HEIC, up to 10 MB each, so photos straight from your phone are fine.

Light: use a window, not a flash

Daylight is the most flattering and the most honest light. Stand facing a large window, or outside in open shade, so the light falls evenly on your face. Avoid direct midday sun, which creates hard shadows and makes you squint, and avoid the phone’s flash or coloured indoor bulbs. In Marrakech and anywhere with strong sun, the best time is usually the morning or late afternoon.

Background: plain and uncluttered

Stand in front of a plain, light-coloured wall or door. No posters, furniture, mirrors or busy patterns. Leave a little space between you and the wall to avoid a strong shadow behind you. The aim is for nothing in the photo to compete with you.

What to wear

• Simple and fitted: a plain black or white vest top or T-shirt and fitted jeans or leggings work well. Agencies need to see your shape, so avoid baggy clothes, logos and prints.
• Swimwear is optional and only if you are comfortable. It is never required to apply.
• Shoes: barefoot or simple flat shoes for the full-length shot, so your real height shows.

Hair, make-up and skin

Keep it natural. Wear little or no make-up, so your skin and features are visible. Hair should be clean and brushed; for the front and profile shots, tie long hair back or tuck it behind your ears so we can see your face shape and jawline, and if you like, take one shot with it down. Men should send digitals as they look right now, with or without a beard, and simply mention in the application if they often change their look.

Framing and camera position

• Ask a friend to take them if you can. Selfies distort the face, and mirror photos are flipped and usually cluttered.
• Hold the phone at chest height for the face shots and at waist height for the full-length shot, keeping it straight rather than tilted up or down. Shooting from above makes you look shorter; from below, it distorts your proportions.
• Use the main camera and avoid wide-angle and portrait modes, which change your proportions or blur the background artificially.
• Leave a little space around your head and feet in the full-length shot.

No filters, no retouching

This is the most important rule. Don’t use beauty filters, skin smoothing, body editing or heavy colour grading. A good agency can see it straight away, and it works against you: they need to trust that your photos match the person who will arrive at a casting. Recent matters too. If your hair or body has changed, take new digitals.

Measurements and videos

Alongside your digitals, the application asks for your height and measurements. Measure with a tape, not by guessing, and be precise. The form also includes optional video links: a short introduction, a height verification video, a runway walk and a posing video. A height verification video is simple: stand against a wall next to a measuring tape so your height is clearly visible. A short, natural introduction in which you say your name, age, city and height helps us get a sense of your personality.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending professional shoot photos instead of digitals.
• Sunglasses, hats or hair covering the face.
• Dark rooms, back lighting or a bright window behind you.
• Group photos or cropped photos from social media.
• Old photos that no longer show how you look.

Ready to apply?

For the full set of angles and the intro and runway videos, follow our photo & video tutorials for models. Once your four digitals are ready, apply on our Be a Model page. Applying is free and no experience is needed. Our team reviews every application, and if your profile fits what we are looking for, we will get in touch. To understand what happens next, read becoming a model in Morocco: what agencies look for, and browse our women and men boards to see how professional books are presented.