Angie Knost Photography

Happy Easter!

angieknost — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 14:32:46 +0000

Happy Easter from Angie Knost Photography (and Angie's Easter Bunny-Dog).

Modeling Composite Cards

angieknost — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:51:10 +0000

What is a Comp Card for Modeling, and Do You Need One?

If you are interested in fashion, commercial or character modeling, you will need a composite card to be eligible for job opportunities. The name for the card may vary from one regional area to another - "composite card", "comp card" or "comp", "zed card", "sed card" or "zed" are all names used to refer to what is effectively a model's printed promotional and marketing tool, showing the range of "looks" she or he can portray.

What is it? A composite card is the model's "calling card". It is a printed card that shows the model portraying a range of various "looks" and styles appropriate for her or his age and appearance.

Why do I need one to model? Modeling agencies send out composite cards of their talent to their clients who hire models. The composite card is used to secure interviews, "go sees" and jobs for the model. The composite is essential to being seen, getting exposure, and ultimately, obtaining modeling jobs.

If you are a freelance model, obtaining bookings on your own without a representing agency, you will send out composite cards to make clients aware of you, and to be considered for jobs.

For both agency represented and freelance models, it is appropriate to leave a composite with every potential client you meet with, so that they have a printed piece to remember you by. They may meet hundreds of models in a single day, and if you have nothing to leave behind after the meeting, your image may be a forgotten one in the sea of faces the hiring client has interviewed.

What size or should it be? A "comp" card can be a variety of sizes, single-sided, double-sided, flat or fold out. The particular modeling agency you are signed with may have a specific size or style of card that they require their models to obtain, but if not, the size and style choice are yours. A size of approximately 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches, double-sided, is currently the most commonly used size, with a "head shot" or close-up facial shot on one side, and three to four photos on the opposite side, which portray the model in a variety of styles, from various angles and with varied photo croppings.

What kind of pictures should be on the composite? All the photos on the composite card should be recent, and show variations of your current hair color and length. The pictures should show the range of looks you can portray, relevant to the type of modeling work you are seeking. They should show you from various angles and in different poses.

I have a portfolio of larger photos. Do I still need a composite? Because reality TV and popular culture have glamorized the "portfolio", many people try to start out modeling by first working to create a portfolio. The portfolio is also referred to as the models "book", and is in fact a plastic-sleeved book or album filled with larger pictures that show a model in a variety of settings, outfits and situations. It may also contain magazine pages or actual ad clippings of work the model has appeared in (these are called "tear-sheets", because you literally tear them out of the magazine and place them in the portfolio book). But many aspiring models don't understand that the composite card needs to come before the portfolio. A good composite card is of primary importance, especially when first embarking on a modeling career! A portfolio is primarily shown at go-sees or in situations where the model has already secured an interview, or has been selected for the interview by the client previously viewing their composite card. A composite card is what gets the model interviews or in-person meeting with potential clients. Sometimes jobs are booked directly as a result of the client making selection based on the composite card. A portfolio is something further to show the client when you are appearing at an interview or go-see. It is not always required for all types of modeling, but is definitely a plus if you are seeking opportunities in the competitive field of fashion print work.

Bottom line, the composite is what gets you "in the door" - it is your first and most important point of contact with clients who hire models. It is the advertising "teaser" that should impress them and make them want to meet you, see more of your print work if you have it, and hopefully book you for the job!

How often do I need to make a new composite card? Whenever your "look" changes significantly. If you have an obvious change of hair color or cut, or if you have gained or lost more that 10 pounds, it's time to make a new composite card that shows your current appearance.

How many composite cards do I need? This depends on what part of the country you are in, and how many cards your modeling agent requires. For example, a model in New York are Chicago, which are major modeling markets, will probably need many more composite cards to start out than a model in a smaller market such as St. Louis. Most local models start with 100-200 cards.

What kind of photographer do I need to work with to make a composite card? You need a fashion or commercial photographer. Not a portrait photographer. Not a 'senior portrait studio' photographer. Portrait-style photos are not for models ! Your pictures need to look "commercial" - like they came from a magazine or an advertisement.

How can Angie Knost Photography help me get started? Call or email to schedule your Composite Card photo session with Angie Knost Photography. We have comprehensive packages that include you being photographed in 3-4 different outfits in various settings, help with composite card design, and we retouch the photos and provide the printed cards to you as well. No running around to different photographers and printers to get it all done. Angie can create all the materials required to get you started in the modeling field, in one afternoon ! If modeling is something you have always wanted to try, don't wait. The time is now! Even if you are a beginner and have no idea about posing, Angie will work with you to help you create a professional composite card.

What’s on a Rockstar’s Sink Basin?

angieknost — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:50:58 +0000

Just as a National Geographic photographer would prefer to photograph an animal in its natural environment to help provide a better understanding of its nature, I like to photograph the infamous beast known as the Rockstar in its natural environment whenever possible. I equate press-rooms with cages in that they provide an artificial environment that allows for little to no insight into the habits of the elusive Rockstar creature.

Apart from the stage, which is first-home for this species, the tour bus, van, or trailer is the second-home to this creature when taking its migratory path. When photographing Brandon Saller of the bands Hell or Highwater and Atreyu for St Louis Music Press, I asked Brandon if it was okay for me to include some of the surrounding environment, including the surrounding sink and counter, because I think people might be interested to know what's on the counter top of a traveling rockstar. He consented, so here you have it... a close-up detail of Brandon's counter top and the items he travels with:

Mankind vs Nature

angieknost — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:45:16 +0000

I happened on this landscape about a year ago, and it provoked my imagination.

I'm not quite sure what these pillars supported; maybe a walkbridge or a small viaduct of some kind, something definitely man-made. To me, this scene represents the works of mankind versus the works of nature. The 'works of mankind' here have crumbled or ceased to function as they were first designed to (...or perhaps they were removed by storm, or demo-crew, or crumbled with time), but nature has continued on around it, pressing on, moving forward, overtaking the "concrete" works of man, or diminishing them in comparison.

While the 'works of mankind' and the 'works of nature' both appear to be reaching upward, nature has surpassed, and will presumably keep on striving. The two forces could be said to be striving together, side by side. Or you might think that one is languishing, after being created with effort, and one is moving forward effortlessly, reaching higher and higher and growing stronger.

This scene reminds me a little bit of Stonehenge, which makes me wonder: could future generations find these old concrete pillars to be coincidentally aligned with some particular constellation, or support a system of recording time? Will they surmise that a past generation was symbolically spelling out a warning of a future disaster or miracle? Or will they say, "Hmmm, just some old concrete pillars."?

I would enjoy reading your comments about any ideas that this photo brings to your mind. Please 'Comment' your thoughts!

Simple Hairstyle Changes Add Versatility To Model Photos

angieknost — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 00:14:01 +0000

While models certainly want to have a certain recognizable "look" that is their trademark, most agencies will advise their models to show a high degree of versatility in the photos they use to represent themselves (portfolio, zed card, etc). By being able to visually play different "roles" or types, models can maximize work opportunities. Below are two images taken of the same model, during the same afternoon photo session. While both images would qualify as being "fashiony" rather than "commercial" and are basically variations of the same pose, as you can see, a great deal of variety can be demonstrated with a simple change of hair and make-up. Going from straight to curly is a way to change your look completely.The second image also has a lot of heavy black eyeshadow added, which is a simple, no-fail way to give your image a couture vibe.

Photo and make-up artistry by Angie Knost.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Privacy Policy

angieknost — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:50:13 +0000

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angieknost.com Copyright Policy

angieknost — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:39:08 +0000

Legal notice in regard to Copyright for angieknost.com:

All material appearing on angieknost.com is protected by United States copyright laws. Materials from angieknost.com (including, but not limited to text, photographs, audio and video) may not be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed in any way without specific written permission from Angie Knost, LLC.

Photo notice: Unless otherwised noted, photos © Copyright 2001-2013 Angie Knost, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Panorama-rama!

angieknost — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:30:02 +0000

I am a Google Trusted Photographer for the St. Louis, Missouri area. I've been trained and certified by Google to create Virtual Tours for business's Google listings and Google+ pages (while anyone can post a small selection of still-photos to their Google+ page, only a Google Trusted Photographer can make and embed a Google Virtual Tour). This is an awesome thing! Potential customers can experience the decor and ambiance of your business right from their own computer! It's part of the Google mapping system, and it's just like Google Street View for the inside of your business. Viewers can navigate interiors via clicking arrows and dragging the mouse to rotate the room and move through it! In the spirit of practicing what I've been preaching, I finally got around to making a Virtual Tour of my own photo studio. Check it out, below. Pretty neat, huh? Find out more with this LINK, or give me a call to talk about making your own Virtual Tour for your business!

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A Very Ludo Christmas 2011, Part 2, Santa Takes Chicago

angieknost — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:23:57 +0000

A Very Ludo Christmas Pictures With Santa, Chicago, 12/11/2011

Were you there? All of the Ludo Santa photos are copyright released. Are you in one of these photos? Feel free to right-click, save and share your Ludo Santa photo with no restrictions ! Looking for photos from the St. Louis Ludo show at The Pageant? Click HERE to find them.

A Very LUDO Christmas 2011 Santa Pictures

angieknost — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:02:56 +0000

A Very Ludo Christmas Pictures With Santa, St. Louis, 12/10/2011

Were you there? All of the Ludo Santa photos are copyright released. Are you in one of these photos? Feel free to right-click, save and share your Ludo Santa photo with no restrictions ! This page features Ludo Santa photos for the St Louis 'A Very Ludo Christmas 2011' show. If you are looking for photos from the Chicago show at The Metro, click HERE.