Digitals
Guide
Six frames, a phone, a shaded wall, and about twenty minutes. Everything you need is on this page.
Digitals are unedited phone photos that show you exactly as you are.
No retouching, no filters, no styling tricks. They are usually the first thing a client sees, and they need to be current — we ask for fresh ones every few months, or any time your hair, stats, or look changes.
A phone
Any phone from the last few years is fine. Clean the lens first.
A friend
Easiest option. Alone is fine too, prop the phone on a ledge or curb and use the 10-second timer.
One outfit
Fitted, neutral, no logos. Full checklist below. Bring swimwear if you have it. Send pics and get approval from your agents prior to shooting.
20 minutes
Shoot midday, in shade at a neutral colored wall (parking garages or behind big box stores like TJ MAXX).
Find shade and
a plain wall
Our recommendation: a parking garage, or the back of a big-box store. Both give you a neutral wall, even shade, and nobody in your way. A garage's open sides act like a giant softbox.
Look for
- +Full, even shade — a garage level, a loading dock, the north side of a building.
- +A plain wall in grey, beige, white, or concrete.
- +Open sky or an open garage side in front of you — that's your light source.
- +Flat ground so you can stand square and straight.
Avoid
- –Direct sun. It squints your eyes and carves hard shadows.
- –Dappled shade under trees — patchy light reads as bad skin.
- –Busy backgrounds: brick, murals, signage, parked cars, doorframes.
- –Indoor overhead lights, and mirror selfies. Both are an instant no.
Standing off the wall keeps your shadow off it. Keeping the phone level at chest height — never tilted down — is what makes your proportions read true.
Settings
- +Rear camera, 1x lens for full body and 2x lens for headshots. Never the selfie camera.
- +Vertical orientation, standard Photo mode.
- +Portrait mode, filters, beauty smoothing, and flash all off.
- +Increase exposure +0.07 for flattering smooth light
- +Alone? 10-second timer, or hold the shutter for a burst.
Framing
- +Full length: your feet and a hand's width above your head, both in frame.
- +Headshots: Framed collar bone up
- +Stand centered, weight even, phone level with your chest.
- +Walk in with your feet instead of zooming. Zoom softens the image.
- +Shoot 15–20 frames per angle, then pick the best one.
Six required
frames
Match these as closely as you can — same wall, same light, same outfit throughout. Shoot the full-length frames first, then step in for the headshots.
Square to the camera, arms relaxed at your sides.
Turn your body halfway, keep your face to the lens.
Full side view, shoulders back, chin level.
Step in halfway. Shows your shoulders, waist, and frame.
Hair back off your face, soft expression, eyes to the lens.
Full side view of your face. Ear and jawline visible.
Square to the camera, arms relaxed at your sides.
Turn your body halfway, keep your face to the lens.
Full side view, shoulders back, chin level.
Step in halfway. Shows your shoulders, waist, and frame.
Hair back off your face, soft expression, eyes to the lens.
Full side view of your face. Ear and jawline visible.
Nice to have
Extras worth shooting while you're already set up.
Between front and profile — flattering on most faces.
Facing the wall, standing straight, hair off your back. Fit clients ask for it.
Women: repeat 01–03 in a solid, neutral suit. Men: repeat 01–03 shirtless. Some clients require it.
Do
- +Keep it simple. Digitals show your body, not your posing.
- +Great posture — shoulders down, chin level, ribs lifted.
- +Soft, varied expressions. Relaxed mouth, alive eyes.
- +Shift slightly every few frames instead of holding one pose.
Don't
- –Exaggerated facial posing or duck lips.
- –Slouching, popped hips, or leaning on the wall.
- –Hands covering your face or waist.
- –Poses that hide your proportions — crossed arms, twisted torso.
- –Going stiff. Breathe and keep moving between frames.
Simple, fitted,
neutral
The client has to see your actual shape. Your clothes are there to stay out of the way — but quality still reads, so wear your best-kept pieces. No rips, stains, or wrinkles.
Wear
- +Tops — fitted tank, tee, or bodysuit in a neutral color.
- +Bottoms, women — straight or skinny jeans in black or dark wash; shorts or a skirt in summer.
- +Bottoms, men — slim or straight jeans or trousers in black or dark wash.
- +Shoes — heels you can walk in, clean boots, or plain white sneakers.
- +Swim — solid neutral one-piece or trunks. No patterns, no distracting ties.
- +One small piece that's yours — a belt, a shoe, an everyday necklace.
Skip
- –Baggy anything — big sweaters, wide leg jeans, loose crop tops.
- –Logos, graphics, patterns, or ultra-trendy pieces.
- –Activewear and patterned swim, unless we've asked for it.
- –Stacked jewelry, sunglasses, hats, visible bra straps.
Pack list
Tick these off before you leave.
Do
- +"No makeup makeup" — moisturized skin, minimal coverage.
- +Hair natural but groomed, flyaways tamed. Exactly as it looks on a casting.
- +Nails clean and short. No color, no acrylic.
- +Facial hair either clean-shaven or neatly trimmed — whichever you'd walk into a casting with.
- +Men: no makeup needed. Clean, moisturized skin and blotted shine is the whole job.
Don't
- –Heavy eye makeup, full coverage foundation, contour, or lash extensions.
- –Updos or heavy heat styling, unless your booker asked.
- –Nail art or acrylic extensions.
- –Showing up completely bare-faced without being told to. Bare-faced still takes prep.
Beauty bag
Bring these along for touch-ups on location.
Send them raw
Not sure if a frame works? Send it anyway and ask. We would rather look than have you guess.
Email your booker