Your General Model Kit

This is a general list of things you should have for any shoot. There are a few things that are different in other genres and they will be covered at a later date, when I write up posts about each different type of shoot. For now, this is a basic kit for models doing fashion/high fashion/glamour/portraiture/lingerie/pin-up/bikini shoots and shows.

A note about the list: photographers DO HAVE PREFERENCES. Some prefer open-toed shoes to pumps, some prefer you be lubed up and shiny. I am absolutely not saying that you do not need to bring whatever the photographer says as this is a BASIC kit.

To start things out, there are a few things that are mandatory to any shoot/show, regardless of style.

- ID: No matter if you are or aren't the age of majority, you should always have ID on you. ALWAYS.

- A chaperone/assistant: This is for your safety. The photographer can provide the assistant but there should ALWAYS be a third person. (This does not mean another model in a shoot involving multiple models.)

- Lip balm! (Mucho grande importante!)

- A 1L bottle of water. I cannot stress this enough. Most photographers will have some sort of drinking receptacle and a tap but that doesn't guarantee it's tasty/cold water. A bottle will save you the trouble of having to ask.

- Snacks. Nothing that can dirty the set, leave a mess, make crumbs, smell super icky/funky. Almonds are a good bet, just be careful if anyone on set has a nut allergy. Rice crackers (the thin, hard kind) are an excellent snack as they can fill you up just enough to get through a shoot. Cheese is another good snack. Absolutely NO berries.


On to your kit. This includes a variety of things, as you'll see, that you should have in your kit bag. This bag is supposed to be packed and ready to go at all times. This saves you from scrambling when you have a last minute shoot. This is mostly for ladies but some of these things applies to the guys too.

- Foundation/Powder.

- A neutral/nude lipstick and a red lipstick. (These are your most common colors!)

- Makeup brushes.

- Everything you need to make a smokey eye.

- Everything you need to create a neutral eye. (Audrey Hepburn is a great reference for these)

- Brow filler. This should match your hair color.

- I shouldn't NEED to say this but MASCARA. Black, not clear. (Unless you're under 16 but even then...If you're unsure: have both.)

- Hairspray

- Bobby pins/hair pins

- Hand cream/lotion

- A fork and clear packing tape. (This applies mostly to runway shows or anything where you aren't using your own shoes. Sometimes floors are really slippery. The best way to avoid falling on your ass: apply a layer or 5 of packing tape and rough it up with your metal fork)

- A headband. Preferably not the hard plastic kind but rather a soft, bandeau style headband. The kind you get at American Apparel or Lulu Lemon. (There, I said it.)

- A hand towel.

- A shitty handkerchief/scarf (something like this that you can tie around your neck and can get makeup on it and be washed easily!).

- A pair of black heels. These can be almost any height as long as they are more than 2"s. These should be standard. STANDARD.

- A pair of black OR nude flats. These should be plain, not sparkly or flashy or fancy.

- Baby wipes/makeup removal method-thing.

- 2+ pairs of pantyhose. I say + because two is the minimum. One pair black, one nude/flesh/naked tone. Ideally you should have a backup pair of each, just saying... but those bitches are easy to tear.

- Black AND nude bra that can be strapless, matching panties or thong. (Preferably both!)

- A robe, if you're shooting lingerie/nude/implied/boudoir/pin-up. Basically if you're nearly naked you may want something to cover up with.

- Black-safe deodorant. Dove makes one of these that leaves no residue! CHECK IT OUT.

- Scissors. You never know when you'll need them!

- Industrial double-sided tape/fashion tape. You can usually get this at your local art supply store.

- Contact lenses. This is only if you wear glasses normally and would like to not be blind during a shoot!

- Your "lady" bag. I know, really? But you should always keep these things on hand!

So there you have: the basic modelling kit. That should cover almost everything, excluding anything a photographer may ask you to bring such as specific shoes or wardrobe.

And now for a video! Here's a neat one by Nee. Her channel is primarily about hair styling but also features a few nutrition tips! This video will show you how to create an "irregular" braid. I'm a fan!

Be safe, be smart, be awesome!

-Nicola Sasky