Comp Cards

If you are interested in pursuing a career in fashion, commercial or catalog 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” 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.

You may wonder why do you need quality professional compcard to model? Modeling agencies and modeling management companies 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 strong 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.

Comp cards are essential to a model’s career. Without them, a model will look unprofessional and inexperienced.

Likewise, strong comp cards are a model’s ticket to booking jobs and leaving a lasting impression. This is how clients, designers and agencies will remember them, i.e. How they look, How they photograph, How much experience they have?

So now that you understand why they are so important, what are they?

Comp cards, otherwise known as composite cards, Z cards, or zed cards, are basically a model’s business card. This is how an agency will market them to potential clients.

It is a printed and online card that shows the model portraying a range of various “looks” and styles appropriate for her or his age and appearance

The size may be a bit larger than a regular business card, but the concept remains the same. Models will leave these cards behind with clients and agencies as something to remember them by. Comp cards are typically 8’5″ x 5’5″ in size and feature a strong head-shot and name on the front, with a diverse, yet prolific selection of a few photos on the back. The backside will also display a model’s measurements which typically includes: (bust, waist, hips for women) and (suit or chest, waist, inseam for men), height, weight, shoe size, eye and hair color, nationality as well as contact information. It is important to note that the photos used for a model’s comp card should be their absolute best.

Do I still need a composite if I already carry a large portfolio?

Because 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 showcase your brand to the client when you are appearing at an agency interview, call back 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, to hopefully book for 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, mutiple of hair styling looks 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.

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 Angels of Avay help me get started?

Call or email to schedule your Composite Card photo session with us today. We have comprehensive affordable photography packages offering models photographed in three - four wardrobe studio changes, make up and hair stylists, photo retouching, and composite card design and printing.

No running around to different photographers and printers to get it all done.

The AoA can capture all the photos needed to get you started in the modeling field, in one session! 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, the AoA production team directed by Model Coach, Miss Ohio Integrity Beauty Tinisha Avay will work with you to help you create a professional composite card.

To schedule a appointment (E) angelsofavay@gmail.com.

In closing, remember this is an opportunity for aspiring and professional models to showcase the best of their work and market themselves by leaving a lasting impression on potential clients. Many quality modeling and acting paid jobs may depend on this.