The Art and Science of Creating an Effective Comp Card

Eva Mendes’ comp card, available on the first page of a Google image search for the term “comp card.” I used a public card since using actual cards from my clients can be a tricky thing to share.

Establishing Shot: The Importance of Comp Cards

In the conservative realm of Korean creative industries, a comp card is not just a luxury but a necessity. Without one, aspiring models risk being dismissed before they even have the chance to showcase their talent. In an environment where appearances matter greatly, a well-crafted comp card can make all the difference in securing opportunities. However, the temptation to hastily assemble a comp card from a mishmash of subpar photographs can be alluring. Yet, this slapdash approach often proves counterproductive, as it fails to capture the essence of professional editorial work.

The Comp Card: A Vital Tool in the Modeling Industry

At its core, a comp card (“컴카드” in Korean) serves as a model's calling card—a concise yet comprehensive portfolio that encapsulates their versatility, potential, and professional identity. Also known as a “composite card” or “zed card”, it functions as a visual résumé, presenting a curated selection of photographs that define the range of what the model is willing and able to do. From showcasing different looks, poses, and expressions to conveying various characters and emotions, the comp card is a statement of what kind of model the individual aspires to be in relation to the diverse needs of potential clients. It's not merely a collection of images but a strategic tool that communicates the model's strengths, aspirations, and suitability for different projects, ultimately opening doors to opportunities in the competitive realm of modeling.

Does the model have something to “say”? Does the photographer? Does an editorial shot gel as truly editorial, or is it just one of a bunch of “snaps?” Model @raqulaaa ALWAYS has something to say, as does photographer @seoulstreetstudios. And a shot made in Seoul’s most old-school of trendy, rich neighborhoods — the Rodeo section of Apgujeong — should LOOK like Rodeo, Apgujeong. The right editorial shot should convey a convergence of the model’s, photographer’s, and that place’s personality in the kind of clear “decisive moment” that master photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson always strived to hit.

Distinctive Voice: The Significance of Individuality in Creative Endeavors

Amidst the pursuit of a comp card, it's crucial to recognize the importance of both the model and the creator contributing to its creation. Beyond mere aesthetics, what sets apart exceptional comp cards is a unique perspective—a signature style that resonates with viewers. Just as a seasoned photographer should be able to identify their work amidst a multitude of images, a model should exude a distinct presence, leaving an indelible mark on each photograph, as in the one directly above.

A Unique Perspective: The Essence of Creative Expression

In the competitive landscape of the modeling industry, standing out is paramount. Merely conforming to conventional standards of beauty or adhering to generic poses is insufficient to leave a lasting impression. Instead, models must strive to articulate something unique, a narrative or emotion that transcends the superficial. Similarly, photographers must imbue their work with a sense of identity—a style that is unmistakably their own. This authenticity not only captivates audiences but also establishes a meaningful connection between the viewer and the subject. As briefly mentioned in the opening of this short essay, the card should define a range of personalities, and none of these images stand alone, and create a narrative about who you are and what you can do, as demonstrated by the image below and how it could defined the opposite end of the range of model Kasia’s ability. This can give the client – beyond just the message of the specific things you can obviously do – a range of the possibilities of what you can do, which is a much more powerful message to send.

Model @raqulaaa poses as a paragon of K-Popped, quasi-innocent virtue in a look that can bookend (and offset) other shots that show a racier, sexier side that could make a client worry that such looks are ALL she can do.

Amateur Aesthetics: The Pitfalls of Hasty Composition

One might argue that compiling a comp card from freely available photographs is a cost-effective solution. However, the adage "you get what you pay for" rings true in this scenario. Such hastily gathered images typically lack the polish and finesse of professional photography. Amateurish photographers and makeup artists contribute to a disjointed aesthetic that fails to impress. These images, far from resembling editorial work, appear more akin to casual snapshots.

Clichéd Backdrops: The Peril of Unoriginality

Among the pitfalls of hurriedly assembled comp cards is the reliance on clichéd backgrounds. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, while convenient for obtaining free shots, has become emblematic of low-effort photography. Its overuse in comp cards reflects a lack of creativity and originality, further detracting from the overall appeal of the portfolio.

Quantity vs. Quality: The Flawed Math of Rushed Production

Attempting to expedite the process by churning out numerous photoshoots yields diminishing returns. Even if one manages to capture a few exceptional shots per session, the overall quality suffers. With only a handful of decent images to select from, the editing process becomes constrained, leading to a prolonged and often fruietless endeavor. Moreover, the prevalence of common missteps, such as encountering unprofessional behavior from photographers or settling for mediocre shots, only prolongs the journey towards a subpar comp card.

The Folly of Hasty Creation: A Costly Shortcut

In light of these challenges, it becomes evident that hastily assembling a comp card is a shortcut fraught with pitfalls. Six months of toil and trouble may result in a lackluster portfolio that fails to meet the standards of the industry. In an era characterized by heightened scrutiny and stricter expectations, such amateurish presentations are ill-suited to make a lasting impression. Therefore, it is imperative for aspiring models to resist the allure of expediency and instead invest the time and effort necessary to produce a comp card that truly showcases their potential.

While it is just a “snap” created by going around the corner of our coffee shop for a truly “Gangnam-looking” shot, every picture with a model like @allii_model should look like a tear sheet from a magazine.

Every shot with @allii_model looks like an advertisement.

POP QUIZ AND ASSIGNMENT!

This is a selection of images I did for a client back in 2018 and I use this set with clients to both demonstrate some principles and allow some practice for thinking about your one’s own comp card. Your fun little homework here is to look through the carousel above and construct your own comp card as a narrative of a high school-aged girl trying to get into not only modeling, but commercial advertising as well. So the task here is to pick out some headshots and medium/full-length cuts and mix that with both traditional studio-style and editorial shots, all at the same time showing a range of this model’s personality and posing abilities. Another goal would be to also do an edit considering some of the shots that have technical flaws, as well as strengths and weaknesses that may affect your final edit.

This is a fun and fruitful exercise to do, and take note that in the carousel you can download the pictures to your own device and put them into whatever template you want to get some practice at this. I highly encourage this exercise and activity as you consider your own comp card, as well as whatever programs you might use to construct it.

CONCLUSION
The trick to making an effective card includes not only the photography and the model and the concept and all that stuff, but it also is about time and resources. So if your approach is to get lots of different styles from lots of different photographers, and possibly free collaborative work from make up art and clothing from friends, having all that come together and really strong shots in high enough numbers for you to construct a decent card is going to likely take quite a long time. But if you need to do all of this on a tight deadline, say by next week, you need to compress this into a time and resource-efficient process. Which is why you hire a professional with experience and talent that can allow you to do this on command in a very short period of time. You can also do this, of course, through a series of mutual collaborations, but consider the fact that the time it takes to make something of quality will be much longer, and you need to plan for this, and you also need to be more particular about the people with whom you collaborate.

For more information about US and for collaboration/photo package inquiries, please come through the Instagram @SeoulStreetStudios.com.