What Are Model Digitals and Why are they essential for Modeling?
I still remember the first time a model walked into our Dubai studio, portfolio in hand, face perfectly contoured, hair set, dressed to the nines. She looked incredible. But something didn’t sit right. The agency that had sent her over had specifically asked for digitals and she had phone selfies, beautifully lit yet heavily filtered. But they are what they mean when they ask for Model digitals or Polaroids.
That moment became a quiet reminder of how often we, in the fashion and creative industries, need to return to the basics. And model digitals are raw, honest, minimal as it gets. But basic doesn’t mean unimportant. In fact, in a market like Dubai where trends, aesthetics, and faces change constantly, a clean digital can be the most valuable thing a model walks in with.
So, what exactly are model digitals?
They go by a few names-digitals, Model Polaroids, or simply Digis. Whatever you call them, they’re stripped-down photos of a model in their most natural state. No filters, no makeup (or just the bare minimum), no retouching. Think of them as a reset-a way for agencies, casting directors, and clients to see what’s real.
Unlike portfolio shots, digitals aren’t about creativity. They’re about clarity.
Why are digitals still so relevant?
In cities like Dubai, where modeling intersects with luxury, fashion, real estate, tech, and hospitality, casting decisions are made fast. Digitals cut through the noise.
Agencies don’t want to guess what you look like. Clients aren’t looking to imagine your face without makeup or your body without the benefit of lens distortion. They want the facts. And digitals give them that.
More importantly, they save time. For everyone.
The essentials of a good digital
- Clean background, clean lighting. Plain white or light grey walls work best. No textures, no backdrops, no distractions. Natural daylight is a win. But if you’re indoors, soft diffused lighting that doesn’t cast strong shadows is just as good.
- Keep it minimal. No accessories. Simple form-fitting clothes. A black tank top, jeans, and bare feet are often perfect. Hair pulled back if needed.
- Full range of angles. Agencies want to see full-length body shots (front and side), mid-length, close-up, and profiles. All with a neutral expression, and then maybe one or two with a soft smile.
- Update often. Changed your hairstyle? Gained or lost noticeable weight? Got a new tattoo? Your digitals need to reflect your current self.
“But won’t they make me look boring?”
This is a question we hear all the time. And it’s fair. If you’ve spent time curating an editorial portfolio or have just shot an amazing beauty campaign, the thought of presenting yourself without polish might feel like a step backward.
But the truth is, there’s nothing more compelling than real confidence.
Clients and agents can imagine the transformation. What they want is to know the base. Think of digitals as your “before” picture-not in a glow-up sense, but as the reliable blueprint that everything else is built upon.
