01 Aug 2025/ Website

Industry Terms You Should Know

New to modeling or need a quick refresher? Understanding essential modeling industry terms is key to navigating auditions, castings, and booking with confidence!
Industry Terms You Should Know image
Whether you're just getting started or just need a refresher, understanding key modeling industry terms will help you navigate bookings, castings, and communication with confidence. Here’s a glossary of commonly used modeling and talent terms. Bookmark this page for easy reference!

Portfolio Tools
  • Portfolio: Your online portfolio showing a variety of looks.
  • Digitals / Polaroids: Simple, no-makeup digital photos used for castings and submissions.
  • Test Shoot: A photo shoot to build or update your portfolio.
  • Zed Card / Comp Card / Headshots: Printed cards with a selection of your photos and stats. Bring them to castings and go-sees.


Booking Basics
  • Specs: Specific requirements like age, size, ethnicity, or skills needed for a booking.
  • On Hold / Option: A client is interested but still deciding between you and others. You’re reserved for that day, so stay available until you’re confirmed or released.
  • Second Option: If one client has you on “first hold,” another can be given a “second option.” If the first releases you, the second can confirm you.
  • Confirmed: You’ve officially been selected for the job!
  • Booking: A confirmed job. Time to shine.
  • Released: The client has chosen someone else.

Types of Talent Roles
  • Principle / Hero: Lead role in a commercial, film, or shoot — often with higher pay.
  • Extras: Background roles with lower pay rates.
  • Fit Modeling: Models with specific measurements used for regular clothing fit testing with designers.
  • Fitting: A one-time session to try on clothing before a shoot — different from fit modeling.
  • Go-See: An informal interview or fitting with a client or photographer prior to the booking.

Before the Camera Rolls
  • Callback: A second interview or audition.
  • Camera-Ready: Arrive on set with your hair, makeup, and wardrobe fully done and ready to shoot.
  • Call Time: The exact time you must arrive on set.
  • Call Sheet: A document detailing crew, talent, location, call times, and shoot details.
  • Sides: The script for your role.

Documents & Deliverables
  • Slate: Your introduction at castings: “Hi, my name is [Name], with [____ Agency or unrepresented]. My height is [Height], and I am located in [City].”
  • Profiles: Side profile photos (left and right) used to evaluate your features from all angles.
  • Voucher: A job receipt signed by you and the client, used for agency invoicing.
  • NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement): Legal document to protect confidential content. Always ask permission before posting anything from a job.
  • Tear Sheet: A published image of your work in a magazine or catalog — a great portfolio piece!

Industry Content Terms
  • Usage: Defines how your image or footage will be used (e.g., online, broadcast, print). This can affect your pay.
  • Look book: A visual presentation of a brand’s product line — usually high-end, editorial-style shots.
  • Catalog: A printed or digital magazine showing products for purchase.
  • Print: A large-format printed photo used in marketing or editorial.
  • Editorial: A stylized photo story in a magazine showing trends or high-fashion concepts.
  • Editorial Look: A term used to describe models with strong, edgy facial features — often featured in fashion spreads.
  • SAG-AFTRA / Union: SAG is the union representing film/TV talent with standardized rates and protections. Non-union talents may work limited SAG jobs before needing to join.
  • Taft-Hartley: A form filed for non-union talent working a union job — may be required for SAG compliance.