You want to apply to a model agency, and every single one asks for the same thing: a sedcard. This post walks through the sedcard shoot itself — how the session runs at our studio, which polas you walk away with, and what it costs. If you first want the basics on what a sedcard is, our guide on what exactly goes on a sedcard covers that from scratch.
A sedcard shooting is a professional photo session that produces the standard images a model needs to apply to agencies – a frontal portrait, a profile, and a full-body shot, usually in natural styling. At BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg a sedcard shooting starts at €79, includes professional make-up and at least one fully edited digital image, and takes place in our private studio in Hamburg-Altona. Per session we shoot many individually composed frames, and you choose your sedcard pictures and polas from them afterwards.
What belongs on a sedcard?
A model sedcard is a small card – physical or digital – with your name, key measurements, and a handful of standard photos. Agencies expect the same core shots every time so they can compare you fairly against other models. Variety of expression and outfit matters less than clean, honest, well-lit images.
These are the images that belong on almost every sedcard:
- Frontal portrait – head and shoulders, looking straight into the camera, neutral background.
- Profile – your face from the side, so the agency can read your bone structure.
- Full-body shot – head to toe, showing your proportions and posture.
- Half-length / three-quarter – roughly hip up, bridging portrait and full body.
- Smiling and neutral – at least one warm, friendly frame and one calm, serious one.
Bring two or three simple outfits, keep the make-up natural, and you have everything an agency needs. The polas (more on those below) round out the set by showing how you look with almost nothing added.
Polas vs. fashion / portfolio – what is the difference?
Polas and fashion images serve two completely different purposes. Polas are unstyled, unretouched photos that show an agency your natural, ‘raw’ look – minimal make-up, plain outfit, no editing. Fashion or portfolio images are the opposite: styled, creative, lit and composed to show what you can become in front of a camera.
For a first agency application, polas matter most. Agencies want to see the real you before they invest in you, so they trust honest, un-edited frames over a heavily produced portfolio. A typical sedcard shooting therefore leans on clean, natural polas, with a few stronger fashion-style frames added to show range.
- Polas – natural, almost untouched, no retouching; the agency sees your true skin, shape, and proportions.
- Fashion / portfolio – styled, edited, creative; shows your potential and how you carry a concept.
- Do you need more than polas? For a first application, strong polas are often enough. A small set of fashion frames helps once you want to show versatility.
Make-up: natural or glamour?
For a sedcard, natural usually wins. Agencies want to see your actual features, not a transformation – so a fresh, light, even make-up that evens out skin and lifts the eyes is the standard, not a heavy glamour look. A dramatic look can hide exactly what an agency is trying to assess.
At BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg professional make-up is included, and our make-up artist works with professional make-up brands. It is done before the shoot starts. Come with a freshly cleansed, un-made-up face so we build the look from scratch and keep it natural – that is the single best preparation you can do.
How a sedcard shooting works at BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg
A sedcard shooting at our studio runs in a few clear steps, from online booking to digital delivery, and takes about 30–60 minutes of actual shooting. You do not need any modelling experience – our photographer guides you through every pose. We work in a private, closed studio, so it is just you and our team.
- Book online. Pick your sedcard shooting in the shop and choose a slot in our online calendar – we shoot seven days a week.
- Make-up. On arrival, our make-up artist creates a fresh, natural look.
- The shooting. 30–60 minutes in front of the camera with full direction – our photographer shows you every pose and expression, so no experience is needed.
- Plenty of frames. We compose each image individually rather than firing off a thousand frames, so you get genuine variety to choose from.
- Image selection together. Straight after the shoot we go through the photos with you on screen and pick your favourites.
- Digital delivery. Your chosen images are delivered digitally in full resolution, ready to send to agencies.
How many images do you get? Out of the many frames we shoot, your session includes at least one fully edited digital image. You can add as many of the others as you like afterwards – there is no obligation to buy beyond the session fee.
Preparation & outfits for your sedcard
Good preparation is mostly about keeping things simple, because a sedcard should show you, not your styling. A little planning the night before makes the whole shoot smoother and your photos cleaner.
- Bring two or three outfit changes – at least one plain, fitted look and something that shows your shape.
- Solid colours beat patterns – busy prints distract from your face and proportions.
- Avoid tight bra straps and sock marks before the shoot; loosen anything that leaves a line on the skin.
- Wash your hair and keep styling minimal – natural movement photographs better than heavy product.
- Arrive without make-up so our make-up artist can build the natural look from a clean base.
Want more outfit detail? Our guide on what to wear to a photo shoot walks through colours, fits, and what to leave at home.
Costs & how to win agencies over
A sedcard shooting in Hamburg at BEAUTYSHOTS starts at €79, and that session fee already includes professional make-up and one fully edited digital image. Any further images you like are available afterwards with no obligation to buy, and everything is delivered digitally in full resolution. You can see the full breakdown on our photo prices and packages page.
Once you have the photos, getting booked is about how you present them. Agencies in Hamburg and beyond look for honesty and range more than gloss:
- Be honest. Natural polas that match your real look build trust faster than over-edited images.
- Show versatility. A few different outfits and expressions prove you can adapt.
- Keep it clean. Simple backgrounds and clear, well-lit standard shots are easier for an agency to assess.
- Follow the brief. Send the exact shots each agency asks for – portrait, profile, full body, polas.
For the service details and what is included, see our model sedcard shooting page, and if you want background on building a card, our guide on creating a sedcard in Hamburg goes deeper.
Ready to book your sedcard shooting?
With over 20 years of experience, more than 25,000 customers, and 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google, we know how to make a first sedcard that agencies actually respond to – in a private, relaxed studio where no experience is needed. Browse and book your session on our photo shootings page, call us on 040 / 18 00 88 0, or email hamburg@beauty-shots.de. We shoot seven days a week, so there is always a slot that fits.
Frequently asked questions
What is a model sedcard and which photos belong on it?
A model sedcard (or setcard) is a model's professional business card: a compact set of standard photos with name and measurements that agencies use to assess your look. It should include a frontal portrait, a profile, a full-body shot, a half-length image, and at least one smiling and one neutral expression. Natural polas usually round out the set.
How many images do I get at a sedcard shooting?
At BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg we shoot many individually composed frames per session. Your session fee includes at least one fully edited digital image, and you can add as many of the others as you like afterwards. There is no obligation to buy beyond the session fee, and all chosen images are delivered digitally in full resolution.
What are polas and do I need them?
Polas are natural, unretouched photos taken with minimal make-up and plain outfits, so an agency can see your ‘raw’ look. They differ from fashion or portfolio images, which are styled and edited to show your potential. For a first agency application, strong polas are often the most important part of your sedcard.
What does a sedcard shooting in Hamburg cost?
A sedcard shooting at BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg starts at €79. That session fee includes professional make-up and one fully edited digital image, with additional images available afterwards and no obligation to buy. Everything is delivered digitally in full resolution.
Do I need modelling experience?
No. Our photographer directs you through every pose and expression during the 30–60 minute shoot, so first-timers are completely fine. The session happens in a private, closed studio, which makes it easy to relax in front of the camera.
Should the make-up be natural or glamorous?
For a sedcard, natural make-up is the standard. Agencies want to see your real features, so a fresh, light look that evens out the skin works better than a heavy glamour style. Professional make-up is included at BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg, and we recommend arriving with a clean, un-made-up face.
How many outfits should I bring?
Bring two or three outfit changes for your sedcard shooting. Choose solid colours over busy patterns, include at least one plain, fitted look, and avoid anything that leaves tight marks on your skin. Simple styling keeps the focus on you, which is exactly what agencies want to see.