Modeling agencies often put comp cards in their display racks. This makes it easy for a client to go into a modeling agency and quickly scan their talent pool. Modeling agencies and models send comp cards to photographers, art directors, and others to advertise new talent or to show updated looks or expanded capabilities of an established model. Speaking from my own experience, as a photographer I have found comp cards very useful in hiring talent. Photographers often maintain a talent file (comp cards) for future projects. In addition, the comp cards make it possible for a photographer to show prospective clients a selection of talent available for their project. Comp cards can be used in other ways, but they remain a very essential marketing tool for a model.
Source: http://www.modelingadvice.com/CompCards.html