Hello MM,

I've been working steadily on improving my images.

My short term goal is to earn money with portrait and family portrait photography while I get to my long term goal.

My long term goal is to pick up agency and commercial photography work in Los Angeles. If you guys can stop by my profile and review my work that would be awesome. Perhaps you can provide me some constructive criticism and tips to improve my work as to reach my goal.

Thank you!
Erick R.

I'm not an expert on commercial, but I have experience and worked on a few commercials, the look needs to "sell". And the first hurdle you face are casting directors. They look for models who "look like someone" so as to pick you to play that person and get other people to think "oh I look like him or her, so I should act and BUY like him or her." kind of mentality.

My first impression was that none of the pictures you have look like you want to sell anything.

Most are well lit, composed, good color, great exposure and creativity.

But not commercial.

If you want to go commercial then I suggest finding an item that you want to see and put it in them model's hand, also you may need to look for models that look more like ordinary people (but with personality and ability to emote).

Composition
Why so much space behind models, when you are loosing his hands
Of your photos this comes across the strongest


The lips are not working for me in this photo
Top photo model has head tilted to far back
Bottom photo chin appears to be tucked in too much
Eyes in bottom photo are not sharp enough


This looks a bit like a snap shot
Place more space in front of model then behind, gives them some place to move into

I think I get what you were trying to do here. Pretending the model's expression doesn't look like she just let out a much-needed fart in the pool, pulling back with the camera just a bit more would give the model more scale.



Contrasted to this one, can you feel how much more balanced this image is? The background is pleasing and simple, and the model is well framed.

In your free time maybe try imagining how an image would look with a heading or title as if in a magazine. This might change how you look at your composition and get you started in the right direction toward your long-term goal.

Best of Luck,

PP