Deonna  wrote:
I am currently shopping my port to agencies and I am trying to set up some time to fill my portfolio with what I am lacking. I would really appreciate it if you guys would critique my current portfolio and also tell me what you think I should add.

You're only 5' 4" so I'm wondering what kind of agencies you're shopping for.

mrbob wrote:
The cropping is not good on many of them. Rather In camera or using photoshop the final product should be this -- that the arms , hands, fingertips, elbows, should not look partially cut off . With fingertips for example it looks literally like they have been amputated if they are cropped off at the fingertips. On the one of you in jeans style clothes and a Hershey bar brown colored dress - if you put your arms over your head do it this way  - Bring the arm  up And  place it "Over" the top of your head -  not on it !  For the fingers-- give them a gradual curve at the joints so that they then point downward and only the fingertips touch the top of your head. Laying the arm and hsnds down directly on top of the head is referred to as the  " Lazy Hands Syndrome" . Be sure elbows and wrist always turn gradually and none the less keep
Them as straight as possible.

I thank you for your response. I want to make 2 disclaimers. I unfortunately have not edited any of my images they have all been given to me this way by the photographers. Also, the last picture is from about 8 years ago when I joined model mayhem and I will be removing it. With that being said I do welcome more critique from you on the types of images I should be adding to my portfolio and more recent techniques that I should be working on. I will try to remove as many poorly cropped images as I can.

mrbob wrote:
One of the best things to do with hands if you want them by the head is generally use them to frame the face. One hand just above the jaw to emphasize the lips-( to side of face and not blocking it)  and the other on opposit side a little higher to emphasize the eyes - as an example. Show profiles not tops of them and generally avoid laying them directly down flat on the top of the head.

Thank you so much. All of your feedback is incredibly thoughtful and helpful.

HO Photo wrote:
You have a cute & interesting look, I think that by being selective about finding only your MOST flattering and MOST commercial images, you can send a strong submission to an agency. The height could obviously be an issue, but some agencies will either not care, or have a particular category of job they are comfortable putting you up for.

Shoot me a message if you'd like to chat more! I feel odd about picking apart your port in the forum.

Thank you I will definitely do that. I ideally want to set up more commercial shoots.

Howard Tarragon wrote:
OK, Deonna, here goes:
#1 It's hard to see your face with the shadows and bright spots. The whole shot is too busy. Good pose for you, (except for your left foot pointing in,you look tall. Your eyes are swiveled all the way over so we see mostly white. In a better location and with you looking at the camera, or at least straight ahead, it would have been a better shot.


#2 This is a good headshot but I would have backed up a few steps, so that the reflector's reflection wasn't so big in your eyes. Your big black eyes are a feature you don't want to hide. Great skin tone. Wish your hair didn't cover so much of your face.


#3 Excellent


#4 We know that your skin isn't orange, the shot is overexposed. You have better ones. Watch out for the whites of your eyes.Don't turn them so much.


#5 Some good post processing would help this image's color. Again, your eyes are hidden by white reflection. You're almost squinting from the glare.Photographer's fault, not yours.


#6 Such a lovely face and pose. Eyes are turned too far. Same lighting condition as 1st one.


#7 You have this shot of you elsewhere without the other models. You are a minor portion of this composition.


#8 You are the lesser subject in this shot. You don't need it.


#9 Think of the impact here if you had been looking at the camera. Beautiful face,  well framed. Beautiful shot.


#10 Compared to the previous one, dump it.


#11 Nice head tilt, relaxed, good color balance. A bit overexposed. I wish I could see the color of this "brown eyed girl's" eyes.


#12 No. Just a messy shot and your eyes are closed.


#13 It's ok, sort of busy background. When the next photographer asks you to pose on railroad tracks, run away, screaming Noooooo! You should not be shot from a higher position, makes subject look shorter. Fists do not belong in photos.


#14 I'd keep this.


#15 I realize that models are told to turn their eyes, but you want to see more than the whites. Let your eyes look where your nose is pointing. This is a really nice shot of you but I wish the photographer had noticed that distracting yellow sign.


#16 You do the street urchin well. You needed both arms to block or shorts. Your face is not the first place people will look, as it is now. This is not the best pose for you. It's emphasizing your thin legs and not the perfect beautiful lighting on your face. As a concept for a photographer, it works. For your portfolio, not so much.


#17 Very dramatic. Tell me, what's the most noticeable thing in the shot after your lips? I'll wait... Your nostrils. It almost works because it is so dramatic, but will anyone remember your face?


#18 Can hardly see your face because you're too small a part of the picture. Your legs are cut off (even though it's the right crop spot), you needed to be longer in the shot.


#19 Very dramatic.OK for fashion. Watch your hand pressure on your skin, it's causing a skin fold on your waist.


#20 Nailed it.


#21 Not doing much for you. Expression isn't great, nor is lighting.


#22 Much better. Don't know why Vanessa had you put your right hand there, flat to the camera, it's disembodied. Even though it's almost an up the nostril shot, it's not.


#23 Yup, that's the face. Why would anyone want to cover it? Good pose, good expression.


#24 Snapshot and not a good one. You look large through the bottom, not a flattering expression and bad light.


Shoot with lot's of photographers. Watch your eye direction. Remember, you want people to remember your face from your portfolio. Full length and 3/4 shots are important too but we need to know it's you. Did you see "the Devil Wears Prada"? Think of Meryl Streep going through the good the bad and the ugly. Not happening. Trim your portfolio to only the best.

All the best and have fun!

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